Just bought GVP HD8+ hard drive!

[AmigaBruno]

@AmigaBruno

Hello there,  looking at the specification of you PSU (its identical to mine)

5volts at 2amps
12 volts at 0.5 amps

This sadly reduces the options available for what Hard-Disks you can use.  So before you buy make sure you ask the seller what power requirements the device has - should that they exceed either 5 volt or 12 amperage - then you should avoid these devices.

I would be happy to prepare you a 4.1GB Viking - free just the cost of postage which would be under a £5 for shipping within the UK.  I could possibly throw in a spare SCA80 adapter as well for cost - i.e. you can just refund me the ebay price for a new one.

I will say that the Drive I have here requires more amps on the +12 volt so might not be good for you at the moment - alternatively you could look at upgrading your GVP A500HD8 power supply to an ATX or mATX PSU.



This is the pin-out for the GVP A500HD8+ Power Supply / Cable, if you have a few moments with a soldering iron - one can easily interface this with an ATX or mATX power supply.

I hope that helps.

Well, I'm a bit confused by this offer now. Before I post details of some more error messages and readings from the GVP software at the end of this message, I need to ask you a couple of questions. First of all, you say that your PSU for your GVP unit is the same as mine. You have offered me a 4.1Gb Viking hard drive for just the cost of postage, which you say is £5 or less.  Unfortunately, I also need an SCA80 adaptor, because it hasn't got a 50 pin connector. You don't say how much this will cost me, though. Here's one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCSI-SCA-80-Pin-F-to-50-Pin-M-Internal-Adapter-K-/320597027825?pt=UK_Computing_Drive_Cables_Adapters&hash=item4aa5126bf1 and here's another one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCSI-SCA-80-Pin-F-to-50-Pin-M-Internal-Adapter-/330436901004?pt=US_Drive_Cables_dapters&hash=item4cef92f88c , but I don't know if either of them is compatible. You then go on to say that "the Drive I have here requires more amps on the +12 volt", so it might not work unless I upgrade my PSU to an ATX or mATX PSU, but you don't say how much it would cost to buy or adapt one which is compatible with this unit. How much? I feel I've already spent about enough on this thing, which only worked for 5 days and caused some hardship. It's starting to look like a bottomless pit  which could just cost me more and more money.

As for the GVP installation software, here are some more error messages and data.

FastPrep says "This drive was prepped under the old system which wasn't correct! Do you want to Re-Prep it?"

ExpertPrep gives the following details on Page2

Hard Disk Drive Info
Name: QUANTUM
Size: 0Mb
ID/Rev: CTS40S 3.09

I'm not sure what all of this means, but I think that to sum up, something is being detected while something else isn't. This may indicate that a particular component has blown out. This component could cost next to nothing, then my main expense would be a soldering iron and solder. I would then have access to all my hard drive data again, so long as I haven't accidentally wiped it when I tried to reformat, but didn't get any messages that the format had failed. Earlier on, I did get messages saying that it couldn't format the hard drive.

[Zetr0]

@AmigaBruno

I am sorry to confuse you - sadly I have a lot of data in my head that I try to make easy to read - sadly I fail sometimes.

1. I have a spare 4.1GB Viking SCSI hard disk.
2. This Hard Disk has an SCA80 connector - thus needs an adaptor to work with the GVP
3. I *may* have a spare SCA80 to SCA50 / SCA68 that you can have - but I would like a replacement for it.  The SCA adaptor I linked to above is the same adaptor and would suffice as a replacement.
4. I would be happy to prepare this Hard Disk for you and you can have it free - just the cost of postage - which in the UK is £5
5. To use larger / newer Hard Disks you will most likely need to upgrade your GVP A500HD power supply - as newer drives use more amps on the +12volt line and your PSU wont be able to supply that demand.


Alternatively

I have here a 200MB or so 50 pin SCSI hard Disk that I have just retrieved from storage - it came out of my other GVP A500HD. it is already configured for Workbench 2.0.  You would be welcome to this for the cost of postage - again about £5.

[AmigaBruno]

@AmigaBruno

I am sorry to confuse you - sadly I have a lot of data in my head that I try to make easy to read - sadly I fail sometimes.

