Just bought GVP HD8+ hard drive!

[AmigaBruno]

If you change your mind PM me.  I've got a couple spare 1MB chips that came out of mine when I upgraded to 4MB that you could have for the cost of shipping + 1 beer.  

Or hunt down a pair of 4MB chips on ebay, I see them all the time going for old Macs.  

That sounds great! I PMed you sometime last night my time, but I'm still waiting for your reply. Basically, I wanted to know how much money you want for "shipping +1 beer". BTW, I'm a home brewer and can give you some information about a fantastic new type of kit and my best results.

[AmigaBruno]

Unfortunately, it seems I've oinly got about 5Mb space left on this hard drive after installing a few programs such as Aztec C V5.06, Magic WB, and Deluxe Paint III, From what I can make out, Monkey Island 2: Lechuck's Revenge is taking up more space than anything else. It seems like a great game though, so I don't want to delete it.

I now think that I need to fit an extra or replacement drive to this unit. I wonder which hard drives are compatible. I think they would have to be either external with a DB25 connector or internal with a 50 pin SCSI connector. I think the maximum capacity is 4Gb, or that the maximum partition size is 4Gb. Can anyone suggest some suitable hard drives for this unit?

[utri007]

I have 4,4gb hard drive in my HD8+

You can always buy adapter wich allows you to use hard drives with other SCSI connectors.

There has been lots onf talk about HD8+ and hard drives in EAB. I belive that conlusion was that there is no limit with hard drives, but partitions has a 2gb limit

[k4lmp]

I would go with a SCSI card reader and use a compact flash for the hard drive.  Easy to change to a different OS or whatever, by merely unplugging/plugging in a new flash card.  Mechware has some great stuff.  You could check with him to see if he has any more of the card readers.

[AmigaBruno]

I would go with a SCSI card reader and use a compact flash for the hard drive.  Easy to change to a different OS or whatever, by merely unplugging/plugging in a new flash card.  Mechware has some great stuff.  You could check with him to see if he has any more of the card readers.

Unfortunately, it seems I can't afford any of the SCSI card readers from Mechware, but I'm working on some schemes to get some more money in the near future.

Meanwhile, I could run out of hard drive space in the next few days. I'm having problems with Manx Aztec C V5.05, which keeps generating error messages that it either can't find the input file, multiple input files have been specified, or it can't open stdio.h or stdarg.h. I've managed to turn one C source code file into an executable program, but I'm not sure how I did it. All the include files locations have been specified in the script the installer generated itself, called aztec.sh . Lattice C comes as 6 ADF images, but Manx Aztec C is only 4. Do I actually need to install all the 6 ADF images onto my hard drive?

As for compatible SCSI hard drives, I think the ones that would be compatible would be either internal 50 pin or external DB25 and low capacity in the Mb range, or certainly not over 4Gb. Am I right?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

As for compatible SCSI hard drives, I think the ones that would be compatible would be either internal 50 pin or external DB25 and low capacity in the Mb range, or certainly not over 4Gb. Am I right?

Correct.  You could use others (like IDE drives) but you'd need additional adapters for that.  Capacity limits are based on what ROM version you have in the device.  4.15 is the latest, if you don't have that you can pick up a copy from tjlazah on ebay or amibay for $10.  I believe it supports up to 4GB drives, with 2GB partitions.  I wouldn't risk going any larger than that.  There's also a GuruROM available but finding it is like hen's teeth!

More info here:  http://babel.de/amiga.html

Amiga is an expensive hobby!!  

[k4lmp]

Unfortunately, it seems I can't afford any of the SCSI card readers from Mechware, but I'm working on some schemes to get some more money in the near future.

Meanwhile, I could run out of hard drive space in the next few days. I'm having problems with Manx Aztec C V5.05, which keeps generating error messages that it either can't find the input file, multiple input files have been specified, or it can't open stdio.h or stdarg.h. I've managed to turn one C source code file into an executable program, but I'm not sure how I did it. All the include files locations have been specified in the script the installer generated itself, called aztec.sh . Lattice C comes as 6 ADF images, but Manx Aztec C is only 4. Do I actually need to install all the 6 ADF images onto my hard drive?

As for compatible SCSI hard drives, I think the ones that would be compatible would be either internal 50 pin or external DB25 and low capacity in the Mb range, or certainly not over 4Gb. Am I right?

Unfortunately, I can also understand the 'not afford' part of it.  You are not alone.  

[AmigaBruno]

Correct.  You could use others (like IDE drives) but you'd need additional adapters for that.  Capacity limits are based on what ROM version you have in the device.  4.15 is the latest, if you don't have that you can pick up a copy from tjlazah on ebay or amibay for $10.  I believe it supports up to 4GB drives, with 2GB partitions.  I wouldn't risk going any larger than that.  There's also a GuruROM available but finding it is like hen's teeth!

More info here:  http://babel.de/amiga.html

Amiga is an expensive hobby!!  

