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- From: Paul Vigay <faq@vigay.com>
- Newsgroups: comp.sys.acorn.announce,comp.sys.acorn.misc,comp.answers,news.answers
- Subject: Comp.Sys.Acorn.FAQ part 5 of 5
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- Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 06:26:40 +0000 (UTC)
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-
- Archive-name: acorn/faq/part5
- Frequency: monthly
-
- WELCOME TO THE COMP.SYS.ACORN FAQ MONTHLY UPDATE.
-
- This update is automatically generated by my machine, so please email me at
- pvigay@interalpha.co.uk if any parts are missing or corrupted.
- --------------------------------- part 5 of 5 ------------------------------
-
- 11.4) What works with what?
-
- This list contains details of peripherals known to work on Acorn
- computers, and is intended as a rough guide for those wanting to upgrade.
-
- The list covers all storage devices: hard discs, magneto-optical drives,
- tape, CD-rom, and related interfaces. It also covers modems, serial cards
- and printers.It does not cover IDE hard discs, as these are covered in a
- separate list in the FAQ.
-
- This list is based on information from users, but it's fairly out of date
- now. If you have new information, corrections, suggestions or if you just
- want to tell me how good it is, please e-mail faq@vigay.com
-
- If you have any equipment which you no longer require, please consider
- donating it to Archive magazine or Clares Micro Supplies, who will find a
- deserving home for it. Contact Paul Beverley at paul@archivemag.co.uk or
- DClare@Clares.demon.co.uk
-
- Note that in all the following lists the interface refers to the computer
- and not the peripheral.
- Hard discs
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer Size Manuf. Model Interface Interface Special
- type manuf Requirements
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- A310 46MB Seagate ST157N SCSI-1 Cumana/Oak none
- A310 46MB Seagate ST277N SCSI-1 Oak Use Acorn SCSIFiler
- with RO3.1
- A310 47MB Seagate 257 SCSI-8 Lingenuity none
- A310 60MB Seagate ST-277N SCSI Oak Ext Apple
- A310/4Mb 80Mb Quantum P80S SCSI Oak none
- A310 87Mb Fujitsu M2612S SCSI-U Morley none
- 0608
- A310 100Mb Quantum LP105S SCSI-U Morley none
- A310 105M Quantum Prodrive SCSI Oak none
- A310 105MB Rodime RO-3128T SCSI-1 Morley none
- A310 105MB Syquest SQ105S SCSI-1 Morley none
- A310 110MB Rodime RO-5125ST SCSI Oak Ext Apple
- A310 117MB Quantum LP120S SCSI VTi/Alsys RO3.1+PowerROM
- A310 191Mb Maxtor LXT-200S SCSI Lingenuity none
- A310 210MB Conner CP3200F SCSI Oak Ext Apple
- A310/4Mb 210Mb Quantum PD210S SCSI Oak none
- A310 240MB Quantum LPS240S SCSI-1 Morley none
- A310 270MB Syquest SQ3270S SCSI-1 Morley none
- A310 330Mb Seagate ST2383N SCSI-U Morley none
- A310 340Mb Conner CFA340 SCSI-1 Cumana/Oak none
- A310 496MB Fujitsu M2624S SCSI VTi/Alsys RO3.1+PowerROM
- A310 516Mb Quantum Maverick SCSI-U Morley none
- 540S 0901
- A310 540MB Quantum Fireball SCSI-1 Morley none
- A310 700Mb Quantum LIGHTNING SCSI Lingenuity none
- 730S
- A410/1 170MB Quantum LPS170 SCSI-C Morley none
- ProDrive
- A410/1 115MB IBM 7910A12 SCSI-C Morley none
- A410/1 213M Maxtor 7213S SCSI-U Morley none
- A410/1 1GB HP C2247 SCSI-U Morley none
- A420/1 730MB Quantm LT730S SCSI TSP/AAD 512Mb max.
