4098 SCSI
10 messages in this thread
Is there a 4098 SCSI controller? When can we buy it?
Dean,
GVP had plans to put together a 4098 controller, but the project has been
cancelled.
GVP TECH
> GVP had plans to put together a 4098 controller, but the project has
> been cancelled.
WHAT!!
That SCSI-2-FAST controller with up to 256 meg of RAM that has been
nationally advertised is VAPORWARE!?!?
. . . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
Here is the official position, without going into the intimate details:
The A4098 was a built, prepared and ready-to-deliver product.
Unfortunately (for all of us!) problems continue to plauge the
A4000/o4o, in this case when it comes to DMA RAM transfers. The SCSI
2 FAST controller works just fine, but the memory is forced to an
incredibly slow pace (1/5 to 1/6 normal performance) by continuing
Zorro-III DMA problems in o4o-equipped Commodore A4000's. There was
serious consideration given to bring the card to market anyway, and
attempt to reap the benefits from A3000 and A4000/o3o owners, but
this would have been a rather callous approach. We have tabled this
product, officially, until the problems described are fully addressed
and rectified. At that time, we will reconsider releasing the
product. As mentioned elsewhere, my Technical Support and Customer
Service Staff are not permitted to discuss unreleased products.
Please feel free to address to comments and concerns directly to me,
though.
Steve Peoples
GVP Marketing Manager
Steve –
Thank you for your prompt and civil (full of light with no heat) reply to
my rather ticked-off sounding complaint.
GVP never struck me as a "vaporware" type company, and I find it
_somewhat_ helpful to know that the 4098 is real, merely subject to the
busted buster problem.
It would be nice to have it available for those who have r11 busters
and the 3.1 motherboards, however. The A4091 has no slots for RAM,
and the Fastlane (which _does_) makes me nervous in terms of remote
tech support. If push came to shove, I could DRIVE to GVP (I'm in
Baltimore), but not to Germany.
Have you any idea how the Fastlane works around the busted buster
problem?
. . . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
Ooooo. This will distress you further, perhaps, but the truth is often painful
😉
It doesn't matter what revisions of what chips you have. If you have an Amiga
4000 and it has a Commodore o4o accelerator installed, the RAM access problems
are there. While fixes are being reviewed and work continues to resolve the
problem, it means that the largets base of likely users for this product
(namely A4000/o4o) will actually DEGRADE their performance by installing RAM on
the card.
I can't speak for Z3Fastlane here, but the problem we are speak of is inherent
in the o4o equipped A4000, so I'd have to believe they would have very similar
troubles.
The saga continues…
Steve Peoples
GVP Marketing Manager
Steve –
> Ooooo. This will distress you further, perhaps, but the truth is often
> painful 😉 It doesn't matter what revisions of what chips you have.
> If you have an Amiga 4000 and it has a Commodore o4o accelerator
> installed, the RAM access problems are there. While fixes are being
> reviewed and work continues to resolve the problem, it means that the
> largets base of likely users for this product (namely A4000/o4o) will
> actually DEGRADE their performance by installing RAM on the card.
Depressing, but if there's no alternative (i.e., if you want and 040 with
MMU, and AGA, you get a 4000), it seems to be a moot point at present.
Can you explain (technically, but not TOO technically <g>) what the
problem is?
. . . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
What?!? I certainly hope that this is not the final comment on this device, as
the current incarnation is quite buggy, at least in my my A4000/040 (Which is a
late model and therefore not suspect to the infamous hardware problems).
Transfers are sluggish at times and I am forced to run the GVPPatch to
keep the screen from constantly flickering/jumping as it accesses data from any
SCSI device! I was looking at the 4098 as the natural upgrade for this poor
beast.
Please do not make me seriously regret my support for GVP products, in
the favor of more stable products from other manufacturers. The current
incarnation of your hardware should not translate into such unbridled success
that you (as a company) should feel confidant to rest on your laurels.
Thank you,
Don Suhr
Don: I don't think you can't blame GVP for not releasing the 4098. They
would have to deal with all those 4000 owners that have busted busters, or
don't have the latest processor board, etc. If you want to blame someone,
contact CBM and ask them why they haven't taken care of the problems in
the 4000 itself.
// John – (Who enjoys harrasing the vendors)
\X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net
Sorry to hear about cancellation of 4098. It seemed to be just what I
was looking for. Wish I had been able to find that out easily, such
as calling the tech support line. How will GVP maintain it's rep for
great customer service if the customer can't contact GVP? Frankly,
my experiences with fax & letter have been disappointing with all
other companies. Thanks for the response. ddr