Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!udel!rochester!rit!ultb!clf3678
From: clf3678@ultb.UUCP (C.L. Freemesser)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: HARD DRIVES FOR STs
Summary: Do it yourself and save bucks
Message-ID: <1381@ultb.UUCP>
Date: 7 Oct 89 01:03:17 GMT
References: <8910050648.AA01585@cie.uoregon.edu>
Reply-To: clf3678@ultb.UUCP (C.L. Freemesser)
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology, Information Systems
Lines: 54

In article <8910050648.AA01585@cie.uoregon.edu> scott@CIE.UOREGON.EDU writes:
>
>	I have an Atari 1040ST. I want a hard disk. I don't want to
>	spend lots of money. I want lots of Megabytes. Lots.

(rest deleted) 

With an ST, there are 3 basic things you need:

1) Hard disk - you can use EITHER a generic ST506/412, or sometimes
referred to as as a PC hard disk, OR an SCSI drive.  The main difference
is that the first has no controller built in.  The second already has
the needed SCSI controller.

2) controller - if you use an ST506/412 drive, you need a SCSI
controller.  There are a few different kinds, but the Adaptek 4000
series is probably the best.  Most controllers will let you hook up two
hard disk mechanisms, which is an advantage over a hard disk with an
embedded SCSI controller.  However, you have an extra PC board to mount.
If you want to expand your drive later, a separate controller is the way
to go.

3) ST interface - goes from the controller to the ST.  Berkeley, ICD,
and Supra make such interfaces.

My personal preferences for each item:

1) Seagate hard disk mechs.  They are recognized as the best.
2) Adaptek 4000A controller.  Quite popular from what I gather.  There
   is also the Adaptek 4000 controller, but this older version will NOT
   support removable media hard disks.  However, the 4000 is cheaper.
3) ICD Host Adapter.  I like them, and everybody I know uses one.

I recently put together a hard disk for my father.  Got a Seagate ST-225
20 meg hard disk, Adaptek 4000 controller (NOT 4000A), and an ICD Host
Adapter.  Put it in a PC/XT case, used a PC power supply.  Cost him
$350.  Considering Atari wants $200 more for their 20 megger, the
savings is quite large.

You will also need 3 cables.  First, you need a 20 pin card edge ->
header to go from the hard disk to controller, a 34 pin card -> card to
go from hard disk to controller, and a 50 pin header -> header to go
from the controller to the ST interface.  The interface will come with
the 19 pin DMA cable.  If you get a drive with an embedded SCSI
controller, you only need the 50 pin cable.

Hope ALL this helps.



Chris Freemesser, Rochester Institute of Technology | What I like :
BITNET: %clf3678@RITVAX   GEnie: C.FREEMESSER       | 1) My Atari ST
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Call the ACORN BBS (716)436-3078, 300/1200 baud     | 3) Coke Classic