Suzy B Software 2/Suzy B Software CD-ROM 2 (1994).iso/textfile/txt_a2k/atarihd6/atarihd6.txt

Text File | 1995-04-25 | 130KB | 3,312 lines

=========================================================================
(C) 1993 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May
be reprinted only with this notice intact.  The Atari Roundtables on
GEnie are *official* information services of Atari Corporation. To sign
up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 800-638-8369.  Upon connection
type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt.Type XTX99437,GENIE
and press [RETURN]. The system will prompt you for your information.
==========================================================================
 ************
Topic 9         Wed Feb 25, 1987
NHARRIS [Neil @ Atari]       (Forwarded)
Sub: Hard Disk Information

This is the place to talk about hard disks, especially the one(s) from Atari.
206 message(s) total.
 ************
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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 1         Sat Feb 01, 1992
B.REHBOCK [Bill@Atari]       at 16:21 EST

The Atari Hard Drive Utilities, v5.0 have been uploaded to the  ST Library.
The filename is ATARIHD5.LZH. The material is copyrighted by Atari, but you
may distribute the unaltered archive freely. HDX 5.0 can format virtually any
hard drive on the market, including PLI's Infinity 88 Turbo 88 meg removeable
Syquest, various  Magneto-Optical drives, and others. If HDX cannot determine
drive capacity on a SCSI drive connected via ACSI, you may add an entry to the
WINCAP file, informing HDX of the drive parameters. Many thanks to the
developers and others that beta-tested it. Enjoy!  P.S.
 In the \ALLDRIVE\ folder there is a 'tweaked' version of SHDRIVER.SYS that
allows you to have non-contiguous device numbers and boot Syquest drives
without a cartridge installed and be able to install any size cart and use it.

-Bill Rehbock, Atari Corp.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 2         Sat Jul 25, 1992
M.EVERHART2 [MIDIMIKE]       at 16:09 EDT

My Megafile 30 went belly up.  Is it worth fixing?  I'm reading in this topic
all the time about problems with the Atari drives and that the Seagates have a
short lifespan.  Can I use the poser supply and install an ICD host adapter
and SCSI drive?

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 3         Sat Jul 25, 1992
M.FARMER2 [Mark Farmer]      at 18:27 EDT

To: M.EVERHART2 {MIDIMIKE}

I have had 2 seagate drives for over 4 years and have not had any problems.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 4         Sat Jul 25, 1992
S.HUGHEY1 [Steve @ RL]       at 19:57 EDT

Seagates are the worse HD's on this planet.  I have a closet full of dead
Seagates, atleast 5. At the most, they lasted 1-2 years, then just started
writing bad sectors and eventually ate it. I recommend anything SCSI and
anything that's not a Seagate!

Why Atari chose to put Seagates in their Mega STE/TT's is beyond me...

( My opinion, of course, but 5 dead out of 5 is not a good track record... )

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 5         Sat Jul 25, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 20:59 EDT

I was assuming that he'd gotten the replacement drive REAL cheap and was
trying not to spend any money on the deal <grin>.  I agree though that an ICD
adapter & SCSI drive is far and away the best combination to go with if you
have the $$ to spend.

On the dead MegaFile 30.  Unless I misremember the 30/60 megafiles were RLL
units so you should be able to just stick in a new RLL unit.  Again, the best
solution is a SCSI system.  You'll have to ask ICD if their adapter will fit
in a megafile case AND if the current powersupply can handle it and a larger
drive system.  A bit of advice: try and go with a 3 1/2" mechanism if you do
switch to SCSI... they draw a LOT less power then 5 1/4" units but usually fit
in the standard mounts just fine.

On not booting everytime...  First check your DMA cable.  If possible try a
different or shorter cable.  Second, reinstall your driver. Last, check the
power supply and make sure it's putting out enough juce to really drive the
larger mechanism.  I know my problem with intermittent booting is due to the
weak AC they use over here in Japan.

Gregg
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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 6         Sun Jul 26, 1992
S.GOLDFEIN [Haplo]           at 02:03 EDT

Bob-
     Thanks for the information.  Now can someone tell me if there is a later
version up on GEnie and if there isnt would someone at Atari, or someone with
an older version Email me a copy of it?
     On another note Bob, I am only using the SH204 case and power supply and
Host Adapter.

Chuck -

        Changing the drive mechanism is as easy as un pluging the old drive
and plugging in the new one as long as the new drive is MFM. If it is not,
then you either have to find a controller for it that works with SCSI.  If its
a SCSI drive then you just unplug Controller, and Drive from the power supply
and host adapter and then plug the drive directly to the power supply and host
adapter and format and wala.
        Ok, now I just got finished talking with a friend of mine and he said
that if the drive says 'AT' or 'AT Interface' that it is an IDE Drive and that
means ya cant use it.  Sorry.

Mark-

        I am sure the SH 204 is an MFM Drive.  It comes with a Seagate ST225
drive and an Adaptec 4000S controller card.  Though I have noticed that it has
a Chip on it with a stick on label that says (c) Atari Corporation.  But I
dont think it makes it to much different then a normal 4000S.
        He doesnt need to trash the drive as the Atari Host Adapter is
connected to a controller.  This can be removed and a SCSI drive can be put in
its place.  I am not positive but I think a SCSI CD-Rom drive can be hooked to
the Atari Host Adapter with no problems. Though I wouldnt see the need as
there are virtually no CD's on the market for the ST.

                 Haplo with Hard Drive Blues

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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 7         Sun Jul 26, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 07:56 EDT

Mike,

There are essentially only 3 subcomponents inside your Megafile 30 that would
normally go bad.  They are the drive mechanism itself, the power supply, and
the interface board.  Make sure you're certain which of those three is the
cause of the problem before purchasing a replacement subcomponent.  The drive
mechanism is obviously the most expensive.

If the problem is indeed the drive mechanism itself, Seagates 60meg drive is
only a few dollars more than the 30-meg mechanism in your system now, and is a
direct plug-and-play installation.  It is also considerably faster than the
30meg unit as well as being self-parking.

Fixing the Megafile will definitely be the least expensive route to take.  But
if you should decide to change to a SCSI mechanism and ICD's
interface/software combination, you might consider changing the case as well
since the Megafile case is designed specifically for the subcomponents
installed and will require considerable modifications to install another
system.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 8         Sun Jul 26, 1992
M.JONES52 [Jonesy]           at 16:39 EDT

Steve @ RL,

   So what models do you have gathering dust?  Depending upon the cause of
death, you may have a volunteer to help you clean out your closet. <g>

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 9         Sun Jul 26, 1992
S.GOLDFEIN [Haplo]           at 21:43 EDT

Right, I understand all of this.  My problem is in getting the thing working
correctly so that I can format it.  Yesterday, we got the Supra Utilities
v2.61 to format it (or it said it formatted it) and then when we tried to do
anything with the drive, it died.

                Haplo with hard drive blues!

Making headway tho!

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 10        Mon Jul 27, 1992
D.MCNAMEE [Dan @ Atari]      at 18:55 EDT

Halpo,

        No, don't turn on the drive after the computer.  Turn on the drive,
put a blank disk in the computer, once the drive has spun up, turn on the
computer.  When the computer accesses drive A, hold down the Alternate, Left
Shift and control keys.  This will bring you to the desktop.  Once you are
there, put in your HDX disk and run AHDI.PRG then format, partition and
install your drive.

Dan

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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 11        Mon Jul 27, 1992
S.GOLDFEIN [Haplo]           at 23:13 EDT

When I say Die, I mean that it still refuses to allow me to use the drive.
Damn it.  I hat having the drive and not being able to use it, but I can not
afford to take the drive mechanism to Toad, as they will probably charge me to
get it working.

        Haplo with hard drive blues!

making headway tho!

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 12        Tue Jul 28, 1992
S.GOLDFEIN [Haplo]           at 00:07 EDT

Dan -

I have tried this numerous times.  The computer comes up and acts like it is
reading the disk in drive A, but then when I try to open the drive the window
comes up empty or comes up and says:

Disk in Drive A is not responding.  If it is a hard disk check its
cable......ect.

I have tried everything and all of the connections seem to be good. I have
tried another host adapter, a Supra, and another ST.  Neither of them seem to
help at all.  I am really bummed at this point becuase work is getting on me
to buy a 'pee-cee.'

So any other ideas?

Just so that we are on the same wavelength, here is my current setup:

GVC 9600 Baud Modem Atari SC1224 Color Monitor Atari 520 ST Computer
   1 Meg Of Ram
   TOS 1.0 Atari SF314 Double Sided Floppy Disk Drive (Drive A:) Atari SF354
Single Sided Floppy Disk Drive (Drive B:) Atari SH204 Hard Disk Host Adapter
      Rodime RO3057S Hard Disk Mechanism

Now, I am planning on updating to TOS 1.4, if I can get this problem resolved,
but I dont think TOS 1.0 is causing the problems.  I have tried running with
NO Desk Accessories and NO Auto Programs, and this still does not help!  This
is driving me buggy.

                Haplo with Hard Drive Blues


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 13        Tue Jul 28, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 04:03 EDT

Haplo,
  Have you tried the 4" drop? That is, pick up that old 520 about 4 inches
from the desktop and drop it or, better yet, take it by each side and twist it
a little in both directions. If this bothers you, you could open it up and
push down on all the chips that are socketed. If you twist it or whatever and
it seems to work for awhile, then you have a loose chip. What do you have to
loose? You have tried everything else right?

  There was/is a problem with some 520s that the chips would work loose.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 14        Tue Jul 28, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 07:03 EDT

Haplo,

I'm confused.  I gather from your comments that Toad Computers, definitely a
very competent dealer, is relatively close by; but you say you can't afford to
pay them to properly service your equipment in order to solve your hard drive
problems.  On the other hand, you say that unless you can get your hard drive
working, you'll have to buy a PC.  Is it just me or is there something wrong
with this picture?

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 15        Tue Jul 28, 1992
D.MCNAMEE [Dan @ Atari]      at 17:19 EDT

Halpo,

        And you have tried a different DMA cable from the drive to the
computer, correct?  If so, then the drive mech is dead, and all you can do is
replace the mech with a compatable(RLL) unit or completely replace the drive.

Dan

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 16        Wed Jul 29, 1992
M.EVERHART2 [MIDIMIKE]       at 07:38 EDT

Sheldon - thanks for the timely advise.  I don't have access to another drive
and the nearest service center is 1000 miles away, is there a way I can test
the host adapter at home?  I get a light and the drive spins, so I think the
power supply is ok.  What happens is that the activity light comes on when I
try to read off the disk and I get 3 bombs on the screen.  The computer boots
without difficulty off drive A with the HD turned off.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 17        Thu Jul 30, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 05:51 EDT

Mike,

It's kinda hard to test the subcomponents of your dead hard drive without the
proper service equipment -- or a spare set of replacement parts.  From your
description, my guess would be that the power supply is probably OK.  You can
probably find someone nearby who has a multimeter to check for proper voltage
out just to be sure.

Since the system is trying to access the hard drive, and you're getting the
activity light to come on indicating access, the interface may also be OK --
maybe.  Have you tried starting from scratch -- i.e. boot from floppy, run the
AHDI program manually and try to reformat the hard drive?

Unfortunately, its impossible to diagnose a problem effectively without having
direct access to the 'patient'.  From your description, the problem could be
either the hard drive mechanism itself or the interface board (or both).  You
might have to send it to a service center for a definite answer.  If you're
not sure you want to spend the money to replace the drive mechanism, you
should be careful to find out what the service center will charge for
diagnostics only, in case you decide not to go ahead with the repair -- and
make sure they will reassemble the system before shipping it back to you even
if they don't go ahead with the repair.  We've had several customers come in
carrying boxes of 'parts' after they had systems 'diagnosed' by some fly-by-
night techie --- and by then, several parts were typically missing or damaged.

There are several excellent and reputable dealers active here on GEnie -- so
you'll be able to 'pester' them in E-mail to keep up on progress of the
diagnostics/repair work ;-).  Any of us would be a good choice to entrust the
repair to.  You might just pick whoever is closest to you or someone you've
dealt with before and trust.  Good luck.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 19        Fri Jul 31, 1992
M.EVERHART2 [MIDIMIKE]       at 05:01 EDT

Sheldon - thanks again, and I promise to buy my ST BOOK from you when they
materialize, but can a West Coast repair center chime in here with an address -
I live in Tucson, AZ.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 20        Fri Jul 31, 1992
A.GILL [Sam]                 at 21:45 EDT

Hi,

      My 80 meg drive died just as I was starting ot back it up. (Some luck,
eh?)  Anyway, does anyone know of any HD repairers  that specialize in Atari
HDs, or should I just send this to a Segate repair center and kiss all my data
good-bye.

      The problem is that the drive no longer responds to the  poll that the
ST does on the DMA line.  I think it  is a short somewhere, as that caused as
similar problem with another drive of mine. I know it is not the ST, but
indeed something in the  hard drive.

      Help!!


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 22        Sat Aug 01, 1992
J.PATTERSON3 [Ted]           at 14:00 EDT

Sam -

  I'll bet it's a Seagate 296n.  Mine died too, along with a lot of other
peoples.  I decided not to throw good money after bad.  Bought a Maxtor 7120
and am very happy with it.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 23        Sun Aug 02, 1992
M.EVERHART2 [MIDIMIKE]       at 04:45 EDT

A MIRACLE HAS OCCURED!  After about 2 million tries to get my hard disk to
read anything at all, I decided to give it once last chance before the junk
heap and IT BOOTED!  Thanks for the advice on reformatting, I got a new bad
sector which I guess was in the FAT since I couldn't read off the disk.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 24        Mon Aug 03, 1992
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 15:20 EDT

You were in luck Mike.  Most of the time bad drives only start working once
you go out and buy a new one.  Or so say Murphy.

Frank...

