Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!weaver
From: weaver@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (Andrew Weaver)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: ST hard disk prices..:-(
Message-ID: <8185@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu>
Date: 12 Mar 88 05:22:10 GMT
References: <409@ole.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: OSU College of Business...where the fun starts
Lines: 43

In article <409@ole.UUCP> deep@ole.UUCP (Pradeep Chilka) writes:
>Why oh why does Atari charge an arm and a leg for their hard 
>disk drives ~600-800 when I can get a 20MB hard disk for an AT 
>for less than $300? 

	True, Atari in its collective infinite wisdom charges way too
much for its drives.  However, there _are_ alternatives.  Take it from
one who found out!  You can be saved from Atari's collective greed by
finding your favorite 20Mb (or 30Mb or higher) hard drive mechanism, some
available for under $250 retail via mail order or even less used, and
purchasing the Berkeley Microsystems BMS-100 ASCI to SCSI converter
board.  This, along with a SCSI to ST506 converter board, allows you
to attach industry standard hard drive mechanisms to your ST.  I think
the BMS-100 board is around $125 by itself, or $250 with the SCSI to
ST506 board.  I mention that these are available separately because
there are cheaper SCSI-to-ST506 converter boards. (<$100 from what I
have heard.)  

	The point is, if you can find a decently priced mechanism, from
$200 to $300, you can come up with a hard drive for less than what Atari
charges.  Of course, you also need a power supply and a smidgen of
technological prowess (or just plain bravado :-) and you can have a cheapo
hard drive.

	The hitch here is finding a reasonable drive.  You can hunt
around: if there are computer repair places near where you are, they
may be able to point you to a good source.

	I bought the boards and hooked them to a 20Mb MiniScribe drive, and
I have had no problems with it.

Disclaimer:  I don't work or have any financial affiliation with BMS,
	     other than being a satisfied customer.  ('Course, I won't
	     refuse any compensation offered as a result of my... oh,
	     who am I kidding anyway?)



-- 
Andrew Weaver 				          weaver@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu
OSU College of Business				  soon:    weaver@osu-pisa.UUCP

"What's the watermelon do?"   "I'll tell you later."    -- from Buckaroo Banzai