#A3000 memory question
29 messages in this thread
Thanks very much for the info. I do not own an A3000 but I am scratching
around for money now that the Power Up deal has been extended. I have
another question if you don't mind. I am assuming the A3000's builtin
controller is SCSI and can handle 7 devices. If I wanted to add another
hard drive to the system is there A) a power connector or two avalible and
B) how would the ribbon cable be connected to an internal or external hard
drive? Thanks.
The built-in HD interface card on the A3000 is SCSI; apparently the same
type as the A2091 controller card avail for the A2000's. So it can
certainly handle multiple drives, devices, etc.
I don't know how many power cables and/or SCSI ribbon cables are provided
with the A3000, though. Hopefully someone here will know, and will speak
up. ttfn
–jp–seattle–
I kind of thought the A3000 built-in SCSI was really an A2091 on the mother
board. Thanks for the info.
There is a set of power cables for both a second floppy and a HD. The
bracket for the second floppy has 'ears' for mounting a hard drive. The
internal SCSI ribbon cable has a plug where a normal 50 pin ribbon cable
can plug in. There's also a 25 pin D-shell connector for external drives.
-Jim
Thanks, Jim. That is exactally what I wanted to know.
Yep, the 3000's controller is SCSI and it has a DB-25 connector on the back
for external drives. I also had an extra HD in the 3000, and there are
spare power connectors on the inside. The ribbon cable has an extra
connector for another HD so you shouldn't have any problems.
John (in beautiful downtown Walla Walla) – via Whap!
Great! Now I know I can easily install a hard drive (although I'll violate
the warrentee if I do.)
"Now I know I can easily install a hard drive (although I'll violate the
warrantee if I do"
That's something that has been brought up before here on CIS$, and I'm not
so sure you will void it. Commodore includes a manual with the 3000 that
gives instructions on installing drives and memory. They even recommend
certain chip numbers for the memory along with certain configurations to
best suit your needs. If they give you the instructions, and as long as you
follow those instructions, then why would your warranty be violated? Now if
you messed up and plugged the drive cable upside down and backward's, blew
up your 3000 then yes I would say the warranty is violated 8^) But if
everything work's OK after the installation and 2 month's later something
inside the Amy dies, why shouldn't CBM honor the warranty? It's kicking the
bucket had nothing to do with your hard drive. Maybe I shouldn't be talking
like this, some people are terrified enough putting add-on's in their
computer 8^)
John (in beautiful downtown Walla Walla) – via Whap!
John,
I don't know if you'd technically void your warranty by adding an internal
HD or adding ram to your 3000. You may (altho I tend to follow your logic
that if they tell you how to do it in the manual they are giving you
implicit approval to do so). In the real world, tho, I don't think it
makes much difference. I installed ram in my 3000 about a week after I got
it. There were no problems at all. About 3 months later a rather hefty
static zap on my mouse travelled up cord, into the machine, and took out
Denise. I took the machine in for warranty repair. It required a
motherboard swap since CBM's current policy is that there is to be no
component level repair on in warranty machines regardless of the problem.
At any rate, there was never any question nor comment about the ram I had
added. What I'm getting at is, if you do something that may void your
warranty, but you have caused no damage, and then have a future (unrelated
problem) it is very unlikely that the service people will say anything
about it.
-sja
Steve–
Or, you could simply remove your ram (or other questionable add-in)
before sending the machine in…which is probably not a bad thing to do
anyway.
Jonathan
– via Whap!
Jonathon,
Nah, I let the service tech remove the ram, put them in an anti-static bag
and give them back to me. That way, any broken or cracked pins are his
fault!
-sja
I installed my own 8-up!, HardFrame, Quantum 80, 2nd disk drive, and
SyQuest in my A2000 so I have a little experience in installing
non-motherboard addons. I wouldn't be afraid of doing any of these things
to an A3000. What I ->WOULD<- be afraid of is getting everything set up,
having the computer running fine but blowing a chip a few months into my
ownership. The service guy says, "I see the factory seals have been
broken." "I had to break them to install a decent size hard drive" I say.
"Hmm. You might have messed something up when you opened up the computer.
I can fix it but your warrenty is void." There I am without a leg to stand
on. Perhaps if I took Commodore to court I'd win but, short of that, I'd
loose.
Leslie,
There are no "factory seals" on a 3000 — at least mine didn't have any.
I have seen them on 2000s, tho.
I thought I read here on CI$ that A2000's and A3000's both had seals and
painted screws. I read the same thing in one of the Amiga magazines
(probably the Abstractions column in Amy Resourse.)
I read your message, reached down and opened the carton of my new A3000.
ifted it from the box, and: NO seals. The screws on the sides of the case
ARE painted (to match the case), the top center screw on the back of the
machine is not painted (matches the back panel).
Michael – Whapping from the North
Coast
I guess I heard wrong about the A3000 warrenty being voided if the case is
opened.
Leslie:
That is one of the reasons CBM only honors warranties on Amigas sold
through authorized dealers… If your dealer can't vouch for you and the
machine, then he/she isn't worth doing business with.
Michael – Whapping from the North
Coast
Michael, you are undoubtably correct, if a dealer won't vouch for you, they
aren't worth doing biz with.
