Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!indri!nic.MR.NET!shamash!com50!pwcs!stag!dynasoft!john From: dynasoft!john@stag.UUCP (John Stanley) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Low cost solution to short cable/noise problems??? Message-ID: <0406892355260743@dynasoft.UUCP> Date: 7 May 89 04:55:26 GMT Reply-To: dynasoft!john@stag.UUCP (John Stanley) Organization: DynaSoft Systems, Minneapolis, MN. Lines: 45 X-Member-Of: STdNET (ST Developer's Network) In comp.sys.atari.st, Daniel A. Glasser writes... > I have a rather old Supra 20 meg drive which contains a 3.5" SCSI > hard disk, a power supply and a Supra AHDI to SCSI board. The drive ..etc...etc...etc.. (about short drive cables) > someone else would have done it a long time ago... So... Has anyone > out there tried this approach? I'd rather not set off on a course > which may damage my system without checking around first to see if it > is a valid one. The ICD host adaptor I'm using is in a small box (1" x 4" x 6") with a cable coming out both ends. One cable goes to my ST and is about 2ft long. The other, which runs to a harddisk drive-box with a power supply, is about 6ft long (but I could have ordered it in a longer length). The power for the adaptor comes thru the cable from the power supply in the drive-box so I only needed one extra outlet and it didn't need to be right next to the ST. I'm very happy with this new setup. I can put my drives anywhere within 7 feet of my ST which gives me plenty of places where it's out of the way, off my small compuer desk, and someplace where the noise isn't as obvious. Cautionary Note: I got this setup from Tech-Specialities. I have no idea if this is the standard configuration if you buy directly thru ICD. I've inspected the hardware and it's superb, but when I ordered the hard disk and host adaptor I made it clear that I needed it asap. They agreed to get it to me in 6 weeks. I can't fault their workmanship, but I can't recommend them to everyone because they were 4 weeks late with delivery, gave excuse after excuse for the delays, and when I returned the drive mechinism (NOT a problem with their hardware) for repair (next day UPS) they took over a week before they even opened the box (I called and asked...). I've heard similar stories from other people who have delt with them. (ie. They're slower than frozen molasses, but their prices are good and so is their hardware.) -Only- order from them if you're willing to -wait- (and wait, and wait, and...). Also be warned that they delay (at least) 10 days for personal checks to clear and they don't accept credit card orders... --- John Stanley Software Consultant / Dynasoft Systems