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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 25        Mon Aug 03, 1992
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 15:37 EDT

You were in luck Mike.  Most of the time bad drives only start working once
you go out and buy a new one.  Or so say Murphy.

Frank...

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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 26        Tue Aug 04, 1992
FINZI [Jerry]                at 22:12 EDT

I also need some help...

I have an older 520 ST/Mono system (upgraded to 1 meg, 2 d/s floppy drives)
that's lying dead and useless. All because I can't access my harddrive.

The SH204 crashed over 3 months ago and I was accessing it (one shot per boot)
using the Wedge repair utility. This would only work for the current session.
I have since transferred all my database records over to a DOS machine, and am
up and running permanantly on that. (I also managed to back up everything on
floppies... thank the Lord.... and Wedge!)

BUT... I'd still like to get use out of my old ST, IF someone can offer advice
about how to get me out the current mess. I downloaded every hard drive
repair/utilty I could find and nothing helped so far. The last fiasco happened
when I tried to initiate or format the hard drive with HDX (the latest
version, I guess) and all I got was a message telling me that my 20 meg drive
must have been formatted with an older version of HDX. (So?) I've tried
formatting it... no dice.

Can anyone offer advice (specific filenames or numbers, please) about ways to
reformat and revive my hard drive??

I'd really appreciate it.


--Jerry Finzi
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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 27        Sat Aug 08, 1992
S.GOLDFEIN [Haplo]           at 10:35 EDT

Wayne -
     I have tried all of the above.  The problem only occurs when I turn the
hard drive on, before I boot.  Then I lose the ability to acess floppies.
This would be OK, if I could acess the hard drive, besides who with a hard
drive uses floppies ;^).

Sheldon -
     I cant Afford to put any more money into the ST at the moment.  The ONLY
reason I can afford the Pee-Cee is becuase the company I work for is willing
to purchase it and then deduct a little from my pay check each week.  They are
willing to let me work a few more hours per week so that the amount of money
deducted doesnt effect what I am making.
     Yes, Toad is competent, and they are one of the best dealers in the USA
for Atari hardware.  I just remember that the Atari Dealer in Columbus was
willing to do what I want don for nothing, where they want money for it.  I
dont think its going to take them alot of time to figure out the problem.

Dan -
     I have tried everything.  A new DMA Cable, a New Host Adapter, a
different computer.  Nothing.  I am almost positive that the mechanism is not
dead, as it was formatted (both Low Level and normally) on a Mac before I
bought it.  I watched while it was formatted...  I have removed the Controller
and the old 20 meg mechanism from the drive, and am trying to replace them
with a Rodime RO3057S Mechanism, wich I know works.


                Haplo with Hard Disk blues.

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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 28        Mon Aug 10, 1992
S.GOLDFEIN [Haplo]           at 19:00 EDT

Sheldon -
        What do you charge to 'Diagnotic' a hard disk?

Haplo with hard drive blues!

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 29        Mon Aug 10, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 20:49 EDT

A silly thought, I wonder if that low-level MAC reformat you saw done to the
drive is in some way incompatible with the ST's format system?  As I recall
the ST's hard drive format is similar to the DOS system and quite different
from the MAC's.  Also, I know of NO Atari formatters that can handle a low-
level format, all are high-level only.  I could be wrong of course, but you
might want to ask about this since everything else seems to be perfect with
the mechanism and your hardware/software/cables are also good.  It HAS to be
something in the drive format/mechanism itself if you've elminated everything
else.

Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 30        Tue Aug 11, 1992
D.FISK2 [David]              at 04:06 EDT

Could someone please tell me what exactly is the difference between a low
level/high level format? How do you go about getting a low level format on an
Atari? (this was suggested for my dead ST 277 RLL)

Remember you're talking to a Techno Peasant here!!

     Cheers,
            David F. Fisk
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 31        Tue Aug 11, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 04:36 EDT

Haplo,

Didn't you say that Toad was close to you?  If so, why not just take the hard
drive in to them to be diagnosed/fixed -- they also have a very competent
service department.

If you'd rather ship it down to us, we'll be glad to diagnose the system for
you.  I'll drop you E-mail with an estimate -- I don't believe in posting
prices on the public message bases.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 32        Tue Aug 11, 1992
E.KRIMEN [Ed Krimen]         at 21:10 EDT

What exactly does a low-level format do?  I've seen them referred to before,
but I could never figure out what they were.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 34        Wed Aug 12, 1992
FINZI [Jerry]                at 20:55 EDT

Can anyone please help answer the question I had about my hard drive? (Read
back several messages...)

I have a hard drive that I can't reformat.

thanks... again...

--Jerry Finzi
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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 35        Thu Aug 13, 1992
W.JESSOP [WARREN PHOTO]      at 04:46 EDT

Howdy Gang,

I'm considering pulling my ST225 out of my Atari SH205 "Megafile 20" hard
drive case and replacing it with something bigger (and maybe faster?). Does
anyone have any ideas on what I might consider? I have the model that has the
one piece circuit board mounted under the drive. Is this an MFM drive? What
are my chances of pulling it all out and putting my Supra SCSI equipment into
this case (along with an ST1096N?

Thanks,

Warren
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 36        Sun Aug 16, 1992
S.GOLDFEIN [Haplo]           at 03:18 EDT

Gregg - I am also thinking this also.  I got the latest version of the Supra
Hard Disk Formatting utilities.  I setup the partition information and started
the format, and then after about 30 seconds it bombs.  I dont remember the
error message.  But I think it was a general error message.  Is there a low
level format program available for the ST?


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 37        Sun Aug 16, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 17:13 EDT

Haplo...  I wish I knew more about low level formats.  I 'don't think' there
are any low level formatters available for the ST/TT, but to be sure I suggest
getting with ICD and/or Birkmeyer for details.  Both outfits have made their
names on ST hard drives and will know a LOT more then I do.

Since you're using the Supra utilities I assume you're NOT using an ICD
interface/host adapter.  I've been using ICD stuff for several years now and
have been pretty happy.  You might want to bug Towns and see if the new HD
utilities from Atari can handle a low-level format. One other thought....
you've had the thing low-leveled on a Mac, do you know anyone willing to try
and do one on a PC for you?  Just to see if it's doable....  Good luck and
keep me posted on what ICD/Dave Birkmeyer have to say.

Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 38        Sun Aug 16, 1992
DOUG.W [ICD RT]              at 23:38 EDT

The format function of the hard disk utilities available for the Atari
(ICDFMT, SUPRAFMT, HDX, etc.) perform a low-level format of the drive.  The
partitioning function is the high-level format.  The only exception to this is
with Quantum drives which can not be low- level formatted through software.

--Doug @ ICD

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Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 39        Thu Aug 27, 1992
H.SCHEIE [HALS]              at 10:46 EDT

  When I try to de-frag my HD with Sentry I keep getting Partial I/O
error rc @ 52 what does it mean and what can I do about it? I have
reformatted the drive, it works fine for a while then I start getting
HD errors I seem to get error  - 11 a lot. When I run DT I get a lot of
bad sectors but none show up after reformatting then they start to
appear again. What chips should I suspect or replace and where are
they? I have stock Megaste 4. Thanks for any help. Hal

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 40        Sun Aug 30, 1992
S.GOLDFEIN [Haplo]           at 20:07 EDT

Gregg - I will have to check and see.  When I lived in Columbus, it would have
been easy to have someone low level format it, but now that I live in
Maryland, Baltimore to be exact, I am at a loss to find a awesome computer
store.  Toad is ok, but a little far.

Doug- Do you know any reason why a drive would pass the initial format,
partition correctly, and then not work correctly?  It formats, says its
partitioned correctly, then when I try to set Auto-Boot it says that its not
available.  This was with one version of the Supra HD Utilities, and with the
latest version it says formatting and then aborts and says it has a General
Error.  Whats a General Error?


                Haplo with hard drive blues!


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 41        Wed Sep 02, 1992
W.JESSOP [WARREN PHOTO]      at 05:55 EDT

Aloha,

I might need to change the address of my Atari "Megafile 20" SH205. Where do I
do this? I've seen a set of 8 jumper pairs labeled A-B, C-D,E-F, etc. Is this
the place, and if so, where do I get the jumper clip to put on them? And why
isn't this info put into the manual?

After I set the drive internally, do I still need to set it in the formatting
software? And if so, will it destroy all the info on the drive, like
reformatting or zeroing does?

Thanks,

Warren
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 42        Thu Sep 03, 1992
B.LINCOLN1                   at 01:22 EDT

Well.. I have been struggling with using the HDX5 stuff since I dnlded it in
may, i have a megafile 30 and two st251s that I would like to  format so that
I can use it with a 68030 accelerator board.... but I cant figure out how to
get the HDX5 to recognize that I have the 2 st251 ss as two logical devices
within one physical device... it formats the one (0,0) only and ignores 0,1
entirely and there doesnt seem to be a way to tell it to do so... just away it
goes.. I entered the st251 info myself, so should I have doubled the sectors
total or something odd or is this not supported by hdx5..? Thanks for any help
... (I have, sadly now reformatted half my hd and am sort of in a limbo
position, not really being able to use it...) bcl
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 43        Thu Sep 03, 1992
D.CHARTER                    at 21:01 EDT

I believe you are out of luck.  The Atari software does not support more than
1 drive.  I ended up getting Supra software to do the job. There is an older
version here in the library that you can try and see if you like it. I
actually ordered the newest version.

Duane

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 44        Sat Sep 05, 1992
M.DRYSDALE [Drys]            at 06:05 EDT

The Atari HDX 5 software supports as many devices as you have connected.  I
once had on a TT:  ST1096 internal AND on the ASCI port a Syquest AND a ST157
(both were cabled to the same host adapter).

Mike, TEAM COMPUTERS
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 45        Fri Sep 11, 1992
B.LINCOLN1                   at 21:08 EDT

Hmm.. well.. i have not been able to get it to format the second logical
device within the single box (physical unit as it would say) and have been
told by two knowledgable people it cant be done... other equally informed
people tell me it must be able to be done and this is my response as well.. i
cant believe it wouldnt, but Hdx5 does not give me any options.. just Format
... warning..ok choose which Physical device scsi number 0 1 2 etc with 0
highlighted and thats about the size...  It has, sadly, now been about 2
months since both my hd were up and running and its beginning to put a rather
large crimp  in my usage needs...  I attempted to call atari today for any
help, but they were understandably busy and whoever i was trying to reach took
a long lunch :)... so maybe next week..? ..thanks, bcl
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 46        Tue Sep 15, 1992
W.JESSOP [WARREN PHOTO]      at 05:41 EDT

Aloha Gang,

I have an Atari SH2054 "Megafile" (ST225) that I have formatted with the
latest HDX5 software. Problem is, after it formats and goes through a flawless
markbad procedure, it does an auto partition which I can't seem to control. If
I try to partition it after it's been partitioned automatically, it says the
the root sector info is damaged (or something like that), so I get stuck with
a default setup of 4 partitions of 5.3 Mb each.

Oddly enough, I CAN partition it with my old SH205 software that came with the
hard drive. I can choose from any of the menu selections, and now have 2
partitions, 4 and 16 Mb. Problem NOW is that it won't autoboot on its own. I
have it daisy-chained to a SUPRA (ST1096N), which is SCSI 0, LUN 0. My SH205
is 1,0. Will Atari software recognize a drive that is setup as 1,0 if it is
the only drive connected to the computer?

Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks,

Warren
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 47        Fri Sep 18, 1992
FINZI [Jerry]                at 14:05 EDT

Don't expect any "official" help on your problems, Jessop...

(still waiting for an official answer to getting my problem solved... let's
see... I think it's a couple of months and several postings now.)


--Jerry Finzi

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 48        Sun Sep 20, 1992
C.WARD7 [Craig]              at 17:00 EDT

I'm looking for suggestions.  I need to place more reliance on my home machine
than before so I have decided to add a hard disk to the configuration.  One
option is to add one to my ST setup.  These questions come to mind:

        - Does Atari or any third-party vendor still make a hard disk
        suitable for a 1040STf?

        - What changes, if any, will I need to make on the STf
        (purchased 9/86) to make best use of the HD?

        - What's it all going to cost?

        (- Is there an Atari dealer left in LA?)

Other options are to make the same kind of upgrade to my wife's MacPlus or to
"trade-in" both and get a 386- or 486-based machine.

Please reply by mail.

Thanks in advance!

                Craig

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 49        Sun Sep 20, 1992
R.PARKER29 [Randy]           at 18:31 EDT

Warren -

I have the same situation you have with an SH205.  HDX5 is _not_ compatible
with the SH205.  I went back to HDX3.01, which will format and partition the
HD, but now I can't get the HD to autoboot, even if I set it to be SCSI 0, LUN
0.  I took the unit in to a technician. If he comes up with something, I'll
let you know.  (Or, if you come up with a solution first, let _me_ know!)

Ran . . .
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 50        Thu Sep 24, 1992
B.STOREY [Billy B.]          at 07:38 EDT

Craig, there is an excellent computer dealer in Bellflower: Mid-Cities
Computers.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 51        Fri Sep 25, 1992
C.BINCKLEY                   at 06:11 EDT

Hi!
 Can someone from Atari PLEASE respond to the various problems reported by
several of us here concerning using HDX5 on our (mostly older) hard drives?
The docs with HDX5 specifically state that HDX should now work with virtually
any hard drive.  This has proven to be incorrect, as many of us here can (and
have) attest.  Specifically, one major problem is that while HDX5 may go ahead
and format some of our drives, if we try to change the default partition
scheme, HDX5 tells us that the root sector of the drive is corrupt and should
be reformatted.  The same message comes up EVERY time we reformat our drives
and the try to re-partition them.  The older versions of HDX, however, have NO
problem formatting OR re-partion- ing the drive - BUT, the older versions also
won't recognize a Seagate 40 meg drive without us modifying the WINCAP file,
and I haven't been able to find any DETAILED specific info on modifying the
file for a SPECIFIC drive - the one file in the library which has some
instructions of this sort refers to one particular system - that is, an SH204
with a Seagate ST251.  _I_ am trying to format and partition an _SH205_ with a
Seagate _ST251-1_.  How can I find out if the modification is compatible with
_MY_ system?  Yes, I tried it, and it seems to work OK, but I was really
hesitant to do it, without knowing more about what the heck I was doing.
HOWEVER, the modification DOESN'T help the problem with partitioning with
HDX5...
 I first posted a message about my problems with HDX5 here in FEBRUARY, and
have seen many other messages of a similar nature since then,
 but I haven't seen ANY response from anyone at Atari addressing these
problems with the HDX software.

