CompuServe Thread

Hard drive problems

2 messages in this thread
#105886From: Jeff GlennMay 22, 1990 9:38 PM
Don, Thanks for the quick response. I did format twice and after a reboot and a DIR on DH0: I got: System Request Error validating disk Hard Disk Key 1625322528 out of range I ran DiskDoctor, cycled the power and a DIR gave me System Request: Key -1 out of range I called the vendor and he suggested I configure the drive for 1024 cylinders. I did, reformatted, rebooted and a DIR gave me: Key 63487 checksum error The vendor (New England Electronics & Technology, in Lowell, MA) said he would exchange the drive for any model I specified. Since it appears that this drive won't work with my Amiga (and its A2090 controller), which drive, around 60M (or more) and 20msec (or less) would you recommend? Also, would you recommend ST-506 or SCSI? I'm beginning to believe that SCSI would give me greater compatability. For additional reference, my Amiga 2000 is running v1.3 with v1.2 ROMs. One more thing, what is the formula to convert from a Key number to Cylinder, Head and Offset? Thanks again for your help and wisdom. Jeff
#105913From: Don Curtis/SYSOPMay 22, 1990 11:52 PM
Jeff, The formula is in one of my articles…I posted all of them here as a collection called DISP.ARC and it should still be in LIB 1. What did you tell PREP was the Write Pre-Compensation cylinder? It should be 512. If you hadn't used that number…try just one more time. I've since learned that the A2090's limit on heads is 8, not 6 so you're fine there. If you've still got an unuseable drive after the above…I'd suggest something on the order of the Conner CP-3180 which is a 3.5" 84 Meg 25ms embedded SCSI drive. No idea on it's cost compared to the Miniscribe. I personaly don't like the Seagate series of drives (and can't give a good reason other than they don't "feel" right to me) but others are perfectly happy wiht them. I like the Miniscribes for ST-506 type drives, but you've already got one and are having problems. Maxtor is also a good drive manufacturer. Don