#NEC-CD84/Problems Etc
6 messages in this thread
I just installed CorelSCSI 1.2b on my system which is:
486/66 EISA
ULTRSTOR-24F SCSI/EISA controller
32MB Ram
ATI-MACH 32 video card
NEC CDR-84 CDROM
HP Scanjet-IIC
1.2gb Hard drive
3.4mb Hard drive
Mediavision Pro Audio Spectrum 16tp
Netware 3.11/Intel ETHEREXPRESS 16tp NIC
DOS 6.2
SYSTEM.INI [386Enhanced]: EMMEXCLUDE A000-FFFF
A couple of questions…
Prior to installation, I had Microsoft's SmartDrv double buffer statement in
the config.sys. I am using Norton's new SPEEDRIVE disk cache program. This
included the ability to cache the CDROM by the addition of a driver in the
CONFIG.SYS just after the CDROM drivers.
1) Now that I'm using COREL SCSI, can I still use the NORTON Cache program to
cache the CDROM?
2) Just after installation, Windows would not load in enhanced mode. I moved
the Corel CORELCDX from the top to just after the network drivers (per a thread
here…) and it seems to work. Should this prove stable (as much as a computer
can be.. grin)?
3) Previously the CDROM was on a Mediavision Pro Audio Spectrum 16 card with a
address of CC00. During the EISA setup on this computer, it asked for a
address so I gave it CC00. I thought the CDROM could use the same address as
the ULTRA-24F (currently D000-D3ff). Can you 'educate me?
4) Is the SCSI port on the Mediavison PAS16 still in existance (thereby a
source of conflict)?
Thanks much for your assistance.
Phil Timmerman
ps: Windows just crashed after saving this to a text file with a read access
error of some sort. Don't know what it was for sure
There has been a conflict between Speedcache and various versions of
Corelcdx and MSCDEX causing messages that state (particularly under DOS) that
the drive isn't a proper format drive. You might watch out for it, but if you
get that problem, Speedcache's the cause. Other than that, it shouldn't make
any difference.
I haven't gotten any conflict messages. I think the problem is with my QEMM
setup which may now be resolved. Thanks for your assistance…
phil
Phil,
I've a ton-o-info for ya! <grin>
1) Yes, Norton cache should still work.
2) Try running Windows with a /D:FSVX. If this helps, type WIN /? to see what
the results are.
3) Devices do not use addresses only controllers.
4) Each SCSI bus is different therefore you can have more than one as long as
there is no DMA, IRQ, PORT, or memory conflict.
Also try disabling SYNC negotiation on your card for all devices. The Nec
normally doesn't like this.
I hope this helps.
Laszlo
Laszlo,
Thanks for the info!
Since I posted my message, I switched to MS-DOS's smartdrv. At first it was
just a trouble shooting attempt, but smrtdrv in DOS 6.2 now supports CDROM
cacheing and appears to be about half the resident size. As far as performance
goes, I have not determined the difference. I suspect smartdrv will be much
slower…?
I also re-optimized my Quarterdeck QEMM resulting in a more stable system AND
more base memory (572k up from 535k). I still have had a couple MS WIN
problems, particularly with XTree for windows (v2.0). However, the UAE only
trashes Xtree, not the whole system.
Now my next problem!!!
OS/2: The COREL OS/2 install program states it will load ASPILS_O.SYS, then
requests reboot. Upon reboot, During boot, OS/2 stops and says it has not
loaded the ASPIL_O driver but does not say why. Any suggestions?
I very much appreciate your assistance!
phil timmerman
Actually, Smartdrive is slower than the competition in 6.2, but otherwise
is very efficient. Doing some comparisons, I find it noticeably slower in DOS,
slower in loading and closing Windows, but not noticeable in actually running
Windows programs, whatever that means. I've also discovered that, for some
reason, the CD ROM cache seems to have put video and audio just a hair out of
synch–like watching a dubbed movie. I think I'm going back to my old cache but
wanted to give Smartdrive a try this time–it certainly is not a bad product by
any means.