 Hey guys, come on!  I __promise___ I'll buy a Falcon030 with an internal hard
drive as soon as I can afford one - but for now, I have to live with this
slow, simple-minded old bear of a drive, and I'd just like to have it
operating as efficiently as possible!(8^})...

Thanks! -- Chuck --
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 52        Sat Sep 26, 1992
FINZI [Jerry]                at 10:15 EDT

Chuck,


You say the older versions of HDX might format the older drives (like mine)...
since I lost my old HDX program, do you know where I could find the old one?

Hell... ALL I WANT AROUND HERE IS SOMETHING APPARENTLY SIMPLE...

I WANT TO REFORMAT MY OLDER ATARI 20 Meg HARDDRIVE!

Forget "official" help! (I know Atari is for the most part dead, buried and
most likely laying off people again)... how about some old fashioned
neighborly help and advice from other users here??


I'm thinking at this point of notifying GEnie that this RT is not functioning
as advertised...


--Jerry Finzi    <----his old ST is sitting lifeless, yet functioning, but
without a hard drive...

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 53        Sat Sep 26, 1992
DARLAH [RT~SYSOP]            at 18:39 EDT

Jerry:

I have been trying to find an old HDX but have not been successful. All I have
is an old ASTRA hard drive utility that would probably work but I am not sure
if it is PD. Astra is no longer in business.

I will keep searching as I am bound to have it on one of my disks. We are not
ignoring you. We are trying to find the file you need. It should be simple but
it isn't. I will make sure Atari reads this though.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 54        Sat Sep 26, 1992
J.ROGOZINSK2 [Rogo]          at 20:47 EDT

 >I have been trying to find an old HDX but ...
 >

Darlah, Jerry

I have HDX v 3.01 (boot with it everyday ;) ) if you would like I can upload
it, just let me know. I would think it's legal, right?

I just exited Aladdin and seached my old library files and found file HDX301
(#11062). I don't know if it still exists or not but you can give it a try. If
it isn't there let me know and I will upload it from my original disk.

    ===  Joe Rogo  ===
 Saturday, September 26, 1992
         8:22 pm


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 55        Sun Sep 27, 1992
TOWNS [John@Atari]           at 01:33 EDT

HDX 3.0 is in the library last time I checked. Have you looked in the Library?

-- John

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 56        Sun Sep 27, 1992
AD-VANTAGE                   at 02:10 EDT

  Atari-ST RoundTable Number: 11062  Name: HDX301.ARC Address: DANSCOTT
Date: 890710 Approximate # of bytes: 85680 Number of Accesses: 760  Library: 2
Description: This is the official release of HDX version 3.01!  This version
of HDX superceeds all other older versions by Atari and will be shipped with
all MEGAFILE drives until further notice.  If you have version 3.00 installed
on a drive, *DOWNLOAD THIS FILE AND UPDATE*  Detailes in the README.1ST file
inside the ARCive.  Please see the same file for a list of what this new
version of HDX will support. -- Please use ARC.TTP (file #1271) to extract.
Keywords: atari,hdx,3.01,hd,megafile,3.00,hinstall ----------

                        -- Ron


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 57        Sun Sep 27, 1992
C.BINCKLEY                   at 14:58 EDT

John -
 So should we assume that, despite the claim in the HDX5 docs that it should
now support virtually all hard drives, those of us with some older d drives
are expected to use the older version of HDX because Atari doesn't intend to
stand behind its claim of compatibility for HDX5?

 I'm just still trying to get some help, here - no hostility intended (8^})...

Thanks! -- Chuck --
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 58        Mon Sep 28, 1992
TOWNS [John@Atari]           at 02:26 EDT

As I said just a few messages ago in this topic, I have reported the problem
to my boss at work. He is checking into this with the people responsible for
the HDX software package.

I would suggest that until we are able to track this problem down, if you have
any older drive.. use HDX 3.0x.

I am sure that we will attempt to find the problem and fix it. Then we can
provide a fixed version of HDX 5.0 when everything is peachy keen.

Okay?

-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 59        Tue Sep 29, 1992
R.KOHORN                     at 00:38 EDT

I have the feeling that I am the last ST user who doesn't have a hard drive
(embarassing to admit).  However now I think the time has come  to take the
plunge.  But I am ingorant!! I admit it!!  This is what I
want to know.  With the new LINK device, can I buy ANY SCSI hard drive  and
use it with my 1040 (un modified - another confession!) and tos 1.0
 and then later use it with a Falcon?  Also, can I boot with any Hard drive
or is my computer unable to boot off anything other than drive A. Thanks in
advance.

Ron
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 60        Tue Sep 29, 1992
C.BINCKLEY                   at 05:23 EDT

Sorry, John!
 I must have missed your post "a  few messages ago" - it wasn't one of the last
_37_ messages prior to your most recent, and I'm missing 2 or 3 from the
months before that...(8^})

 But thanks for responding (again!) and that's exactly what I'm doing - using
3.01 for the time being (whoever HE is! (8^}))...

-- Chuck --
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 61        Tue Sep 29, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 06:30 EDT

Ron,

You really should at least upgrade the TOS in your trusty 'ol 1040 to TOS1.02
or 1.04 if nothing else. TOS 1.0 was REALLY slow at most everything.  You
might even be able to find a used set of 1.02 or 1.04 at a very reasonable
price for someone who has upgraded to a newer version.

But your 1040 should work just fine with a hard drive anyway (those disk reads
and writes will definitely be a lot faster with a newer version of TOS
though).  With ICD's Link Host Adapter, any standard SCSI drive can indeed be
used with your 1040 connected to the DMA (ACSI) port.  For use as a true SCSI
device with a TT030 or Falcon, merely replace the Link and ACSI cable with a
true SCSI cable and you're in business.  Both machines do use different cables
though, so be sure to get the correct one at the appropriate time.

You will be able to boot the system from your new hard drive just fine.
Several online dealers make their own line of external hard drives, myself
included.  Conatact any of us you desire in E-mail if you'd like additional
information or specific pricing.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 62        Tue Sep 29, 1992
V.PATRICELL1 [Vince]         at 22:41 EDT

John,

     Would it be possible to fix HDX 5.0 to work with an AdSpeed equipped
Atari's?  It seems to have compatability problems with it as previously
reported by many other AdSpeed users.  I can't use it on my Mega 4 at all.
Thanks.

................................Vince

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 63        Wed Sep 30, 1992
TOWNS [John@Atari]           at 03:02 EDT

Oops.. Sorry, Chuck. I am running two different Aladdin setups (one here at
home and one at work) and I think the one at work didn't do its thing
yesterday. I apologize for my oversight.

-- John

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 64        Wed Sep 30, 1992
B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI]       at 13:05 EDT

Warren, You will only be able to auto-boot your SH204/5 if it SCSI 0, LUN 0.
If it is set up as such, you should be able to format and partition it with
your old HDX and install a bootable driver using the latest HINSTALL to
install a 5.x booter.

HDX 5.x is really geared toward imbedded SCSI drives. It's alright to use the
old formatter on a SH204/5.

 Although, I think I know what the SH204/205 hairball is.
 1) Use a text editor and load the WINCAP file (BACKUP the original).
 2) Find the line that starts with "#20 Mb :mn=SH204:"
    (or SH205, if applicable)
 3) Remove the "#" at the begining of the line

I think it should format the SH204/5 now. I haven't tried it myself, but it
should be ok. I'm basing this theory on my memory of the WINCAP documentation
that came with my original SH204 back in 1986; it is not secret Atari stuff :-
) The comments inside WINCAP are very self-explanatory, you can even change
the default "4 equal size partition" setup.

Do you still need assistance re: Adaptec SCSI IDs? If so drop me a note via e-
mail.

-Bill

Jerry Finzi, Leave me e-mail regarding your problem. We are alive and well.

Vince, The AdSpeed uses the same memory space that IDE drives use in Atari's.
When HDX scans for IDE drives, the AdSpeed's registers get nailed.

It isn't going to be a real high priority, but I'll try taking a look into it.
What does ICD say about it?


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 65        Wed Sep 30, 1992
V.PATRICELL1 [Vince]         at 21:20 EDT

Bill,

     I don't know hwat ICD says about the problem with using HDX 5.0 with
AdSpeed.  I'll ask them in their roundtable.  Thanks.

................................Vince

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 66        Thu Oct 01, 1992
ICDINC                       at 11:57 EDT

Vince and Bill,

AdSpeed will not fit in a machine that has an Atari IDE drive installed
(Falcon or ST Book). Since our booter now supports Atari IDE drives we first
check for the presence of an AdSpeed before doing any IDE things. And of
course we do not support IDE if there is an AdSpeed found.

The 2.06 ROMs also do IDE things which kick AdSpeed back in to 8 MHz mode at
initialization. The simple solution is to put our 16MHz.PRG in your AUTO
folder which then kicks it back to high speed.

         - TOM -

P.S. Vince, drop in to the ICD RT once in a while to check product
announcements.  We are about to release something that may help you.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 67        Sat Oct 03, 1992
R.PARKER29 [Randy]           at 20:16 EDT

Jerry -

Version 3.1 of HDX is in the STRT Lib.  I know 'cause I had to download it
after I discovered that HDX 5 and my old SH205 refused to cohabit peacefully.
It's fairly old but it is out there . . . somewhere.  Don't you just love
backwards compatibility?  Actually, I don't mind that HDX 5 doesn't work with
the older drives - I mind that the document doesn't give you a clue!  You have
to wait until after you've: formatted, marked bad, partitioned - -  THEN you
find out you're screwed!

Ran . . .
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 68        Sun Oct 04, 1992
B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI]       at 20:19 EDT

Tom, Thanks very much for the clarification.

-Bill

Did anybody try the WINCAP fix for HDX 5.xx and SH204/5's?


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 69        Sun Oct 04, 1992
L.ROCHA1 [Lou (Sysop)]       at 22:01 EDT

I have a situation which others may have run into so I hope I can get some
help. I have three computers which all have internal HD set at zero. All
autoboot their systems - a MSTE/4, a Mega4 and a TT/8. I also have an Atari
SLM804 and an combo Syquest 44 and 85 Mb Seagate in a shoe box case. The
Syquest is addressed as 1 and the 85 Mb Seagate is 2. Inside the shoebox is
the ICD clock set as 6.  The laser, of course, is 7.

I want to hook up the Laser to the combo 44/85 and then I want to connect this
daisy chain to a DMA switch which will allow me to run the combo and/or the
laser printer from any of the computers.

Will this work? Do I need to power up with Laser first? Is there any potential
damage or problem if my 44/85 run with ICD software but my internal HD's all
boot with HDX 5.0 (SHDRIVER.SYS) ?

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 70        Mon Oct 05, 1992
R.KOHORN                     at 00:38 EDT

I hate when my questions which are so basic come after a response like  the
last one (i don't understand any of that!), but here goes.  What is the
difference between the LINK and a host adapter or is the LINK just a type of
adaptor.  Also when a hard drive has a clock, is it in the host adaptor or the
drive itself.

Thanks, Ron
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 71        Mon Oct 05, 1992
DOUG.W [ICD RT]              at 07:45 EDT

Ron,
   The Link is simply a very small external host adapter (it's the size of a
cable connector).
   If a hard drive has a clock, it is on the host adapter, not the drive
itself.

--Doug @ ICD

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 72        Tue Oct 06, 1992
J.HAYDEN [JOHN]              at 00:09 EDT

Lou,

It might work if all the partitions are 32 meg or smaller and you do not get
the ghosting problems on the printouts using the laser. Usually the laser
should always be on. All the boot drives will be using the ATARI booter and I
am not sure what the limits are using the Atari software. I am using a DMA
switch box to switch between the laser and two of my external drives since I
did not want to leave the printer on all the time.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 73        Tue Oct 06, 1992
C.BINCKLEY                   at 07:07 EDT

Bill,
 I tried something similar - I DLed a text file here a couple weeks ago
explaining how to modify the WINCAP file (from an older version of HDX) for
drive mechanisms other than the one (a Seagate ST225) that came in my SH205.
It seems to have worked, but the text really didn't explain much about dealing
with any specific drive.  I had replaced the ST225 with an ST251-1 about a
month ago, and I have since discovered that the markbad operation, using the
modified WINCAP - what does that mean, anyway? - and HDX 3.01, missed at least
3 bad sectors on my drive. I am hoping that HDX 5 will be a little more
efficient in this regard, but I haven't yet had a chance to try the suggested
WINCAP mod for this latest version of HDX.
 I have one question about the modification, though: is simply  removing the
"#" sign at the beginning of the line for the SH205 enough, or do I have do
change anythinng else due to the fact that my SH205 has an ST251-1 instead of
an ST225 in it?

Thanks for the help! -- Chuck --
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 74        Tue Oct 06, 1992
B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI]       at 12:25 EDT

Chuck,
 If you remove the # from the line:
 #20 Mb :mn=SH205:dp#0x6cdb:
 HDX will probably work ok, although the "20MB" designation is going to be
confusing down the road.

