Conference 7.286::atarist

    
    The connector on the right side, closest to the case' edge, is the
    one you should connect to the computer.
    Get hold of AHDI.PRG or any other Atari-compatible HD-Driver and run
    that program by double-clicking. If the drive was formatted already,
    what they usually are, you could select a floppy-icon and install
    Drive C then. When opening that new created icon and the drive is
    formatted and ok, it should open up an empty window.
    Otherwise you have to format and partition the drive first, make it
    bootable and reset after that. Most of the HD programs I know do that
    for you in one string of actions. 
    
    Bernd
    

re .1

Bernd (or anyone reading this thread),

  By the "right side", do you mean the right side of the Megafile as if looking
at the unit from the rear?  Remember, I don't have a case for this thing yet.

  Yeh, I booted a floppy with AHDI.PRG in an AUTO folder.  It seemed to boot up
OK (and the HD busy light flickered like it was being accessed) but when I ran
INSTALHD or any other HD utility, it just doesn't recognize that a drive is
hooked up ("no logical drive found").  What gives?

  The drive is formatted.  It's a used unit given to me by a friend.

Thanx,

Hutch

    
    Yeah, I mean the right side when looking at the drive from the back.
    
    One more question:
    Did you power on the drive and the computer the same time?
    You get a short access and flickering light as soon as the drive spun
    up to it's proper speed. Then, if the drive is able to autoboot,
    you should turn on the computer. If it's not autobootable you should
    run AHDI now and install a drive C with the desktop. 
    You can't find a drive when computer and drive were turned on the same
    time because the drive is not yet ready when the computer does it's
    boot sequence and looks for connected drives.
    
    If this was a running unit at you friend's, and you have the unit
    connected correctly, and you ran AHDI after the drive reached his
    speed and you still cannot access a drive C, I'm running out of
    ideas. (the drive must be formatted though, otherwise you should
    do that first with the Atari program. I don't remember the name
    'cause I use others for that purpose).
    
    Good luck,
    Bernd
    

Bernd,

  Yeh, I let the HD spin up to speed before booting the ST with a floppy with
AHDI.PRG in an AUTO folder (I've owned HD's before so I follow what you are
getting at).

  I pretty much suspect the HD mech (Seagate 238R) now because I often have to
"unstick" it.  i.e., turn the drive over, remove the blue plastic tab, and use
a screwdriver to free up the motor spindle so the drive will begin spinning
when power is applied.  I've learned this is a common malady with these specific
Seagate mechs but shouldn't be *this* common!

  Using ICD's IDCHECK.PRG, I can verify that the controller is recognized as an
Adapted 5500 at LUN 0, so at least it appears to be working.  Looks like the
mech itself has gone south.  Perhaps in shipping?

  Got a replacement mech on the way so will let you know.  Thanks for the help.

Hutch

>  I pretty much suspect the HD mech (Seagate 238R) now because I often have to
>"unstick" it.  i.e., turn the drive over, remove the blue plastic tab, and use
>a screwdriver to free up the motor spindle so the drive will begin spinning
>when power is applied.  I've learned this is a common malady with these specific
>Seagate mechs but shouldn't be *this* common!

  This seems another problem than .0 described, but looks alike to what I'm
  experiencing for the 2nd time now (with a year's interval and some 200
  on/offs in that year). My Megafile 30 doesn't want to come to speed anymore.
  The blower works, the disk starts but somehow doesn't make it to full speed.
  Some clicking is heard, the green/yellow lights blink to no avail. Initially
  I got it to run after 4-6 times retries, now it simply refuses to start.
  Brought it in for repair (with an obviously unshipped head - hope it survives)
  this morning. If it is only a screwdriver it takes to make it run again,
  I can see the repair is going to be well paid.

  THeo

	With the disk not spinning.  This sounds like the famous
	ticktion problems.  Basically, backup your drive and
	buy a new one.  Forcing the head loose from the platter will 
	eventually cause problems.

	chad

    I have a chance to pick up a Megafile 30 second hand, cheap.  Is this
    drive reliable? Since it's likely seen a couple of years use, am I just
    asking for trouble?
    
    							Brian

    Gee, here I am looking at another used Megafile, this one is only a
    20....can the internal drive be replaced for expansion?  The price is
    cheap enough that just as a host adapter/power supply/case it's a
    decent deal.
    
    						Brian

    Hello all!

    I've following problem: When I turn on my Megafile 30 the HD
    initialize & spin up fine. After I powered on my 1040-ST the Desktop 
    appears immediately without any response from the HD or FD. Also when 
    I click on Floppy "A" it gives me "0 Bytes in 0 files" (only when the HD 
    is hocked up!). First I thought it could be a defect in the DMA cable but 
    then I've tested it with a new one and the same error occured again. 

    I've also tested it with another ST-520+, with the same result. I'm
    assume its something wrong with the Controller. Or is it the DMA chip?
    Is there a way to test this chip?
    
    Have anyone experience with such a problem?

    Thanks in advance.

    Wolfgang

    
    I assume you booted the Atari after the disk. If you run the HD-driver
    again from the Desktop (AHDI or whatever) and then assign a new icon
    for the harddisk, is it accessable then?
    
    To test the hardware and operating system, use the following archive:
    
    UFRCS1::DISK$FS:[FALKENSTEIN.ATARI.NEW1]TEST.TOS
    
    it also checks the DMA-chip...
    
    Bernd