1. I have a spare 4.1GB Viking SCSI hard disk.
2. This Hard Disk has an SCA80 connector - thus needs an adaptor to work with the GVP
3. I *may* have a spare SCA80 to SCA50 / SCA68 that you can have - but I would like a replacement for it.  The SCA adaptor I linked to above is the same adaptor and would suffice as a replacement.
4. I would be happy to prepare this Hard Disk for you and you can have it free - just the cost of postage - which in the UK is £5
5. To use larger / newer Hard Disks you will most likely need to upgrade your GVP A500HD power supply - as newer drives use more amps on the +12volt line and your PSU wont be able to supply that demand.


Alternatively

I have here a 200MB or so 50 pin SCSI hard Disk that I have just retrieved from storage - it came out of my other GVP A500HD. it is already configured for Workbench 2.0.  You would be welcome to this for the cost of postage - again about £5.

OK, now we're getting somewhere! Unfortunately, I need to ask you about point 5. which is "To use larger / newer Hard Disks you will most likely need to upgrade  your GVP A500HD power supply - as newer drives use more amps on the  +12volt line and your PSU wont be able to supply that demand". Does this refer to the Viking 4.1Gb hard disk which you're offering me? If so, would I need the following device, possibly with an adaptor or new plug spliced onto it http://www.vesalia.de/d_mstechmsn750val.htm ? It doesn't matter if you don't understand the German description, what does matter is the price of EUR43.99. As for the offer under "Alternatively", that sounds like a much better bet, because I already know that it's compatible with my unit. The £5 sounds like a bargain, or at least money I can afford to waste after spending £70.01 on this unit 2 weeks ago.

Please can you tell me anything about the error messages I listed in my last post? What do they indicate?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

There is way too many new comments on this post for me to follow, but just a couple quick thoughts:

- I haven't had any problems using a 4GB CF card on mine.  It's partitioned 300MB OS/1.8GB Work/1.8GB Games.  Always keep partitions under 2GB if using FFS.  Haven't had any issues that would limit me to 3.67GB, but I believe without the GuruROM you're limited to using a total drive capacity of 4GB or less.

- Since I bought my unit from Europe and was never able to find a North American power supply, I modified it using the instructions on this page:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~davem2/overclock/a500hd.html

to draw power from the A500's internal connector.  This worked fine for both the 80MB drive my unit came with and my MechWare SCSI card reader.  I wouldn't try to run a newer, more power hungry drive this way, however.  Maybe one that's slower though (5400 RPM) as opposed to 7200 RPM might work.  Same thing if you're using the GVP power supply - try to stick to a less power-hungry drive like Zetr0 says, or a CF card.

- You can find out your ROM version by looking at the GVP motherboard.  It's the only socketed chip on the board and should have a sticker on the top.  Alternatively I believe SysInfo reports the ROM version, as well.

- I don't recall what version of HDToolbox works with Workbench 2.0, but again my .02 cents is to upgrade to 3.1 (ROM is about $15 on ebay or AmigaKit, disks can be downloaded from lots of places).  I found the 3.1 HDToolbox much easier and more intuitive to use than the GVP ExpertPrep/FaaastPrep utility.

Good luck!

[Zetr0]

@AmigaBruno

OK, now we're getting somewhere! Unfortunately, I need to ask you about point 5.

"To use larger / newer Hard Disks you will most likely need to upgrade  your GVP A500HD power supply - as newer drives use more amps on the  +12volt line and your PSU wont be able to supply that demand".

Does this refer to the Viking 4.1Gb hard disk which you're offering me?

Yes the Viking 4.1GB HDD that I have offered requires more power than the standard GVP A500HD Power Supply can provide.

If so, would I need the following device, possibly with an adaptor or new plug spliced onto it http://www.vesalia.de/d_mstechmsn750val.htm ? It doesn't matter if you don't understand the German description, what does matter is the price of EUR43.99.

That power supply is some what over kill, you could use any mATX or ATX PSU.

Evo EM-400 SFX (mATX) £15.49 (inc postage) ebay BIN


You can use any ATX / mATX power supply - even a reclaimed one from a PC.  you will have to wire up a power-swtich and obviously the cable to the GVP A500HD+8

Also I should point out even a 100watt PSU would have enough power to provide the A500 and the GVP side card with all that it needs.

As for the offer under "Alternatively", that sounds like a much better bet, because I already know that it's compatible with my unit. The £5 sounds like a bargain, or at least money I can afford to waste after spending £70.01 on this unit 2 weeks ago.

