#SCSI CD-ROMS
7 messages in this thread
I may be asking for a deluge of mail but…. Does anyone have any
recommendations for SCSI CD-ROMs for a 486 based system with a SCSI host
adapter (Future Domain) I am looking for a drive in the 3-400 range with
fair to middlin' access time. Thanks all.
Download the files CDFAQ.TXT and CDROMF.ZIP. Both give very good
background material to help you make a good choice when purchasing a CD-ROM
drive.
I pruchased a Texel DM-3024 that has worked fine with my Future Domain
850M. Th DM 3024 is a 265ms access, 300KBps drive – faster than any
currently available although faster ones are coming. The price is
aproximately $419 via mail order for a bare drive. Jim
Jim, I have a Future Domain 850, bought it through a BBS ad and it has no
install information. Could you help me?
It was intended for a Pioneer 604X but now I'm not so sure. Seems like it
might be too slow.
When installed and I start the computer I get a ram error message and the
computer (a 486) locks up. I notice there is a power plug on the board. Is
that incoming or outgoing? That is do I need to supply power to the board
or is that to supply power to other devices such as the CD-ROM reader?
Any help appreciated. Cheers!
I'm not sure I can help but I'll try. My Future Domain TMC-850M installed
without any problem so I'm no expert.
First, do you have a TMC-850M? It should be marked on the big chip in the
center of the board.
What version of MS-DOS? Windows? Do you have the install diskette with
the files: install.exe, fdcd.sys, & mscdex.exe among others? How old are
they? They should be installed as C:\BIN\MSCDEX.SYS & C:\DEV\FDCD.SYS.
Your AUTOEXEC.BAT should include C:\BIN\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD000 /M:10. Your
CONFIG.SYS should include DEVICE=C:\DEV\FDCD.SYS /D:MSCD000 & LASTDRIVE=Z
(or at least greater than all partitions on all drives.
What is a Pioneers 604X? The FD 850 should be fast enough. I'm running it
on a 486/33 with a 300KBps DTR, 265ms access time Texel DM-3024 CD-ROM.
What drives do you have on your system – ST-506, ESDI, IDE, SCSI?
I know of no power plug on the board. The picture in the manual doesn't
show one nor can I think of any reason it should have one. It gets its
power from the system bus.
The BIOS/Host Adapter Address defaults to CA00 and uses 8K. You should
have nothing that conflicts. Whether it's still set to that is
questionable. Jumper W5, a single jumper directly southeast of the main
chip in th center with the SCSI port to your right, should be off for now
(open).
Future Domain can be reached at 714-253-0400 (California). My TMC-850M
User's Guide is P/N 55-0850M-000-00 & FD CD-ROM Installation Manual is P/N
55-40026-000-00 Rev. 04. Get back to me if I can help, Jim
First let me thank you VERY much for your amazingly comprehensive answer.
It has given me a lot to think about. And perhaps worry about <G!>
I'll try to answer a few of your questions (I'm no tech type): My computer
is a 486/33 with an IDE HD. My FD board is marked as being a TMC-860, my
chip (large, square) is marked TMC-950.
I have DOS 5.0, Windows 3.1 and Future Domain FDU-CD, CD-ROM Driver V.
2.13.
The Pioneer 604X is an updated version of the Pioneer 600 CD-ROM changer
(the six-pack) with an accesss time of 300ms, transfer rate of 600Kb/s.
I was advised by a senior Pioneer rep, who has been very generous with his
time and knowledge that the 860 might be suitable for text but might falter
somewhat with animation, etc. He's recommended a 16-bit board. He's been
very good with me, not pushing a particular item but trying to steer me
toward something that might be suitable. I'm impressed with the Pioneer
people I've dealt with.
There is *some sort* of power plug on my board, a white plastic case around
four prongs and shaped to accept only a certain type plug. It dawned on me
after I installed a 486-chip fan and used a similar plug. It is marked J4
Max. current, 2A AT 5VDC, 2A 12VDC.
Let me play and perhaps I can get back to you. Again thanks for your help.
It is sorely needed, happily received. Cheers!
Jim, I forgot to get back to. Sorry. The white plug you describe
certainly sounds like a power plug. Have you called the Future Domain
people. They could certainly tell you. They may be here on CIS but I'm
not sure. Jim