CompuServe Thread

#Not enough slots!!!????

6 messages in this thread
#93479From: Derek ChimentiMar 25, 1994 4:31 PM
The on going nightmare for me continues. I'm trying to get a 3D Studio system installed into our production suite and I've had nothing but problems with our dealer. Autodesk's reaction to this- "Yah- we have good ones and bad ones." I've written on this board many times for advice and have prayed each time I wouldn't have to do it again but here I am. This time (3 days before installation) I'm told I don't have enough slots in my tower unit for all the cards I need. With all the output boards I need and controller cards for decks and drives necessary for access, it's understandable. My dealer chose a Pentium system with 7 card slots and I'm told an 8 slot board exists. It seems to me I don't have any more boards than others have. My question… How does everyone else deal with this problem? Please let me know. My dealer insists I have to shove my CD-Rom and Bernoulli drives elseware. Is there another option? How is your system setup? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!! -Derek Chimenti Karl Productiions P.S.- !
#93484From: Gus GrubbaMar 25, 1994 4:45 PM
List the stuff you're trying to plug in this system. Both Bernoulli and CDROM connect to the same SCSI adapter you hard disk is connected. That's a single card for at least three devices. What else do you have in there?
#93512From: CSA/CAMar 25, 1994 7:39 PM
Derek, Well, more slots can be nice, but isn't always essential. I run my internal SCSI-2 hard disk, CD-ROM & Bernoulli from 1 card. Usually the 7-slot boards have an IDE controller, 2 serial & 1 parallel port on the motherboard, instead of using that 8th slot. So, 1 card for SCSI, 1 for VGA, 1 for Targa+ (or similar video adapter), 1 for Diaquest controller for single frame animation. Gee – plenty of slots left. Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
#93515From: John TissavaryMar 25, 1994 7:52 PM
It would help if you tell us exactly what hardware you need to install and why. There are a lot of external alternatives that can clear up slot space. John Tissavary (La Luna cie)
#93581From: ALAN IGLESIASMar 26, 1994 10:11 AM
As Gus says, let us know what exactly you are trying to "stuff" into one system. PC architectures being what they are, it's quite possible you may need to re-design your system a bit if you *really* need to put so much stuff in one computer. You'll very likely need to take a step-by-step approach, installing 3DS (while your system is still a bare-bones one), and seeing that it is running smoothly with a memory manager like QEMM. Then add all your other hardware and respective software tools one by one, looking for and resolving possible conflicts as you go (you might make a chart of your hardware's I/O addresses, memory segments, IRQ requirements, and switchable options, etc. *before* you start). This may sound tedious and time-consuming, but it has worked for me _many_ times, and saved much time and grief. Good luck, -Alan Iglesias
#93601From: S WhiteMar 26, 1994 11:37 AM
Sorry to hear of your problems. List your hardware. I'm running 3DS on a dinky little Compaq 4/50 Prolinea with 12 Mb RAM and a 240 Mb drive (compressed in 6.2 to 450 Mb). I started my total install with only 2 card slots available. My CD and tape backup both run external off the parallel port. My DPS PAR drive is also external. I gave up a long time ago trying to put everything in the CPU box. The only cards I have installed is a Targa + and PAR. Response time isn't too bad. Tell us more. SW