Amiga Plus 2000 #4/Amiga Plus CD - 2000 - No. 4.iso/Tools/Treiber/Misc/ATA3/ReadMeFirst

Text File | 2000-03-13 | 17.0 KB | 465 lines

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SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

Note: Before you proceed with the installation of the software
      of the controller, uninstall any system add-on programs
      like IDEFIX, EIDE device, etc.

Note: If you use AmigaOS3.5 you SetPatch line (in S:startup-sequence)
      should be as follows:

      SetPatch QUIET SKIPROMUPDATES scsi.device

      If you use AmigaOS3.5, please remember to edit NSD.Patch.cfg
      file (in DEVS: drawer). Add a "#" comment character in the
      lines where you have already used an NSD device.
      FastATA'99 software controls EIDE/ATAPI devices with its own
      scsi.device (version 41 revision 0). Scsi.device from FastATA'99
      is an NSD device, so you should place "#" before scsi.device line
      in the NSDPatch.cfg file.

      Instead of editing NSDPatch.cfg file, you may want to change the
      SetPatch line (in S:startup-sequence file) as follow:

      SetPatch NONSD QUIET SKIPROMUPDATES scsi.device

Note: New HDD installation (partitioning) or making any change in RDB
      of HDD attached to FastATA-2/EIDE controller is permissible only
      if ATA3.driver is running. ATA3.driver should be started before
      HDToolBox.


The following files are provided on the FastATA'99 floppy disk:
  ATA3.driver,
  ATA3-Install,
  ATA3Prefs,
  AllegroCDFS - only if you have version with AllegroCDFS,

                /To order AllegroCDFS separately, please contact
                [e-mail] or [e-mail].
                The registration number of AllegroCDFS is
                on one of the MACH210 chips in the controller.
                When buing AllegroCDFS, you receive the MACH210 chip
                with the registration number and with software.
                Starting unregistered AllegroCDFS will return
                the following report: Hardware ID code missing.../

  Mountlists: CD0, CD1, CD2, CD3, PC4, PC5, PC6, PC7, Orgella,
  ReadMeFirst
  History.txt
  CheckLMB (Check Left Mouse Button)
  DriveSpeed
  ATAPIFormat
  ReadTest
  FastATA'99.lha
  Copyright.doc


Note: The controller without software installed operates only with
      the PRIMARY PORT, in exactly the same way as a standard A1200
      controller.

Note: Please remember that if you have only one drive attached to any port,
      jumpers on this drive should be set to SINGLE (MASTER). If you have
      two drives attached to any port, the first drive should have jumpers
      set to MASTER, the second to SLAVE.


AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION

1. Boot the computer from the hard disk.
2. Run ATA3-Install from the FastATA'99 floppy disk.

The installation proceeds automatically.

If you reinstall software, start ATA3-Install script
without ATA3.driver running.
You could copy all updated files to the floppy disk, start
the computer without startup-sequence and execute:
df0:Installer ATA3-Install

ATA3-Install prepares all AllegroCDFS mountlists for your
CD-ROM/CD-R/CD-RW/DVD drives.

Note: The Installer program (from INSTALL Workbench) must be present
      in the c: drawer of the booting disk.


MANUAL INSTALLATION

1. Copy ATA3.driver and CheckLMB to the C: drawer.
2. Copy ATA3Prefs to the Prefs: drawer.
3. Add the following at the beginning of the startup-sequence:

   C:CheckLMB
   IF WARN
   SYS:Prefs/ATA3Prefs
   ENDIF
   C:ATA3.driver QUIET     (or C:ATA3.driver RESIDENT QUIET)

Note: If you upgrade drivers, copy only new ATA3.driver and new ATA3Prefs
      to appropriate drawers.

4. For manual installation of AllegroCDFS, copy AllegroCDFS to L: drawer
5. Copy appropriate mountlists from FastATA'99:mountlists to DEVS:DosDrivers


USING HDD > 8 GB

Note: If you have a HDD larger than 8 GB connected to the PRIMARY PORT
      working in NO SPLIT mode, ATA3.driver should be set as resident.
      You may do it either by:
      placing ATA3.driver RESIDENT QUIT in the startup-sequence, or
      choosing RESIDENT option in ATA3Prefs, if you have
      any software forcing computer reset in s:startup-sequence
      (e.g. you could place ATA3.driver before SetPatch line from OS3.5).


