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From: rainer@boulder.Colorado.EDU (Rainer Malzbender)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Subject: Re: MV II Hardware help
Keywords: RD54 Maxtor 2190
Message-ID: <27699@boulder.Colorado.EDU>
Date: 7 Oct 90 20:10:39 GMT
References: <8791@pitt.UUCP> <1990Oct6.023655.585@spcvxb.spc.edu> <6670@tekgen.BV.TEK.COM>
Sender: news@boulder.Colorado.EDU
Reply-To: rainer@boulder.Colorado.EDU (Rainer Malzbender)
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Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Lines: 29

In article <6670@tekgen.BV.TEK.COM> mike@raven.uss.tek.com (Mike Ewan) writes:
>In article <1990Oct6.023655.585@spcvxb.spc.edu> terry@spcvxb.spc.edu (Terry Kennedy, Operations Mgr) writes:
>[...]
>>at the used dealers 8-). The RD54 (Maxtor XT-2190), RD31 (Seagate ST-
>>225) and RD32 (Seagate ST251-1) are only supported on the RQDX3.
>
>Okay.  I have a Maxtor XT-2190 out of a non-DEC system, and would
>like to use it in my uVAX-II.  However, our hardware guys say it
>needs a factory format.  Is this true?  I currently have an RQDX2
>controller but could scrounge up an RQDX3.
> ...

I am currently dealing with this very issue. Here's the scoop as I know it:
an RQDX3 can handle the Maxtor 2190 (RD54), but it has to be a later
revision controller. I was told it has to be rev F3 or later (ours is C3).
I tried to do the format with our controller, with no success. By the way,
you have to get your hands on a special diagnostic tape to do the formatting.
You can upgrade an existing RQDX3 by replacing two chips: calling DEC will
result in them telling you this has to be done by a field service guy or by
sending in the board. After much calling I found out you can order the parts
from Dec Direct, but you have to tell them they are unlisted parts. The
part numbers are 23-339E5-00 and 23-340E5-00. You can call Part Number
Assistance at 603-884-5000 to verify this, that's how I found out. We just
placed the order and haven't actually done the upgrade, so I can't comment
on how it works.
--
Rainer Malzbender                  "Ben, where are the hickory sticks?"
Dept. of Physics                                       -T.P.
U. of Colorado, Boulder