Replacing an A2000 SCSI hd with a new one

[TheMagicM]

I was never good at understanding how to get a SCSI HD working in an Amiga.  I always went IDE.   IE..bought a Dataflyer IDE for my A3k, A2k, A500 had an AdIDE.

Now that I have an A2000 with a Microbotics Hard Frame SCSI controller and a bad Quantum HD of unknown size, what should I replace it with?  

I also have a few 2091 controllers.  Between these 2 controllers, which would be best to use?

[SACC-guy]

Depending on weather or not you have 1.3 (uses 6.6 roms o lower?)
or 2.x or higher (which needs 7.0 roms for the 2091)

The scsi can use the scsi to ide cf card (about $60) with a 4 gig card
perfect fit for a amiga!

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

SCSI hard drives are getting pretty long in the tooth. Whichever controller you decide on (personally I'd pick the 2091 and look into the 14MHz hack), get one of the various SCSI-to-SD or SCSI-to-CF adapters.

[mbob]

I just put a SCSI2SD (ver 5) in my A3000 and am very pleased with it.  Ran like $60 and came with a 8GB card I used the software to split up across 2 devices.

[TheMagicM]

ok, you guys are talking about this:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1264

I'm assuming.. if yes, ok.. its on my shopping list with AmigaKit along with a few other things for my 1200.

I also have a "PC Emulator" board.  Didnt take a good look at it, dont know if I have software for it, but its on my to-install list.  Really sucks that the 2620 board is a no-go.

[Pat the Cat]

Yes, link you provided is to SCSI2SD V5. Should be good on any SCSI-1 or SCSI-2 controller.

Not sure if you mean Commodore A2620, but if so, apparaently you can get ROM upgrades to V7 to use Kickstart 2 and above.

https://www.8bitclassics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=94

Pretty rare card this side of the pond, I think this one was in big demand in USA at the time and did not get exported much.

EDIT:
I would also give the Hard Frame a try - looks like more compatible than original CBM design, but does not like early revision A2000s, so maybe not best choice for you.

http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/hardframe

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

ok, you guys are talking about this:
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1264

That one or anything comparable, yes.

Really sucks that the 2620 board is a no-go.

Saw you mention something about that in another thread.  How much testing have you done on it?  Removed memory, checked jumpers, etc.?  Assuming someone hasn't tried to overclock it those boards are usually pretty robust, I wouldn't write it off just yet!  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I would also give the Hard Frame a try

No memory expansion option with this card.  The A2091 supports up to 2MB and can be overclocked for pretty decent performance.  Also better support in after-market (easier to get new ROM's, etc.).  But whatever works, lol.  :laughing:

[BozzerBigD]

I was never good at understanding how to get a SCSI HD working in an Amiga.  I always went IDE.   IE..bought a Dataflyer IDE for my A3k, A2k, A500 had an AdIDE.

Now that I have an A2000 with a Microbotics Hard Frame SCSI controller and a bad Quantum HD of unknown size, what should I replace it with?  

I also have a few 2091 controllers.  Between these 2 controllers, which would be best to use?

68pin SCSI drives work fine with a 50pin converter.

Try here for New old stock:

http://www.scsishop.co.uk/acatalog/50-Pin-SCSI-Kits.html

[TheMagicM]

Saw you mention something about that in another thread.  How much testing have you done on it?  Removed memory, checked jumpers, etc.?  Assuming someone hasn't tried to overclock it those boards are usually pretty robust, I wouldn't write it off just yet!  

Oh, more details on my A2k, 1.3 roms, rev 6 motherboard.

Well, Thor said it was a pnp board, so I plugged it in, powered it on and no color cycling on the A2k.  If I remove it, A2k color cycles and works fine (other than bad HD).  I've disabled the memory on the A2620 with the jumper on the board also.

I'm going to try reseating the chips that are removeable (just pressing down on them) and then run some air over it.

Also, I have a few A2091's, I'm just wondering which is "faster", the Hardframe or the A2091.  If HardFrame, then I'll stick with it.

I'll just get the SCSI 2 MicroSD.   Would be nice to use an actual hard drive, but this will do.

Thanks for all the replies folks!

[TheMagicM]

Yes, link you provided is to SCSI2SD V5. Should be good on any SCSI-1 or SCSI-2 controller.

Not sure if you mean Commodore A2620, but if so, apparaently you can get ROM upgrades to V7 to use Kickstart 2 and above.

If I get it working, I'll definitely do that. Thanks!

[Pat the Cat]

If the fault is the EPROM has gone bad - you will need to replace it anyway... Autoconfig runs code in expansion ROMs as part of startup-process.

If you know somebody with an EPROM programmer (local Makerspace, Hackerspace or Fab Lab) they could scan the one you have and verify it still gives out data.

Sometimes old expansions need a file or two copying to the Expansions drawer on old systems or again, system won't startup (I don't think it is that, just a heads up).

[TheMagicM]

If the fault is the EPROM has gone bad - you will need to replace it anyway... Autoconfig runs code in expansion ROMs as part of startup-process.

True, but I dont know if the A2620 has actual EPROMS.   But if it does, then I'll order new ones that you listed.  It'll be great if that works.

[Pat the Cat]

You probably already know about these people, but just in case you haven't heard of them (local to you);-

https://10bitworks.com/

[TheMagicM]

You probably already know about these people, but just in case you haven't heard of them (local to you);-

https://10bitworks.com/

Heard of them.. never been there before (too many hobbies, not enough time).   There's also a guy up in Round Rock (about, oh, 60-70 miles from me) that has a group that gets together and messes with Commodore stuff.  No BS'ing and drinking beer, reminiscing, but actual C= stuff, testing hardware, fixing hardware etc.  I'm going to go up there maybe this Sunday and bring my board.

Interesting you said that about the EEPROM on the A2620. I looked at the chips on the board..didnt want to peel off the sticker to see if it was an EEPROM, but if so, I can almost bet its probably shot.  I'd be as happy as a pig in shi* if thats what fixes it.

I also have an actual replacement SCSI hard drive that I can use in the meantime.   Now I need to dig up docs on how to use the Gotek USB floppy.  I completely forgot how to use it and I dont think I have docs.  :-/  Thats what I get for putting this stuff in my drawer and not messing with it.   Also have a A1200 that needs to be put together.