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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: TheGoose on April 05, 2009, 05:46:47 PM

Title: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: TheGoose on April 05, 2009, 05:46:47 PM

I'm having some issues but think I found out why:

"The built in SCSI host adapter - based around the Western Digital 33C93 SCSI controller - supports up to seven devices connected simultaneously. The controller's configuration is stored in a NVRAM powered by the same battery which the clock is."

I pulled my battery, it was in bad shape. Computer is still running but HD is not working well, checksum errors all over. Sooo, I need to get a battery to make everything happy again, yes?

Also, thinking about getting bigger, better, newer drive anyways. What will work? SCSI, SCSI-II? 7200 RPM?


Thnaks again to the A-org brain trust...

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: adolescent on April 05, 2009, 05:57:59 PM

A new battery won't help checksum errors.  The battery is only there to hold a couple of settings in NVRAM; SCSI ID, synchronous/asynchronous, etc.

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: TheGoose on April 05, 2009, 06:04:35 PM

Ok, checksums aside, storing the SCSI ID does seem a little important.

Thanks

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: Zac67 on April 05, 2009, 06:44:12 PM

It defaults to 7 when NVRAM is not initialized/corrupted.

Checksums errors are due to disk degradation and/or cabling/termination.

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: tone007 on April 05, 2009, 06:44:50 PM

My 3000s work perfectly without batteries.  SCSI ID surely goes to default with no battery.  Waste of time replacing them, I think.

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: TheGoose on April 05, 2009, 09:12:58 PM

That's what I think...no battery is preferable. Say, it goes to 7, you mean the the controller? What is it with the battery? Sorry, I don't know a lot about Amiga onboard SCSI.

Mostly use my A1200.





 

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: Zac67 on April 05, 2009, 09:44:55 PM

All SCSI controllers I've seen default to ID 7 - it's the ID with the highest priority on narrow SCSI.

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: Darrin on April 05, 2009, 09:45:15 PM

No battery in my A3000 and SCSI working fine here too.  I still prefer IDE though.  ;-)

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: Iggy_Drougge on April 06, 2009, 01:28:37 AM

Quote

Darrin wrote:
I still prefer IDE though.  ;-)

Surely for its speed, no?

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: Iggy_Drougge on April 06, 2009, 01:31:20 AM

Quote

TheGoose wrote:
Also, thinking about getting bigger, better, newer drive anyways. What will work? SCSI, SCSI-II? 7200 RPM?

Basically, anything SCSI will work, using the proper cable. Never 68-pin or SCA drives will of course need an adapter or cable for the 50-pin connector in your A3000. And pay attention with regard to the termination.
Some drives will refuse to cooperate, but that's an individual issue concerning certain models. RPM or SCSI version is irrelevant. I ran a 10000 RPM 68-pin drive in my A3000 last week without any problems.

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: Darrin on April 06, 2009, 01:39:46 AM

Quote

Iggy_Drougge wrote:

Surely for its speed, no?

No, for the fact that my office is littered with cheap IDE devices salvaged from PCs.  :-)

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: Iggy_Drougge on April 07, 2009, 12:46:37 AM

Quote

Darrin wrote:

Quote

Iggy_Drougge wrote:

Surely for its speed, no?

No, for the fact that my office is littered with cheap IDE devices salvaged from PCs.  :-)

That's like saying you prefer ugly men instead of beautiful women (or men, depending on your inclination).

Title: Re: A3000 SCSI needs battery?
Post by: Amiga4k on April 08, 2009, 06:44:36 PM

The clock and date are powered by the battery. When there is no battery, just what datestamp is used? Check it out!

That is where an error has potential to create havoc.