Conference 7.286::atarist

    
    Theo,
    
    please take a look in topic 41.* where connections of RDs and
    RZs is discussed in detail.
    
    Bernd
    

Topic 41 is somewhat overwhelming these days.  Here's a summary of what
applies to your problem:

If you have an old enough SH204, it includes an Adaptek 4000
controller, and can be cabled directly to the RD53.

You should also get the latest SUPRA disk software for formatting and
driving the new drive combination.

If you don't want to bother keeping the 20MB drive, it's much easier. 
Unplug all three connectors from the 20MB drive, and plug them into the
RD53, and skip to the software section.  Make sure the RD53 is jumpered
to "0" or "A", and that the resistor pack is installed.

To use both drives, hardware-wise, you bus the 34-pin cable with the
one that's already in the drive, and run a 20-pin to the second 20-pin
header on the controller card.  Set the jumper on the bottom of the
RD53 to "1", and remove the terminator resistor pack.  You may have to
make your own 34-pin cable bus.  Technically, you should leave the
terminator in the last drive on the bus, and remove it from the one in
the middle, but if you keep the wires short enough, the electrons won't
notice.  You also need a power supply that can spin the RD53.  If you
adventuresome, you might even be able to use the supply in the SH204 to
power both the 20MB and the RD53, but I blew mine doing that once, so
if you are going to use two drives, I'd recommend that you get some
other supply that can do, as a minimum, 1A at +12 and 1A at +5.  A
simple way to obtain this is to buy a PC Clone case & power supply, the
cheapest you can find, and repackage everything into it.

Software-wise, you will need to know heads, tracks, etc, for the RD53,
which are:
	Cyl=1024
	Heads=8
	Precomp none (use 1024 if "none" isn't an option)
	Park none (it auto-parks when you shut it off)

I have the latest Supra software from GEnie, so I will upload it and
announce it in topic 9.  When configuring the drive to auto-boot, use
the "removable media" version of the driver.  I have had trouble with
the fixed media version being unable to recognize more than one drive.

I've done this and similar things more than a few times.

    Hi Jeff,
    does your explanation also apply to a Megafile 30?
    I like to run both drives.
    The megafile 30 do not have a second datacable connector, but there is
    a place for it.
    
    Rolf
    
    

I haven't personally worked on the megafile 30, but I have seen the
inside, and I know what you are talking about.

Certainly, you should be able to trade the internal machanism for the
RD53 and proceed as I described before.

It would make sense that you could solder in another 20-pin header, and
it would be interesting to try, and see what happens, no?  Let us know
what you find out. :-)

    Jeff,
    
    I tried to connect my RD53 to my atari, and it works fine, only i have
    a power problem. The RD53 takes to many power. The power suply is
    trying to startup the RD53, and after 8 times it is successful.
    
    Is it possible to modify my power supply to solve this problem, or
    should I buy a new power supply.
    
    P.s. My power supply is working fine with the 20 MB drive.
    
    Regards
    
    Theo Huilmand

    Hi Theo,
    try to get an old IBM-Powersupply. I got one for just 10 DM = 6 US$!!!
    It is a 300 WATT Powersupply witch w'll be able to drive 2 RD 54 for
    example.
    (Jeff): I supplied the MEGAFILE 30 now with a second 20 PIN connector
    and tried it, but i think something is wrong with the jumpering on the
    RD53. The Computer will access both drive at the same time...
    Do you have any Idea?
    /Rolf
    

Rolf, on the back of the drive there are four sets of pins for selecting the
drive number. The right most position is DS1 (Drive select one) the left most
is DS4, with DS2 and DS3 in between. On the drive you just added, move the
jumper from the DS1 postion over one postion to DS2. This should take care of
the problem you are seeing.

	Ray

    Ray,
    i just tried it. I works fine now.
    Thanks for your help.
    /Rolf (happy now)
    

    Okay guys, Now that you totally have me confused. Jeff, I don't
    understand your reply. Do you mean that you can get a standard cable
    and attach it directly to the RD53 without an interface? Or do you
    need to buy something for it to interface. If so, What kind of
    interface are we looking for? If not, can you supply me with the proper
    info of pin outs etc... on the RD? Also, I can downline load the
    software for Formating etc... but, saying it is in note 9 does not
    point me to the right files. Could you post the file names etc...
    needed to get this up and going...
    
    
    Hope Everyone had a nice christmas,
    
    	Talk to you all soon
    
    
    	Swaff
    

It depends on what you have now.

What do you have now?