Just bought GVP HD8+ hard drive!

[gertsy]

Don't panic: The Install floppy is available here: http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/impact500mk2#s_impact500mk2
It's in DMS (Diskmasher) compression format. And it will fit on a 720k IBM format disk.

Cant really blame a 20yo hard drive for packing it in if that's what happened and its not the unit.. I've got a few spares here and I'd happily send them to you if you paid postage.  But I'm guessing you're not in Australia.

[gertsy]

If the seller has a SCSI 50 pin replacement drive I'd take him up on it. Sounds like he's a reasonable chap/gal.  No need to get into the rulings of what "used" means on ebay as its pretty cut and dry. Warrantee is a different thing.
I'd be verifying that the problem is with the drive though(If you aren't absolutely sure). Checking and re-seating the connections on the drive and the mainboard. (If you're ofay with that sort of thing), especially if you have stuff on it that you want off.
As to the IBM floppy transfer.  Yes using cross dos or WB 2.1 or above (MD) will do it for you. With a single floppy it's going to be a challenge but not insurmountable. And there is lots of doco on the web and here on how to set up a cut down WB floppy and do the floppy shuffle.  It used to be the only way in the late 80s. (This all assumes your floppy drive is good) And you have a good understanding of the Amiga and WB.
As to the hard disks I have I can't remember all of them. I have a 1.2GB Quantum FB, I know that, and one around 130MB and one around 50-80. I'd have to go out to the garage and pull down the containers and go through them. Postage to the UK is going to take around 12 days and I guess around $50 (30 pound uk) but you can check that online if your inclined to go ahead.
Yes the drive needs to be the standard 1 inch height.  If you get the older double height it 'aint gonna fit.

Let me know if your interested. But I'd take the seller up on his offer once I'd verified the actual drive was faulty and not the unit.

[gertsy]

Yeah A1200 drives are IDE so that wont help.
Any 3.5" 50 pin scsi of standard 1.3" high (Half height not full height)will fit. There are different types like differential but these are rarer. Normal SCSI are hard to find but there should be millions in the UK.
I'll check the garage tonight. They all have OSs on them one has 2.1 I think which might help you out.
Checked Australia Post. Half a Kg to UK is $17.70 Air, $23.70 Registered Air(Tracking)
Ive got bubblewrap, a postpack hard envelope is about $3. I'm pretty sure they are under 500gm but with packaging it could go over. http://auspost.com.au/apps/international-parcel.html
You might think why does this guy even care, what's the scam?: Nothing, I love seeing Amigas come back to life.

Did you see this one, on UK ebay? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LT70S029-Quantum-SCSI-50pin-700MB-HDD-/260789595830?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item3cb8456eb6 55 UK Pounds (Refurb.) 700Mb is a nice size, and Quantums seem to go on forever.  But the price is getting close to the price of a SCSI-Flash card adaptor. (which is a much better option BTW)

Looking at other ebay items they're bloody expensive.

[gertsy]

Okay I had a look out back and I'm right out of parrots......  I got a slug!
Sorry just went all Monty Python there for a sec.

Seriously, I've got a 50MB, 105MB and 240Mb all Quantum Prodrive LPS. (made in Japan) These each weigh 450g.
I've also got a 1.1GB Quantum DSP3107L which is Malaysian made but it's 500g so the postage will be more.

The 2 Quantum Fireball 2.1GB units I' rather keep for myself.
 
So if your willing to pay the postage from Oz, around $25 (16GBP) with tracking and postpack. I'll bubble wrap your choice and send it to you.  They all have 2.1 OS on them. I'm guessing your A500+ is std 2.1 ROM ?
I tested each drive on my A500/A590 for a little while and they work fine(apart from the standard SCSI HD whine. Arrh Compact Flash cards, so nice and quiet).
As with all old HDs all it takes is one drop and "crunch" paper weight.  But the Quantums do head park and seem to be very resilient. IMO.  No guarantees..

Anyway, let me know if you want me to send one over the water.

Cheers

[gertsy]

NP, The reason they are free is because I've moved to SCSI-Flash Card adaptors and I can't see myself going back. But I haven't cut any holes in my stuff. That would be convenience at too great a cost. If you are looking at buying multiple drives for capacity and transportability Id suggest the same as Oldsmobile_Mike.
They're quiet, Cool(As in temp), fast and relatively cheap.

Enjoy the journey, remember it's just as much fun as the destination.

[gertsy]

If I could offer any help or perhaps an alternative I would recommend the following .....
and this adaptor
..
..
This combination works for me on my GVP HC8 and HD500 setups.  It also works on my GVP Combi 040 and A590.

Limitations

I have done a lot of setups using the GVP based devices and I have noted some limitations - as to why they are they I am unsure.

While the GVP HC8 can find pretty much any properly terminated device on the SCSI chain, I have found a limitation of use to 3.67GB of storage (without a Guru ROM)

I have found that should I have say a partition setup outside a 3.67GB area it is not mounted and unusable. If I have a partition that spans past this 3.67GB barrier most of the time its not mounted (and unusable) but on the very odd occasion that it is all writing to that partition is corrupted.

I have tested this under FFS / SFS and NSD - (have not tested this with PFS3)

On my A590 however (using SFS / NSD and Version 7 ROM a full 8.1GB HDD works flawlessly)

If you are ever to buy a SCS HDD, remember to ensure that it is LVD and or SE - do not buy HVD based SCSI drive as this simply will not work for you.

Well done Zetr0. There had to be someone in the UK that could help out.  I only just realised that Mechware is out of SCSI-Flash Card adaptors. Options evaporating.
Thanks for the Low Voltage Differential (LVD) / Single ended (SE) tip. I've actually got one of those adaptors but packed it away when I couldn't get it to work with a 9GB drive from a Compaq Server enclosure. Will have to review it for an external enclosure I have.

Much cheaper local option AmigaBruno.

[gertsy]

He's out of the more commonly used type, but does have plenty of PCD-60B's available, which is what I'm using in my GVP sidecar case.  Had to remove the faceplate and top cover (both just pop off) to get it to fit, but she does fit in there.  

http://a4000t.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_79&products_id=250

95 Dollar. I suppose that's what you pay for hens teeth.