🚀 go-pugleaf

root@scona (sysop) writes:


>        Is there a way to modify the AT drive just after it
>        is copied from ROM to RAM? I've got a CDC 94155-87 HD
>        that I want to add and the drive specs don't match
>        closely enough to any entry in the AT drive table. 

>        I'm not a big fan of ROM upgrades, or reburning ROM
>        chips, so anything that can be done via a device driver
>        or something would be perfect.

>        Thanks.


>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>"This, of course, is impossible..." - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
>       root@scona.UUCP  ...!edm!scona!root  cwirun@uncanet.BITNET
>                     cwirun@ucnet.ucalgary.ca
>----------------------------------------------------------------------

   I just demonstrated to myself that the ROM BIOS on the Western Digital 
AT-compatible controller will do the job you asked.  I run RLL drives 
almost exclusively, and the generic AMI BIOS doesn't support the 26 
sector drive tables for RLL.  Since the following is dangerous to your 
data, please have a current backup before attempting this.

   If you have a Western Digital controller in the 1003V-1006V range, 
there is a good chance it has the onboard ROM BIOS for drive 
installation.  Using your fave version of DEBUG, type g=cc00:5 at the 
prompt.  You should get a menu of options, such as low-level format, 
surface analyses (sic) and interleave settings.  The BIOS also contains 
46 drive tables plus a user-configurable 47th for those odd ducks out 
there.  Again, DO NOT TRY it unless you have current backups of the 
drive!  One slip, and the partition table is blown away.  I know, I did 
it...

   Hope this helps someone...
 
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