Problem using an IDE CF adapter and IDE CD-ROM in a 4000?

[dangermouse]

Hi folks

Got a little problem I can't fathom.

I'm attempting to install OS 4.1 onto my 4000  and, due to space restrictions in this particular 4000 case, I can only install internally an LG IDE DVD-ROM drive I have. The hard drive I'm installing to is a 4GB Transcend CF card using an IDE -> CF adapter. This CF card is not the issue..I've used identical cards in 1200s, 600s and 4000s without any trouble up to this point.

Now, when I install using SFS I keep getting blockid errors at random points in the install process. If I do the same thing using just the CF adapter on IDE and a SCSI CD-ROM connected to the CSPPC it's all peachy - problem here is I can't keep the SCSI CD-ROM in the 4000..it's too long and hits the power supply.

I'd like to have the 4000 all usable and screwed together with an internal CD-ROM hence the need to get the IDE CD-ROM working reliably.

I've tried the CD-ROM as master and slave (and the adapter in the complementary position) and it makes no difference. Tried with jumpers removed on both the CD-ROM and adapter and that results in me losing the CD-ROM altogether rendering installation impossible.

Is this likely being caused by the CF card adapter does anyone know? If so is there any way around it other than being forced to install 4.1 with a SCSI drive and leave the IDE CD-ROM permanently disconnected?

Any tips appreciated

Thanks

[quenthal]

It's not easy to find short cd drives using scsi.. However, if you are willing to buy one or more ide to scsi bridges, you are good to go. Not the cheapest solution, i know. However  plugging in your cf with cf2ide to acard's ide-uwscsi will give you slight performance boost as well. I'm using one for even my ide cd-drive.

[dangermouse]

Ah yes I'd forgot about those. Good point you make and will fix my problem but they're just so expensive and impossible to find in NZ.

[mechy]

sounds to me like you don't have max transfer set right. it would need to be changed for the cf on ide versus on scsi.

do you have idefix installed?

I have seen cf adapters that do not tolerate 2 ide drives,dont ask me why,even thought they have a master/slave jumper.I dont know if they are wired wrong or what,but half this stuff comes from china.

are you sure the ide cable is good? don't use 80 wire udma cables on standard old amiga 4k ide.

also,you can get right angle molex power adapters that will let the dvd drive fit.If you still lack some room,the chrome fan grill can be removed.. never seen a cd/dvd drive that wouldn't fit with these mods.Plextor drives are super long ;/

adapter cable good for a extra 1/4" : http://www.xsfans.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=128

oh.. and os4.1 is going to be terrible torture on 2MBs/stock 4k ide.. you really need to use the cyberstorm UWSCSI..

mech

[stefcep2]

Make sure you have a genuine 4 gb cf card.

I could never get a Sandisk 4 gb and IDE CDROM to work on the internal IDE interface.

Turned out the CF was a fake.

[dangermouse]

CF card is a 4GB Transcend and has been working fine for a year or so in a 1200. Have tried a different card (16GB Transcend) and the result is the same.

Max transfer is also correct to the best of my knowledge (0x1FE00) - installing with a SCSI CD works fine without errors. I'm almost certain it's got something to do with 2 devices being on the IDE bus but just don't know why that would cause a problem.

[mechy]

CF card is a 4GB Transcend and has been working fine for a year or so in a 1200. Have tried a different card (16GB Transcend) and the result is the same.

Max transfer is also correct to the best of my knowledge (0x1FE00) - installing with a SCSI CD works fine without errors. I'm almost certain it's got something to do with 2 devices being on the IDE bus but just don't know why that would cause a problem.

I have used 4gb transcend 133x with ide cdrom with NP. i have several 4000's working this way. i've used asim with this as well as idefix and os3.9 cdfs..

I seem to have had problems with a few new dvdrw drives. one was a hitachi,but cant recall what the other was.try a plain old ide cdrom drive if you have one laying around.You problem is sounding like the devices are not happy together.

mech

[dangermouse]

Mmm...only 'older' drive I have is still a DVD-RW and it doesn't seem to be too happy either. Might have to try to source an old bog standard CD-ROM. Thanks Mech.