CompuServe Messages

EISA SCSI problems

    09-May-93 23:34:37
Fm: Paul Lind 71543,2104
To: Don Landis 71673,3612
Don, No problem on the questions, we're always glad to help. If your using a full length AMI SCSI-2 16MB caching controller, then we're using the same one. The Quantum drive (I'm assuming it's a ProDrv-1225S) is fully SCSI-2 compatible. However one problem that ~may~ be arising is multiple hardware caches. You have a 512KB cache on the drive itself that allows it to achieve its 10ms access time and then you have a seperate "huge" cache on the controller. This configuration has been known to cause problems with some software and actually slows down most systems. It may be advisable to try disabling the drive's 512kb cache. Additionally, if you're using the Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI) driver, then make sure that you're using the latest one for the card, and that you're using the right one. There are several enhanced versions that support SCSI-2's 32 bit addressing,Single fast mailbox handling, Tagged queing, etc. Finally, the ALR board sounds like it was definately on the bleeding edge of 1990 EISA standard and the EISA bios on the board may be causing problems. If all else fails, you may want to call ALR and see if you can't get an updated bios for a few bucks. AMI has a BBS at (404)246-8780 HST compatible at 14,400. That's always a good call for the latest card drivers. Hope it helps, Paul