Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Well, I've managed to answer some of my questions myself.

There is a Kronos for the A500 ($253 from Computer Mart) but I can't put memory
in it or in the original C.Ltd controller.

The Supra 2-Meg module only comes fully populated but Abel's selling it
for $256 so that's not too bad.

The FastTrak is more expensive because although you can buy it without a drive,
it still has space and power for the drive in the enclosure.

Adaptec 4000a vs Omti 3526  -  I can't find anyone who sells the Adaptec but
I found the Omti for $125. Is this a good deal or should I continue looking for
Adaptec?  

I guess I've decided to go with Supra unless anyone has any horror stories
about them. Supra recommended the Adaptec but only because on availability and
ease of mounting. They said the Supra would work fine with either the Adaptec
or the Omti. Is this true?

tom

    If the OMTI you are referring to is a 3527 for $125, that is a good
    price.
    
    -tl

RE:.1

>   There  is  a  Kronos for the A500 ($253 from Computer Mart) but I
>   can't put memory in it or in the original C.Ltd controller.

    I  have  a  old  C-Ltd  SCSI500 and it works well with a MiniMegs
expansion. FYI.

>   Adaptec  4000a  vs  Omti 3526 - I can't find anyone who sells the
>   Adaptec but I found the Omti for $125.

    I am not sure, but I think the 3526 is an old version of the 3527
and it actually talks SASI (pre-SCSI) and may not be what you want. I
have  an  Adaptec  4000  (from Computer Surplus in Milpitas CA - near
SanJose) and several Omti 3527 RLL to SCSI adapters. Both  work  well
with  C-Ltd.  The  "wholesale price for the 3527 is about $145, so if
you can get one for $125 you are doing very well. There is also a MFM
version called the 3520.

    The  Adaptec  is  also  supported by Microbotics HardFrame (as of
late).

    I  have  a  "love/hate"  relationship  with  C-Ltd. Their support
sucks, but their products work with more screwy stuff  than  you  can
shake  a  stick at. It is armor plated compared to almost any other I
have seen, including my HardFrame, which  is  no  slouch.  For  using
adapted  drive  I  would  definitely lean toward using C-Ltd (oh that
hurts to say it).

	-SES

    re. .2, .3
    
    It was an Omti 3526 for $125 but the guy told me this was MFM so maybe
    he really meant the 3520 or maybe he just didn't know what he was
    talking about.  I think I'll call Computer Surplus about the Adaptec
    4000a.  This seems to be what most people have.
    
    I only asked if memory could go 'inside' the C.Ltd controllers. I
    just didn't think about adding it on the passed through expansion
    bus.  The Supra ($153 - Abel) and the C.Ltd ($156 - Computer Mart ?)
    are the same price so this gives me a new possibility to think
    about.
    
    Any other thoughts out there on Supra vs. C.Ltd? Long term if I ever
    get any spare change and ditch the ST506's for SCSI's which is better?
    
    Thanks for all the help so far - this notes conference is great
    
    tom-who-really-envies-those-A2000-owners-with-HardFrames

re .2, .3

I've found a place that has one Omti 3527 gathering dust that they'll sell me
for $110.  

But the 3527 is an RLL controller, right?

I've got an RD53 - Micropolis 1325 now. Is this RLL or MFM?
I thought it was MFM. I know I can use RLL anyway but am I looking
for trouble if I do. Can the Micropolis drives handle the extra bits?

Any answers appreciated. I'd like to buy this today if I can.

tom

    Well all I can say is I have a RD53 and an Omti 3527 with the C'Ltd and
    I've not had any problems in months (since I had it). But I also ran
    the extensive low level check out with billions of patterns to check it
    out... RLL sure give me a lot more storage!

    RLL adapters (Omti 3527 and Adaptec 4070) work fine on all the DEC
    drives (RD52/53) you would be interested in using.  
    
    I have used CLtd, Hardframe, and OverDrive controllers with the
    above configurations with no problems, and currently run a Kronos
    and a HardFrame in a 2000 with no problems.
    
    The CLtd will run with just about anything you can attach to the
    bus, but!!!  you better be able to support yourself.
    
    For a single controller, using imbeded SCSI drives, on an 2000,
    I'd recommend a HardFrame.  If you are using ST506 drives and some
    kind of adaptor (Omti or Adaptec), I'd recommend the CLtd ( argh..
    you're right Steve, that hurts to say that!)  Once the CLtd is up
    and running,  it's pretty much bulletproof.  The Kronos controller
    (autoboot) is available for the 2000, 500, and I think it has been
    released for the 1000.
    
    John
    

    I've finally got my Adaptec 4000a. I couldn't find anywhere mail order.
    I wasted $2.95 on a Computer Shopper to get phone numbers to call. The
    only place that carried it at all was CSS ($129. for a used one) and
    they were out of stock. So I decided to call local repair shops
    (Seattle area). The 4th call did it - Butler Computer Service - $89.95
    A 45 min. drive and it was mine. Now I just need my Scsi host adapter.
    
    By the way, if anyone's interested, It was Lightspeed (800-735-4428)
    that had one Omti 3527 they were going to sell me for $110. The guy
    went and checked this and said it was definitely a 3527. He asked me
    what I thought a fair price was. I said $120 and then he offered it for
    $110.
    
    tom

    Hmmmmm,
    re. -all
    I thought the Omti-Models are 5520/5527 not 35XX ????
    BTW i use a Omti 5527 with a Micropolis 1325 and it gives me 106
    MB. As i know, the 1325 is "certified for RLL-usage"
    I also have BAD experiences with an RD52 and RLL. There were TONS
    of errors during low-level-formatting, so that i think the drive
    is not useable with RLL.
    Don't forget the Omti-To-Amiga-Bus-Adaptorboard for those controllers.
    
    Ralf
    ====

    The 5520/5527 are PC compatable controllers, not SCSI controllers.
    
    The 1325 is definitely NOT "certified" for RLL densities as a call to
    Micropolis will verify (it is also stated as an MFM drive in the
    technical manual).  But, as has been pointed out here, it will
    work at RLL densities.  Now if I could only get a working 3527 I'd be
    in great shape.
    
    -tl
    
    PS  I also have the C-Ltd controller and can vouch for the terrible
    	service but nice product.  I get good performance and incredible
    	flexibility.  I want to try and write a backup program to let me
    	backup my drives to a SCSI compatible cartridge tape system.

	I finally purchased the Adaptec 4000a and the Supra 500 host adapter
and have it hooked up to an RD53.

	Regarding Supra, their documentation is garbage, their support sucks,
and their software is buggy. (You can probably tell I'm not a happy camper)

	I have managed several times to get into a state where I couldn't
boot the hard drive or the Supra floppy and SupraFormat would GURU the
machine whenever I ran it. Right now my Amy is home reformatting with mapping
for about the 6th (and hopefully last) time. Grrrrrrrr

tom

p.s. - I should have bought C.Ltd. Their support can't be worse than Supra's.