Amiga 2000

[mrmoonlight]

So it boots and you're able to see the Workbench screen when it's connected via composite cable? Are you sure whatever monitor you're using is working 100%?

Hi I have the right skart cable installed now and have a fab pic of floopy drive pic, so put the install disc in and found its not recognising the hard drive lol so does that mean I need to buy another harddrive?

ps yes I did try one off my 1200 only I was not sure if I could do this ,but the other skart works ,but Nothing from the HD

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I'm assuming you don't have any other system you can test the hard drive in?  It's possible that the hard drive failed (often happens due to age, being jostled in shipment, etc.).  What ROM version does the A2000 have in it?  Do you have a Workbench install disk with HDToolbox on it?  The Workbench 3.1 Install disk works fabulous for this if the system has a 3.1 ROM.  

[mrmoonlight]

I'm assuming you don't have any other system you can test the hard drive in? It's possible that the hard drive failed (often happens due to age, being jostled in shipment, etc.). What ROM version does the A2000 have in it? Do you have a Workbench install disk with HDToolbox on it? The Workbench 3.1 Install disk works fabulous for this if the system has a 3.1 ROM.

Hi I only have a A1200 and a A600 and the rom I will have to find where it is lol but I know a rom when I see one ,and I have the new 3.1 disks from Amigakit  and I have tried the workbench install disc and HDToolbox and it shows no drives , there is one good thing and that is it plays floppy games brilliant and I am right pleased ,so its off to find the Rom and then a hd drive ,thanks very much best wishes Brian.

[mrmoonlight]

Hi I only have a A1200 and a A600 and the rom I will have to find where it is lol but I know a rom when I see one ,and I have the new 3.1 disks from Amigakit and I have tried the workbench install disc and HDToolbox and it shows no drives , there is one good thing and that is it plays floppy games brilliant and I am right pleased ,so its off to find the Rom and then a hd drive ,thanks very much best wishes Brian.

ps and yes the rom is 3.1 40.063

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Great!  Do you have a 3.1 Install disk?  Does the drive not show up at all when you run HDToolbox?

I'm thinking if the drive doesn't show up at all it's possible that it might still be saved.  Check that it's spinning up, and you'll need to check your cables and termination.

Alternatively SCSI drives are pretty cheap still on ebay, you might pick up a small one just to test with.

[mrmoonlight]

Great! Do you have a 3.1 Install disk? Does the drive not show up at all when you run HDToolbox?

I'm thinking if the drive doesn't show up at all it's possible that it might still be saved. Check that it's spinning up, and you'll need to check your cables and termination.

Alternatively SCSI drives are pretty cheap still on ebay, you might pick up a small one just to test with.

 
 Hi no its not spinning up and I have checked all the cables and no it does not show up on HDToolbox lol  do I have to look for any thing in particle concerning the HD like how many pins etc

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Well, I'm no expert in Amiga SCSI by a long shot, but I'd start with checking termination.  I recall you said there as an accelerator in there but it had been removed, so things might be a little screwy.  I'd check that your ribbon cable is hooked up something like this:

A2091 ---> Hard drive ---> CD drive.

Obviously check that pin 1 on the cable goes to pin 1 on the devices, then check the jumpers on those two devices.  There should be one for termination on the hard drive and it should be off.  There should be one on the CD drive and it should be on.  In other words, you'll want to terminate the last device on the chain.  So if your cable is going the other way around (i.e., connected to the CD drive first and then the hard drive) you'd terminate on the HD.

It gets a lot more complicated than that if you need to throw in active or passive terminators, etc., wait for someone with more knowledge to chime in if you need that kind of stuff.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Wait, you said the hard drive is not spinning up?  You have the power connector plugged in the right way?  Try powering it directly off the A2000 PSU?

[mrmoonlight]

Wait, you said the hard drive is not spinning up? You have the power connector plugged in the right way? Try powering it directly off the A2000 PSU?

Hi I powered up directly from psu and again nothing and cant see  any thing to change on Harddrive ,but will have to have look again in the morning as my eyes are failing with lack of sleep ,thanks so very much for all the help I really appreciated it very best wishes Brian.

[danbeaver]

If it is not spinning up at all with real power applied, then it is probably dead; some would say to bang it against something hard to see if that works, but regardless, it is dead or near dead.

