#Wedge Controller
13 messages in this thread
I have another question to pass on from my friend considering the Wedge. He
wants to know if the Western Digital WX2A is a suitable substitute for the WX1.
Thanks for any info you can provide.
Keith
Sir: Are you referring to a weather satellite (e.g., like the GOES series) when
you mention the "Western Digital WX2A"? Or is this even a satell satellite that
you're referring to?
Brendan Larson, Meteorologist WeatherConnect, Inc.
Sorry, he's referring to a hard disk controller. No connection with satellites
whatsoever.
Rick
Thanks for clearing that up! The key phrase(s) in the message were "wx" which
is short for "weather" in the meteorological community!
Brendan Larson, WeatherConnect, Inc.
Hello Brenden…. no I'm not referring to a satellite, just a Hard Disk
controller from Western Digital to use with an interface board for the
Amiga 1000……
I can provide some input now that I have mine up and running. It's a solid
little product, as best I can tell. I set up a script file to copy a ~100K
file every thirty seconds before I turned in one night; by next morning I
calculate it had moved roughly 80 MB of data with not a single error. The
throughput isn't bad either; I clocked mine at better than 35K bytes per
second.
I am running a 3650 configured as 4 10 meg partitions, and I'm happy with
it at this point. I had some problems getting everything set up, but this
was due mostly to the fact that I wasn't given all the distribution files
(not the fault of the manufacturer, and no blame placed with anyone; I knew
this to be the case when I made the arrangements). And, of course, there
was the ever-present issue of hanging more than one device on the CPU buss,
but that's no one's fault as well. At any rate, it's real, it works, and
it works well.
Thanks Rick, I'm hoping the setup works well for my friend, since I'm the
one who recommended he go that route. I'm apprehensive a bit, since I also
suggested he get an Insider, and I've heard some rumors of problems with
the combination. If grounding the PAL's on the WCS board will fix the
incompatibilities, I won't concern myself with it, we'll just fix it.
Thanks for the info on your setup. For myself, I'll be getting a DMA card
for the 2000. My 1000 is playing second fiddle now……. Keith
Grounding the PALs may or may not fix the problem; it did NOT fix the problem
in my case. The next step to try is swapping the 68000 for a (lower
capacitance) ceramic version; if that doesn't work, you swap the PALs. Even if
you go the whole route you're only talking about $40 additional cost (and you
can always try to sell the spare 68000 to someone). The only reason to want to
avoid the LAST step is that it requires replacing two chips on a multi-layer
circuit board. NOT pretty.
Good luck to your friend, and I would be interested in hearing how it turns
out!
Rick
Thanks for the info, I'll pass it along and hope he doesn't have any problems
with his particular machine.
Does this stuff have to do with a HD for the A1K? I'm just starting to look,
and if this is a good setup, I'd want to check it with/against other possibles.
What are the details, and is a good setup?
–Gabe
Yes, it does have to do with A1K hard drives. Are you a hardware hacker,
willing to do stuff yourself in exchange for lower costs? Then you can put
together a 40 meg system for about $550. (I kid you not; I just did it here.)
What you do is buy a Wedge for under $200, then pick up an "IBM" drive kit
including a WX1 controller and cables. Only other thing you need is a power
supply (I picked up a 75 watt switcher for $20) and cable for that and maybe a
box to put it in, and you're all set.
So far, I'm very happy with the configuration.
Rick
Keith,
I'm really not sure. Western Digital does have a few variations on the same
theme. i have heard of somone using a WX2, but don't know about the 'A'. by the
way, I just found out last night, that WD does make a '20 meg only' controller,
modelled after the WX1 (or WX2), and the difference in numbering it is small..
so perhaps that's thew WX2A… who knows?
Regards, Larry.
Thanks Larry, I'll tell him to stick to what's recommended. I'm guessing
he had some problems finding a WX1, but don't know for sure since I was out
when he called and didn't talk to him directly. I know he reads Computer
Shopper, so there shouldn't be a problem finding a WX1.