I like to help were I can, I have no need for this Hard Disk and its only sitting on a shelf now - so its yours for postage instead of collecting dust - I think its a 240MB HDD off the top of my head.

Please can you tell me anything about the error messages I listed in my last post? What do they indicate?

I found that Faaastprep is not all that good a program to be honest.  I would suggest the use of HDTools / HDTools Box to configure a HDD, even a SCSI one on a GVP product.

You should be able to use a Workbench 3.0 install disk - this has HDToolsBox program available - I dont believe it needs 3.0 Kickstart - I will test this under emulation later to see if this is the case.

I hope that helps.

[Zetr0]

[update]

I can confrim that with Kickstart 2.0 you can use a Workbench 3.0 or 3.1 Install Disk to prepare your hard-drive.

you will find the program in HDTools directory.

[AmigaBruno]

@AmigaBruno



Yes the Viking 4.1GB HDD that I have offered requires more power than the standard GVP A500HD Power Supply can provide.



That power supply is some what over kill, you could use any mATX or ATX PSU.

Evo EM-400 SFX (mATX) £15.49 (inc postage) ebay BIN


You can use any ATX / mATX power supply - even a reclaimed one from a PC.  you will have to wire up a power-swtich and obviously the cable to the GVP A500HD+8

Also I should point out even a 100watt PSU would have enough power to provide the A500 and the GVP side card with all that it needs.



I like to help were I can, I have no need for this Hard Disk and its only sitting on a shelf now - so its yours for postage instead of collecting dust - I think its a 240MB HDD off the top of my head.



I found that Faaastprep is not all that good a program to be honest.  I would suggest the use of HDTools / HDTools Box to configure a HDD, even a SCSI one on a GVP product.

You should be able to use a Workbench 3.0 install disk - this has HDToolsBox program available - I dont believe it needs 3.0 Kickstart - I will test this under emulation later to see if this is the case.

I hope that helps.

OK, fine! I'll have the hard drive which is sitting on your shelf gathering dust. I hope it will bring my GVP unit back to life, but I'll also check the resistors, which may be all I can do. I'll send you a Personal Message with my address. You tell me how you want me to pay you the £5 or less for postage.

[Zetr0]

PM replied to, will pack up the drive this afternoon and get you a shipping quote - Payment by PayPal is fine =)

[mechy]

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.

I have the 6 slot scsi card readers in stock here guys:

http://a4000t.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_73&products_id=250

I also have scsi to ide bridges(acard 7720U) here:

http://a4000t.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_74&products_id=251

Mech

[AmigaBruno]

I have the 6 slot scsi card readers in stock here guys:

http://a4000t.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_73&products_id=250

I also have scsi to ide bridges(acard 7720U) here:

http://a4000t.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_74&products_id=251

Mech

What a shame they're so expensive! If only someone made a cheaper card reader which only read one type of card and was almost guaranteed to break down after a certain period of time, like a piece of Amstrad equipment, then I'd buy one.

[AmigaBruno]

Thanks for all the advice and offers of help on here!

Unfortunately, I'm still waiting for a reply to a personal message to Zetr0, which I sent a few days ago.

Zertr0, I asked you if you'd already sent the SCSI hard drive, an email address to send payment to and how you'd sent it. Please get back to me about this.

[AmigaBruno]

I've just taken the GVP SCSI HD8+ unit apart to try looking for faults and here's what I found. I'll upload and post some pics later.

I should point out that I don't know much about electronics and I'm just trying to get into it again for the third of fourth time. There was only one component which looked like a resistor. I checked it with my multimeter, but I got a read out, which was fluctuating, so obviously this was within a certain tolerance range. This means it hasn't blown out. There were other components marked as R followed by a number, but they didn't look like resistors to me. I tried and failed to get readings from them.

I unplugged the cable connecting the SCSI drive to the main board. I noticed that part of it was bent and that one or two wires may be broken. I played with it in my hands, trying to bend it in the opposite direction, in case this may bring the possibly broken wires in contact again.

After all this, I reassembled the whole unit and slotted onto the side of the A500 Plus again. This is a very delicate and frustrating job, which I feel may well break the connector on one or both units. After turning on the GVP unit, waiting for it to spin up, I turned on the A500 Plus to see what happened, but there was no change. The drive still spun, the drive light came on, but it failed to boot up. It tried to boot three times, then fell back to df0: as the boot drive. I also tried using the drive disable switch and when I did, it made no attempt to boot from hard drive, exactly as it should do. I then flicked the switch to re enable the drive and it tried unsuccessfully to boot again.