- A420/1 330MB Maxtor 7345S SCSI TSP/AAD none
- A4xx/1 40MB Seagate ST251/1 ST506 Acorn ext Case+PSU
- A4xx/1 40MB Seagate ST251/0 ST506 Acorn ext Case+PSU
- A4xx/1 40MB NEC D3156 ST506 Acorn none
- A4xx/1 68MB Seagate ST1100 ST506 Acorn none
- A400/1 523MB IBM DSAS-3540 SCSI-16 Cumana none
- A440/1 240M Quantum LPS240S SCSI-U Morley none
- A440/1 1G Micropolis 4110 SCSI-U Morley none
- A440 66M Rodime RO3085S SCSI Lingenuity none
- A540 116Mb Conner CP30100 SCSI Acorn 1.05 none
- R140 330MB Maxtor 7345S SCSI Acorn MK3 (Used with RISCiX)
- R140 730MB Quantm LT730S SCSI Acorn MK3 (Used with RISCiX)
- A3000 42MB NEC D3835 SCSI Serial port(VTi)
- A3000 51Mb Quantum LP52S SCSI } Cumana none
- A3000 81Mb Quantum ELS85S SCSI } Cumana none
- A3000 105M Quantum LP105S SCSI HCCS-8i none
- A3000 540M IBM DSAS-3540 SCSI HCCS-8i doesn't work!
- A3000 730M Quantum LT730S SCSI HCCS-8i none
- A4000 1G IBM DPES31080 SCSI HCCS none
- A5000 340MB Quantum LPS340S SCSI Cumana none
- A5000 540M Conner CP30540 SCSI1 Cumana none
- A5000 1.06G Conner CFP1060S SCSI-2 Cumana none
- A4 520M Fujitsu M2684S PSCSI Atomwide bid parallel
- RPC600 110MB Rodime RO-5125ST SCSI Oak Ext Apple
- RPC600 116MB Conner CP30100 SCSI-1 Alsystems none
- RPC600 121Mb Maxtor 7120SCS SCSI-2 Cumana none
- RPC600 163MB Quantum ELS170S pll SCSI Atomwide none
- RPC600 163MB Quantum ELS170S SCSI Oak none
- RPC600 163MB Quantum ELS170S SCSI-2 Castle tec none
- RPC600 163MB Quantum ELS170S SCSI Morley-U&C none
- RPC600 210MB Conner CP3200F SCSI Oak Ext Apple
- RPC600 317MB Imprimis 94241-7 SCSI-1 Alsystems none
- RPC600 496Mb Fujitsu M2624F-512 SCSI-1 TSP/AAD none
- RPC600 496MB Fujitsu M2624F-512 SCSI-1 Alsystems none
- RPC600 502MB Quantum ProDrive525S SCSI2 Alsystems none
- RPC600 507MB Fujitsu M2684S-512 SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- RPC600 523Mb IBM DSAS-3540 SCSI-2 Cumana filecore limit
- RPC600 550MB Quantum Fireball SCSI-2 MCS none
- RPC600 650Mb Cumana Proteus SCSI-2 Cumana New Filecore
- RPC600 850MB Quantum TRB850S SCSI-2 Cumana none
- RPC600 1Gb Quantum Fireball SCSI-2 Cumana none
- FB1080
- RPC600 1G Micropolis 4110 SCSI-U Morley none
- RPC600 1.7G Quantum Sirocco SCSI-2 Cumana New Filecore
- RPC600 2.1Gb Fujitsu 2915 SCSI-2 Cumana New Filecore
- RPC600 2.5G Quantum Sirocco SCSI-2 Cumana New Filecore
- RPC700 105M Quantum LP105S SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- RPC700 140M Fujitsu M2624SA SCSI-U Morley none
- RPC700 340MB Maxtor 7345A IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 540M Conner CP30540 SCSI1 Cumana none
- RPC700 730M Quantum LT730S SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- RPC700 2G Quantum Atlas scsi-2 Alsystems early drives noisy *
- RPC700 520M Seagate ST3660A IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 1G Fujitsu M1614TAU IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 1.6G Conner CFS1621A IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 1,6G WD AC31600H IDE Acorn slow startup, fast drive
- RPC700 1.7G NEC D3747 IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 2G Fujitsu M1624TAU IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 2G Seagate ST32161A IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 2.1GB WD AC21000 IDE Acorn none
- RPC700SA 520M Seagate ST3660A IDE Acorn none
- RPC700SA 1.6G Conner CFS1621A IDE Acorn none
- RPC700SA 2G Seagate ST32132A IDE Acorn none
- * RiscPC cases amplify vibrations from drives. According to Quantum
- technical support, drives with high spin speeds need to be internally
- balanced like car wheels to avoid vibration. Their first models (including
- the Atlas range) were not balanced, but current models are. Apparently the
- vibrations do not affect performance or reliability.
