From: jgd@dixie.com (John De Armond)
Newsgroups: alt.cd-rom,comp.periphs.scsi
Subject: Re: CD-Rom & Adaptec 1542b
Date: 21 Aug 92 10:01:12 GMT
Organization: Dixie Communications Public Access.  The Mouth of the South.

astsloke@ntuvax.ntu.ac.sg writes:


>Yes, and you may have to pay for a new version of software drivers as well. 
>Actually this may not be just Adaptec's fault as many SCSI implementations
>seem to interpret the SCSI spec. rather flexibly.

Thing is though, if I arrange the devices and host adaptors I've tried 
in a matrix, the only fault line cuts right through the adaptec controller.
Everyone else seems to handle the flexable specs pretty well.

>Where do can I get these "famous" Neese utilities anyway?

>The rest of us outside the continental USA have trouble gaining access to the
>Adaptec BBS.  And it operates at only 2400bps.  That's money down the drain if
>it's a overseas call.  How about putting the stuff on a ftp site or allowing
>anonymous ftp?

Adaptex (not to be confused with the Adaptec BBS that runs V.32 modems)
has Telebits.  Getting stuff from Adaptex via uucp is easy.  First,
here's the HDB Systems file entry:


adaptex Any ACU 19200 18174886893 in:--in:--in: suucp

Then issue the uucp command

uucp adaptex!~/list /usr/spool/uucpublic

This will retrieve the list of files available. Then just set up a script
to uucp the files.  No fuss, no muss.  If you want to save LD
charges, just get scsicntl.exe and scsicntl.doc  Replacement EROM 
firmware upgrades are also there so this is a most useful system
to get into.  

>Actually I run Windows 3.1 without double buffering.  The Adaptec AH1542B 
>with the ASPI driver conforms to the VDS (Virtual DMA Spec) and *should* not 
>need it.

I am too but I discovered that when I took out the DTK host adaptor which did
not need anything fancy but hung a TSR I use, and installed the 1542B with
ASPI4DOS, system thruput dropped a third or better under windows.

>I guess we sould bug Adaptec and Mcicrosoft to get on with the production of 
>these drivers.
> 
>> *	support the Syquest drive.
>> *	support the Exabyte
>> *	Support a CD-ROM

>Doesn't it?  The reason I bought a SCSI Adapter ws the fact that I could
>connect in humongous drives, CD ROMS, Tapes etc painlessly. I though it to be a
>strategic purchase. 

Haven't tried the Exabyte on the Windows system yet.  This machine,
an Interactive Unix box using a 1542A, hangs about every other time I use
the exabyte.   I've learned to reboot, go single user, do the backup,
reboot again in order to minimize the problems. This problem has endured
through two different motherboards so the problem lies elsewhere.

I do now have a CD-ROM running.  I dumped the Mitshita and got a Toshiba.
The Syquest will be fixed shortly via Syquest installing a new electronics
board with "Adaptec patches".  I should note in passing that Syquest's 
tech support has been superb, better than anything I've ever experienced.
Calls returned within the hour, people who know what they're talking about,
even a local rep who has spent hours helping me diagnose the problem.
Oh, and the hardware upgrade is being done at no cost even though the 
drive is several years old.  This is a real class act.

>Why do I get the feeling that I'm sinking in a Money Pit?

You are.

I think the DTK is one of the better deals going for DOS machines and 
probably Unix machines too.  it only costs about $100 and comes with 
all known drivers right in the box.  This included Novell, Unix, Xenix,
CD-ROM and tape.  As soon as Systems Compatability Corp fixes  the hang
problem with Writer's Toolkit, I'll probably go back to DTK.

>BTW, I have no major problems with my Archive Viper and Sytos plus.  It does
>the job.  The sytos plus seems to have support of DDS and 8mm drives, though I
>have to tried them out.

Only problem is, once you use Mountain Software's File Safe, you'll think
of Sytos as a stone ax.


John

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John De Armond, WD4OQC               |Interested in high performance mobility?  
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