OT - SCSI Guru Help NEEDED! Please

[BadThad]

I have an IBM Ultrastar 37GB, UW160, 10,000 RPM drive for a new system I'm building. I'm new to SCSI so I came here for some help. I don't want to use RAID, I can't afford another one of these drives. The only device I want to connect is this hdd. What is the best adapter to use? So far the Adaptec 19160 looks like the best choice. Any other opinions on options? Also, anyone have any idea how these handle a cranked up PCI bus?

EDIT - Here's a link to the drive: IBM Ultra Star 36LZX

On Topic - This is for my new SETI rig! P4-1.8a, pray for at least 2.6 GHz. I've been buying good components for the makings of a sub-three hour wu system, Asus P4B266-C, 512MB Corsair XMS2700 CAS2, SCSI HDD, etc. I have everything I need except for a RAID card.

Help me my brothers!

 

[n0cmonkey]

The adaptec should be fine, but depending on the OS y ou may want to look into a tekram controller. They are generally cheaper and as good or better in performance.

 

[BadThad]

Thanks for the reply! The Tekram's look pretty good, nice tip. What is LVD and SE in the SCSI lingo?

Tekram Link

Are all the 64-bit PCI adapters backwards compatible with 32-bit PCI?

Can someone explain this: Interface - Ultra 160 SCSI/FCAL, Ultra160+SCSI (Fiber Channel? Is that different from U160 SCSI?)

 

[Crazee]

Normally I would agree with the recommendation for the Tekram controllers, however in U160 they only make a dual channel controller so it would cost more than the 19160.

Checking around, it looks like for you want to do the 19160 is going to be the best fit.

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< Normally I would agree with the recommendation for the Tekram controllers, however in U160 they only make a dual channel controller so it would cost more than the 19160.

Checking around, it looks like for you want to do the 19160 is going to be the best fit. >>



Thanks for the tip! I dont pay attention to the tekram controllers since they are of limited use on my platform...

 

[BadThad]

The 19160 has an external interface. Does it need to be terminated?

EDIT - Thanks Crazee! Yea, the Tekram runs a bit higher. What about the Adaptec 29160N?

 

[AlphaStrike1]

I used both a 29160 card and now an onboard version which is the same chip thats in the 39160 (dual channel) and have been exploring getting another card for another rig. In my case I would have to go with the Tekram version because 1)it's cheaper 2)a lot of the adaptec versions out there are a bare card w/o the cable which can run a pretty penny by themselves, whereas the Tekram includes them. 3)The Tekram performs on par with the Adaptec cards. I usually get all my scsi stuff from Hypermicro They are quick shipping, priced better than most and I've never gotten a bad unit from them. If you need a review to look up here is one at GamePC and another at Storage Review If you decide to get your stuff from hypermicro use the link in storage review to get free shipping which you can usually find in one of thier ads. If you got any more questions just PM or post it up here.

 

[BadThad]

AlphaStrike1 - Thank you so much! Very helpful links and info, I'm learning a lot about SCSI from those links. I feel so dumb after only using IDE all these years. I don't see it on the IBM site, but this drive uses the 68-pin interface, correct?

 

[SoulAssassin]

<< Thanks for the reply! The Tekram's look pretty good, nice tip. What is LVD and SE in the SCSI lingo?



<<

Low Voltage Differential...and to answer from another post...no, the external doesn't need to be terminated.

 

[m2kewl]

I am using the Tekram 390u3w which I got from Hypermicro. Awesome card, cheaper then Adaptec 29160, and I also have your hard drive connected model to it, the 18gb and 33gb versions - runs great.

These drives are battled tested (we use them at work) and I got them second hand (with 3 yrs left on warranty). It's been through many hours of Divx work - so far no rma yet. I will say pretty reliable.

 

[Baldy18]

I have a Tekram and am satisfied with it. I have never used an Adaptec though since I can't afford them.

 

[ishmael2k]

I am running the 19160 and it is a great card. I got it for ~$90 not to long ago.

To help a little: (Bear in mind that I am a relative newbie to SCSI)

LVD= Low Voltage Differential, you will need to run your hard drive with an LVD cable to actually see the 160 potential.

SE=Single Ended, this another mode for scsi drives, peaks at 80. (I think) Most (Not all) LVD drives will run in SE mode, either automatically or by being forced through jumpers. Most SE drives have provisions for on the drive termination.

One thing to remember, U160 LVD drives do not have onboard termination so the cable will need to have termination (Active preferably) on it.

You can run an LVD drive on a non LVD cable, it will need to be forced (Again either automatically or by jumpers) to SE mode.

I had an Adaptec 2940U2W and was running my current drive (Quantum Atlas 10k 36g U160) on it with no problems, I also had a 9g IBM LZX (Same drive as you have, just smaller) on there as extra storage, also with no problems. They both showed as 80 (U2W) drives on the 2940U2W.

Got the chance to go to the 19160 and noticed quite an improvement in performance.

