Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cwjcc!hal!ncoast!fmsystm!macy From: macy@fmsystm.UUCP (Macy Hallock) Newsgroups: comp.unix.xenix Subject: Re: Adaptec 2372 RLL with Seagate ST-4096 MFM Keywords: rll Message-ID: <20@fmsystm.UUCP> Date: 21 Jul 89 14:05:44 GMT References: <227@holmes.home.nwu.edu> Reply-To: macy@fmsystm.UUCP (Macy Hallock) Organization: F M Systems Medina, Ohio USA Lines: 45 In article <227@holmes.home.nwu.edu> matt@holmes.home.nwu.edu (Matthew Larson) writes: >I'm running SCO 386 XENIX 2.3.2 with a Seagate ST-4096 80 megabyte hard disk >and I'm considering trying to run it RLL with an Adaptec 2372 controller. We have used the 2372 with SCO Xenix 2.2.1 and 2.3.1 with excellent results on several machines. I prefer the original 2372 (AT size card) over the current 2372B, becasue I like the setup program in the card bios better. >Is it bad news to try to run MFM drives RLL, or does it depend on the >particular drive? Has anyone tried the 4096? Does anyone have an RLL >that they like better than the 2372? And, finally, are there any >XENIX repercussions of using an RLL controller that I should know about? Seagate gests testy about running RLL on a disk they have released as MFM. I'm told it voids the warranty and they will not repair it under any circumstances, warranty or not (but who uses Seagate for out of warranty repairs, anyway?). It should be noted that I am no fan of Seagate, but this is not intended to be a flame of Seagate. I have had good success running MFM disks on the Adaptec 2372 RLL controller. I suggest you do some intensive disk testing before you place the disk in service, such as several destructive scans using SCO disk initialization routines. Personally, what I do is set up the disk for DOS and use Prime Solutions Disk Technician Advanced to perform several "monthly" tests (very thorough) and then print out the error reports. These reports are then used to spare out the bad sectors in a re-setup of the disk, then SCO Xenix is installed. I have cut my disk errors considerably with this procedure on several machines (both DOS and Xenix). Note: Xenix and DOS will not live on the disk together if the disk is 1024 cylinders or more uithout some special considerations. I cannot personlly vouch for the 4096, I have not used them. My only real problem with the Adaptec 2372 is they are often in short supply. You can use the 2370 and an separate floppy controller anyway. We have tested the 2370/2372 in a two controller setup in SCO Xenix 2.3.X with execellent result (just set the jumpers on the second controller correctly). We have stopped using WD controllers and now specify the 2372/2370 as our standard product issue. Macy Hallock fmsystm!macy@NCoast.ORG F M Systems, Inc. hal!ncoast!fmsystm!macy 150 Highland Dr. uunet!aablue!fmsystm!macy Medina, OH 44256 Voice: 216-723-3000 X251 Disclaimer: My advice is worth what you paid for it. Your milage may vary.