WD33C93A-PL-00-08 for Amiga SCSI controller 2091 and Amiga 3000 users

[nishtek]

Most, if not all A3000's (even A3000T's) and A2091 or similar SCSI controller cards are fitted with the WD33C93A-PL 00-04 scsi controller chip. While this chip is ok when you only have one device connected to the scsi bus (usually the internal hard drive), anything less than rev 00-08 can start to give you trouble when you start to add multiple devices to the bus. Most common symptoms are random scsi bus lockups (especially with cd-roms and tape drives), and random checksum errors when transferring large files between devices. The 00-08 revision addresses and fixes these problems along with reselection problems that were present in earlier versions.

Current target price is $25-33 plus postage.
This is not too bad, as Western Digital has ceased chip production (including the WD33C93A-PL 00-08) as of January 1, 1996, and finding it we didn't find too easy.  Those interested should email and pre-order it.  Thank you.

[Kin-Hell]

Moved......

[T3000]

nishtek wrote:
While this chip is ok when you only have one device connected to the scsi bus (usually the internal hard drive), anything less than rev 00-08 can start to give you trouble when you start to add multiple devices to the bus. Most common symptoms are random scsi bus lockups (especially with cd-roms and tape drives), and random checksum errors when transferring large files between devices.

Hmmm...   This information would explain why my A3000D started giving me increasing checksum errors when I added an external cdrom, zip drive and then a scanner. Which had eventually led me to toss the miggy into the closet and build a PC.

I'll dig into my systems and take inventory to see if I need to "fix" the problem. I do recall obtaining a WD-08, but don't recall which system I plugged it into.

Thanks for the info nishtek

[melott]

Hmmmm.........

Odd... I've been using these chips in both my A3000-D and
my A2000 and haven't had any of the problems you mention.
The A3000 has 2 HD's and a CD Rom, the A2000 has 1 HD and
a CD ROM.

[amigadave]

nishtek wrote:
Current target price is $25-33 plus postage.
This is not too bad, as Western Digital has ceased chip production (including the WD33C93A-PL 00-08) as of January 1, 1996, and finding it we didn't find too easy.  Those interested should email and pre-order it.  Thank you.

I am interested in getting a couple of these, so I looked for them on the net to determine if $25-$33 is a good price and found thousands of them are still available, either new or refurbished/removed from old machines.

Most of the sites that list them require registration and a request for a quote before they will give you a price, so I did not get any pricing for them, but at least it is clear that there are many available and that they are not so "RARE" as some would have us believe.

What is the price for this pre-order per chip?  Can't you fix a price instead of a price range between $25 to $33?

I don't mind paying a mark-up so nishtek can make a profit, but I really believe that they can probably be found in quantity (over 20) for between $8 to $16.

[nishtek]

this also confirms what was mentioned:
http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=22

[nishtek]

Hi,
- was told the chips are new not used before.
really? perhaps sourcing it from elsewhere may work for some.  I prefer dealing with known source, one that is willing to take parts back if defective, but you're welcome to provide alternative sources.  You may be able to find cheap parts from china but milleage will vary on those.
I for one intend to get these in, test them all on my miggy 3000 and ship to those interested (unless you don't want me to test your chip).

price range is due to uncertainty with respect to:
- quantity to order (I refuse to buy 100 chips to "sit on".  we have to know what is the interest, so far less than 5, hence the price we get from chip broker is less than for say 20 or 50 or 100.  buying in bulk (lower price) is an option only when sufficient demand exists - nature of business supporting amiga).  
- cost of shipping (smaller quantity)
when you take the above into consideration that profit (even assuming $15 for chip is really tiny plus postage).
I am still working on getting a better deal with the chip broker (the buggers always try to bring up the price, even for a chip that has not been manufactured since 1996)... if i can get it for $10 then of course price will drop below that range mentioned, but of course i imagine i'd have to commit to large quantity.  
:lol:  :-o

More details to follow.

[nishtek]

Most of the brokers are not interested in selling 1 or 2 of these chips.  I think we're looking at minimum order of 10 to start with.  If we get only 5 people, then the remainder will be cost absorbed by us.  still thats not sufficient to bring price down. *sigh*
if there was 40 A3000 users, then ordering 100 would be much better in price for everyone.

[rkauer]

 I'm interested, since the A2091 of my A2000 die on me.

 Depending on the price, obviously. A shameless Brazilian company is asking 280BRL (~140USD !!!!) for a single chip with 5 pieces as minimum order.:madashell:

[Retro_71]

i wouldnt mind having 1 or 2 for my A3000

[dannyp1]

If you have an A3000 you should get this chip.  In my mind it is the most needed upgrade chip for fixing problems that you run into in real life on your Amiga (maybe 2nd most needed if you count the 3.1 roms).  Most people talk about needing a Super Buster 11 but many people go a lifetime with the Buster 9 and never have a problem.

Dan

[nishtek]

pls send an email to amigaATnishtek.com
the minimum order is not uncommon.  problem for broker is that he doesnt want to ship few chips, problem for seller is that he/she must be sure at least 50% of the stock is sold otherwise no point ordering a bunch of old chips to sit on shelf :-(

[nishtek]

@retro_71
should i put you down for 2?

[nishtek]

Hi,
the first batch is on its way.  price of $30 per chip (i can lower the price to $25 for 2nd chip - but thats all).  Still not bad, since another thread on a.org mentioned them to be at a whopping $80 per chip?? (crazeee)
if need to email for details then please do at
amigaATnishtek.com
all chips will be tested unless you ask for it not to be (wouldn't make sense, would it?)

[nishtek]

Update:  Finally, batch of SCSI chips received.  Tested & working.  Will begin shopping initial orders this week.  Those interested still, pls email for the pre-order price still.  Use these on Amiga 2091 controller or Amiga 3000.  Once another week passes, price goes up.