[mechy]

I was referring to the 4-pin connector running power from the A2091 card to the drive.  Wouldn't you say "the shorter the better" on that, too?  Not to mention he's not going to want a 9' long cable coiled up inside his A2000, LOL!  :roflmao:

HAH i should pay better attention.. i'd pay a dollar to see a 9ft cable coiled up inside tho .:rofl:

[mrmoonlight]

If it is not spinning up at all with real power applied, then it is probably dead; some would say to bang it against something hard to see if that works, but regardless, it is dead or near dead.

Hi I used the psu power lead directly ,the same one that powers the cd player and no not a murmur unless its ultra quite lol  so we have a shop close by who deals in second hand  Harddrives and I will go have a chat with him latter , but apart from that I had a few hours playing games on her last night and really good fun it was too, even if it was by using floppy's, quite responsive and a joy to use ,I also have to say this is where
 
        Amiga org shines because folk like me who only have a limited amount of knowledge would be left at the starting post so thank you Amiga org ,very best wishes Brian.

[mrmoonlight]

Hi I had the Harddrive tested and sure enough it is completely dead ,but after having a closer look at this IBM DSAS-3540 84G8396 Apple ROM 350MB 3.5" 50 Pin SCSI Hard Drive 661-0219 A I am beginning to wonder if its worth fitting one as 350mb is not very much unless the Amiga 2000 will take more and are there any more different makes that will fit that some one might recommend and have model number to go with it as there are not many options in the uk but seems more in the usa
Best wishes Brian.
                                Bars and Pipes ,the A2000 sure plays a merry tune                                
 
 

[Tenacious]

Hi Brian

You do have an A2091 HD SCSI interface, right?

Anyway, Quantum may be the easiest brand of hard drive to find.  I think Macintosh used these almost exclusively.  They range in capacity from a low of about 20MB (rare) upto about 4GB.  4GB is a sort of a default ceiling for Amigas, but there are ways to make larger HDs work. OTOH, 4GB is a virtual ocean of capacity because Amiga files are small and tight compared to modern machines.  In truth, a usuable system can be had with any drive greater than about 100MB (room for the OS, a few dozen favorite Apps, and space for some user files).  YMMV.

In addition, Quantum drives kept their jumper option scheme pretty simple.  There were usually 3 jumpers to determine SCSI address (0 thru 6) and 1 labeled TE (Terminal Enable, set for the last drive in the chain).  That's about it.  Other manufacturers often included a mind-numbing selection of other jumpers that had to be set correctly to work.  It was often difficult to find published Amiga HD requirements versus the options on the drive (parity, error checking, delayed spin, terminal power, etc)  

I would guess that about any 50-pin SCSI drive less than 4GB made by Quantum should be pretty painless, provided it still functions.

[mrmoonlight]

Hi Brian

You do have an A2091 HD SCSI interface, right?

Anyway, Quantum may be the easiest brand of hard drive to find. I think Macintosh used these almost exclusively. They range in capacity from a low of about 20MB (rare) upto about 4GB. 4GB is a sort of a default ceiling for Amigas, but there are ways to make larger HDs work. OTOH, 4GB is a virtual ocean of capacity because Amiga files are small and tight compared to modern machines. In truth, a usuable system can be had with any drive greater than about 100MB (room for the OS, a few dozen favorite Apps, and space for some user files). YMMV.

In addition, Quantum drives kept their jumper option scheme pretty simple. There were usually 3 jumpers to determine SCSI address (0 thru 6) and 1 labeled TE (Terminal Enable, set for the last drive in the chain). That's about it. Other manufacturers often included a mind-numbing selection of other jumpers that had to be set correctly to work. It was often difficult to find published Amiga HD requirements versus the options on the drive (parity, error checking, delayed spin, terminal power, etc)

I would guess that about any 50-pin SCSI drive less than 4GB made by Quantum should be pretty painless, provided it still functions.

Hi and thanks ever so much for the info and yes I have a A2091 HD SCSI interface and real glad you mentioned a few possibilities because I have seen a few Quantum drives on Ebay  and that's where I am heading next
  and bit by bit my A2000 is getting better so I am well pleased and grateful to you for your help ,very best wishes Brian.

[mrmoonlight]

Hi I managed to buy this off ebay I hope its the right one
 Quantum - SE21S011 - 2.1GB SCSI 50PIN 5400RPM 3.5" Hard Drive ( 361096154657 )