But, let's consider the thousands (we hope, hundreds of thousands) of new
Amiga owners who are purchasing Amiga's via dealers this next year. You
cannot seriously expect them to check out their dealer to see if they are
really customer oriented, etc before they purchase. If they're like most
any PC customers, they just go to an dealer, are sold a machine and walk
out. So, if they later decide to put in a new disk drive, more memory,
etc… later their machine develops a problem – and their dealer doesn't
'back them up'…. what are they to do? They are left cold out of luck.
Someone here (a sysop – forget who) said that they hadn't seen any problems
with dealers/Commodore over this issue, and that's good. But, in my
opinion, Commodore should make *explicit* what the policy is, and say that
normal addin's to A2000/A3000's will not void the warranty. Period.
Otherwise they should seal the dang machine with cement and give all
dealers chisels.
–jp–seattle–
JP:
I disagree with your assesment of CBM's policy. I just opened my A3000
package last night, and the documentation made it very clear that CBM will
not be responsible for damaged caused to the 3000 by faulty 3rd party
products installed in it (by user or dealer), or by misuse.
It does not, in any way shape or form say that opening the unit and/or
installing stuff your self will in and of itself, void your warranty. In
fact, it tells you how to do this, and suggests, that if you're
uncomfortable with the procedure, have a dealer do it.
I think the policy is quite clear… "you break it, you pay for it… if it
breaks because of a defect in the product or pieces parts, we'll pay for
it".
BTW, i have a feeling that most "new" Amiga owners are actually ou there
buying up the used 2000 & 500's being made available from the power-up. I'd
bet the majority (overwhelming, majority) of Amiga sales in the last 6
months, has been to existing Amiga users!.
Michael – Whapping from the North
Coast
I had the impression from messages here online that the policy was 'DONT
OPEN IT, OR ELSE'. I know that at least some of the A2000's came with
sealed rear screws, which implies that they didn't want you opening it, at
least!
Since your machine has a warranty that says it's okay to open/install, then
that's that. Good for them. Thanks for the info.
–jp–seattle–
JP:
I almost forgot… This is probably a mute thread, because, as you
pointed out, It is more than likely a NON-ISSUE. But I sure enjoy the chat
<g>.
Michael – Whapping from the North
Coast
Unless things have changed, the 3000 doesn't have any factory seals on the
case, so you probably won't have any problems with warranty service. I just
get on my soapbox sometimes when people have problems with dealers that
insist if they didn't install the hardware, then we won't honor the
warranty. Of course, I do know a few people that are extremely dangerous
with a screwdriver 8^)
John (in beautiful downtown Walla Walla) – via Whap!
My 3000 DID have factory seals, which made me think about it about 2
seconds before I went right ahead & added boards, drives & ram. Why would
you make the computer expandable & then make it illegal to expand?
———————————————-Don- via Whap!
Hmmm….that's curious. Many people have reported on here that their 3000's
did not come with factory seals. I just wish they would come out with an
official policy so the customer doesn't have to keep guessing.
John (in beautiful downtown Walla Walla) – via Whap!
John–
Keep in mind that whether or not a factory seal is present on the box has
no bearing on the stated warranty policy of the Amiga 3000.
A seal may be there to simply provide authorized CBM repair an indicator of
whether or not the box has been opened. Certainly helpful to a technician
trying to asses damage to a computer.
CBM's warranty policy is stated very clearly, IMHO, in the documentation
included with each machine, and while it warns that CBM will not be
responsible for damaged caused by user installed expansions/modifications
and SUGGESTS that expansion be left to a service center, it in no way says
that the user may not take such tasks upon themselves, along with the
responsibility for performing those tasks.
That is their official policy. It has not waivered, and I am baffled by
those who think this is a 'gray' area. The only choice you have to make is
whether or not you are willing to take responsibility for:
a) The installation of an accessory (just adding RAM requires removing all
internal drives, the power supply AND the daughter board!) and,
b) Any damage a defective expansion part/device may cause your system.
Michael – Whapping from the North Coast
I hadn't heard about the Power Up deal being extended. What 's's thedeal?
There are a few messages here that state that Power Up has been extended
until sometime near the end of August.
Leslie,
I know for a fact that one SCSI ribbon cable is provided internally on
the 3000 which is how I hooked up my other to HD's. I used the power
connectors from my Syquest case so I didn't even look to see if the 3000
provides more connectors. I'm sure someone probably answered you by now,
anyway:-).
>>>>>Skip( SKP Graphics )<<<<<
Leslie–
I have a very "old" 3000, so this may not be gospel. At any rate, I
have power taps for one additional floppy, and one additional HD, while the
ribbon that comes with the 3000 will do two SCSI devices. However…power
splitters are available, and almost anyone that deals in cables can get you
a ribbon that will handle your needs.
I have heard of up to four SCSI devices mounted in a 3000 (this could be
rumor) with two low profile devices in the harddrive section, and two in a
floppy bay; this involved some sort of custom bracket, and of course, power
splitters/adapters. But, this would certainly be pushing it. Two devices
would be easy.
Hope this helps..
Jonathan
– via Whap!