J1 Data 20-pin flat ribbon cable. Connected to drive 1.
J2 Data 20-pin flat ribbon cable. Connected to drive 2.
J3 Control 34-pin flat ribbon cable. Connected to both
drives 1 and 2.
Connector Recommended Plug Maximum Length
J1 3M Part #3421 20 feet (6 meters)
J2 3M Part #3421 20 feet (6 meters)
J3 3M Part #3414 20 feet (6 meters)
Attach the cables to the controller, making sure that the pin 1 indicator on
the cable goes to pin 1 on the controller.
Now the controller must be installed into a 16-bit slot on the PC AT
motherboard. Next, mount the drive(s) in any available drive bay in the AT.
Consult your PC AT owner's manual for details of performing the installation
of options into the motherboard expansion slots and for instructions on
mounting a hard disk and floppy disk in the system.
Section Three
Software Installation
3.1 Introduction
To prepare a new hard disk for use, you must complete the primary-format and
then install your operating system.
First, the primary-format is done using Adaptec's built-in BIOS. The procedure
is described in this chapter, first with a flowchart, then with details describing the actual menu screens. If you run into problems while attempting to perform this installation, please refer to Chapter 4, Troubleshooting.
3.3 Adaptec ACB-237XB PRIMARY-Format Procedure for hard DISK Drives
Step 1: Setting up the PC AT configuration RAM for a single hard disk with the
appropriate drive type
After you have completed the hardware installation of your ACB-2370B and hard
disk drive, turn the system power switch on. Boot from the PC AT diagnostics
diskette or any diskette that contains software for configuring the PC AT
SETUP parameters (CMOS RAM).
Note: When booting the PC AT with an UNFORMATTED hard disk installed, the
system may report a "1790" disk failure. Ignore the message, press F1 to
continue.
Invoke the SETUP RAM configuration software (i.e., option four in the IBM PC
AT diagnostics program). Then follow the SETUP program's menu to set up your
system for one or two hard disks. Be sure to choose drive types that are a
subset of the actual disk parameters. The number of cylinders indicated by the
drive type specified must be less than the actual number of cylinders on your
drive. For example, with the IBM PC AT, use drive type 1 (smallest available
drive type) regardless of the actual drive configuration. This is necessary
for proper operation of the PC AT power-on diagnostics.
After the PC AT internal configuration has been set up, reboot the system with
DOS Version 3.0 or higher.
Step 2: Use DEBUG to enter the Adaptec Disk Preparation Program
Put a disk with a copy of DOS' DEBUG program into the floppy drive and invoke
the program by typing DEBUG at the DOS prompt, then press return. At the debug
prompt, type G=C800:5 and press return. This will invoke Adaptec's Disk
Preparation Program.
Step 3: Read the RLL Drive Parameters
Select Option 1 to primary-format the drive 1. If the drive has been
previously formatted with an ACB-2370B controller, the saved cylinder and
head count will be displayed. With an unformatted drive, the number of
cylinders, heads and sectors are read from the RLL drive. If the values are
not correct, type N, exit the program and check your RLL drive jumper settings.
An example of what you will see on the screen for a brand new drive is shown
below.
Note: One cylinder on the drive is reserved for use by the controller. The
controller automatically subtracts this cylinder from the total number of