HOW THE SOFTWARE WORKS

The ATA3.driver program recognises EIDE devices connected to the Amiga,
detects the A1200 processor type and takes over all the calls to the
scsi.device.

The second run of the ATA3.driver gives only information on the devices
connected and their modes of operation (PIO 0 to PIO 4).

FastATA-2/EIDE Controller supports HDD > 4 GB by way of automatic HDD
split into 4 GB logical units, which guarantees 100% compatibility
with the Operating System and any previous software.

If you connect hard disks of over 4 GB, they will be
automatically (in SPLIT mode) divided into Units of the size below 4 GB.
Split 4 GB units have Drive Revision 4Gxx in the HDToolBox program.
HDToolBOX allocates up to 16 LUN for the given disk (up to 8 for the
given unit, and up to 8 more for the virtual unit numbered unit + 4).

In preferences in ATA3Prefs you can choose the mode of operation
for either SPLIT (default) or NO SPLIT. The latter means that
installing a HDD will NOT divide it into logical units. Then,
use only the filesystems with NSD, TD64 or DirectSCSI commands
implemented.

Note: Run ATA3.driver before installing and partitioning HDDs larger
      than 4 GB!

Note: Some filesystems (e.g. FFS) do not support correctly partitions
      larger than 2 GB.

See also FAQ.2. in the end of ReadMeFirst.

If any HDD partition is not validated, ATA3.driver will stop running
until Amiga finishes validating this HDD.

Note: PRIMARY PORT without ATA3.driver running works like standard Amiga
      IDE connector.


ATAPI DEVICES

If you have ATAPI-standard devices installed, the DEVS:DosDrivers drawer
has to include an appropriate mountlist.

Note: You can make use of the CD0 mountlist included in the STORAGE
      disk of Workbench 3.1. The Unit parameter of the CD0 mountlist
      shall correspond to the Unit number for the given CD-ROM drive.

PRIMARY MASTER    Unit 0
PRIMARY SLAVE     Unit 1
SECONDARY MASTER  Unit 2
SECONDARY SLAVE   Unit 3

Note: CDx mountlists for AllegroCDFS are stored in
      FastATA'99:mountlists drawer

Note: If you are using any other mountlist, always set
      the device=scsi.device for HDD, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW  drives
      and device=trackdisk.device for removable media like LS-120, ZIP-ATAPI.

Removable media drives like LS-120, ZIP, etc., when formatted with
the Amiga operation system, do not require any mountlist as
they are automatically recognised. When these media are used in the
PC format, the DEVS:DosDrivers drawer has to include an appropriate
mountlist (PCx).

Note: The Unit parameter of the PCx mountlist should correspond
      with the drive Unit number (Unit = Unit number + 4).

for PRIMARY MASTER   use PC4 from FastATA'99:mountlists drawer
for PRIMARY SLAVE    use PC5
for SECONDARY MASTER use PC6
for SECONDARY SLAVE  use PC7


THE ATA3Prefs PROGRAM
The ATA3Prefs will NOT operate when the ATA3.driver or any other
software colliding with the ATA3.driver (e.g. IDEFIX, ASIM.device, etc.)
has been started earlier, you will see only the following requester:

 Start procedure held up due to scsi
 vectors shift by another program.

The ATA3Prefs may be used to manually adjust operation modes in any
non-standard or old drives and to configure the ATA3.driver.

Please start this program always after changing your hardware configuration.
To store it change exit by SAVE. It will save ATA3.Prefs configuration file
in ENVARC: drawer. This file is used by ATA3.driver.

Note: From ATA3.driver ver.3.6, in order to reach the full write speed
      on A1200 with 68040, it is necessary to start once ATA3Prefs
      and exit it with SAVE option.

The ATA3.driver is a resident software as a rule, thus enabling
auto-booting from LS-120 and ZIP disks. You can switch
off this auto-booting option by changing ATA3Prefs settings.
Any changes become valid after the computer is restarted.
From the ATA3Prefs 3.0 on there is a new, PIO4 NF (PIO5) mode added.
Only the newest UDMA drives will work in this fastest mode.
Some turbo boards could not allow to use this mode.

