🚀 go-pugleaf

Remco Bruyne writes:

[stuff deleted]
>The problem is: when I try to format a second hard disk (logical unit
>number = 1 instead of 0, which is the first HD), the  disk starts
>formatting but when the last track is done, the formatting process
>starts all over again, so partitioning is not done.
>I *can* format the second disk when I strap it to be LUN=0, but I
>still cannot access the disk as a second hard disk from the desktop.
>
>Question:  Is this a software problem or does it have something to
>do with the ATARI host adapter board ?
[closing stuff deleted]

  Hmmm... Assuming the entries in ICDFMT.DAT for your controller and
disk drive are correct and you aren't having any cable problems,
I would guess its the Atari Host Adaptor that's causing you grief.
There's a known problem with the PAL chip on Atari's Host Adaptor
that causes it to respond to all LUNs, even if only one drive is
present as LUN=0.  Maybe this problem also interferes with operating
more than 1 drive.

  There's a couple of possible remedies you could try.  First, you can
buy a replacement PAL chip that's supposed to fix the problems with
the Atari Host Adaptor.  One such chip is available for about $20 (US)
from:
        Berkeley Microsystems
        360 Oakland Avenue, Suite 5
        Oakland, CA   94611
        (415) 465-6956

   Second, you could purchase ICD's Host Adaptor board.  This will not
only fix the LUN problem.  It also gives you a battery-backup clock,
a DMA Daisy-chain port, and greater immunity to cable noise.  The latter
allows you to run a 36" DMA cable to the drive.  The ICD Host Adaptor
goes for around $135 (US) and is available from:

        ICD
        1220 Rock Street
        Rockford, Il  61101-1437
        voice: (815) 968-2228
        modem: (815) 968-2229
          fax: (815) 968-6888


  Here's my Hard Disk Story:

  I had an Atari SH204 20Meg Hard Disk.  I needed more disk space and 
didn't want to spend another $600 for 20megs.  (Not to mention the fact
that the SH204 has no Daisy-chain port.)  This is what I ended up with:

  (From my SH204)
    o Seagate ST225 20Meg Hard Disk
    o Adaptec 4000 Controller

  (From my local Hard Disk Dealer)
    o Seagate ST251 42Meg Hard Disk

  (From ICD)
    o Host Adaptor Board
    o 5 1/4 Hard Disk Case (w/HDA Mounting Kit & Cutout)
    o Controller-to-Disk Cable Set
    o 36" DMA Cable

  Using the ICD format software, I'm able to get 22.2 Meg from the ST255
and 44.4 Meg from the ST251, for a total of 66.6 Meg of Hard Disk.
Total cost was about $650 (US), about the price of another SH204.
I've been using this setup for around 4 months without a hitch.  I also
feel much more comfortable using the ICD HD software with it's
read-after-write verify.  The only problems I had were with the Hard Drive
Case.  Some of the drive bracket mounting holes were miss-aligned and had
to be re-drilled, the hardware-kit (screws,etc) didn't have the right 
hardware, and space is _real_ tight inside the case.  Nothing a drill and
a trip to the hardware store wouldn't solve.  Also, saving the leftover
SH204 parts gives me a head-start on my next storage increase.  By just
adding an RLL controller, a 96Mb drive, and replacing the PAL chip on the
Atari Host Adaptor board, I'll have more storage than I'll possibly need.
  :-)  :-)

  Hope this helps,

  Ric Clayton

           ***************************************************
           * The above comments are my own and nobody elses. *
           *      No criticism is intended or implied.       *
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*    "Don't touch that, you never know what it might be connected to."     *
*    --Buckaroo Bonzai talking to 'New Jersey' during brain surgery--      *
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