what do i need for amiga to detect bigger hd

[slaapliedje]

So this brings up some questions.  How much faster is the FastATA 4000?  Looks like the MK-V should be in stock at Amigakit within 8 more days.  But is it really worth 166 bucks?

I think my A4000 could load a bit faster (right now it takes about 1minute 30 seconds before it's fully loaded up WB, and I have ClassicWB on it, with my mediator, radeon, and network card.  As well as an Indivision AGA).

Either that, or does a CF card adapter speed it up a whole lot?  I don't have a deneb yet, but was considering it.  I still have (hopefully) a second A4000 on the way, if DiscreetFX could get my address correct (some of which is probably my fault, but it should be sent to my parent's house...) So I'm wondering if I should set aside some cash for at least one of the FastATA 4000 MK-V, or CF card adapters, or what.  Decisions, decisions...

slaapliedje

[slaapliedje]

I bought the MK4, but user upgraded it (replaced the ROM) to make it a MK5.

Yes, it is fast because you can select different speed modes for each device attached (PIO0 to PIO5), but you have to remember the size of the files we typically load as Amiga users.  I'm as happy with the Buddha in my A2000 as I am with the FastATA in my A4000.  Either way they are great pieces of kit and (IMHO) worth the money.

I wish I was at home because I'd time how fast it take me to load ClassicWB as I have a Mediator (With Radeon & SB) plus a Deneb.  I have a DVD ROM, CF Adapter and 2 x 80GB hard drives attached to the FastATA and I promise you that booting takes a hell of a lot less than 90 seconds.

I'll be home in 2 weeks.  If you're still interested then PM me and I'll time it for you.

Edit:  One thing you can do to speed up your A4000 is to terminate the IDE connector on the Motherboard.  The Deneb has a file to copy to the flash ROM, or you can use a physical terminator that just clips onto the IDE port.  Without it you have a delay in booting where the A4000 just sits there and does nothing.

Interesting about the terminator.  That would explain why it does just seem to sit there and do nothing for a while.  That pause is a good 15 or so seconds (at least it seems that way).  

I'll try to remember to remind you to do a speed test.. my memory is pretty much crap though

slaapliedje

[slaapliedje]

If your looking for max speed with low cpu overhead forget the elbox stuff. SCSI off the accelerator is best because its local bus and avoids zorro3 bottlenecks. the accelerators with ultrawide scsi  are very fast(cyberstorm MK3 or PPC- 25MB/s+) but the cyberstorm MKII and warpengine narrow scsi is good too.Just all depends what you are doing.

Mech

Would love to go that route, but unfortunately even back when they were new, SCSI drives have been so expensive.  And that's just the hard drive, the accelerators are rare and everyone wants 800 bucks for 'em, which is about what I've already put into this A4000.  

I was thinking for a long time to pick up one of those 060 accelerators from Softwarehut, are they still around?  (Softwarehut and the accelerators)

slaapliedje