Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!pt.cs.cmu.edu!k.gp.cs.cmu.edu!dpm
From: dpm@k.gp.cs.cmu.edu (David Maynard)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Packard Bell AT Hard Drive
Message-ID: <7558@pt.cs.cmu.edu>
Date: 13 Jan 90 17:44:03 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Carnegie-Mellon University, CS/RI
Lines: 27


While installing an expansion card in my Packard Bell AT clone, I discovered
that the system uses a 3.5" hard disk drive (40M) manufactured by Western
Digital.  Instead of the ST-506 control and data cables I was expecting,
there was a single 40-pin ribbon cable running from the motherboard to the
drive.  The drive itself has a 50pin header with 10 of the pins unused.

What interface is this?  The 50pin header would lead me to suspect SCSI, but
the 10 unused pins make me wonder.  The only hint in the manual is that the
system uses an "IDE" disk controller.

I tried calling Packard Bell Technical Support with NO LUCK!  I sat on hold
for 45 minutes each on 2 days and never got anyone to pick up the phone!  At
least they have a toll-free number.  I'm happy with the Packard Bell system,
but hope that I never really NEED technical support.

Thanks,
-David

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 David P. Maynard (dpm@cs.cmu.edu)
 Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
 Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA  15213
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 Any opinions expressed are mine only.  I haven't asked the ECE department
 or CMU what they think.
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