One thing I have noticed (Having had both Tekrams and Adaptecs) the Adaptecs seem to be a little easier (For me anyway) to get up and running.

Only problem I have had, and it is probably me, is when first installing the OS (W2KPro) for some reason it will not recognize my U160 card, even when using F6 to add manufacturers drivers.. I end up using a second scsi card (2940UW) which is recognized automatically by W2K and installing the os with the drive connected to that. I then install the drivers for the 19160 card (Which I leave on the m/b) from inside W2K, shut down and switch over to the 19160. After this everything works great.

I have had to do this 3-4 times with different m/bs and have yet to figure out why.

So to answer your question, (Finally ) I would go for the 19160 and I am sure you will be happy.

Rob

Again, I am fairly new at SCSI and so if I have mis-spoke anything please correct me.

 

[AlphaStrike1]

<< I don't see it on the IBM site, but this drive uses the 68-pin interface, correct? >>



Most models of scsi drives come with both an 80 as well as a 68 pin version and the your model is no exception, although trying to track the exact subversion of that model isn't easy on thier site. Even if you do have an 80 pin, all you have to do it get an adapter. If you want a good guide that goes into depth here is a good site. I think you'll really be happy with scsi once you get it down. You kinda get addicted to it. An expensive addiction though. I ended up getting a cheetah 36 gig x-15. Those large games load up very quickly! Quite a bit faster than the ata/100 drive I have in another box.

BTW- Well put ishmael2k!

 

[BadThad]

Well....I knew you guys would help me! Big thanks to each one of you.

I've decided to go for the Tekram DC-390U3W from HyperMicro (thanks alphastrike 1). It seems to be the best bang for the buck and it comes with all the cables/terminators/etc. I need.

Thanks Again!

 

[BadThad]

SCSI card is on the way...woooohoooo! When it gets here I will continue the build process.

Alright, I'm taking bets! hehehehe How long is it going to take this rig to crunch a SETI wu assuming I can hit my 2.6GHz goal?

My New Rig

 

[m2kewl]

You gonna have a butt-kicking rig

 

[ishmael2k]

Nice rig!!

One word of warning, the journey you are about to embark on, down the dark and twisted path of SCSI, will leave you with an unending thirst for more speed....


Soon you will begin to upgrade all of your pcs to the scsi standard... There is no stopping...

Rb

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< Nice rig!!

One word of warning, the journey you are about to embark on, down the dark and twisted path of SCSI, will leave you with an unending thirst for more speed....


Soon you will begin to upgrade all of your pcs to the scsi standard... There is no stopping...

Rb >>



Stop! My wallet is getting scared

 

[BadThad]

hahaha...thanks for the warning Rob.

 

[ishmael2k]

I speak only from experience Luke.. err Badthad.

I started innocently enough, bought an Imation External 8x20 CDR, was planning on re-selling it for a few bucks. Once I got it and saw all the great reviews it was getting I decided to try it, just to make sure it worked...

Well once I dropped that bad old 2930U in my machine I was hooked... I now have an Adaptec 19160 in my office machine, hooked to the following: Quantum Atlas 10k 36g U160, External Plextor 8x20 (Told you they are great burners!) and a 2g Jaz.

I also have an Adaptec 2940U2W in my home machine hooked to: 2-Quantum 9.1 Atlas2 7200rpm UW (I really need to upgrade these to U2W), Plextor 12432 CDRW. I had a Plex 32x UltraPlex but it got flakey on me.

I am planning to move the 2 9gs and replace them with one 18g U2W (Or bigger) as soon as I can afford it. I t gets in your blood....


Rb

 

[BadThad]

HELP!!!

I got the Tekram DC-390U3W sitting here. The manual is wrong! It shows only 2 jumpers for setting the PC64/32 bit....but there are 3 jumpers. By default it's set:

JP2 - ON
JP1- 1-2 ON (it has 3 pins 1-2-3)
JP3 - OFF (no documentation in manuals or on-line)

I'm putting this into a 32-bit PCI. How do I set it?

The manual is also confusing about the cable. Should my drive to on the END or in the MIDDLE? They included an active terminator so I do know that will go wherever the hdd doesn't, duh. Also, does anyone know if this IBM has "internal termination"...the manual says that LVD devices have internal termination disabled by default and you cannot change it.

arggggg...the PAIN!

 

[Russ]

In most cases if a manual doesn't mention a third jumper in a block, it's there for future changes and can safely be ignored (left at default). As for cable termination, I did not use the active termination, just let the hard drives handle it. I have two systems running dual IBM LVDs on Tekram 390U2Ws.

Russ, NCNE

 

[BadThad]

I only have one hard drive connected.

How to set it for 32-bit PCI? Jumper 2 has me baffled!!

 

[m2kewl]

badthad - YGPM

 

[Baldy18]

JP2 and JP1 should both have 2 pins and neither of them should have a jumper on them. That is what I get from the online documentation. Also I would put the drive ont eh end of the cable and terminate it on the drive if the drive does so (I don't know much about U160 devices since I can't afford them).