#A3000 SCSI Problems
7 messages in this thread
I have heard from several people that the Amiga 3000's scsi controller has
some problems. My specific problem has to do with a WANGTEK SCSI (ES5525)
Tape drive.. At one time the drive worked on my amiga. It still works on
my PC but on my amiga I get errors from BRU like 'cannot open tape'. I get
this error with all tapes including new tapes. I am assuming this has
something to do with the internal scsi controller. Am I probably correct?
What can I do to expalin the problem to commodore? Does CBM need to
re-engineer the controller?
I would really like this to work again, and if CBM cannot fix this (if it
is CBM problems) I will be getting rid of the Amiga.
Please help..
Alan,
Yes…the 3000's SCSI port has been described as "flakey" and
there's even been once instance that I know about where the TPWR diode was
installed backwards.
In that case…the story is told (no idea of the truth of it) that
the engineer who made the schematic was known for drawing diodes backwards.
So when they got the schematic…someone reversed the diode in
production…presuming that the engineer pulled his usual trick. Problem
was…the engineer drew it right the first time.
There's also been several reports of compatability problems with
drives that work fine on other machines…or with other host adapters.
Short of dumping the 3000, or buying CBM's tape unit…adding a 2nd
host adapter seems the best way to go.
However, before you do that…please do make sure your tape drive
is properly configured …that is SCSI ID jumpers properly set and
terminator properly installed or not installed depending on what else is on
the SCSI bus.
Don
Alan,
Don't know what your problem might be. I ran a Wangtek 5509 with an
Emulex SCSI controller attached for many months (until I got the DAT
drive). Both drives behaved flawlessly.
This drive behaved fine for 1 year..
But now, sheesh. The drive still activates, and acts like it should work,
but alas it does not..
Alan,
If this drive used to work on your Amiga, obviously it CAN work with the
Amiga and with your controller. If it did, then it can. What have you
changed since then?
I have been told that the Commodore 3070 Tape drive is a Wangtek, and I
know that I have no problems using that with my 2091 – at least, not since
I remembered to tell the software that it was unit 4, not unit 0. I wonder
if you have changed something in your setup that might have caused it to
stop working.
Betty
Nothing changed….
But I did try the following:
Went from 2.04 back to 2.03 and 2.02
Restored my BRUTAB file from a 6 month old backup (floppy)
Disconnected my second hard disc, and connected the tape directly to
to A3000's internal supply and internal cable.
All to no avail..
My understanding is that other users have had SCSI devices just stop
working on A3000's.. Something about western digital chipsets..
Alan,
I have been using my A3000 (bough (price) cut deal with an external
Segate HD and a Wangtek 250m Tape Drive with no problems at all… I have
found that both BRU and C= HardDrive Backup utilities to have problems with
the tape drive.
I have since been using Ami-Back with no problems and have tested the
new version of Quarterback and found it also works with my setup…
I had originally heard of the "problems" with the SCSI port, but all I h
(have) seen is that the interface is poorly documented for the casual user.
I have also heard that the rumor was generated as an attack against C= but
the truth (or not) of that, I don't know…
Hope this helps…
Don 73117,1337