#IOMEGA/3DS Problem
15 messages in this thread
Gary:
I ran into a conflict with the 3DS hardware lock and an IOMEGA
Transportable 90. The Transportable is a Bernouli drive that doesn't
require an interface card; it plugs right into the parallel port.
Has anyone else reported a similar problem? If so, are there any known
workarounds? I was hoping to be able to render to the Bernouli.
Thanks,
Jeff Hester
I haven't seen this problem before, Jeff. However, you might have to go to
two parallel ports to get around it. I hope you've got a slot free.
– G
Gary:
Looks like a might have a use for that old mono board yet (you know, the
one with the parallel port on it. <g>
-JH
Yeah, I have had the same problem with my 44 meg transportable, the only
way is to get 2 ports.
Yann Bertaud – Product Support, Autodesk.
Jeff,
It is known that many bi-directional parallel devices will not
operate throught the 3D Studio hardware lock. This includes file transfer
programs such as Flying Dutchman and LapLink, and therefore quite likely
also affects parallel-to-SCSI converters and portable Ethernet hookups.
Your only solution (short of pulling the lock during these operations) is
to have a second unencumbered parallel port available. Remember that the
lock is *NOT* required for command-line rendering.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Kevin:
It's true that I *could* pull the lock and render from the command line,
but if you saw my hardware/office configuration, you'd understand why
that's not practical (my own fault). I'll probably drop in an old mono
card I've got hanging about…it has a parallel port. Now I just have to
remember how to set these @#%& jumpers. <g>
-JH
Remember that by doing that you are going to be bringing down the width of
you current VGA to 8 bits (assuming you have an ISA machine). That will
cause slower video response.
Gus:
Really? Installing a mono board slows VGA video response? How so?
-JH
The way the BIOS was designed. The memory region 0B0000h is defined within
the Mono board (text buffer). This is 8 bit wide memory. The BIOS will
define the entire area (0A0000-0BFFFF) as 8 bit access.
<<Really? Installing a mono board slows VGA video response? How so?>>
The mono card occupies some of the memory addressing that the 16-bit VGA
would be using otherwise. The VGA would be forced into 8 bit mode.
Jeff, to quote Brian Livingston (more or less) in Windows 3.1 Secrets, pg
637:
"If one 8-bit device exists within a 128K region [of the adapter segment
memory], the [BIOS] forces the other devices in that region to use 8-bit
transfers as well. This affects the regions addressed as A000-BFFF,
C000-DFFF, and E000-FFFF. The most critical area is C000 to DFFF, …where
most VGA boards place their ROM BIOS chip." "Monochrome boards, located
between A000 and BFFF, can also slow down VGA boards. …" and so on.
All very alarming if you haven't seen it before.
Gus/Phil/Kevin/John:
Thanks for giving me a clue. <g> Now the old mono board can *definately*
stay on the shelf.
-JH
<< (assuming you have an ISA machine) >>
Gus, does this imply that an EISA machine is immune to the 16-bit to 8-bit
plague?
JKJ (the more I learn, the less I know)
Yes and no. Most EISA machines bioses take care of this problem. Some
don't. It depends on how well designed the thing was. But then, you get
into other problems such as people who rely on quirks like that and they
get into trouble when they find themselves in a machine where that doesn't
happen. Isn't PC great? I love it…
The best solution of all, get rid of that stupid lock. If that never
happens, you have two other solutions: get a real SCSI board for your
Bernoulli (what I have) or see if you can find a very cheapo serial+
parallel combo board. Disable the serial port and there you have it. The
SCSI board is anywhere between $100 and $400 depending on what you want.
The El'cheapo I/O board shouldn't cost more than $30… Take a look at
those adds in the back of PCMag or Computer Shopper (make sure your
insurance covers back injuries). Places like JDR in the bay area sell those
things in bags for trick or treaters…