Obviously, my next step should be to get hold of a compatible cable. I'm not sure if an old PC bought in 2000 would have one fitted, but I'll check. If not, it may be a few days until I can get hold of one.

[AmigaBruno]

Here's the latest developments in the saga of my GVP unit which only worked for 5 days.

First of all, Zetr0, I hoped to have received your hard drive by now after you told me you'd received £5.00 from me via PayPal. I sent you another PM. Have you posted it? If so, then when and how?

I also bought a replacement SCSI ribbon cable connector from Amigakit. I thought I should buy one which was just long enough, instead of one which was far too long. The cable already fitted was 10cm long and most of it was folded and squashed underneath the hard drive, which could have damaged it. I ordered a cable from Amigakit which was advertised as 2cm long, so I thought that that length plus the connectors would be enough. When I got it, I found that the 2cm length included the connectors. It looked just too short, but I eventually managed to connect it to both ends. The end result was that the hard drive still doesn't work, the drive light still lights up, but the GVP software doesn't to detect a Quantum hard drive and may not be detecting any hard drive at all.

My plans now are to order a longer SCSI cable from Amigakit and continue to wait for the replacement hard drive from Zetr0.

I notice that Amigakit is listed on a topic about Amiga repairers, so I wonder if they could repair this unit and how much they'd charge. I'll ask them.

I'll post some pics soon, but personally, I can't see anything that gives me a clue what's wrong with this unit.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I don't think there's anything wrong with your unit, you've just got a crashed hard drive.  It happens dude, you've got 20+ year old hardware.  A quick search on ebay shows 846 active listings for "50 pin scsi hard drive", many starting at under $20.  Good luck!

I still have that extra 2MB of memory I was going to send you BTW, damned UPS wanted to charge me $30 to send it though, which is pretty ridiculous considering you can probably get it locally for under $10.  If I can ever make it to the post office they might be able to slow-boat it over to ya for a more reasonable rate, in which case I'll shoot it over to ya.  Na Zdorovie!

[AmigaBruno]

I don't think there's anything wrong with your unit, you've just got a crashed hard drive.  It happens dude, you've got 20+ year old hardware.  A quick search on ebay shows 846 active listings for "50 pin scsi hard drive", many starting at under $20.  Good luck!

I still have that extra 2MB of memory I was going to send you BTW, damned UPS wanted to charge me $30 to send it though, which is pretty ridiculous considering you can probably get it locally for under $10.  If I can ever make it to the post office they might be able to slow-boat it over to ya for a more reasonable rate, in which case I'll shoot it over to ya.  Na Zdorovie!

Please explain exactly what you mean by a crashed hard drive. I'm still waiting for the replacement from Zetr0, anyway.

So, you never sent the 2Mb of RAM! I've been expecting it to arrive any day for weeks now. I didn't think you were going to send it by UPS, just US Mail or whatever it's called. I don't know about any compatible RAM I can buy locally for under $10 or about £7.50. I don't know about any problems you have getting to a post office, as you live in Washington DC. I can walk to a post office in just a few minutes. Over here, a lot of post offices are being closed down. Is the same thing happening over there?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Please explain exactly what you mean by a crashed hard drive. I'm still waiting for the replacement from Zetr0, anyway.

So, you never sent the 2Mb of RAM! I've been expecting it to arrive any day for weeks now. I didn't think you were going to send it by UPS, just US Mail or whatever it's called. I don't know about any compatible RAM I can buy locally for under $10 or about £7.50. I don't know about any problems you have getting to a post office, as you live in Washington DC. I can walk to a post office in just a few minutes. Over here, a lot of post offices are being closed down. Is the same thing happening over there?

I work 12 hours a day.  Post offices aren't open at 2am when I get out of the office, and one needs to sleep sometimes.  Sorry, and it sounded like you didn't need it as badly when you mentioned that it already had 2MB in it.  But seriously, you need to put a little more effort into this.  You don't know what "crashed hard drive" means?  Seriously?  Google it!  Use ebay.  Type in "30 pin simm"  There's 134 listings for them!  And didn't your mother ever teach you it's rude to nag people when they're offering you things for free?  Bah, I give up!