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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:	AMIGA NOTES
Notice:	Join us in the NEW conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:	HYDRA::MOORE

Created:	Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:	Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	5378
Total number of notes:	38326

2511.0. "Help with StarDrive SCSI and adapters" by BSS::BRANDT () Thu Apr 27 1989 13:30

	I just recently decided to expand my A1000 instead of update to a newer 
model.  I ordered a Starboard 2 and a StarDrive SCSI adapter(trying to move
in with the big boys).  I hope to use an ST506 drive that I can borrow from DEC f
until I can afford to buy my own.  Anyway, on with the questions:

	o I found a place that advertised Adaptec 4000A SCSI controllers for
	  $60, when I called to order, they said "Don't be alarmed when you
	  get it and it says 4010 on it, they are the same thing".  I told them 
	  I didn't believe that was totally true, and they said "Well for 90%
	  of the people that have ordered them, they have worked just fine".
	  Oh yes, they also said it doesn't include any documentation.  Can
	  anybody shed any light on this before I order this at what would 
	  appear to be an excellent price.

	o Also any suggestions about SCSI to ST506 adapters would be greatly
	  appreciated.

	o And last, Any experience with the StarDrive SCSI controller from
	  Microbotics would also help greatly.

	Thanks in advance from a long time readonly noter.  I hope in the
	future that perhaps I can contribute something, instead of just
	setting back and reading.

					Steve Brandt

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2511.1	4010 .neq. 4000A	CGOFS::CADAMS	Clint Adams - Calgary, Canada	`Thu Apr 27 1989 15:06`	23
	The 4010 is definitely not the same as a 4000A. The 4000A is the new model that incorporates the functionality of two older models, the 4000 and the 4010. Apparently, (I am not real sure on this) the 4000 has firmware to control fixed type ST506 devices and the 4010 has firmware to control removable type ST506 devices. The 4000A also would be required if you wanted to control a drive with more than 8 heads. I have used a 4010 with a Supra SCSI (which supports the 4000 and 4000A controllers) and an ST225(Dec RD31). It worked without any problem and may be the cheapest way to go. The 4000A is more money because it has more functionality, but is not the same as the 4010. I think the 4010 may be cheap because they have been discontinued and the surplus units are being dumped. Make sure the low level formatter supplied with the SCSI unit you bought for your 1000 explicitly supports the Adaptek ACB4000 or you won't be able to format the drive. Regards..... Clint
2511.2		BSS::BRANDT		`Thu Apr 27 1989 17:57`	12
	Thanks, there is an "oh-by-the-way", they indicated that if I had problems, there was an EPROM that they would send out. I am not sure if this would be at additional charge, probably. I also called Microbotics and they said that the software has been tested with "some drives using 4000A's". I asked if one was the ST225 and the answer was "YES". Thanks for your help. any more is always appreciated. Steve...
2511.3	You can trust Microbotics	MQOFS::DESROSIERS	Lets procrastinate....tomorrow	`Thu Apr 27 1989 20:01`	8
	I called Microbotics a few months ago and they told me that the SCSI adapter for the starboard (a realy good memory exp.) would only work with NATIVE SCSI drives, but that thier people were working on software patches (?) to make it work with adaptec-->ST-506 drives. They may just have done it by now. Jean
2511.4		BAGELS::BRANNON	Dave Brannon	`Thu Apr 27 1989 22:35`	6
	just to make your life more interesting... I believe I saw somebody on usenet claiming that it will only talk to SCSI or 4000A, NOT to a 4000. Something about the driver was written to use the new commands that the 4000A has. -Dave