That useless A590 switch 4!

[giZmo350]

I've tried to get Mechy's PCD-50B SCSI Multicard Reader to work in my A590 about 3 or 4 times with NO success. Today I thought I would give another google search a try (after reading that Mfilos got one working) and BINGO! Finally found the answer - from Mechy himself over at EAB. It was switch 4 on the A590 which enabled parity! Actually, ALL the card slots show up when you scan the unit. Mechy suggested HDToolBox but HDInstallTools on the OS2.1 install disk worked perfect. I created a 1GB partition using max transfer of 0x001FE00 and a 3GB partition and all is great. Now on to all the fun software installs!

Couple of questions though...

1. My A590 has always taken FOREVER to boot up. Even with the multi-card reader... about 1.5 minutes. Why is that?

2. Can I utilize the other card slots (different card types) as additional storage/drives simultaniously?

Happy Amigan! :drink:

[giZmo350]

1: What transfer speed are you getting in SysInfo?

SysInfo states 1,638,400

I noticed that the A590 HDD light will poll for a very long time and then I'll hear the floppy tick and then the A590 HDD will start reading data and boot shortly therafter. I do have Version 7 ROMS (burned).

[giZmo350]

If it's polling for a long time I'd go back to checking termination.  Is the card reader your only device?  Do you have the Termination jumper on on the bottom of it?

That's a really good thought! NO termination on the PCD-50B. I see a a row of 4 terminations - not sure how to terminate it though.... If I put a jumper on ID0 (looking at the little chart on the unit) it still takes just as long...  any thought there?

[giZmo350]

Mine has that same block.  ID 0 is to set the SCSI ID.  The pair of pins furthest from that is for termination.  See attached pic.  

Well, I tried every combination of ID's (nothing on the top term pins) and that seems to have no effect at all - ID seems to do nothing. I tried (like yours) jumper pins 1 and 4 (ID 0 and term) and still does the same thing. Well, maybe Mechy will see this and have an answer - at least it works! Also, 3GB partition seems to work just fine with OS2.1... I installed a few games from floppy...  :razz: Thanks sooo much for you helpfulness Mike! Lemme know if anything else comes to mind...

[giZmo350]

I never recommend using hdinsttools on any amiga drives, this program creates a non standard rdb that is no longer compatible to the C= standard. I spent much time/tech help finding odd troubles users had who bought the scsicard readers because of hdinsttools.

Continuing with this today... you're absolutely right about HDInstallTools! After the unit's been on for about 20-30 minutes, I get a lot of software error Gurus! I'm going to start over with HDToolBox... and try some other things. Thanks for all the great help!

[giZmo350]

I screwed some standoffs into the bottom of the card reader so that the rear molex connector would clear the board molex connector. It's just sitting in there loose but the A590 cover front screw mounts hold the reader in place.

I also tried using it without the fan but that board gets very hot and I was getting memory errors. If you notice, the only air intake is thru a row of holes in the lower front of the unit to allow air to cool the board. I used the same low profile fan that mfilos did and no overheating problems now with the cover on. But ya, it's a tight fit. I need to take all back apart anyway to do the power mod 'cause that A590 PSU is a pain in the arse.

I also turned off SW3 but it has no effect on boot time.

Using FAT formatted cards is an interesting read and would be ideal for moving large files (like getting the new IndiECS Core file onto the HDD - doesn't fit on a floppy). I'm on a mission to get SuperPlus working!