Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!rex!rouge!lar From: lar@pc.usl.edu (Robert, Lane A.) Newsgroups: comp.periphs.scsi Subject: Re: Comments on 269n wanted... Message-ID: Date: 1 Mar 91 15:45:09 GMT References: <1991Feb27.200007.2439@ibmpcug.co.uk> Sender: anon@rouge.usl.edu Reply-To: lar@usl.edu (Robert, Lane A.) Organization: Univ. of Southwestern LA, Lafayette Lines: 26 In-reply-to: hdrw@ibmpcug.co.uk's message of 27 Feb 91 20:00:07 GMT hdrw@ibmpcug.co.uk (Howard Winter) writes: Coretest gives performance figures: Average seek time 31.5mS, track-to- track seek: 10.8mS. Data transfer 310Kb/Sec, Performance factor 3.5 XT. I have heard this drive described as 'famously brain-damaged' and that it cannot be formatted at 1:1 interleave. I understand this is because its SCSI controller (on the drive, not the card) cannot handle it. I've been told that there are some firmware revs that don't work properly at 1:1, but the one I have hooked to my Amiga works great at 1:1. It gives about 650KB/sec on reads, and 450-500KB/sec on writes. I don't know what your budget is like, but I would try to get the best drive affordable, not just the best value per byte, which is why I got the 296 in the first place. I don't regret buying it (about a year ago) but nowadays there is better to be had. I'll second that thought. I purchased mine in September of 1989; at the time it was the best/largest/fastest SCSI drive I could afford. But now, there are better/larger/faster drives available for less money. Seems like I remember reading that a Quantum 105 MB drive can be had now for about $350 US; at that price I may just find the use for one! Lane lar@usl.edu