🚀 go-pugleaf

In <47875u$3fb@homer.alpha.net> syndesis@beta.inc.net (John Foust) says

> The external 8500 is on a short 3 foot external cable, 
> my only theory is that the internal ribbon may be a bit long..

It is my experience that internal ribbon cables are RARELY a problem
provided that you have some kind of terminator at each end.  After all
they have reasonably controlled impedances, no inline transitions to cause
echos, only vampire taps, and any problems are visually obvious.  External
cables, on the other hand, are a bucket of slimy worms.  You cannot see
the filth that festers in the middle and you must depend upon the assumed
integrity of the (unknown) manufacturer for a reasonable product.  Each
serial device in the chain is a potential minefield of discontinuities
with two connectors and the Lord only knows what else.  I have often
thought that the only reasonable way to do things is to use a single
ribbon cable throughout the entire system, snaking it in and out of boxes
to the AmpModu connectors on each device.
 
> Does any of this ring a bell?  I think I'll invest in a
> nice SCSI-view cable, and active terminators...

Buy a GOOD cable from REPUTABLE vendor and be prepared to pay $$$ for it.
I hear good things about Granite Digital and Amphenol, but neither is
cheap.  But then, how much is your time spent fighting this worth?

> How can I check the version number of the Adaptec's driver,
> and how can I get an update?

I assume that you mean the BIOS...the number comes up on your screen at
every boot.  The ROM image for Version 1.6 of this is available at
ftp.adaptec.com if you have access to a PROM programmer.  I have heard
that Adaptec will ship you a new PROM for something less than $20 if you
call them.  I have always importuned a friend to program PROMs for me from
images that I have downloaded.

Harvey

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 Harvey Fishman   |   It is easy to live by the laws that you agree with.
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