SSD Drive in Amiga detection issue

[danbeaver]

Has nothing to do with the SSD, they are backward compatible (but Amy's have no trim control) with regular drives and work fine if you want to use them (for a task that is overkill).  I suspect the fault lies in the Acard device. I'm not familiar with the one you have, only the 7720 SCSI to IDE. The info sheet on the ARS-2000SUP says it is an Ultra (?wide) SCSI Interface, that the firmware may need to be modified, and to check the compatibility list for supported SATA drives; under SSD's your OWC Mercury drive is not listed.  Whew!

I just use a Acard 7720u/w with a $5 IDE to SATA interface and everything works.  I get my Acards from Mech's site for ~ $100 and Mech can flash the correct firmware for you.  Mech is an expert and either loves to help or does a fine job of pretending; give him 24-hours for an email response

As far as an SSD, I got one when NewEgg had a sale, plugged into everything, took speed ratings, decided it was better of in my Toshiba notebook and left it there.

Don't F--- with the parity, it is what helps define SCSI 1 from SCSI 2 (along with other good stuff like sync).

In summary, try emailing Mech (Mike) for his opinion, but if Acard says you drive is not compatible, you could take up the issue with them

[danbeaver]

Mech would be the expert, but I just have a feeling it is your Acard device. Pick up an IDE-to-SATA adapter and try it without your Acard using an Amiga IDE interface. My OCZ 128GB SSD showed up on every interface I threw at it: the A4000's IDE (Native), the built-in A4091, the CSPPC, and a Silicon Image 3112 based controller on the Mediator in OS 4.1.  I found that a real UW320 15K HDD (Atlas II with SCA 80 interface) was quick as or quicker than the SSD, which is why I put the SSD in my laptop.

Barring those options, lend it to someone you trust who can test it in a different Amiga environment (setup).  If you fail to find someone you trust, you can send it to me and I'll test it (and, yes return it); I still wouldn't trust me

[danbeaver]

All modern drives (Just over a year) have 4k clusters instead of 512 bytes. SSDs have had this for a while, not sure which ones are 512 bytes.
I would assume this makes them incompatible with any older OS.

I've not found that to be the case, new drives are compatible with older OS's; plus you can change the cluster from 512 up 32K during the install/format process. I've hooked up an SATA 1TB hard drive to my Amiga without any problem, as well as the OCZ SSD as stated above.

[danbeaver]

Or send it to someone who can check it out fully from an Amiga perspective

[danbeaver]

I'd go with Mech in this case; i believe that he is an expert in these things. He can also sell you an Acard 7720 as well as put new firmware in them. Maybe you can convince him to pin down the problem between the card and the drive.

[danbeaver]

I'm afraid not all SCSI controllers use the same Integrated Circuit controller chips nor the same firmware.  This exists outside the Amiga world to that of the PC and Mac.  Others in this forum have different hardware, and might be able to pin down your issue.  But there are two reasons to accept that you cannot use your Mercury SSD on your A3000D and your Warp Engine: an SSD is overkill for the Amiga, the speed doesn't matter because the interface will always limit it, CF cards are just as quiet and cheaper, and the amount of storage is more than any Amiga setup will ever use.  Secondly, the Amiga is a 20+ year old machine and very few other 20+ year old computers can still keep up with what the Amiga can still handle at her age:  USB, Internet/Web access, PCI graphic cards, and others.

Find a good use for your hardware and try to enjoy it.  Many people just trash old computers and move on.

[danbeaver]

I am a poor reference I'm afraid because I've used an older 80GB and a current 1TB SATA on every thing from a GVP-II in my A2000, to  my A4000T's A4091, IDE, and Sii3114IDE device (on the PCI Mediator) under OS 4.1; mind you I used an Acard 7720 & IDE->SATA as adapters to try this. And they work.  Throughput is limited to the interface, but they work.

I'm sorry about you previous Quantum (Maxtor) Atlas 10K drive, I love that model and currently use an Atlas 15K U320 (146GB) on my CSPPC bus -- the drive cost 32 USD used.  You can find the Atlas series new, but I bought four 146GB 10K drives for $25 off *Bay two months ago.  They are taking these old servers off-line and replacing them, so everything is going for pennies-on-the-dollar.  If you want, I'll send you an Atlas 36GB 10k I have no use for, it has been formatted and partitioned on my Amy.

[danbeaver]

If the drive was either meant for or used in a server there can be a big issue with them (usually IBM & FUJI drives).  It is hard to explain, but there is a post under Classic Amigas on the Hyperion forum site about hard to clear/rewrite RBDs. With some good searching there were posted a few suggestions, one of which is called, "KillRDB." it worked well for me. A new SSD ought not to have this problem.

Oh, there is no speed difference on my CSPPC bus between a CF card rated X233 and X600. There is a big cost difference.

[danbeaver]

Would you please mention the Brand and model name of the SSD? That way we will be able to collect a list of working SSD's and how they work. I have a very compliant OCZ 120GB but will have to search for model

[danbeaver]

Yes, the Hard Disk Media Toolbox that comes with OS 4.1 is the most complete Program for dealing with hard drives I have ever used, on and off the Amiga, especially with its "Expert" mode. Find someone who can give it a try with your SSD.

If someone starts a new Thread with what SSD's work on what controllers: OCZ Vertex III, 120GB, VTX3-25SAT3-120G on A4000T IDE, NCR_SCSI + ACard 7720+IDE->SATA, CSPPS + ACard 7720+IDE->SAT, and A2000 GVP Series II + ACard 7720+IDE->SAT.

[danbeaver]

Mask settings only matter if you have a choice of Chip vs Fast ram in very old systems. For the most part, it doesn't matter. Use the default