Note: Pressing the RESTORE button in the ATA3Prefs recalls the fastest
      settings.

Note: With ATA3-Install script used, ATA3.driver and ATA3Prefs from the
      floppy disk are installed in such a way that keeping the left mouse
      button pressed at computer's boot-up causes ATA3Prefs to start.
      Otherwise, computer starts with ATA3.driver running.


AllegroCDFS

AllegroCDFS is the fastest Amiga CD File System.
The first Amiga file system to support UDF (the Video DVD format).
Access to:
 ISO 9660 level 1, 2, 3,
 Joliet (Windows 95/98 long name - 64 characters) level 1, 2, 3,
 RockRidge (with Amiga Extensions),
 CDDA,
 UDF (Video DVD).
Supports Amiga protection bits.
Supports Multisession.
Supports SCSI and ATAPI devices (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD).
Supports direct audio grabbing from standard audio CDs.

For hybrid disk ISO/CDDA AllegroCDFS shows apicon ISO/CDDA.
(def_ISOCDDA.info should be present in Envarc: drawer)¸
This appicon is used for choosing between ISO and CDDA support.


AllegroCDFS.test1 (in FastATA'99 disk) is a text file with speed benchmark
between the newest version of CacheCDFS and AllegroCDFS.



DRIVESPEED (works also without FastATA-2/EIDE controller)

DriveSpeed is used for checking speed of any drives.

Syntax:
DriveSpeed scsi.device n
where n is the unit number from 0 to 3.

Note: For checking max CD-ROM speed, use CD-ROM disk larger than 675 MB.
With smaller disks, only speed of the central (slower) sectors is read.


READTEST (works also without FastATA-2/EIDE controller)

ReadTest is used for testing read from any drives.
It serves checking whether a given disk may work in a specific
configuration in a specific PIO mode.

Syntax:
ReadTest scsi.device n
where n is the unit number from 0 to 3.

Note: Any read error means that using this mode is strictly forbidden!
      You have to check the configuration, possibly shorten the signal
      ribbons, check whether any of the SIMMs used does not interfere
      with the transmission (controller software switches SIMMs into
      the burst mode), etc.
      Any attempt to write to partitions when the test reports read
      errors may cause writing bad checksums in the disk.
      Afterwards, you will have reports of bad checksums when a given
      sector is read again without any transmission errors.



ATAPIFormat

ATAPIFormat is a low-level formatting program for any removable ATAPI
media.

Syntax:
ATAPIFormat scsi.device n
where n is the unit number from 0 to 3


FAQ.1.
How long should HDD ribbon be?

The ATA/ATAPI-4 specification recommends using for PIO-4 mode as short
cables as possible, never longer than 18 inches (46 cm).
These cables should be even shorter for the unspecified PIO-5 mode.
One also has to take care when installing HDD mobile racks
(for relocating hard disk from one machine to another). These racks may
introduce signal noise at fast transfers, which are similar to those
occurring with very long ribbons.


FAQ.2.

I have a problem with disappearing data on my HDD 6.5 GB...

ABOUT USING HDD > 4 GB

The Scsi.device implemented in the A1200's ROM does not work properly
with standard Amiga file systems when managing hard disks larger than
4 GB. Attempts to write to partitions above the 4 GB may result in
damaging data located in lower partitions.
New file systems based on TD64 commands (TrackDisk.device 64),
NSD (New Style Devices) or DirectSCSI are an effort to cope with this
situation. However, this solution does not assure full compatibility
with the current software available for Amiga computers.
Major malfunctions are observed in the working of software which
directly modifies disk sectors: the FORMAT system command,
REORG, DPU, DiskSalve, QuarterbackTools and other programs.
(Using any of these in any partition above 4 GB may lead to damaging
data in lower partitions.)
PowerFlyer Fast-ATA2/EIDE controller solves all the problems related
to the application of hard disks larger than 4 GB. The controller
uses a method of managing large disks, which is different from TD64
commands. Disks larger than 4 GB are automatically split into
logical units of 4 GB size and a unit of a size, which is part of
that amount, if needed. For example, a 18.3 GB disk will be divided
into 4 disks of 4 GB each and a 2.3 GB disk.
This method guarantees 100% compatibility of logical disks created
in this way with all the software available for Amiga computers.
Any file system (OFS, FFS, AFS, SFS, PFS-2, PFS-3, etc.) may be used,
the disk may be partitioned with the standard HDToolBox, and partitions
may be formatted with the FORMAT system command.

