Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!nrl-cmf!ames!ptsfa!hoptoad!academ!killer!fmayhar
From: fmayhar@killer.UUCP (Frank Mayhar)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: RLL controllers
Message-ID: <2028@killer.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 7-Nov-87 13:54:29 EST
Article-I.D.: killer.2028
Posted: Sat Nov  7 13:54:29 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Nov-87 07:11:49 EST
References: <3230@xanth.UUCP>
Reply-To: fmayhar@killer.UUCP (Frank Mayhar)
Distribution: na
Organization: The Unix(tm) Connection BBS, Dallas, Tx
Lines: 32
Keywords: Seagate 20/30 Meg drives/RLL controllers.
Summary: Not particularly reliable, but *cheap*.

In article <3230@xanth.UUCP> kahn@xanth.UUCP (Gary I Kahn) writes:
>Does anyone have any comments about the effects of Adaptec (sp?) RLL
>controllers on drive life, drive reliability, or data file safety?
>I'm considering buying a Seagate drive/controller package from PC Connection.
>They offer both a 20 Meg and a 30 Meg (RLL) package, and I'm having trouble
>deciding.  The major factor would be a loss of reliability, or some other
>degradation of the system.  Thanks in advance.

Back last July I bought an Adaptec 2070A RLL controller with a Seagate ST238
drive, from National Dataproducts in Glendale.  Within two weeks I was bitten by
the Seagate stepper problem (the drive can't find track 0).  I took the drive
back, and they promptly replaced it.  A month later the controller started 
giving read errors when it got warm.  I could only use it for about fifteen
minutes at a time.  According to the technician at National Dataproducts, the
controller I had had the temperature problem fixed (it was a problem on the
earlier boards), but he replaced it anyway.  Since then I haven't had any
problems (knock on wood), but I also don't have any of the hardware I started
with in July.  Since the whole thing only cost me about $350, and the people I
bought it from stand behind their products, I don't have any real complaints,
but if you want a really reliable hard disk system, DON'T buy Adaptec/Seagate.
Get something somewhat more expensive and a whole lot more reliable.  On the
other hand, if you're like me and can't spend very much money, it's probably
worth the price.  Incidentally, the same combination that I got is still on
sale at National Dataproducts for about $50 less than I gave for it.

Hope this helps you make your decision.

-- 
Frank Mayhar        UUCP: ..!{ihnp4,dj3b1}!killer!fmayhar
                    ARPA: Frank-Mayhar%ladc@BCO-MULTICS.ARPA
                    USmail: 680 Grand Ave #201 Long Beach, CA 90814
                    DeathStarNet: (213) 438-7899