Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc:45081 comp.os.minix:9329
Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!trwind!venice!ries
From: ries@venice.SEDD.TRW.COM (Marc Ries)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.os.minix
Subject: Re: Embedded AT - IDE interface...
Message-ID: <328@venice.SEDD.TRW.COM>
Date: 23 Feb 90 17:24:45 GMT
References: <1625@crash.cts.com>
Reply-To: ries@venice.sedd.trw.com (Marc Ries)
Organization: TRW Systems Engineering & Development Division, Redondo Beach, CA
Lines: 38

In article <1625@crash.cts.com> jca@pnet01.cts.com (John C. Archambeau) writes:
->Where can I get the specs on this hard drive interface?  I am considering
->buying an ALR PowerFlex and putting a Conner CP-3104 (3.5", 104 Mb, IDE) drive
->off of it.  What I'm wondering is how different is an IDE interface in terms
->of software compatability from an ST412/506 drive?  I know SCO Xenix 386 will
->run after the PowerFlex has the 386SX card put in it since all ALR machines
->are certified by SCO, so that's no problem.  But what if I'm tinkering with
->something like Minix?  Do I need to rewrite the hard disk driver?  If so,
->where do I get the specs for the IDE interface?
->
->Also, can anybody please give me the specs on the IDE interface such as data
->transfer rate?  Is it better or just as good as ST412/506?
-> 

  As someone just pointed out, this issue of Computer Shopper is devoted
  to Hard Drives.  If I remember it correctly, the article mentioned that
  IDE used RLL logic, but the smarts are in the hard-disk itself and the
  connector interface is a 40-pin type, usually on the AT/XT motherboard
  (although they said you can purchase a bus IDE "adaptor" if you want IDE
  and there are no  motherboard connectors).

  I have a PowerFlex and ALR has said they specifically support the Conner
  CP-3104 (since the 40Mb disk as standard equipment is also a Conner).
  Supposidly, the only thing you have to do is dip-switch the units to
  indicate master and slave relationships.

  I suggest just calling up ALR -- they seem to have very knowledgable
  techsupport and sales support.

  BTW: They best price I have seen so far (after going 1/2 through Computer
  shopper) is from from an outfit in CO. --  they have the bare CP-3104
  for $620.

-- 
Marc Ries
           ries@venice.sedd.trw.com     (ARPA)
           somewhere!trwind!venice!ries (UUCP)
           #include <std.disclaimer>