SCSI HELP! Terminator???

[TorinoGT24]

Hello everyone. I just got my new scsi hard drive, an adaptec 2940u2w, and an 80 to 68 pin adapter. I am going to use this for my operating system. It is a seagate 10k rpm 9 gig. Also, I am using windows xp. I have been reading on the forums that I will most likely need a terminator, though I have no idea what that is. Can anyone help to explain what that is, and anything else I might need in order to get my scsi set up going? Your help is greatly appreciated.

-Collin-

 

[ethebubbeth]

It is a resistor that prevents the crosstalk caused by a bounced back signal. SCSI devices need a terminating resistor at both ends of the chain. Often the adaptor will have a terminator built in to cover it's end (it should be the last device on the chain) that you can set with jumpers, although it should be on by default. Sometimes a device like a hard drive will have its own built in terminator but usually you will need to buy one and add it to the end of the chain. Too bad they tend to cost a fortune =/

 

[resinboy]

scsi has the advantage of adding a bunch of drives to the "chain", however you need to tell the controller " hey, that's it, I have no more than these couple of drives hooked up". It's kinda like a signal path that needs to go from the controller, to the drives, then back to the controller again. If you don't "terminate" the chain, it's like leaving the end of the loop open, and the signal can't make it's way back to be recognized. ( probably a crude explanation, but I think close to what you are asking).

 

[TorinoGT24]

Great, thanks for the help guys. My scsi cable has provisions for two devices, so I put the terminator onto the end plug. Is there anything I should know about booting now with windows xp? I have read many forums about unsuccessful booting. This will be my primary drive. Also, I don't reconize any of the jumper settings on the hd like on my ide. There really isnt a primary or slave is there? Should I just leave the jumper where it came? Once again, thanks for the help everyone....otherwise, I'd be lost!

-Collin-

Just for chit chat purposes, have you guys checked out the price of scsi drives on ebay???? I got a 9.2 GB seagate cheetah with a 4mb buffer and 10k rpm for 10 bucks!!! Picked up the adaptec controller for it for another 20. 10 bucks for the round scsi cable. Is it just me, or is 40 bucks a hell of a deal for a scsi setup?!?!?!?!

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: TorinoGT24

Just for chit chat purposes, have you guys checked out the price of scsi drives on ebay???? I got a 9.2 GB seagate cheetah with a 4mb buffer and 10k rpm for 10 bucks!!! Picked up the adaptec controller for it for another 20. 10 bucks for the round scsi cable. Is it just me, or is 40 bucks a hell of a deal for a scsi setup?!?!?!?!

I bought an LSU U160 host adapter, refurbed 18GB 10K drive, cable, and terminator for $150, which I thought was good.

The host adapter you have is older (which isn't always bad), but it's not Ultra 160 or 320. That's why it's less expensive.

 

[resinboy]

plug the terminator into the end of the cable, boot up, press whatever key you need to, to access the bios of the scsi card, and check your config. Make sure your HD id# is 1 or 2: if not, change the jumpers and try again.