You can copy the line or alter it so that it reads:
 40 Mb :mn=SH251-1:dp#0x6cdb:
 (I think a '251 is 40MB, right? :-)

-Bill

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 75        Wed Oct 07, 1992
C.BINCKLEY                   at 06:00 EDT

Bill,
     I tried HDX 5 with the modified WINCAP today - here's the scoop:

I _added_ the following line to the WINCAP file, between the existing entries
for the Megafile 20 and 30 as shown (notice the lack of a "#" sign at the
beginning of the second line):

#30 Mb:mn=MEGAFILE 30:cy#615:rw#615:wp#615:pt=10-10-10:sp#26:dp#0x6333:
 40 Mb:mn=SEA251-1:hd#6:cy#820:rw#820:wp#820:pt=8-9-9-14:sp#17:dp#0x6333:
#20 Mb:mn=MEGAFILE 20:dp#0x6cdb:

The parameters I included were from the WINCAP text file in the library here,
created by one Duane Charter, who used these parameters for his ST251 (I
believe the only difference between the 251 and the 251-1 is the rated access
time - 40ms for the 251 versus 28ms for the 251-1).  The only things I changed
were the drive name and the default paritition scheme.  I have no idea why
Duane says to use the dp# he chose, but I just trusted him on it, as I had
tried both 0x6333 and 0x6cdb in my experiments previously, and didn't see any
difference.  The meaning of the dp# numbers is not explained in either Duane's
doc or the WINCAP comments, other than to say that it is the "data pattern
used to test the drive."

Okay - so I backed up the drive (and ran over the neighbor's hose... no, wait
a minute, not that drive...<g>) and booted HDX 5 with the modified WINCAP in
the same directory as the program, and started the format operation.  Lo and
behold, a dialogue comes up with 2 selections: "SEA251-1" and "OTHER", plus OK
and CANCEL.  I selected SEA251-1 and OK, and it started the format procedure.
Everything went just fine - it even picked up on the previously unmarked bad
sectors I mentioned in my last message - and finished without incident.
THEN...
     I tried the "partition" option - not because I changed my mind about the
defaults I had entered in WINCAP, but because that's where I ran into
anomalies before, when I tried to use HDX 5 with the original ST225 in my
SH205 - and guess what???  After selecting unit 0 from the dialogue - the only
selection not grayed-out (I assume because it's the only unit I have attached
to my Mega 2), I got the same message as before:

          STOP!  Format parameters in the
                 root sector are corrupted!
                 Please reformat the disk.

     Once again, I ran the partition procedure from HDX 3.01 and it
partitioned the drive with no problem.  Then I used the HINSTALL utility from
HDX 5 to install the driver, and restored the files to my hard drive. When I
rebooted from drive C, I _still_ get the "Unit 0 - identification
unavailable...etc." (or whatever) message, but everything seems to be working
fine.

     So these are my questions:

     1) Why does HDX 5 seem to be able to partition the drive without
        any problems when it's doing a format, too, but not when I
        use the partition option from the menu?

     2) Why does HDX 5 tell me "format parameters in the root sector
        are corrupted" when I use the partition option from the menu?

     3) Why doesn't the driver recognize the ID of the drive, even after
        the modifications to the WINCAP file?

     4) Do any of the above possibly suggest there is some kind of
        problem with my SH205?  I don't think it is the ST251-1 itself,
        as I got EXACTLY the same results with the ST225, except for
        the dialogue with the SEA251-1 and OTHER buttons in it - which
        I assume was strictly due to not having the "#" sign at the
        beginning of the line (when I ran HDX 5 with the ST225, the
        drive select dialogue didn't appear at all, but the format
        procedure went fine).

     5) I would like to know what would have happened if, instead of
        adding the line for the ST251-1, I had simply removed the "#"
        sign at the beginning of the SH205 entry, which _doesn't_
        include any of the other variable parameters except the "dp#".
        Would HDX 5 have been able to get the necessary info from the
        drive itself, or would it have used the "default" parameters
        shown at the beginning of the WINCAP file?

 and 6) Why 17 sectors per track? Does it make a difference? What
        would have happened if I entered "sp#28"?

     Well, that should give you something to think about...maybe I should just
leave well enough alone, but not only do I think that  ignorance is the enemy,
I also get off on this kind of low-level tinkering, and I have more patience,
and time on my hands, than $$$ in the bank.  Heck, I only paid $130 for the
251-1 (well, it IS a  refurb, but it's got a 90-day warranty - I figured that
would be enough time to torture-test the thing), and doubled my disk space
while more than halving my access time (40 megs versus 20, 34ms average real-
world access time versus _83_ for the ST225!  THAT'S slow!), so I think I got
a good deal.

Thanks much! -- Chuck --

P.S.  My NEXT question is "how do I get rid of this incredibly noisy fan in
the SH205???" (8^})...

P.P.S.  I wrote the preceeding before I read your latest message. -- C --
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 76        Wed Oct 07, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 07:04 EDT

WINCAP: WINchester drive CAPacity?

Al

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 77        Wed Oct 07, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 21:04 EDT

And John wonders why I like ICD stuff better. :-)

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 78        Wed Oct 07, 1992
TOWNS [John@Atari]           at 23:39 EDT

Seriously, what do you want to see in ADHI that isn't in there already?

-- John

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 79        Thu Oct 08, 1992
RJROBINSON [ Ron ]           at 00:29 EDT

Speed John, speeeeeeeddddddd!!!!  ;-)

You know, as in "We got the need for speed......"

Seriously, in my case at least, the problem is not the disk drivers as much as
all the neat ICD utility programs that will not run without the ICD Host.

         -- Ron


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 80        Thu Oct 08, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 02:15 EDT

John,
  ICD's Stuff

  Easy to use and setup.
  Has a built in cache
  Easy to use and setup
  GREAT utilities
  Easy to use and setup
  FAST formatting and partitioning
  Easy to use and setup
  Partition software that will let you set up the drive in ANY way
  you want. Not predefined sizes that you can't change without a text
  editor.
  Easy to use and setup

  The list goes on. Just use and work with their software for a couple of
months including the booter. Format and partition a couple of drives. Pick ANY
drive (preferably different ones) and then do it with HDX. Do you think that
everyone would recommend and use their stuff over EVERYONE else if it wasn't
GREAT!

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 81        Thu Oct 08, 1992
ST.REPORT [Ralph]            at 05:52 EDT

 John,

      I'd like to see Atari license ICD's software and bundle it with
 every system.  It would be an excellent situation.  ICD's software has
 proven itself time and time again.  The support is superb in every
 respect.  Doing so can only benefit Atari.

             Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 82        Wed Oct 14, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 03:23 EDT

To all Hard Disk Experts.... HELP!!!!

Six to eight months ago I was here reporting problems with the 'D' partition
on my SyQuest (SyQuest 44meg/SeaGate 84meg combo, ICD Advantage+).  I'm still
using a fairly new (though not the very newest) copy of ICD's soft- ware. The
problem back then was 'invalid copy operation' messages and an inability to
transfer ANY data to the 'D' partition from other disks or a software 'save'
function. I swapped SyQuest mechanisms, tried different cartridges, changed
ICD software, reformatted/reloaded many times, even had my adapter updated by
ICD.... No help! Then I deleated EVERYTHING and started from scratch again.
For the last few months I thought I'd gotten it fixed and assumed it was a
flaky file somewhere....
  Guess what?  IT'S BAAACK.......

Cleanup finds only an occasional bad sector (though it does run VERY slowly in
some areas of the 'D' partition, as though finding some but then deciding
they're ok)...  No other major problems reported. An 'INFO' from the desktop
gives the following report on 'D': Folders: 46 Files:  434 Bytes Used:
12575758 Bytes Avail: 9236480

Everything looks normal here, then I run CleanUp again (ver 4.21) with:
Sectors: 1 RESERVE, 1 HIDDEN Folders: 47 Files:  434 Bytes used/avail: same as
above.....     See the difference? CleanUp reports AN EXTRA FOLDER!!!!  Yet a
count via UIS III (show hidden active) matches the GEM INFO report.

So what's going on here?  What is this 'hidden' folder and how do I find out
what's in it and get rid of it if that's causing my problem... I've lost
almost half of my 'D' partition again and DO NOT LIKE IT!!!! Everything else
seems ok, and I've never had the same problem on any other partition (fuller
than 'D').  Granted, D does get the lion's share of my saving/loading since
that's where I keep my WP/DTP data files... but even so I'd have thought it
would show up somewhere else if it was a hardware or DMA/cable problem.

Does ANYONE have a suggestion?  Thanks in advance.

Gregg Anderson <Yokota AB, Japan)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 83        Wed Oct 14, 1992
L.ROCHA1 [ Lou {SysOp}]      at 06:48 EDT

Greg, have you run Diamond Edge over the D: partition? It sounds like possible
FAT problems to me but I am no expert. However, I think your drive needs
optimization and the DISK MEDIC function found in Diamond Edge. Why not
forward a copy of this message to ORA.TECH and have Bob Luneski give his
opinion? Bob was a tremendous help to me last weekend when I encountered some
REAL serious problems.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 84        Wed Oct 14, 1992
J.WISNIEWSK2 [Jeff - ST'er]  at 18:18 EDT

  Gregg,

What other programs are you running in your AUTO folder and what Desk
Accessory do you have?.

         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
         ^^^^    JSW    ^^^^
         ^^^^   ST'er   ^^^^
         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Wednesday October 14, 1992 - 05:15:16 p.m.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 85        Thu Oct 15, 1992
EXPLORER                     at 01:00 EDT

Greg,

  Try setting the "Test SCSI" and "Map SCSI" options in Cleanup before testing
the drive.  Can you locate and delete the hidden folder using MultiFile?

  If you don't have DiamondEdge, get it, you need it!

                   Ron @ Atari Explorer
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 86        Thu Oct 15, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 03:16 EDT

I mailed my order for Diamond Edge (plus the new virus killer) this AM.. I'll
try almost anything to kill this problem once and for all.  UIS III doesn't
show any 'hidden' folders even with the 'show hidden' active... darn it.  I'll
have to try the 'Test SCSI and Map SCSI' options next. I'm afraid I don't have
Multifile....  I suspect I'm getting behind the times out here in Japan. As
for my AUTO/ACC stuff..... hang on to your hats 'cause it's a lot; The
Standard Atari TOS patches, SuperBoot (older version), G+, Warp 9, DC Shower &
shower modules, makefast. ACC: Multidesk, under multidesk: UIS III, Button
Fixer, a calculater, G+ & Warp 9 control panels, and Atari's control panel.

Sadly, it will take weeks for my Diamond Edge to show up out here, maybe up to
a month since it has to get to Japan.

Thanks guys, this one is a real puzzler for me.

Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 87        Fri Oct 16, 1992
B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI]       at 11:50 EDT

Chuck, You shouldn't (in most cases) have to supply all of the information,
just the minimal info; the host adapter and drive should sort out the rest.

I'll have to look into the partitioning hairball.  In the meantime, you can
specify the partition info in the "pt=10-20-10" part of the line.

-Bill

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 88        Sat Oct 17, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 03:47 EDT

I took your advice and did a 'bad sector' check with CleanUp through the SCSI
system rather than the BIOS..... 30 NEW BAD SECTORS!!!!!  That's a record!
Usually I don't find more than one to four at a time.  I'll check it again
when I get back from the TDY.

I also went over to the DiamondEdge topic area and posted my problem there. No
response there yet, which is something of a surprise to me. I did go ahead and
order DiamondEdge & their new virus killer...  Just in case a 'LINK' virus
somehow got into my 'D' partition through my GEnie downloads...  Very unlikely
I know, but I'm grasping at straws.

Let you know if anything changes.

Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 89        Sat Oct 24, 1992
DARLAH [RT~SYSOP]            at 11:50 EDT

Gregg:

It will be worth the wait.....:-)
       Usually the folks ar DiamondEdge are very responsive but they are human
and usually there is a reason. :-) Will let you know if I find out anything.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 90        Sun Nov 01, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 11:21 EST

I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A MAXTOR 7213S HARD DRIVE.  I HAVE A MEGA STE 4 MB
UNIT AND I HAVE INSTALLED THE ATARI HARD DRIVE ADAPTOR.  I CANNOT GET THE
SYSTEM TO RECOGNIZE THE HARD DRIVE.   I HAVE HAD A ATARI TECH LOOK AT THE
UNIT.  WE FORMATTED A SEGATE DRIVE WITH MY UNIT.  THE TECH SEEMS TO THINK IT
IS THE MAXTOR HARD  DRIVE.  DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS.  DOES ATARI
FORMATTING  SOFTWARE RECOGNIZE THIS "NEW" TYPE OF HARD DRIVE.  THE COMPANY I
BOUGHT THE DRIVE FROM GAVE ME A RMA NUMBER TO RETURN THE DRIVE AND SAID THEY
WOULD TRY FORMATTING IT ON A PC. I NOW WONDER IF  THERE MIGHT BE A
COMPATIBILITY PROBLEM WITH THE MAXTOR DRIVE  AND THE MEGA.  ANY THOUGHTS OR
HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 91        Sun Nov 01, 1992
ST.LOU [Lou Rocha]           at 11:27 EST

J.H. I believe I have read there are some limitations in the Atari Software.
Do you have the ICD Software? You should also post this message in the Diamond
Edge Topic which is in Category 2 Topic 42 or email to Bob Luneski at
ORA.TECH. Bob is quite an expert on hard drives.

Other folks who might help you here at Sheldon Winick at Computer STudio. I
believe his email address is S.WINICK or S.WINICK1.


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 92        Mon Nov 02, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 04:39 EST

J.H.,
  I also have the Maxtor 7213S drive and it works with the Atari software. It
was previously formatted with Atari's software at the dealers. Look around on
the drive for any jumpers and remove ALL that you find. There may be a parity
jumper on it. Without taking it apart, I can't remember if it requires a
jumper for SCSI 0 but I don't think so. The drive does work with the system
though and it works great. I get about 1100K transfer rate using RATEHD.PRG
from ICD.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 93        Tue Nov 03, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 08:08 EST

Jim,

We've used the Maxtor 7213S with Atari's software in the TT030 without any
problems.  There's no reason it shouldn't work in the MegaSTe as long as all
the jumpers on the drive are properly set.  You should be able to get the
proper jumper settings from wherever you bought the drive from -- or call
Maxtor directly.


