#A4008 Oddities, try 2
3 messages in this thread
Brian,
I'm not sure about the area you mention, but here are answers to your queries:
>>>Annoyance #1: I am not able to use my CD-ROM drive without having to
>>>warmstart immediately after first powering up my 4000. I get "Error 33
>>>accessing scsi ID 3" (or some such nonsense, the unit ID and error number
>>>are accurate.)
If you use GVPSCSICTRL to rescan the bus before trying to access the CD-ROM,
you should not get those error messages. Copy GVPSCSICTRL into your C:
directory and add the following just before the line that tries to call the
CD-ROM:
GVPSCSICTRL -r
>>>Annoyance #2: Why do you not publish a list of the farging error codes in
>>>the manual? If you return them, you should _DESCRIBE_ them!
First of all, the error code you describe above did NOT come from our driver.
It probably came from the CD-ROM software you are using. Secondly, most of the
error codes that WE would give are for engineering purposes only. In ALL
cases, our messages merely refer to some type of error communicating on the
SCSI bus, usually because of improper cabling or termination, unless a real
hardware problem exists.
>>>Annoyance #3: The card prevents _any_ SCSI device from coming "on-line"
>>>until the 4000 itself is powered on. This is NOT good when dealing with
>>>relatively slow-to-spin-up drives like the Syquest and CD-ROM drive I
>>>bought the thing to access. A FastLane ZIII or A4091 here would be like
>>>using a sledgehammer to drive thumbtacks.
Again, the GVPSCSICTRL program was written specifically for this purpose. In a
worst case scenario, you will have to add a WAIT statement before the rescan.
I hope this has cleared up your issues.
> If you use GVPSCSICTRL to rescan the bus before trying to access the >
CD-ROM, you should not get those error messages. Copy GVPSCSICTRL into >
your C: directory and add the following just before the line that tries >
to call the CD-ROM:
>
> GVPSCSICTRL -r
I _did_ this, it is in fact why I'm posting the complaint here, instead of
bothering CPR or ASIM.
> driver. It probably came from the CD-ROM software you are using. >
Secondly, most of the error codes that WE would give are for
> engineering purposes only. In ALL cases, our messages merely refer to >
some type of error communicating on the SCSI bus, usually because of >
improper cabling or termination, unless a real hardware problem exists.
Given that the drives system worked perfectly with a 3000's somewhat less
than perfect SCSI interface, I don't think this is an issue.
> Again, the GVPSCSICTRL program was written specifically for this >
purpose. In a worst case scenario, you will have to add a WAIT
> statement before the rescan. I hope this has cleared up your issues.
I can try moving the gvpscsictrl command to the end of my user-startup,
but I don't think this will work on a CD-ROM drive — no RDB after all.
As far as adding the wait…. Well, I got the error when I turned my 4000
on today, and the CD-ROM isn't there — as is normal if I don't
3-key-salute my 4000 after turning it on. Well I _just_ tried "GVPSCSICTRL
-r 3 DCOFF" and I get "Error 33 while opening SCSI unit 3."
Also, why did it take one message _and_ a flame to get a GVP response?
Brian — Cruising on AutoPilot…..
>…our messages merely refer to some type of error communicating on the
SCSI bus, usually…
Precisely and many of us have many years experience dealing with scsi bus
problems but GVP's failure to give any meaningful explaination of what is
wrong means that we spend hours checking out things that could be wrong.
If you provided some indication of what the nature of your error messages
were, that act alone would probably have saved many thousands of manhour
all totaled.
-bill