I'd already given up all hope of getting an IDE adaptor before I bought this. I'm afraid I don't know what ROM version is in this device. How can I find out?

Unfortunately, earlier today I had one failed boot from this drive when a requester popped up with the message "Not a DOS disk in drive dh0:", but it's only happened once so far. I've also checked my installation disk, but it appears on the Workbench as NDOS and won't boot up either.

I think the Amiga can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be. There's also the free bonanza of previously very expensive software, as well as lots of books and magazines converted into PDF files. This has saved me over £2,000 since I bought my Amiga A500 Plus just before Christmas last year!

BTW, I'm still waiting for a reply to my personal message to you. The message included some details about home brewing. This is Amiga related, because it improves the results you get while doing artwork, and I started doing home brewing when I had my original Amiga A500. You live about halfway between two suppliers of home brewing kits. One is in London.

[AmigaBruno]

Disaster! Only about 5 days after receiving this hard drive unit, it has now become unbootable! :cry:

I must have tried over 10 times just now to boot from it, after downloading a copy of SAS C, then transferring it to Amiga floppy disk. I was looking forward to installing it, then finding out if this would find the files it needs and actually work, when I realised that my hard drive was taking longer than usual to boot up. The power light and the hard drive access lights still come on and the extra RAM is still there, but eventually the Amiga displays the insert floppy disk boot screen. :furious:

Using X-Copy I've found that there are only a few sectors on the GVP installation floppy which aren't corrupt, so the disk can't be salvaged. I'll have a look round for some GVP software which may fix it. At the moment, drive dh0: doesn't register as being there at all!



I'll contact the seller on eBay to tell him that the drive has failed after only 5 days of normal use and I want him to do something about it.

[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.

[AmigaBruno]

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.

There's a couple of problems with this. I've never used DMS format so far and do I have to copy it onto a 720K IBM format disk? I could use CrossDOS, which I've downloaded.

Of course, I can blame a 20yo hard drive for packing it in after 5 days, because I bought this item as used from eBay, meaning it should work for the time being, not fail after 5 days! I'm not sure what the time limit is, though.

I really want to salvage all the software and data on this hard drive if possible. I suppose all the software which was already installed is available online if I know where to look. It included some software supplied free with the Amiga by Escom/Amiga Technologies, including Wordworth, Digita Organiser, Turbocalc (with tutorials), a database program, Personal Paint, Monkey Island 2, and several smaller games probably written in AMOS, because AMOS system files such as RAMOS were included. The main data I've generated is a DPaint III graphic of a superhero type character which took several hours to draw, so I don't want to lose that.

I'm in London, UK.  Your "few spares" offer sounds interesting, although you don't give any details. I've been having problems finding a compatible hard drive which I can afford. It took 12 days for a package to arrive here from Alaska, so I suppose a package from Australia would take longer.  Please give me a description of what you're offering and tell me how much the postage would be.

Thanks for all your help.

[AmigaBruno]

I've told the eBay seller that this drive has failed after only 5 days. His reply is that he can't give any warranty on these old drives, but he's offered a replacement hard drive so long as I pay the postage. Unfortunately, I still don't know if I can salvage the software and my DPaint graphic from the failed drive.

Meanwhile, I'm watching a SCSI drive on eBay which is 3.5 inch, 50 pin, and measured in Mb, not Gb. This is for a reasonable price and more than one is available. I'm fairly sure this is compatible, although I'm not sure if the height will allow it to fit into the GVP unit. Does anyone know what height would be too high? I don't want to post a link to the listing on here in case that causes these drives to sell out without me buying one.

[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.

[AmigaBruno]

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.

The seller hasn't said that it's a 50 pin SCSI drive, just that it's come out of an A1200, so I've asked him to confirm that it's a 50 pin SCSI not an IDE, or how I can use it with this unit. I'm worried in case this unit is requires a half height drive, but I get a full height or "1H" drive from somewhere. I have no actual measurements of what is meant by these terms. He seems to be an Amiga expert, so I assume there's an answer that will tell me how I can use it. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about electronics to verify that the problem is with the hard drive, not the rest of the unit. I recently bought an electronic projects kit and have been testing resistor values to build my first circuit. I suppose this means I could open up the GVP unit and check all the resistors to see if one has blown out. I don't think I know enough to check any other components, though.

I've been transferring ADF images onto Amiga floppies in df0: , so I can't help wondering why I should transfer anything onto an IMB/MS-DOS format 720K floppy disk. I think a better idea would be to convert the GVP installer software to ADF then transfer it to df0: . Is there a reason why I shouldn't? I hope I can then do something like an AmigaDOS install dh0: and see if that gets it up and running again.

Please check what spare hard drives you've got. So far, I haven't got a price for postage from the seller for a replacement hard drive. I have got a very reasonable price for a 50 pin SCSI hard drive, with a larger capacity than 42Mb, though. I hope that after receiving your information, as well as the seller's information and P&P, then I can make a decision about the best course of action in the next 1-2 days.

[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