Make sure you've also removed the terminator resistors from the drive. It will
NOT work in the MegaSTe if the terminators are left in place.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 94        Wed Nov 04, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 03:52 EST

Sheldon,

What is the bit with the terminators on the 7213S in a MSTe?

When I swapped from the Seacrate to a 7120S I noticed that there were no
terminators in the Seacrate but I left the terminators in the 7120S and have
had no problems.  Is this a unique problem with the 7213S?

        Mike Allen

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 95        Wed Nov 04, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 07:23 EST

Mike,

The first and last SCSI devices in the SCSI chain need to be terminated.  That
applies to SCSI devices that are actually connected as SCSI devices in the
TT030 or Falcon.

However, SCSI devices connected to an ST/STe/MegaSTe, etc. using a separate
host adapter, are actually being used as DMA (ACSI) devices so terminators are
not needed, and may in fact interfere with proper operation if left in place.
Some peripherals may work with the terminators left in place, others won't.
Best thing to do when installing a new peripheral in the DMA chain is to
remove the terminators to prevent any possible conflict.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 96        Wed Nov 04, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 20:51 EST

I also have the terminators in my 7213S and have had no problems. My
miniscribes I used to have required the terminators on both of the drives
before they would work.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 97        Wed Nov 04, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 22:04 EST

SHELDON,
 I TRIED THE DRIVE WITHOUT THE TERMINATORS, NO CHANGE THE STE DID NOT
 RECOGNIZE THE DRIVE.  I GUESS I WILL RETURN THE UNIT TO COMPANY I
 PURCHASED IT FROM.  THANKS FOR THE HELP. I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT
 THE OUTCOME IS ON THE NEW DRIVE ONCE I EXCHANGE IT.
 *S
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 98        Wed Nov 04, 1992
DOUG.W [ICD RT]              at 22:40 EST

Sheldon,
   The drives on each end of ANY SCSI bus should be terminated. That includes
SCSI buses that originate with a host adapter.  The thing to keep in mind is
that with a host adapter connected to the TT's DMA port, there are TWO SCSI
buses - the one originating at the SCSI connector on the back of the computer,
and the one originating at the host adapter.  It's also important to keep in
mind that most host adapters have terminators so that only one attached drive
(the farthest from the host adapter) should be terminated.

--Doug @ ICD

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 99        Fri Nov 06, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 01:14 EST

No replies from Ora.Tec or anyone else at O.Research on my problem. I did find
the new Diamond Edge waiting for me when I got back from my TDY yesterday so
as soon as I can do a new backup of everything I'm going to give it and the
new virus checker a test. Let you know if anything turns up .....  I hope!

Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 100       Fri Nov 06, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 01:48 EST

Sheldon,

Boy, now I am really confused.

Seems to me that the internal Atari HD adapter should be a ACSI to SCSI host
adapter.  This would mean that it would be the first thing on the SCSI chain
within the MSTe.  Since the only other thing attached to the SCSI chain is the
internal HD that would make it the last thing on the chain.  I assume (that
word again) that there are SCSI terminators somewhere in the Atari HA so the
first thing in the chain is terminated.  Seems to me that I still have to
terminate the last thing (the internal HD in my case - the only thing) in the
chain.

I don't have a schematic of the Atari HA, but I would assume that, if it is
properly designed, that there would be bidirectional buffering (as well as
conversion) between the ACSI buss and the SCSI buss.  If this is true, then
SCSI termination shouldn't affect the ACSI buss given that the SCSI
terminations are done properly.

I know that improper terminations on a SCSI buss will do all sorts of nasty
things from really bad ringing to attenuated signal levels and degraded rise
and fall times.  Obviously if the SCSI signals are up-gescrewed the ACSI will
have problems.

I really don't know where I am going with this message except that IF the
Atari HA is properly designed then its port should look like a real SCSI buss
and that buss needs to be terminated by the last device on the chain.  Now if
Atari designed the HA assuming that the internal HD to HA path would be very
short and took some design shortcuts I could see how terminating the HD could
screw it up.  If this is the case, SHAME ON ATARI!  (Damn, I may have to yank
out the HA and trace out the schematic - that IS a royal pain in the a**!)

Pardon my meandering, but I'm just trying to learn. 8^}

        Mike Allen

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 101       Fri Nov 06, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 07:45 EST

Mike --

Regardless of the "normal" terminating procedures for a true SCSI chain,
Atari's setup for the internal drive in the MegaSTe is such that the
terminators should be REMOVED from the drive if it is used internally. That's
the way Atari ships their internal drives for the MegaSTe and how we always
install them (both Atari's standard drives and the optional Maxtor or
Quantum's that we generally provide our customers).  When used internally in a
TT030, the same drives must be terminated.

When using external SCSI chains with a non-Atari host adapter through the DMA
port, you must obviously follow the recommendations of that particular
manufacturer.

I hope this answers your questions and concerns.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 102       Fri Nov 06, 1992
ST.LOU [Lou Rocha]           at 08:09 EST

Gregg, ORA.TECH now has their own category in 33. Please repost your question
or problem there.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 103       Sat Nov 07, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 02:20 EST

Sheldon,

Thanks for the answers - they don't make me real happy, but thanks. 8^}

Since my Maxtor is working with the terminators, I'll leave it alone.

        Mike Allen

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 104       Sat Nov 07, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 03:44 EST

I'm on my way to '33' now.  I've tried the Ultimate Virus Killer (didn't find
anything) and the new Diamond Edge.  Ran into some major problems with DEdge
and 'may' have lost some serious data.. but I'll ask them about that.

Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 105       Sat Nov 07, 1992
FAIRWEATHER [David]          at 23:11 EST

 Is there any way to change the SCSI ID # on an Atari SH204 20 meg HD?
 I opened up the case and couldn't find any DIP switches.  I wanted
 to use the SH204 as a second drive to my STacy's internal HD.  Is
 what I desire impossible?

 Is it also impossible to use the SH204 together with a Floptical
 Drive?  The dang SH204 has no DMA out.  If the answer to both of my
 questions is "impossible" then I'll have to sell this
 dinosaur of a HD.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 106       Mon Nov 09, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 07:19 EST

David,

There'sa real problem with the SH204 (I've had one for years and years).

ICD describes it this way:

     Atari SH204 drives are also set to SCSI=0, LUN=0, BUT they
     have a bug in their hardware.  They respond to ALL LUN
     numbers causing havoc to the system.  A provision in the
     drive handler has been made to only see LUN=0 with a SCSI ID
     of 7.  Therefore you will need to set the 3 position dip
     switch in your SH204 to ID 7 (flip all three switches to the
     other position).

Al

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 107       Mon Nov 09, 1992
FAIRWEATHER [David]          at 09:53 EST

 Al thanks for your info, but I need some clarification.

 1. I opened up the drive case and couldn't find any DIP switch.
 Could you be more specific as to where the DIP switch is located?

 2. You said "a provision in the drive handler has been made to only
 see LUN=0 ID 7."  Is the "drive handler" you're referring in the ICD
 software?  If I am using Atari's HDX 3.01 am I going to have a
 problem? (I am buying a floptical w/ The Link which will include ICD
 software, so I can stop using HDX then.)

 3. Will setting the DIP switch to LUN 0 ID 7 let me use the SH204
 with The Link?

 Thanks.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 108       Mon Nov 09, 1992
ICDINC                       at 18:02 EST

David, I think what Al was trying to say was "SELL IT!". BMS made a
replacement PAL that fixed the bug but you are putting money in to a real old
horse.

         - TOM -
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 109       Tue Nov 10, 1992
FAIRWEATHER [David]          at 00:22 EST

Thanks for the advice Tom.  I'm seriously considering one of Lotsabytes'
combined HD/Flopticals.  Do you know anyone else offering a hard drive and
floptical together in the same case? The Lotsabytes deal looks pretty good but
I can't find anything to compare it with.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 110       Tue Nov 10, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 21:22 EST

Eventually I'd like to trade my SyQuest in on one of those new Flopticals,
though slower they seem more cost effective than my SyQuest for backups. I'm
about to spend some serious $$$ on new cartridges and that hurts more than a
little <sad smile>.

I asked this question over on the ICD forum, but what the heck... I'm looking
to upgrade my 84Meg SeaGate to a Fujistu 425/520Meg unit but I noticed an
interesting problem.  If I'm stuck with the 32Meg partition (TOS 1.4) then I
won't have enough Hard Drives on the Desktop to cover the storage capability
of either the 425 or the 520 meg units, let alone a 44meg SyQuest.  Can I use
44Meg+ partitions without problems and what can I do to avoid such problems?
Finally, what should I use for settings in the ICD HDUtilities set-up?  I'm
sure they will be quite different from what I'm using right now since any unit
I buy will be MUCH larger and faster than the 84Meg unit I have now (I also
plan to switch from booting off the SyQuest to booting off the new unit).

Thanks; Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 111       Tue Nov 10, 1992
J.HICKEY6                    at 23:36 EST

Greg,  I have a Fujitsu 680Meg drive partitioned using HDX5(Atari) running on
a MegaST4 with TOS 1.4 and have had no problem with BIG partitions(half a
dozen 44's and a couple of 146Megs).  Keep the first one legit, i.e. 32 or
less.

                Jack
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 112       Wed Nov 11, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 03:33 EST

What Tom said, David.

The SH204 drive is handy for what it was designed for. A new HD that works
well with your ST won't cost as much as the hassle of getting that SH204 to
behave.

Al

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 113       Wed Nov 11, 1992
ST.LOU [Lou Rocha]           at 08:25 EST

Gregg, you should ask the question about 32 meg limits to ORA.TECH. I think it
has been broken. In any case, if you max. the number of partitions, you could
subdivide into folders. That is how I handle my archives on a Syquest... one
partition... several folders... no limits.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 114       Wed Nov 11, 1992
ICDINC                       at 10:35 EST

Gregg, If you are really just using it for backups, a streamer is much more
efficienct.  155 MB is around 20 minutes and $25 for the tape. A floptical
will be around 20 minutes for 20 MB and $20.


ALL, There is not a need with ICD software after version 3 (we are at 6.x.x
now) to stay under 32 MB per partition.

We also support auto booting from BGM so the first partition can also be
larger.

               - TOM -
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 115       Wed Nov 11, 1992
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 16:26 EST

I too use my syquest for backups TOM.  This allows me to restore that one file
or folder that went bad (ah, mostly user errors).  With a streamer I don't
think you can do that.  Besides, when a streamer tape goes bad you lose the
whole tape.  If my Syquest disk goes bad (a sector or a track or maybe even a
FAT) I have a chance to save something.

Frank...


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 116       Wed Nov 11, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 19:19 EST

What Tom said. I have a 50-meg partition as my boot partition, using ICD
software on a TT.

Al

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 117       Wed Nov 11, 1992
S.WINICK                     at 19:59 EST

Greg,

There's no 32meg partition limit that I know of.  I regularly configure
systems for customers with larger partitions than that.  All my Syquests are
also configured with a single partition, using folders to divide up the data.
I find that the most effecient way to use the Syquest platters. Also, the boot
partition ("C") on my TT030 is 60MB.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 118       Thu Nov 12, 1992
J.HICKEY6                    at 01:33 EST

All,  I just picked up a data sheet on the new Syquest SQ3105A - 3.5"
Removable Hard Disk Drive.  Looks like a screamer.  105 Megs, 14.5 msec
average seek time, 1.175 to 1.95 Mbyte/sec Data transfer rate to/from
media(4.0 Mbytes/sec to/from 64K buffer).  It has an 8 sec. spin up and stop
time, and four modes - sleep(.35W), standby(.65W), idle(1.5W)and 4.5W during
seek.  Bad news - It's not SCSI.

        Tom, does ICD have an ATA/IDE host for the DMA?

                        Jack
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 119       Thu Nov 12, 1992
ICDINC                       at 08:16 EST

Frank, I guess you have not ever tried our streamer.  Restores files,
partitions, or whatever.  A bad sector on the Syquest has about the same
consequences as a bad sector on a streamer. Maybe you are thinking of
"generic" software that only supports an image backup.

Jack, SOrry, no IDE for the Atari ST.

          - TOM -
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 120       Thu Nov 12, 1992
J.HICKEY6                    at 09:25 EST

Tom,  Does your streamer use compression?  E-mail me a blurb on it if you can,
or direct me to a specific message in the RT.

                        Jack
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 121       Fri Nov 13, 1992
ICDINC                       at 08:24 EST

JAck, No compression.  155 MB per tape is the current limit and we are looking
in to 600 MB per tape units.

There is a topic somewhere about it, I will see if I can locate it. The backup
speed is 6.7 MBytes per minute sustained on a stock 68000 machine.

             - TOM -
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 122       Sat Nov 14, 1992
G.ANDERSON                   at 03:01 EST

Tom...  If I didn't already have serious $$$ invested in a SqQuest I would
jump at a FAST Backup tape system...  Sadly, I'm already 'in the hole' for the
SyQuest and can't afford to change right now..  most of my available  cash is
going to pay for a new, and much larger, hard drive mechanism.

Thanks anyway; Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 123       Sat Nov 14, 1992
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 15:24 EST

Your right TOM, I was thinking image backup which was the only form I knew,
until now.  Thanks.

Frank...
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 124       Sun Nov 15, 1992
FIFTHCRUSADE                 at 23:20 EST

 I am using a MEGASTE2 with an ST157N hard drive.  When executing a
 file from the hard drive I will intermittently get the error "Data on
 drive E (for example) may be damaged" etc..  Why would this error be
 generated randomly?  I have reformatted and repartitioned the drive
 under HDX5.0 and although the drive reports 0 bad blocks I still acts
 the same.