-
- Non-working combinations
- A410/1 1GB HP C2247 SCSI-8 Lingenuity did not work
- A3000 540M IBM DSAS-3540 SCSI HCCS-8i doesn't work!
- A310/OS3.1/MEMC1A/ARM3 SCSI VTi see below
- This combination has been reported to be troublesome due to timing problems
- on the bus. This problem does not occur with a standard A310. If the problem
- is found to be present, it can be fixed by fitting a 2nF capacitor across the
- /BL pull-up resistor.
-
- Removable hard discs
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer Size Manuf. Model Interface Interface Special
- type manuf Requirements
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- A310 105MB Syquest - SCSI Oak none
- A440/1 88MB Syquest SQ5110 SCSI-U Morley none
- A410/1 105MB Syquest - SCSI-U Morley none
- A3000 135MB SyQuest EZ135 SCSI Cumana none
- A3000 270MB Syquest SQ3270 SCSI HCCS-8i MOFS (!MagOpt)
- A5000 135MB SyQuest EZ135 SCSI Cumana none
- A5000 270MB Syquest SQ327 SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- A4 105MB Syquest - PSCSI Atomwide bid none
- parallel
- RPC600 88MB Syquest SQ5110 SCSI-2 Cumana none
- RPC600 105MB Syquest - IDE ICS none
- RPC600 105MB Syquest - SCSI-2 Castle none
- RPC600 105MB Syquest - SCSI Oak none
- RPC600 105MB Syquest SQ3105S SCSI-2 Castle none
- RPC600 135MB Syquest EZ135 IDE ICS minor bugs
- RPC600 135MB Syquest EZ135 SCSI-C Morley none
- RPC600 200MB Syquest SQ5200C SCSI-2 Cumana none
- RPC600 1GB Iomega JAZ SCSI-2 PowerTec none
- RPC600SA 105MB Syquest SQ3105S SCSI-2 Castle none
- RPC600SA 1GB Iomega JAZ SCSI-2 PowerTec none
- RPC700 135MB SyQuest EZ135 SCSI Cumana 16bit none
- RPC700 135MB SyQuest EZ135 SCSI Cumana 32bit none
- RPC700 135MB SyQuest EZ135 SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- RPC700 135MB SyQuest EZ135 IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 270MB SyQuest SQ3270 SCSI Cumana 16bit none
- RPC700 270MB SyQuest SQ3270 SCSI Cumana 32bit
- Care needed with flash rom software upgrades
- RPC700 270MB SyQuest SQ3270 SCSI Alsystems none
- RPC700 270MB Syquest SQ3270 SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- Firmware 3_05 and above recommended
- CD ROM
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer Speed Manuf. Model Interface Interface Special
- type manuf Requirements
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- A310 3.4x Toshib XM5201 SCSI-1 Cuman/Oak CDX driver
- A310 1x Sony CDU-541 SCSI-U Morley none
- A310 2x Matsushita CR-503 SCSI VTi/Alsys RO3.1+PowerROM
- A410/1 2x Apple CD300 SCSI-C Morley AppleSony module
- A410/1 2x Sanyo CRD-250S SCSI-2 Morley none
- A420/1 2x Apple CD300e SCSI TSP/AAD CDFS 2.2+ driver
- A3000 2x Toshiba XM-3401TA SCSI HCCS-8i none
- A3000 4.4x Toshiba XM-3601TA SCSI HCCS-8i IOC CDFS SCSI2 driver
- A5000 2x Toshiba XM-3401TA SCSI Cumana EESOX CDFS_SCSI2 driver for photocd
- A5000 2x Aiwa ACD300 SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- A5000 4.4x Pioneer DR-U124X SCSI-2 Cumana Eesox SCSI2dr
- RPC600 2x Nakamichi MBR-7 SCSI-2 Cumana Eesox SCSI2 7cd changer
