Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!cs.utexas.edu!convex!mic!letni!utacfd!merch!cpe!adaptex!adaptx1!neese
From: neese@adaptx1.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.periphs.scsi
Subject: Re: Adaptec SCSI and OS/2
Message-ID: <283400098@adaptx1>
Date: 25 Apr 91 16:00:33 GMT
References: <8472@umd5.umd.edu>
Lines: 55
Nf-ID: #R:umd5.umd.edu:8472:adaptx1:283400098:000:2792
Nf-From: adaptx1.UUCP!neese    Apr 25 09:14:00 1991


>/* ---------- "Adaptec SCSI and OS/2" ---------- */
>I just got an Adaptec 1542B SCSI controller, and installed it
>last night.  To my dismay, the drivers were for OS/2 1.1, dated
>1989!!!  Figuring that the packaging was old, and there would
>be newer drivers on their BBS, I called their BBS long distance.
>The drivers I have turn out to be the latest they have.  Due
>to some delays as Microsoft, they haven't been able to release
>them and are talking about a June release date, according
>to the sysop in some messages that I scrolled through.  So those
>of you that had hoped to have HPFS running on an Adaptec right
>now will be dissappointed.  I got the Adaptec partially
>because of the driver support :-( not thinking that I would
>have to question what version of OS/2 it supported.
>
>My question is thus:  is this an Adaptec problem, or is it
>an IBM/MS OS/2 driver support problem?  The sysop hinted
>that they were waiting for MS to release a standard SCSI
>interface (shades of Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (ASPI))
>??  Are there other SCSI boards out there that support OS/2 1.3?

Here's the story.  We are indeed waiting for the LADDR spec to settle down
before we release the LADDR drivers for OS/2.
But if you have gotten IBM OS/2 1.3 these will not help you anyway.  IBM
has removed all the LADDR hooks ffrom thier version of OS/2.  So until
IBM decides to put in the LADDR hooks, there is a good chance Adaptec
products will not function under IBM OS/2.  We have worked very closely
with MS on the LADDR stuff and do not want to risk a premature release
of the drivers.  You wouldn't want that either.

>Is June a realistic date?? Should I return the Adaptec and go
>to Future Domain, WD, etc. for better support?  

There is one thing you should know about Adaptec.  We are not in this business
for the short haul.  Our solutions are usually not the first ones out the door.
For instance, we will not release a Novelle driver until Novelle has completed
certification of it.  Most companies are not willing to wait the 1 to 3 months
for this, but we are.
LADDR is in the same boat.  Until everyone involved is happy with LADDR, we
will not ship a product.  Nobody would like to see it finalized more than us,
but we will bite the bullet and wait.  Personally, I applaud MS's efforts
in this area and throw stones at IBM for taking it out.

>I have no problems with the hardware... it seems to coexist
>just fine with my MFM HD/FD controller, and it functions
>under DOS/Windows w/o problems.  I also liked the amount
>of technical info they gave in their manuals, including
>a quick install guide. 

Thanks for the comments.

			Roy Neese
			Adaptec Senior SCSI Applications Engineer
			UUCP @  neese@adaptex
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