 Could this possibly be the result of a virus?  Is it possible that an
 incorrect hardware configuration, perhaps a jumper setting in the
 Mega or the drive, could cause such an error?

 Please help!

 NOTE: A clean system does not help (no DA's or TSR's).

 Marlo Stueve
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 125       Sun Nov 15, 1992
ST.LOU [Lou Rocha]           at 23:31 EST

Marlo, it could also be caused by a corrupted File Allocation Data pointing to
data that isn't where it should be. This is usually a good time to begin
massive backup work. ;-)

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 126       Mon Nov 16, 1992
FIFTHCRUSADE                 at 20:28 EST

 Lou,

 I found out what the problem was, a bad hard drive. Thanks anyway.

 Marlo Stueve
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 127       Wed Nov 25, 1992
D.PHILLIPS25                 at 06:39 EST

 When can we expect to see AHDI 6.0? Will it ship with the Falcon and Multi-
TOS. And, most importantly, will it support the 21 Meg Flopticals so that I
don't have to waste $100 on a Link for my TT?

     Thanks,
      Dan
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 128       Wed Nov 25, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 21:26 EST

I HAVE A MEGA STE WITH 4 MEGS OF RAM AND I HAVE PURCHASED A MAXTOR M7213S HARD
DRIVE AND THE ATARI HD ADAPTOR BOARD THAT MOUNTS INSIDE THE MEGA STE.  I HAVE
HAD NO SUCCESS IN GETTING THE MEGA STE TO  RECOGNIZE THE MAXTOR DRIVE.  MY
DEALER HAS CHANGED OUT THE ADAPTOR  BOARD AND HAS EVEN CONNECTED KNOWN GOOD
SEAGATE DRIVES TO MY SETUP AND THEY WORK.  I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE AT ATARI
CAN HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM.  WE KNOW THE DRIVE IS GOOD, THE COMPUTER IS
GOOD, THE HD ADAPTOR BOARD IS GOOD, BUT THE SYSTEM WON'T RECOGNIZE THE MAXTOR
DRIVE.  DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS. HOW ABOUT IT ATARI, I JUST SPENT
$1100.00 ON YOUR PRODUCTS HOW ABOUT SOME HELP. BY THE WAY I  USED A ICD
ADAPTOR IN A SHOEBOX CASE AND THE DRIVE FORMATTED  PERFECTALLY.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 129       Thu Nov 26, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 00:26 EST

J.H.English,

According to Sheldon at Computer STudio (Neat guy, neat place) you may have to
remove the terminators from the Maxtor drive.  I have about the same set-up,
except my maxtor is a 7120S, and I did not have to remove the terminators but
Sheldon says I'm the exception rather than the rule.  Also make sure the
parity is disabled on the Maxtor.

The information about the jumpers and the terminators should have come with
your maxtor.  I'm sure you'll be pleased with it.

        Mike Allen

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 130       Thu Nov 26, 1992
J.BRENNER1 [See Flat]        at 00:42 EST

I have a megafile 30 and am wondering if anyone could tell me how Atari HArd
Disk Utilities version 5.00 is superior to version 2.0 Will it increase
performance and is it worth the download?

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 131       Thu Nov 26, 1992
J.HAYDEN [JOHN]              at 01:28 EST

Is the disable parity jumper connected, what is the ID set for and are you
using the termination resistors or not?
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 132       Thu Nov 26, 1992
D.PHILLIPS25                 at 07:07 EST

J.Brenner,
 The new utilities are a vast improvement over v2.0. They recognize many
different drives automatically and scan both ACSI and SCSI ports (very
important if you have a TT or Falcon). I took my boss' Syquest off of his IBM
clone, plugged it into the SCSI port on my TT and rebooted. AHDI 5 found it
and loaded it. Fantastic.

J.H.English,
 If you're still having trouble, you could call Maxtor at 1-800- 2MAXTOR. Your
drive is doc #1031. And, my, what a big hard drive you have. I get by with my
Quantum LP52S quite well. Oh, also, my Quantum would not auto-boot with the
SCSI adaptor in my TT until I reformatted it using AHDI 5.

    If you think getting a hard drive
    working on an Atari is tough, try
    using SCSI on a PC clone!

      Dan
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 133       Thu Nov 26, 1992
ST.LOU [Lou Rocha]           at 08:02 EST

J. Brenner, the HD 5.0 is a superiour formatting and setup utility but make
sure you disconnect your Atari Laser before running it.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 135       Thu Nov 26, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 11:35 EST

MAXTOR M7213S HARD DRIVE PROBLEM I HAVE WORKED WITH SHELDON  AT COMPUTER
STUDIO AND WE HAVE TRIED ALL COMBINATIONS OF SET UPS, TERMINATORS IN,
TERMINATIORS OUT, DISABLE PARITY, ABLE PARITY, SET DEVICE TO ZERO, SET TO ONE,
ETC. I CAN SAY WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE KNOW TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I
ALMOST THINK THE ADAPTOR OR SOFTWARE WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE  MAXTOR DRIVE,
MAYBE BECAUSE OF ITS CAPACITY.  I HAVE GONE INTO WINCAP AND MODIFIED THE
PARAMETERS TO A 213 MB DRIVE. NOTHING WORKS.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 136       Thu Nov 26, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 14:26 EST

J.H.,

What version of AHDI are you using?  With 5.0 you should not have to mess with
the wincap file.  The maxtors are 'smart' drives and tell the software what
they are.

        Mike Allen

P.S. Try removing the cap lock.  Won't help your drive problem, but makes the
post easier to read.  8^}

        m.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 137       Thu Nov 26, 1992
J.BRENNER1 [See Flat]        at 19:09 EST

AHDI 5.00 > Thanks all, I think I'll do a full backup and reformat
            and see what looks different. I'll be getting a new HD soon so I
might as well upgrade the software right now.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 138       Thu Nov 26, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 23:52 EST

J.H. English,
  First, PLEASE do not use all caps, it makes it hard to read. Second, I have
the same setup as you (MSTE 4 & Maxtor 7123S drive). I can assure you that the
combination works. It worked with the internal Atari HA before I moved it to
the external case with the ICD HA. I only moved it because I didn't like the
air flow in the computer and the drive got to hot for me plus ICD has better
software but, that is another story. Anyway, I will power down and take a look
at the drive to see how it is configured.

  Ok, I have got the jumper settings and such. First, you will need to turn
the drive over so you can see the circuit board. Then face the drive so that
the SCSI Drive connector faces away from you. Now...


   ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::   <----- Drive connector
   ......... ......... ........
       Terminating Resistors
                                ._.  <-- Jumper installed here
                                . .
     First set of jumpers --->  . .
                                . .
                                . .
                                J6
                                               Another Jumper
   Second set    . . . . . .                       ._. J8
                   J9    :  <---Jumper on 2nd set
                 . . . . . .


  The above diagram follows the layout of my drive. I got it as near as I
could with ascii art. Also, ALL terminating resistors are in place. There are
as you can see, 3 jumpers installed. Thre are the 2 sets of multiple pins and
then the lone set of pins with the jumper installed. I don't know what these
are as I did not get any documentation with my drive. I believe that the one
closest to the rear is the SCSI ID settings. Also, there is a set of pins on
the front of the drive. I have nothing connected to them but, one pair is for
an access light that can be plugged in. The others are control pins that allow
different user options that can be enabled. I should contact Maxtor and try
and get some documentation. I would like to know what these options are.

  Anyway, I hope this helps. As I said, it works great in or out of the
computer. BTW, the external case has the ICD HA in it. I have ran both Atari's
and ICD's HA simultaneously. I had the 50 meg Seagate in there for awhile
connected to the Atari HA and the Maxtor connected to the ICD HA.

  The Maxtor is a great drive. It is built to last and is built like a brick.
You can get them for as little as $550.00. This model of the Maxtor is built
to be used in mainframes. If you paid $1100 for it, I hate to say it but, the
guy made a LOT of money off of you.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 139       Fri Nov 27, 1992
J.HAYDEN [JOHN]              at 02:03 EST

Wayne,

You setup sounds just like my LXT213SY MAXTOR. I have the documentation for my
drive. JP8 is the external terminator power and having a jumper on it means
that the drive will provide termination power for the terminating resistors if
the host does not automatically provide it. Most ATARI computers except maybe
the FALCON does not provide termination power and this is true on the TT.
Having a jumper on pins 3&4 on JP9 means that the drive is single ended and
does not operate in differential mode. Having a jumper on pins 9&10 on JP6 is
the motor start on power on. Your jumper setup is exactly the same on my
MAXTOR.


John
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 140       Fri Nov 27, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 08:03 EST

John,
  Thanks for the info and yes, it is the LXT213SY.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 141       Fri Nov 27, 1992
ICDINC                       at 09:26 EST

Dan,

You shouldn't "waste" $100 on The Link for Floptical support on a TT or
Falcon.  You should get our ICD Pro software which is well worth the $50.

More info will be posted in the ICD RT (m1220) shortly.

          - TOM -
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 142       Fri Nov 27, 1992
BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.]     at 16:58 EST

 Dan Phillips,

 At this point I expect that HDX 6.x will ship with the Atari
 Falcon030.  I've not seen a full copy of it internally yet, and
 I've noticed that there are still some updates occuring to the
 product. We'll let you know when were ready to do an upload!

 In the meantime, I suggest that you use HDX 5.0, I've had very
 few problems with it. The main problems that I encountered with
 it was that there is a problem in formatting with an SLM attached
 to the system.  Once I disconnected the SLM, all was well. :)

 Re the floptical, HDX 5 supports those NOW!  I understand that
 there is a problem with the Insite units, but the Sony's and PLI
 drives work flawlessly.

 And I'd never consider spending $100 on any ICD product a waste!
 <grin>  I have several systems of my own at home, all of them
 with the exception of the Mega STE running the BBS have an ICD
 host adapter in the system!

 J.H. English-

 ABOUT THOSE CAPS IN YOUR MESSAGE....<ugh, grin>  Please try to
 use a mixture of lower case and upper case. It's easier to read
 and you'll come across a lot better to everyone.

 I suggest that you follow the advice given by others here. I have
 two Maxtors running in two different Mega STEs. One is a 340, the
 other is 212. Neither is the same as your model. :(  I can tell
 you that I had to disable the parity on the 212 when I installed
 it in the Mega STE.  It had been formatted with HDX 5 on a TT,
 but didn't come up on a Mega STE until I disabled the parity.
 After that, everything was great!

 I'm sorry for the problems that you're having. I'm sure that just
 a bit of experimentation will be required on your end. Handling
 this type of hardware problem in absentia is always difficult.
 Last tip, be sure after you change anything on the drive that you
 turn the system off, and re-start it.  Don't just re-boot. It
 doesn't always cut it.

 best regards,

 Bob Brodie

 PS- Dave Small was right about SCSI voodoo...don't do any of
 this during a full moon! :)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 143       Fri Nov 27, 1992
D.PHILLIPS25                 at 19:23 EST

 Sorry, ICD. I thought I said "waste" $100. I guess not. ICD products are all
that I recommend to my customers (not that there's an alternative anymore,
really). Great stuff, glad you're still aboard.

Yet...      buying a host adaptor of any kind when you have a SCSI adaptor
built in is a waste of money.

      Dan

So, Bob, when will SDACE get that Falcon? :^)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 144       Fri Nov 27, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 21:21 EST

To all who passed info on to me about the maxtor M7213S drive.

The drive is a newer model 213 not the LXT7213SY. I believe I  will have to
order that model if available.  I did not pay  1100.00 for the drive I was
just lamenting that I had paid or spent over 1100.00 for Atari equipment and
was just asking for help from Atari.  The drive was 499.00.  The interesting
thing is that I have a old 520ST with a 2-40meg Segate drives in a shoebox
case with a ICD adaptor approx. 3-4 years old. I removed the 2-40 meg drives
hooked up the Maxtor drive to the ICD adaptor and using ICD V. 6.0 software
BINGO the dirve booted and I formatted, partitioned and copied some programs
to  the drive.  I them took the drive from the shoebox to the MEGA STE pluged
it into the internal Atari HD adaptor and nothing happened, same problem, the
drive was not recognized.  What about that? I think I will send this drive
back and start over again. Thanks.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 145       Sat Nov 28, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 00:01 EST

J.H.,
  Before you send it back, you might try a few other things. If it will work
on the 520, it should work on the Mega. Make sure all 3 dip switches on the
Atari HA are in the ON position. Make sure that you are connecting the ribbon
cable up correctly. Reseat the chips on the HA and reseat the HA. Be careful
of static though when you mess with the chips and board. What is the model of
the drive? It should be on the drive somewhere.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 146       Sat Nov 28, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 00:42 EST

Wayne Watson I have tried everything even took the system and drive to Sheldon
in Asheville. He tried everything he knew even swapping out the Atari HD
adaptor board. That is where we hooked a Segate drive and  the Mega system
worked fine.  We believe it is an incompatibility with this particular drive.
The drive is a Maxtor M7213SR. It is Maxtors latest hard drive just introduced
to the market place in October 1992.  I have tried 2 of these drives with no
luck, I  thought the first one I recieved was defective and sent it back and
recieved another one.  It seems that everyone that has a  Maxtor drive has
Model # LXT7213SY which apparently works fine with the Mega.  I've tried
everything, I don't know what else to do except to send the unit back.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 147       Sat Nov 28, 1992
M.ALLEN14 [Mike Allen]       at 00:58 EST

J.H.,

Make SURE that the parity is disabled on the Maxtor.  Seems that the Atari HD
Adaptor doesn't like parity.

        Mike Allen

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 148       Sat Nov 28, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 01:46 EST

J.H.,
  Oh well, it was worth a try. If Sheldon couldn't get it to work, then
something must definately be wrong. I hope you get things worked out.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 149       Sat Nov 28, 1992
J.HAYDEN [JOHN]              at 18:23 EST

J.W.