- RPC600 2x Apple CD300e SCSI Acorn MK3 CDFS 2.2+ driver
- RPC600 2x Cumana Indigo IDE Cumana none
- RPC600 - Plextor PX-4XCS SCSI-2 Cumana
- RPC600 4x Cumana Proteus SCSI-2 Cumana
- RPC600 4x Sanyo CRD-254S SCSI-2 Cumana EESOX scsi2 driver
- RPC600 4x Sony CDU76S SCSI-2 Cumana Eesox SCSI2 driver
- RPC600 4x Sony CDU77E IDE Acorn RiscOs3.7/SA
- RPC600 4x Toshiba XM-3601TA SCSI-1 TSP/AAD EESOX SCSI2 driver
- RPC600 4x Cumana Proteus SCSI-2 Cumana none
- RPC600 4x Panasonic PD-1 LF1000SCSI-2 Power-tec none
- RPC600 4x NEC Multispin SCSI-2 Power-tec none
- RPC600 4x Matsushita CR-504 SCSI-2 Power-tec none
- RPC600 4x Hitachi CDR-770 IDE Acorn Cumana/Powertec ATAPI
- RPC700 4.4x Toshiba XM-3601TA SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- RPC600 6x Mitsumi FX600 IDE Acorn CDFS2.30 or RO 3.6
- RPC600 6x TEAC CD-56E IDE Acorn CDFS2.30 or RO 3.6
- RPC600 7x Toshiba XM-3701TA SCSI-2 Cumana Eesox SCSI2
- RPC700 2x Sony CDU50E IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 2x Cuma. Bravo SLCD Cumana Unplug CDFSAtapi
- RPC700 4x Sony CDU-76E IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 4x Panasonic CR504B SCSI-C Morley none
- RPC700 4x Mitsumi FX400 IDE Acorn none
- RPC700 4x NEC CDR-273 IDE Acorn only works in 2x
- RPC700 6x NEC CDR-1300A IDE Acorn only works in 2x
- RPC700SA 6x NEC CDR-1300A IDE Acorn only works in 2x
- RPC700 8x Goldstar GCD-R580B IDE Acorn possible clash with some h.d.
- RPC700SA 12x Teac CD-512E IDE Acorn none
- RPC700SA 8x Toshiba XM-56028 IDE Acorn none
- Problem Drives
-
- Many drives don't work with the standard drivers found in RiscOS. This is
- usually due to differences between the implementation of ATAPI in the
- drives. Third party drivers (soft-loadable modules) are available (eg from
- EESOX) and some IDE and SCSI cards come with new drivers built in.
-
- CD ROM Equivalents
- Manuf Model Manuf Model
- Apple CD300 Sony CDU-8003A Rev. 1.9a
- Cumana ProTeus Panasonic PD2000
-
- Floppy disk
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer Type Size Manuf. Model Interface Interface Special
- type manuf Requirements
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- A310 5.25" 19Mb QUME HF24DR G05 SCSI-U Morley none
- A5000 Zip 100MB Iomega ZIP 100 SCSI Oak none
- A5000 Zip 100MB Iomega ZIP 100 SCSI Lingenuity no LL format
- * This scsi card will initialise a partition but won't low-level format
- RPC600 Zip 100MB Iomega ZIP 100 SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- RPC700 Zip 100MB Iomega ZIP 100 SCSI-2 Alsystems none
- Note: Powertec supports DOS format for Zip drives
- RPC700 Zip 100MB Iomega ZIP 100 SCSI-U Morley none
- * The parallel port Zip drive can now be used with the Acorn driver, but
- requires driver software. This is available from Argo or Partis Computing. *
-
- If your scsi software does not support zip drives, see the Tape Streamer
- section for details. * The write-protection feature of Zip discs is not at
- present available via any of the scsi drivers. It is fully supported by the
- parallel port driver.