Note: During partitioning disks larger than 4 GB, the controller must
      be active. In order to do so, run the ATA3.driver before
      running HDToolBox (for partitioning HDD>4GB). If the disk to
      be installed is the only disk connected to the Amiga, the
      ATA3.driver must be run from the FastATA'99 floppy disk supplied
      with the controller.

Below, please find the step-by-step instruction for installing
a 4 GB hard disk in the Amiga with the PowerFlyer FastATA-2/EIDE
controller, when the said disk is the only disk connected to the
computer. (This disk shall be connected to the PRIMARY port as
a MASTER disk.)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Turn on the computer and run WORKBENCH from the Install floppy disk.

   !!! From ATA3.driver ver. 4.0 !!!
   Start ATA3Prefs (from FastATA'99 floppy disk) and choose between SPLIT
   and NO SPLIT. Recommended option is: SPLIT. Exit ATA3Prefs by SAVE.
   If you choose NO SPLIT, you should use only filesystems supporting
   NSD or TD64 or DirectSCSI.

2. Replace the floppy disk with the FastATA'99 floppy disk and run
   the ATA3.driver program.

3. Replace the floppy disk with the WORKBENCH Install floppy disk
   and run the HDToolBox.

4. The status line will have several logical disks with the status:
   UNKNOWN, Address = 0, Lun = 0, 1, ...

5. Mark the first of the logical disks and open the Change Drive
   Type options.

6. Select the Define New option.

7. Enter RAM: in the File Name field: before the file name (so as
   not to save to the Install floppy disk).

8. Select Read Configuration, then OK, then OK.

9. Start partitioning the first hard disk. (Please remember that
   FFS does not work properly with partitions larger than 2 GB;
   therefore, if you want some partitions to be present in the FFS,
   these should be smaller than 2 GB.)

10. After dividing the disk into partitions, select the Save Changes
    to Drive option.

11. Mark the next logical disk and proceed as in steps 5 to 10. Do
    the same for all logical disks. Note: Make sure that every
    partition is named differently.

12. EXIT the HDToolBox.

13. Reset the computer with the Install floppy disk in its drive.

14. Stop the start of the computer with both mouse buttons pressed.

15. Then run the "Boot without startup-sequence."

16. Replace the floppy disk with the FastATA'99 floppy disk and run the
    df0:ata3.driver.

17. Return to the Install floppy disk and enter
    execute s:startup-sequence.

18. All the partitions will appear in the screen. Now quick format
    all the partitions... then everything should be clear.

You can freely use a hard disk, which was prepared in this way, and
writing to partitions above the 4 GB size will not lead to losing
data in lower partitions. You could use any file systems:
OFS, FFS, AFS, SFS, PFS-2, PFS-3 filesystems on any HDD partition.

When you connect a 4 GB hard disk to Amiga with another hard
disk fitted with the Workbench and installed FastATA-2/EIDE
controller drivers, the installation procedure for > 4 GB hard
disk is much simpler. Connect the installed disk as a PRIMARY SLAVE
or to the second port. There is no need to swap floppies, and steps
14 to 17 are no longer necessary.

If you would like to use NSD, DirectSCSI or TD64 command instead of
splitting HDD > 4 GB start ATA3Prefs before ATA3.driver
and set UP 4GB to NO SPLIT.

Note: Changing the operation mode of the ATA3.driver (SPLIT/NO SPLIT)
      for the given disk into mode which is incompatible with its
      installation (partitioning), may result in losing data (when
      attempting using software, which directly accesses disk sectors:
      Format, ReOrg, DiskSalv, ...).


FAQ.3.
I have a problem with multitasking when copying large volumes of data
between my HDDs...

We recommend using UNIX-like process scheduler: Executive
(from Aminet) for full multitasking during EIDE devices operation.


SUPPORT
If you have any questions about PowerFlyer FastATA-2/EIDE Controller,
please contact with our technical supports:

[e-mail]    or   [e-mail]