It sounds like you tried everthing and the jumper setups we told you to use
did not make a difference and you tried to boot the drive from a floppy using
both Atari and ICD software then it is time to try a different drive. I do not
know the reason why this drive will work on the ICD host adapter and not on
the Atari host adapter and finally the ICD roundtable could be an another
source of information to try.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 150       Fri Dec 04, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 22:27 EST

I wanted to let everyone know that I returned the Maxtor M7213S HD and
recieved a LXT213SY.  I have installed it in the Mega STE with  the Atari HD
Adaptor and it formatted perfectally set up the  partitions etc.  I am
assuming the Maxtor M7213S has a compatibility problem with the Atari HD
Adaptor.  I would not recommend buying the Maxtor M7213S if you plan to use
the  Atari HD Adaptor.  I  would like to publically thank the people at Dirt
Cheap Drives in  Texas for working with me on this problem.  They went way out
of  their way to help me.   Does anyone know how to hook up the drive busy
light on the LXT213SY I can't seem to find the proper connector on the drive.
 Also I want to thank everyone that offered help to me on the  drive problem
in this topic section.  THANKS
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 151       Sat Dec 05, 1992
EFS                          at 02:15 EST

 J.H.

                                          2 4 6 8 10
  _____________   _____________________  ___________
       J5                  J2             . . . . .    J4
                                          . . . . .
  -------------   ---------------------  -----------
                                          1 3 5 7 9

  pin  9 = LED +
  pin 10 = LED -

 as viewed from front of drive.

 Gene Sothan

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 152       Sat Dec 05, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 08:05 EST

One note to EFS's diagram. You notice he has the pins labeled + & -. The LED
does go on a certain way so if you hook it up and it doesn't work, turn it
around.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 153       Sun Dec 06, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 17:51 EST

To all: I have installed the LXT213SY and everything is fine, but when the  HD
boots up the screen says unit 0 LXT213SY unit 1 not responding. I don't have a
unit 1, what is happening.  Also I have a showbox case with 2 40 meg segate
drives with a ICD adaptor I was running out the DMA port before I got the
Maxtor drive.  I would like to  transfer the files from the Segates to the
Maxtor. Anybody know  how I can do that.  Perhaps change a ID or something.
Thanks.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 154       Sun Dec 06, 1992
BRIAN.H [ST~SysOp]           at 19:06 EST

J.H.English

"unit 1 not responding" only means it couldn't find another drive. If you have
two drives then it would say unit 2 not tresponding. All it means is the AHDI
continues to check for another HD until it cannot find anymore.


                                *******Brian*********
        Written on Sunday 06 December 1992 at 07:51 p.m. AST



 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 155       Sun Dec 06, 1992
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 19:35 EST

J.H.,
  You should be able to just hook up the shoebox and transfer the information.
that is what I did. Change the SCSI ID fo the 2 other drives to 2 & 3. That
should be all you have to do. Hook it and and you will be set.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 156       Tue Dec 08, 1992
BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.]     at 19:54 EST

JH English-

The message that ID 1 is not responding is correct if you don't have a drive
set up at ID #1. I forget if you're using our hard disk  software or ICD's. If
you're using HDX 5.0, then inside the LZH is a file called either ALLDRIVE or
MUNGED. (Bill used both when he uploaded the software) You can use the
SHDRIVER.SYS in that folder, and it will go down the whole ID chain and try to
boot every device that might be online.

Hope that helps!

Bob Brodie
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 157       Sat Dec 12, 1992
J.H.ENGLISH                  at 22:05 EST

Bob Brodie Thanks for the informationon Unit 1. I will try your
recommendations and let you know what happens.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 158       Tue Feb 09, 1993
C.BENAVIDES [C. BENAVIDES]   at 23:53 EST

Can anyone tell me what I need to do to a Mega STe without an internal host
adapter in order to use an external hard drive with an ICD Host Adapter.  Has
anyone had problems with internal atari host adapter and drive?

Thanks

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 159       Wed Feb 10, 1993
MIKE-ALLEN [NM~SysOp]        at 02:14 EST

If your MSTe came without a hard drive, it should just be 'plug and play' to
add the ICD HA and an external hard drive.

If you are removing the Atari internal HA then you must jumper some of the
pins where the HA plugged in - I don't know which, but I'm sure one of the
dealers here on line (Sheldon? Are you there?) can help you.

There has been some debate whether or not the Atari HA requires termination or
not on the SCSI bus.  Sheldon indicates that only way he could get various
hard drives to work with it was to remove the terminators on the drive.  When
I upgraded my MSTe to a Maxtor 7120S I noticed that the original SeaCrate
didn't have terminators.  I left my Maxtor terminated and have had no
problems.

I don't believe anyone has been able to handle more than one drive off the
Atari HA.  There are several folks about who have both the Atari HA with the
internal drive AND external drives with an ICD HA at the same time.  The ICD
products (Hardware and software) are excellent.

        Mike

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 160       Wed Feb 10, 1993
S.WINICK                     at 05:42 EST

Mike & C.BENAVIDES,

The first 8 sets of pins (starting from the end closest to the front of the
MegaSTe) on the connection for the hard drive ribbon cable on the mother board
need to be jumpered to use an external hard drive without an internal one.
ICD recommends normal SCSI termination for drives used with their host
adapters.  For use internally within the MegaSTe, however, the terminators
must be removed.

If you're only connecting one hard drive mechanism, and it's a standard 3.5"
half height SCSI, it can easily be installed in the MegaSTe hard drive bay and
eliminate the need for an external case and cabling.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 161       Wed Feb 10, 1993
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ]     (Forwarded)

Message 11    Tue Feb 09, 1993 C.BENAVIDES [C. BENAVIDES]


 >Can anyone tell me what I need to do to a Mega STe without an
 >internal host adapter in order to use an external hard drive with an
 >ICD Host Adapter.

         Just plug and play.

 >> Joe M <<

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 162       Wed Feb 10, 1993
K.OLSON10 [KenO.]            at 18:10 EST

Hi!

Ok so I have two seagate drives connected to my Mega STe one is internal with
regular Atari host. The other is outboard with a ICD host connected to the DMA
port.  The dip settings on the Atari host are 3 off, 2 on, 1 on (that's the
only way it works).  When I boot, the external drive comes up as drive C,D,E,F
and the internal drive comes up as G,H,I,J.  BTW this is the only way I can
get both drives to work together at all.

My question is how do I get the internal drive to be recognized as the boot
drive (C)?  That way when I unplug the external drive I can still boot because
the internal drive is still the boot drive.  Right now I have 2 sets of
everything needed to boot, one set on each drive so that when I unplug the
external drive I can still boot with all my stuff.  The thing is that with the
external drive unpluged the internal drive becomes C,D,E which means all my
paths are then screwed up because they were set for G,H,I.

Once in a while I unplug the hard drive and use it with another computer.  It
is a super way to transfer stuff from one computer to the other.

KenO. :)

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 163       Wed Feb 10, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 20:29 EST

KenO,
  When I had the Seagate internal, I had 1, 2 & 3 ON. It worked. I had the
Maxtor as an external and with it set up this way, it would boot from the
internal drive. Have you tried setting up the internal as SCSI 0 and the
external SCSI 1? That may be why the external comes up as CDEF. Just a guess.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 164       Wed Feb 10, 1993
C.BENAVIDES [C. BENAVIDES]   at 21:14 EST

Hi Guys thanks for the quick response on my Mega Ste hard drive problem.
Mike, my Mega STe did come with an internal hard drive, but I experienced
erratic problems with it.  Let me add that I have an external 85 meg with ICD
host adapter hooked up to it as well.  The internal drive keeps giving me a
Sense Code "$04 drive not ready" error.  Does the internal host adapter need
to be jumpered in some way to allow for the external drive?

I have since removed the internal drive and hooked it up externally with the
other drive.  The last drive does have its terminating resistors in place.
Things went well for awhile but the problem slowly started coming back again.

I then tried removing the internal host adapter but then nothing would work,
so I re-installed it.

Sheldon, with internal host adaptor removed I should jumper the first eight
pins (pins 1-8) on the mother board connector?  Did I understand your
instructions correctly?

What do the dip switches do that are on the internal host adapter? Currently
they are all in the on position.  Could this be the source of all my problems?

Thanks guys for all your help.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 165       Wed Feb 10, 1993
D.D.MARTIN [Swampy]          at 21:59 EST

KEN O -

All ya gotta do is set the ICD H/D Utility program (the BOOT menu) to drive C
and the ICD.SYS file will be written to drive C.  When you boot, the computer
looks to the drive that has the SYS file on it and boots from there.  You
could set it for drive D, or E or any other partition on your internal drive.
But most folks use drive C.

Hugs...Swampy
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 166       Thu Feb 11, 1993
S.WINICK                     at 08:45 EST

C.Benavides,

If you remove the Atari interface and install the 8 jumpers where I told you
in a previous message, the DMA port should work just fine with your external
drive; provided of course you didn't damage anything while messing around
inside the computer.

Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 167       Thu Feb 11, 1993
C.BENAVIDES [C. BENAVIDES]   at 23:10 EST

S.Winick,

Thanks for the assistance. I've done as you advised and all seems to be
working OK for the last 6 hours.  I guess my internal host adapter must have
had something wrong with it?

Carlos
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 168       Sun Mar 21, 1993
R.BROTHERHO1 [Rog]           at 20:37 EST

I'm using a 1040 STe upgraded to 4 meg with a Megafile 30. I just  puchased a
second Megafile 30 (used) with software installed on it. I'd like to chain
them both together. I know that I have to change the address of one of the
hard drives to unit 1. My question is: Do I have to reformat the new drive? I
assume the drive I bought has a drive C with an auto folder. If I chain both
drives together and boot (after changing the address) will there be a problem?
What is the procedure for setting up these 2 drives without causing a
conflict? I should add that I bought a laser printer in this deal too ... I'd
like to set that up as well. I'm told it has to come first in the chain. ???

I know that's more than one question ... sorry :-)

Any help on this will be appreciated greatly ... thanks in advance.

Rog.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 169       Mon Mar 22, 1993
BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.]     at 13:49 EST

Roger,

First, it is our policy that there are no user servicable parts in our hard
disk drives, so we will not be responsible for any problems of any kind that
might result from your attempts to fix up your hard disk system.

That said, open up the case of the Megafile 30 and you will see that there is
a little red plastic block on the board with three dip switches on it. Those
switches control the ID settings on your drive. You don't necessarily have to
reformat the drive, it depends on what it was  formatted with to begin with.
Your system will igore the auto folder after daisy chaining them together,
don't worry about it.

In the HDX 5 archive that is online here, there is a folder called  either
ALLDRIVE or MUNGED (Bill uploaded different stuff to different services in
order to keep our lives interesting!:) The version of  SHDRIVER.SYS in there
can be renamed to a PRG and then run from the desktop to ensure that the
system will try to boot every active device on the DMA chain.  Be sure to
watch the screen, it will also tell you the device ID numbers as it boots
them. For a Megafile 30 it will say "Identification unavailable" which means
that it doesn't know exactly what kind of hard disk is there, due to the HD
controller. No big deal.

Our laser printers are finicky...usually they like being first in the chain.
I'm presently running mine LAST. It's always one or the other, you can be
certain of that!

regards,

Bob Brodie
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 170       Mon Mar 22, 1993
ARCHIVIST [Charlie]          at 14:35 EST

Rog, someone who's actually done it will probably give you better help than I,
but it's my understanding that the drive name is held in your SHDRIVER.SYS
file not on the drive partition itself. So once you change the physical drive
ID and chain them together run your AHDI program again. It should recognise
two physical drives with seperate Logical drives on each, like Drive 0 has
Logical drive C and D, Drive 1 has Logical drive E and F (or whatever). Save
the new SHDRIVER.SYS file to drive C and save your desktop with the new drive
devices installed and you should be in business.

On the lazer, I dunno. I've never been able to afford one of those. ;-)

Charlie/sysop jr.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 171       Mon Mar 22, 1993
G.ANDERSON                   at 19:44 EST

So far I've been lucky, I guess.  My ICD interfaced system is between the ST
and SLM and has been that way since I got it back in '88.  No major problems
yet <knock on wood>....

Gregg
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 172       Mon Mar 22, 1993
R.BROTHERHO1 [Rog]           at 23:52 EST

Thanks for the quick responses. Bob, I know that you can't take
responsibility for any damage, but this sounds like a pretty safe and common
procedure. From what you say, it sounds as though there is little danger of
losing data on either drive if I chain them together. One more thing ... what
are the exact DIP switch settings to set the second address as Unit 1? Sorry
to be so thick headed, but this is new territory for me.

Thanks again ... Rog.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 173       Tue Mar 23, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 01:31 EST

Rog,
  There is a chance of loosing data (if you do not know how to get it back) if
you daisy chain 2 drive systems together and they both have the same
addresses. I accidently did this and wiped ALL my partition info out on ALL
the drives. Luckily I had ICD's software and a quick call to ICD got me back
in business without ANY data lost.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 174       Tue Mar 23, 1993
M.DRYSDALE [Drys]            at 06:58 EST

Rog,
 Open up one of the MF30s and change the ASCI device number using the DIP
switches. (#3 I think).  Be sure to use the latest version of HDX.
Reformating is optional.

Mike, GenTech and POWER Computers
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 175       Wed Mar 24, 1993
R.BROTHERHO2 [Rog]           at 00:03 EST

Wayne ...

Thanks for the warning! I hope that doesn't happen to me...So...that brings me
back to the same question.

Drys...

Thanks for your help, too. Do you (or anyone else out there) know the EXACT
DIP switcsetting to change the second HD address to Unit 01? I'm really scared
I'm going to mess up with this. I have MY hard drive backed up, but the new
one (with a bunch of applications installed) is not backed up. Of course I
have the original disks and DOCs for the software I bought ... I'd just rather
not have to re-install all this  stuff. Maybe if Bob Brodie reads this he
could give me the exact DIP switch setting.