- Tape streamers
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer Size Type Manuf. Model Interface Interface Special
- type manuf Requirements
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- A5000 230MB magopt Fujitsu M2512A SCSI-2 CUMANA none
- A540 230MB magopt Fuji 2512A SCSI Oak none
- A540 230MB magopt Fuji 2512A SCSI-16 AAD none
- RPC600 230MB magopt Fuji 2512A SCSI Acorn !magopt
- RPC600 230MB magopt Fuji 2512A SCSI Oak none
- RPC600 230MB magopt Fuji 2512A SCSI QD-16 none
- RPC600 525MB qic ? ? SCSI-2 cumana
- Settings: tapebackgrounding off, tapemaxtransfer 1, tapebuffer 16k,
- scsidisconnect 6 on and *unplug DMAManager
- RPC600 2.3G 8mm Exabyte EXB 8200 SCSI-2 Cumana !tapefs
- RPC700SA 230kb/s Settings: tapebackgrounding off, tapemaxtransfer 64kb,
- tapebuffer 512kb.
- RPC700 1.3G DAT HP - SCSI-C Morley none
- RPC700 1G DAT WangDAT 1300 SCSI Cumana
- Settings: Backgrounding off, disconnect off, and set drive to
- SCSI-1 standard (because tapefs=scsi1?)
- Tape equivalents
-
- Some data tapes are identical to consumer AV products. Most manufacturers
- don't recommend use of the cheaper tapes for data storage but they do work.
-
- DDS or 4mm tape is equivalent to DAT (Digital Audio Tape). A two-hour
- tape is the same as a 60m, and you can get three hours of audio on a 90m.
-
- 8mm tape is equivalent to Video-8. Currently I have no information on
- tape sizes or merits of using standard or Hi8.
-
- Configuration
-
- You may need to tweak the options to make your device work properly.
- Different drives have different requirements, so experimentation might be
- necessary.
-
- Zip drives require a different setup from the other backup devices. Some
- users report nothing more than running their scsi config software to
- identify the drive to the system, the drive appearing as a hard disc. Others
- are using MagFS.
-
- To set up Magfs:
-
- Download Magfs from Hensa.
-
- Set the MO$SCSI in the Run file of !MagOpt to to match the scsi id of the
- drive.
-
- Insert a blank disk and run MO-form.
-
- Enter 4 or 5 at first request.
-
- Enetr N at second request for a low level format.
-
- Run !Magopt.
-
- Some magopt users are running tapefs. Don't know why.
-
- Software for tape streamers can be obtained from the following sources:
-
- tapefs is in
- ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/mirrors/hensa/micros/arch/riscos/a/a050
-
- magfs is in
- ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/mirrors/hensa/micros/arch/riscos/d/d160
-
- tar is in
- ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/mirrors/hensa/micros/arch/riscos/a/a052
-
- It has been found that the released version of tar won't handle image
- files (archives, for example). A patched version is available which will
- cope with these can be found at
- ftp://ftp.comlab.ox.ac.uk:/tmp/Robin.Watts/Tar_hack
- Modems
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer Modem Protocol Manuf Model Interface Interface Interface Special
- speed blockdriver manuf Best speed Reqs
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- A310 9600 - Pace MicroLin internal Acorn 19k2 none
- A310 14.4K V32bis Escom 14400 sp_dual Atomwide 57600 RO3.1
- A410/1 28.8K V34 USR Sportster internal Acorn 9600 none
- A410/1 28.8K V34 USR Sportster sp_dual MK2 TSP 115200 none
- A5000 28800 V.34 Zoom V.34 sp_dualpc mk2 TSP 115200 none
- A5000 14400 V.32b USR Courier sp_dualpc mk2 TSP 57600 none
- A5000 14400 V.32b USR Courier internalpc Acorn 38400 none
- A5000 14400 V.32b Pace MicroLinfx sp_dualpc m2 TSP 57600 none
- A3000 14400 V.32b USR Courier internal Acorn 19200 none
- RPC600 36.6K V34 MR Modem internal Acorn 115200 none
- RPC600 28.8K V34 USR Sportster internal Acorn 115200 none
- RPC600 14.4K - - LineLink internal Acorn 57600 none
- May need to cut an internal cable to fix flow control if the modem is
- wired for use with a MAC
- RPC700 28.8K V34 USR Sportster internal Acorn 115200 none
- setup string: ATB0&M4&H1&R2&I0&K3&B1&N0&S1&Y1&D2&C1V1Q0X4&A3E1F1M1
- RPC700 14.4K V32b CreatiX SG144 internalPC Acorn 115200 none
- RPC700SA 14.4K V32b CreatiX SG144 internalPC Acorn 115200 none
- Note: If you have a Sportster 28.8 with revision dates earlier than
- 04/28/95 / 03/31/95, and you are having difficulties such as low speed
- operation or line drop-outs, USR have a return-to-base upgrade which is free
- of charge.
