Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!ncis.llnl.gov!helios.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!ucbvax!hplabs!hpl-opus!hpccc!samc
From: samc@hpccc.HP.COM (Samuel Chau)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Perstor PS180-16F HD Controller Problem
Message-ID: <5060046@hpccc.HP.COM>
Date: 20 Jan 89 18:15:59 GMT
References: <638@cimcor.mn.org>
Organization: HP Corporate Computing Center
Lines: 25

>HOWEVER - There seems to be a problem with writing.  My hard disk activity
>light flashes on when I do a copy, for example, and then goes off for a few
>seconds, then flashes on again, then stays off for a few seconds before I
>get the DOS prompt.  Copying a measily 178 KByte file takes about 6 seconds!
>
>When copying multiple files to a floppy disk, the floppy disk activity
>light goes out between files.

>Anybody have any idea what might be happening?

Sounds to me like a strange timeout problem.  Perstor does have a new BIOS
for the PS180-16F.  According to their technical assistance, the new BIOS
"traps reset calls", and just might fix your problem.  I was warned that a
low-level re-format may be necessary to accomodate the new ROM.

Give Ted Buck a call at (602) 991-5451.  Specifically mention your 386
motherboard hardware and hard drive.  My copy of the new BIOS is expected
to arrive today.  It costs $25, less if you return your old ROM.  I opted
to keep the existing BIOS ROM in case the new one has other problems.  I'll
post again when I have the details.

Sam Chau
NSG/STD Cupertino  42LA
samc@hpcup13
(408) 447-0238