Th  anks again for all the instant feedback ... sorry to be such a WIMP!

Rog.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 176       Wed Mar 24, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 01:05 EST

Rog,
  You could plug in just the drive that you want to change and use ICD's
HDPARTS.TOS program or Atari's new booter (I think it display's the ID
numbers) or ICD's booter which does display the ID numbers. This will let you
know what the ID is set at and play with it until you get what you want. Other
than the ID numbers, there is nothing at all to worry about.

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 177       Wed Mar 24, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 07:22 EST

Yes, Atari's newest HDX software shows the ID numbers.

Al

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 178       Wed Mar 24, 1993
D.MCNAMEE [Dan @ Atari]      at 13:13 EST

Rog,

         On all the megafiles I have ever changed the setting on, it
 has been the middle switch that switches it from 0 to 1.

 Dan

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 179       Wed Mar 24, 1993
BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.]     at 15:40 EST

Thanks, Dan!

Rog, you can also use the latest version of our hard disk booter,  the one
that I described to you in my first message. If you use the one that was in
the ALLDRIVE or MUNGED folder of HDX 5, it won't really matter what the
setting of the second drive is, as long as it is at an address other than
ZERO. :)  HDX 5 will boot the drive, and you will have access to it.

If you really want to ensure that the device is at 1, try the settings that
Dan orovided.

regards,

Bob Brodie
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 180       Thu Mar 25, 1993
R.BROTHERHO2 [Rog]           at 00:13 EST

Thanks, everyone, for all the help ... I'll boot these drives up  tomorrow and
let you know how it went. I REALLY appreciate the quick and complete response.

Rog.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 181       Thu Mar 25, 1993
M.DRYSDALE [Drys]            at 07:03 EST

Rog,
 I don't bother to remember the details about which switch it is.  It is
either 1 or 3.  If I get it wrong the first time, I get it right the second
time. Knowhutimeen.  You can't harm the unit by merely setting switches.  HDX
5 will tell you what you've done.

 Mike, GenTech and POWER Computers
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 183       Tue Jun 15, 1993
G.KICHOK [Gerry K]           at 07:17 EDT

HELP,

I just reformatted my MEGAFILE 60 using AHDX 5.03, I have TOS 1.4 on a very
old 520ST with 2.5 megs, and when I boot from drive C I get:

 ASCI devices:
  Unit 0 - Identification Unavailable? <--- this message
  Unit 1 - Not recognized

I've recieved this message before when I used AHDX 5.0 but I'm now wondering
why it can't be Identified. It's a SEA5065 and properly I changed the WINCAP
file to recognize my MEGAFILE. The only problem I have is that the 'message'
takes a little longer than it did before and in fact seems to take about 15
seconds when I cold boot.

I used Diamond Edge form ORA to create 3 XGM partitions, but that software
also had trouble NOT being able to recognize anything was installed on ASCI
Unit 0 and I had to set it manually.

I have no other problems with the setup but I have noticed that my two hard
disk fix programs, Diamond Edge and Hard Disk Sentry from Beckemeyer
Development, no longer tell me about all the bad sector previously marked bad.

 Last Edited on 14/June/93 at 23:02 hrs
 Gerry Kichok
 Hamilton-Burlington-Oakville Atari User Group Librarian



 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 184       Tue Jun 15, 1993
FAIRWEATHER [David]          at 09:45 EDT

I just got the new ICD Pro Utilities 6.1.4 which is Falcon and Floptical
compatible.  I can now finally read my old ICD formatted flopticals on  my
Falcon.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 185       Tue Jun 15, 1993
D.MCNAMEE [Dan @ Atari]      at 14:19 EST

Gerry,

  ->  ASCI devices:                                                     <-
  -> Unit 0 - Identification Unavailable? <--- this message             <-
  -> Unit 1 - Not recognized                                            <-

 That's the correct message.  I don't know exactly why AHDI can't get
 the device identification over ACSI (I'm sure a hardware expert will
 come along and explain it<G>), but that is how it works.  Don't
 worry, nothing is wrong.  I get the same message on my machines with
 ACSI devices and they all work fine.

 Dan


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 186       Wed Jun 16, 1993
M.PAULI [Small Mike]         at 07:06 EDT

 David, where did you get the ICD-file? I use a Floptical myself and would
like to see if they include partitioning yet...!

        Mike
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 187       Wed Jun 16, 1993
ICDINC                       at 08:49 EDT

Mike, Partioning has been included with The Link software and the SCSI Pro
software for a few months now. It requires the use of "Atari style" format
though so you cannot interchange it on a PC or non-Atari computer.

        - TOM -
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 188       Wed Jun 16, 1993
FAIRWEATHER [David]          at 09:49 EDT

By the way, I have reported to ICD that ICD Pro ver 1.6.4 appears to  have a
small bug: After bootup, the first time you try to open a window to a
floptical, the directory shown for the floptical is incomplete, with the
majority of files and folders not shown. Pressing the escape key does not help
or change this.  You have to physically remove the disk from the drive,
reinsert it and THEN press the escape key to get a correct directory listing.
Just a minor annoyance, but after coming from the Link which was rock solid,
this new bug was a little disturbing.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 189       Thu Jun 17, 1993
M.PAULI [Small Mike]         at 06:00 EDT

 Tom,

Thanks for the info, I'll give you guys a call to aquire the new software. I
hope there is no major change for it.
 I'll only need the partitioning for ATARI-files.
 I usually boot from floppy to have different configs handy (MIDI/COM)...

         Mike
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 190       Thu Jun 17, 1993
M.DRYSDALE [Drys]            at 06:56 EDT



  ->  ASCI devices:                                                     <-
  -> Unit 0 - Identification Unavailable? <--- this message             <-
  -> Unit 1 - Not recognized                                            <-

 That's the correct message.  Only SCSI devices reply with what they are.  The
MEGAFILE series drives are RLL or MFM.

 Mike, GenTech and POWER Computers
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 191       Fri Jun 18, 1993
ICDINC                       at 11:20 EDT

David (Fairweather),

We are not able to duplicate the "small bug" that you have reported in our
6.1.4 SCSI Pro booter on the Falcon. We are going to need more details like
TOS version, FLoptical drive brand and firmware rev. number, and what programs
if any run at startup.

You can answer in EMAIL, start a topic in the ICD RT, or give me a call at 815-
968-2228. Our test with our Falcon and Iomega Floptical workewd just fine.
6.1.4 is the latest ICD SCSI Pro booter version.,

            - TOM -
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 192       Fri Jun 18, 1993
D.SHORR                      at 18:52 EDT

I've read several messages now that state that HDX v5.03c has problems with
machines earlier than the TT030; drives don't seem to be recognized during the
format operation(one of the machines was a stock MegaSTe with the internal
hard disk).  Is the new HDX really downwardly compatible with the ST/STe
series(as the library description states)?

My dealer has a demo Falcon030 with TOS 4.02(the one with the partition
corruption bug); is it necessary to reformat the disk or will simply updating
the hard disk driver suffice?  The disk has already been backed up.

Dave

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 193       Sun Jun 20, 1993
G.KICHOK [Gerry K]           at 00:01 EDT

Thanks for the replies here about my message:

  ->  ASCI devices:                                                     <-
  -> Unit 0 - Identification Unavailable? <--- this message?            <-
  -> Unit 1 - Not recognized                                            <-

Why would it take so much longer to produce "Identification Unavailable" after
a cold boot, up to 15 seconds opposed to 2 or 3 seconds with the AHDX 5
version?

The only other thing I've changed is to create 4 Extended GEM partitions using
Diamond Edge.

Also I've read:

 Category 14,  Topic 5
 Message 151       Tue Jun 15, 1993
 ATARI.BENLUX [W. Kilwinger]  at 14:47 EDT
 ...
 AHDI 6.05c will allow you to read and write to the InSite I235VM
 floptical drive.  (Note: this drive takes at least a 10-12 second
 spin up time before booting the computer)
 ...

Could AHDI 6.05c be waiting the 10-12 seconds even though I'm not using an
InSite I235VM floptical drive?

 Last Edited on 19/June/93 at 21:20 hrs
 Gerry Kichok
 Hamilton-Burlington-Oakville Atari User Group Librarian

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 195       Fri Sep 24, 1993
D.GORDON2 [DENNIS]           at 01:21 EDT

Well I did it now. I just brought home a used ICD fast 50 meg drive with ICD
boot utilities pre-installed, and after a while I blundered and copied a
program to the auto folder in drive C which causes it to hang after it loads
Warp 9 (I think it was QVIEW.PRG that I put in there; should have known
better). Anyways, when I boot from floppies the drives are there but they
aren't recognized, and all the utilities are stuck on the hard ddrive
(smart...). Could someone please direct me out of this morass? And on top of
it. My floppy version of Aladdin is trashed, so I have to stumble along in
real time here. What a drag...what a dope....
   Thanks for any help....
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 196       Fri Sep 24, 1993
R.THUROW [Rich]              at 02:52 EDT

Perhaps if you download the ICD utils and savbe to floppy you should be able
to boot the HD from floppy.
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 197       Fri Sep 24, 1993
R.WATSON15 [Wayne Watson]    at 04:37 EDT

Dennis,
  You need to get the HD booter on Floppy and bypass the HD bootup. Once you
do this and get to your drives, you can then delete the file. This is one
reason Boot Managers are so popular. :-)  With a Boot Manager, you can
disable/enable programs with a click of the mouse, etc., before they are
executed. You should have gotten an ICD floppy with the booter in the auto-
folder when you got the drive as all ICD drives and Host Adapters come with
one. If you do not have it, then you will need to download the ICD booter (or
get it from someone) and place it in the auto-folder of a floppy. Make sure it
has a .PRG extension (rename it if need be).

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 198       Fri Sep 24, 1993
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt]       at 08:22 EDT

Dennis,

Boot from a floppy, then run ICDBOOT.PRG from the floppy, which will let you
access the hard drive; then disable the offending program by renaming it .PRX.

Get a boot manager, too, so you can avoid this in the future. SuperBoot and
DeskManager are two; XBoot is another.

Al
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 199       Fri Sep 24, 1993
D.GORDON2 [DENNIS]           at 09:02 EDT

Thanks for the advice. I can't find ICDBOOT.PRG in the library here. It's
version 6.1.4 on my inaccessible drive C. Is it around here somewhere or do I
have to drive 40 miles out to St. Charles and bonk Don Bahr on the head for
not slipping me the floppies?
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 201       Fri Sep 24, 1993
D.GORDON2 [DENNIS]           at 21:47 EDT

Thanks to Tom & all for the advice. Carol at Software + here in Chicago copied
me an old version and saved me the long trip. Every thing is copacetic now.
You can't beat the help you get here on Genie...

 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 202       Fri Sep 24, 1993
R.NELSON48 [Grouch (:{]      at 23:18 EDT

There is an even easier solution to this very common problem.

If you have a late version of ICD then when the ICD LOGO first shows during
the boot process you can type the letter of any drive partition and that will
be your boot partition.  You may have already set this partition up to
autoboot and have an auto folder and all in it, but it doesn't matter.

To solve the autofolder conflict problem all you realy need is to get to the
desktop.  Once there you can click on your "C" drive icon, access the C drive,
select the Auto folder, highlight the offending program name and delete it or
change the name.  Now re-boot.  All is cool and you are back in the groove
with a minimum of fuss and hassel.   Lets hear it for ICD and their fine
innovations!
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 203       Sat Sep 25, 1993
D.GORDON2 [DENNIS]           at 02:03 EDT

Hey, that works, waddya know. That's a real useful tip that would have saved
me a couple of hours of aggravation if I'd only known it about 24 hours
ago....
 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 204       Sat Sep 25, 1993
J.MORRISON38 [~ Jimmo ~]     at 10:44 EDT

Ditto what Grouch said about the new ICD boot option; using different drives
for ACC/AUTO/INF files.  This is a great new feature, and I've utilized it
several times now.  I believe it started with the 6.2.0 version of the driver
(I'm on 6.2.3 now).

  * Read the docs... there are a couple 'warnings' with this feature *

I never did sell myself on the need for Boot Managers, and this option of
booting from different drives gives me all the options I need, at least for
the way I operate. I'm sure others have different needs and boot managers may
be needed.

If I want to boot a relatively 'clean' system, I boot from "D", which has no
ACC's, and the auto folder only has POOLFIX, SERFIX2, LGSELECT.

Any drive can be set up to handle 'special' situations.

   ~ Jimmo ~


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 205       Sat Sep 25, 1993
F.BELL1 [Frank @ Home]       at 11:48 EDT

Dennis,

I don't know if your driver will support it or not but try hitting, for
example, the 'D' key as the computer boots - some drivers allow this to change
boot drive (assumming you have more than one disk drive/parition).  The driver
program is still read off your 'C' drive but all Auto and Accessory programs
will be loaded from 'D' - if any are existing.

If you own TOS 2.05 or greater then you can press the Control key during
booting to bypass the Auto and Accessory program loading cycle.

When you get Tom's driver and your machine is up and running create a boot
diskette - put the driver on it and anything else you think you might need -
just in case you lose or have problem with your 'C' drive. I have such a
diskette (three really) with not only my normal driver program on it but
Atari's too (plus all the install/zero/parition programs). Hotwire, Maxifile,
my diskette backup program, and a few utilities are also on it (again, just in
case!).  The boot diskette also contains a PD boot manager, the same one as in
my Auto folder.

Frank...


 ------------
Category 14,  Topic 9
Message 206       Sat Sep 25, 1993
L.MAZZERI [Cybey]            at 13:58 EDT

How and where can I get an inexpensive HD for my ST v1.0? Can I just buy any
HD I want or what? How can I connect it? etc?

 ------------