- Printers
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer Printer DPI Manuf. Model Interface Interfc !Printers Special
- type type manuf version Reqs
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- A410 Inkjet 720 Epson Stylus-Col-I Parallel Acorn 1.28c none
- A410 Dotmat 360 Citizen Swift 24 Parallel Acorn 1.28c none
- RPC600 Inkjet 720 Epson Sty.Col.500 Parallel Acorn 1.54 PDF:Nov'96
- RPC700 Inkjet 720 Epson Stylus-Col-I Parallel Acorn 1.52 rel3 none
- RPC700SA Inkjet 300 HP DJ 500 C Par/Ser Acorn 1.28
- RPC700SA Inkjet 300 HP DJ 500 C Par/Ser Acorn 1.54 Acorns Rompatch
- Third party drivers
-
- Computer Concepts' Turbo Drivers are available for popular printers. This
- software is optimised for speed although Acorn's own drivers have recently
- been upgraded and the benefits are not as great as they were. The Turbo
- drivers give greater control over the output and background printing
- actually works, however the output quality can be worse with dithered
- graphics.
- Optical Scanners
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer Manuf. Model Scanner Interface Interface Special
- type type manuf Requirements
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- RPC600 HP Scanjet IIcx flatbed SCSI-2 Cumana David Pilling's Twain
- RPC600 Epson GT 9500 flatbed SCSI-2 Powertec David Pilling's Twain
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Computer notes
-
- The A3xx and A4xx machines are all similar, and comments about one of
- these machines should apply to any other, provided it is running with the
- latest OS and/or chip set.
-
- Similarly, the A4 is a miniature A5000, and the RPC700 is a slightly
- enhanced RPC600.
-
- StrongARM equipped RiscPCs might have difficulties with interfaces that
- work on the non-SA computers,
-
- A3xx computers have no on-board disc interface; A4xx have on-board mfm.
- The A3000 has no interface, the A4, A3020, A4000, A5000, A7000, Stork and
- RPC models all have IDE.
- Interface notes
-
- In theory the fastest interfaces are the ones with DMA. These cards
- perform at their best on RiscPCs in slot 0 or 1. The data rate will be
- limited by the slowest part of the system, so when upgrading, budget for a
- new drive in addition to the interface.
-
- The Alsystems Powertec card is a SCSI-2 DMA device with a top speed of
- around 4.5MB/s. This speed will increase with later software/firmware
- releases.
-
- The Yellowstone RapIDE32 card is a fast IDE interface using DMA which
- will give a significant improvement over the standard interface in a RiscPC.
-
- Both Yellowstone and Alsystems are developing rival products.
-
- The Morley SCSI-1 interface is either cached or uncached. The maximum
- speeds of these are uncached: 2MB/s, cached: 4MB/s. These cards do not use
- DMA. Currently the Morley software cannot cope with partitions > 512 MB and
- the "Free" window is broken under RiscOS 3.6. New firmware is rumoured for
- the Morley card.
-
- The TSP/AAD is the former 'Arxe Alpha Dual', which was produced by The
- Serial Port, but which is now discontinued. It provides 16-bit non-DMA
- SCSI-1 and a high density floppy interface.
-
- Versions of Risc OS older than 3.6 can only cope with drives < 512 MB.
