Need info on Perkin Elmer MSM 80 Hard disk

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2 total messages Started by Arthur Hoffmann Sat, 29 Aug 1992 12:46

#68

Author: Arthur Hoffmann
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1992 12:46

21 lines
1375 bytes

Hi, 
I don't know if this is the right group to post this, but if it isn't could 
someone please give me the name of the right group?

The problem is: I wanted to buy a new HD for my computer, I was looking for a 
Quantum LPS240, when I came across those second hand Perkin Elmer MSM80 drives.
Now the thing is I don't know anything about them I only know they ar huge
and there are 5 packs of very large disk cartriges with them. They must have been
used on some mini or even mainframe computer. 
My question is: Could someone please let me know what sort of drives they are and 
on what computer they are normally used, the disk capacity would be interesting
to know as well. And the most important thing to know is can I connect them
somehow to a 286 based PC or an Amiga with Scsi port, or is it plain impossible.
Any response would be appreciated.

Bye

Arthur.

					Arthur Hoffmann
					hoffmann@pandanus.ntu.edu.au

Re: Need info on Perkin Elmer MSM 80 Hard disk

#98

Author: Daryl Starr
Date: Tue, 08 Sep 1992 14:56

27 lines
1936 bytes

In article <1992Aug29.214608.3683@darwin.ntu.edu.au>, hoffmann@nutmeg.cs.ntu.edu.au (Arthur Hoffmann) writes:
|> Hi, 
|> I don't know if this is the right group to post this, but if it isn't could 
|> someone please give me the name of the right group?
|> 
|> The problem is: I wanted to buy a new HD for my computer, I was looking for a 
|> Quantum LPS240, when I came across those second hand Perkin Elmer MSM80 drives.
|> Now the thing is I don't know anything about them I only know they ar huge
|> and there are 5 packs of very large disk cartriges with them. They must have been
|> used on some mini or even mainframe computer. 

The MSM80 (Mass Storage Module - 80MB) was PE's name for the CDC 9762 (#?). It was used
on all of their 32 bit mini's and had an unformatted capacity of 80MB with a formated
capacity of ~ 67MB. The same disk drive was very popular throughout the industry, prior
to winchester technology.

|> And the most important thing to know is can I connect them
|> somehow to a 286 based PC or an Amiga with Scsi port, or is it plain impossible.
|> Any response would be appreciated.

Although it is possible to connect the drive to your PC through an SMD controller or an
SMD/SCSI controller, I wouldn't bother. The low capacity of the drive, the contamination/
head-crash potential, the power consumption, the noise, the space and the cost of the
removable packs all combine to make the drive unattractive for anything other than a
museum. Buy the Quantum.

Daryl

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