- Larger drives can be used if formatted to this size. Some filing systems
- allow large drives to be partitioned, ie split into 2 or more sections, each
- up to 512MB in size. The new limit for RiscOS 3.6 is 4GB, which is already
- looking too small.
-
- An important new development for scsi card owners is the Alsystems
- PowerRom. This is a firmware upgrade for many existing cards, including
- Cumana, Castle, Lingenuity, Morley, Acorn, Vti, HCCS and Oak. The upgrade
- provides all the features present in the Powertec card, subject to hardware
- limitations, which will include compatibility with large partitions and
- devices such as Zip drives. The PowerRom will eventually be able to replace
- IDE card firmware too.
- Which SCSI have I got?
-
- To determine the scsi version number of a device, run the following
- program:
- ON ERROR REPORT:PRINT " at ";ERL:END
- DIM buffer% 16
- INPUT "Enter device number";device%
- SYS "SCSI_Initialise",2,device%,buffer%
- SCSI%=(buffer%?2) AND %111
- PRINT "Version is ";SCSI%
- END
-
- This will give you zero if the device is not present.
- How big is a Megabyte ?
-
- Some manufacturers quote Megabytes as 1000K. This is of course totally
- incorrect but they like to cheat with numbers, so to get the real size,
- multiply by 1000/1024.
- Further Information
-
- IDE hard discs
-
- IDE hard discs are listed separately in the Acorn FAQ.
-
- Jumper settings and configuration
-
- Jumper settings are often a problem, and it's rare to get a manual with a
- drive these days. Some manufacturers have web sites, most of these have
- detailed information on their current models including jumper settings, and
- some have databases covering older devices.
-
- Although sometimes biased towards PCs, the information can be extremely
- useful.
- Manufacturer Web site
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Seagate http://www.seagate.com/
- Conner http://www.conner.com/
- Quantum http://www.quantum.com/
- Maxtor http://www.maxtor.com/
- Syquest http://www.syquest.com/
- Micropolis http://www.micropolis.com/
- Fujitsu http://www.fujitsu.com/
-
- Iomega http://www.iomega.com/
-
- Panasonic http://www.panasonic.com/
- Toshiba http://www.toshiba.com/
- Sony http://www.sony.com/
- NEC http://www.nec.com/
- Mitsumi http://www.mitsumi.com/
-
- US Robotics http://www.usr.com/
- Hayes http://www.hayes.com/
- Zoom http://www.zoom.com/
- Motorola http://www.motorola.com/
- Pace http://www.pace.co.uk/
-
- Epson http://www.epson.com/
- Many of these companies also have a faxback service which is just like
- gopher by e-mail. Useful if you have a fax machine.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the list.
-
- And to everyone else: send in your details now!
-
- Any corrections or suggestions should be sent to faq@vigay.com
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- CPIlist version 3.9, 04-Apr-97
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 11.5) What specification memory can I use with my RiscPC?
-
- RAM for the RiscPC, while a standard 72pin SIMM, must be bought with a
- degree of care to avoid potential damage to your machine. EDO RAM, while it
- will work, is not advised as it may have different power requirements that
- could be detrimental to your machine.
-
- The RAM required is 70ns (or faster), 72pin, square array (equal number
- of bits used for row and column addressing), non-parity RAM that supports
- 'fast page mode' and 'CAS before RAS' refresh. Devices that contain more
- than 16 memory chips (8 on each side) is not recommended as they may have
- power requirements above and beyond what the computer can safely supply.
- Consequently SIMM 'stackers' and 30 to 72pin adaptors are also not advised.
-
- For the more technically inclined out there maximum loads possible are :-
- Address 128pF
- WE 140pF
- CAS or RAS 59pF
- Data bus 29pF
-
- Finally, in the maintainers experience anyway, Hitachi parts seem to be
- fine.
-
- Section 12: Common Questions about the FAQ.
-
- 12.1) Why do I get the FAQ twice?
-
- There are two ways this can happen. The first, and most common way, is
- when you see two copies of the FAQ, one set posted to
- comp.sys.acorn.announce and the other set posted to comp.sys.acorn.misc.
- This occurrence is caused by your news handling software being broken. The
- FAQ is, if you check the newsgroups line when it is posted, crossposted to
- both of these groups.
-
- This means it is actually posted just the once and with all good news
- handling software you will read the post exactly once. Given that this is
- supposed to be standard behaviour for newsreaders I refuse to stop
- cross-posting purely because people are seeing the posts twice. Quite simply
- it isn't my problem and I will need other justification before I stop
- cross-posting.
-
- The second way it can occur is when you see two copies of the FAQ in the
- same group. Careful checking of your newsbase should reveal that one copy is
- about 30 to 32 days older than the other. This comes about because I use the
- Expires: header to ensure that a copy of the FAQ is always present in all
- well configured newsbases. Because I currently don't use the Supercedes:
- header this will result in, for one or two days, two copies of the FAQ being
- present.
-
- My general stance on this is that it is not a major problem as the amount
- of disc space involved is small compared to general size and flow of
- information that a news stream entails anyway. Certainly I have been meaning
- to add the Supercedes header to the posted copy of the FAQ but it is
- currently a very low priority task.
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 12.2) Why does the full FAQ have to be posted?
-
- Simply because of the wide distribution that the FAQ has. Every time the
- FAQ gets posted it gets automatically archived into various FAQ databases,
- propagates on ancillary networks only loosely connected to the net (BBSes in
- particular) and reaches a wide variety of people whose skills at navigating
- the net vary considerably. Occasionally it gets copied onto CD ROMs,
- Magazine discs and extracts get used in various publications from time to
- time.
-
- All this just from the posted copy of the FAQ.
-
- Given this wide reaching nature and the general idea of an FAQ being to
- reduce network traffic by providing the answers to common questions
- immediately then I see clear justification for continuing to post the full
- FAQ.
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 12.3) Isn't the FAQ overly long?
-
- In a word, no.
-
- To be slightly less terse it is worthwhile doing a comparison of the
- c.s.a FAQ with other newsgroup's FAQs. For this task I used a 'snapshot' CD
- ROM of the rtfm.mit.edu FAQ archive that was taken in March 1995. Here are a
- few sample sizes :-
- FAQ Size in bytes
- --- -------------
- comp.sys.acorn (as posted 6th Jan 1999) 176,678
- soc.feminism (resources list) 239,256
- comp.sys.amiga (introduction) 167,632
- comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware 318,882
- comp.sys.apollo 162,638
-
- As can be seen by the above table the size of the FAQ is neither overly
- large nor is it particularly uncommon. This FAQ has grown by about 60K over
- the last three years (not too bad IMHO!).
-
- Having said that, this table was compiled in 1995 by Philip Banks, so the
- other FAQs are likely to have grown in size too.
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- 12.4) If I find something wrong or am unhappy with the FAQ, what do I do?
-
- Email me first about it.
-
- I mean it. Generally errors or bad information that has crept into the
- FAQ has been through circumstances beyond my control. Often a lot of the
- information I am provided with I simply can not check directly myself. So I
- accept a lot of what I am given on trust and generally try to exercise care
- with what I include into the FAQ.
-
- If, after getting a reply back from me, you are still unhappy then by all
- means grumble about it on the newsgroups. But I want the chance to explain
- things first. I take a very dim view to people posting complaints to the
- newsgroups, first, about the FAQ, especially ones that imply or impugn
- improper conduct on my part. I tend to view such posts as attempts to
- publicly force my hand and make me do whatever said poster wants done to the
- FAQ.
-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Thanks go to all the people who have contributed corrections and additions
- to the list. Without this help this list would be a hell of a lot buggier
- (spot the programmer... :-) ) than it is...
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- All additions, corrections & suggestions for the FAQ List should be sent to
- pvigay@interalpha.co.uk. Being the maintainer of this FAQ I reserve the
- right to be wrong, incorrect, slow, out of date and generally how I please
- with the FAQ List. I would like to extend a special thanks to Icon
- Technology, who produce the *excellent* Easi/Techwriter family of word
- processors - without which the maintenance of this FAQ would be an awful lot
- more time consuming. Icon Technology can be contacted at
- http://www.icontechnology.net
-