dwex@cbnewsj.att.com (david.e.wexelblat) (05/26/90)
What is peoples' opinion of vertically-mounted floppy drives these days? In days of yore, most drives were vertical, but for the last 10 years or so, all floppies I have seen have been mounted horizontally. The reason I am asking is that I am planning on adding a 3.5" drive to my 3b1. Jameco sells a cabinet, with power supply and cabling, for 2 half-height drives (mounted vertically). I was thinking about putting the existing 5.25" and the new 3.5" drive in the same cabinet, and mounting the drive-select switch on the cabinet. Please email your responses. If anyone else gives a hoot, I will summarize to the net. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- David Wexelblat | dwex@mtgzx.att.com | They recommended AT&T Bell Laboratories | ...!att!mtgzx!dwex | euthanasia 200 Laurel Ave - 4B-421 | | For nonconformists Middletown, NJ 07748 | (201) 957-5871 | everywhere
mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) (05/28/90)
In article <1990May25.184349.24830@cbnewsj.att.com> dwex@cbnewsj.att.com (david.e.wexelblat) writes: >What is peoples' opinion of vertically-mounted floppy drives these days? >In days of yore, most drives were vertical, but for the last 10 years or so, >all floppies I have seen have been mounted horizontally. For those of you that were at the 3b1 BOF at the last usenix, you probably saw the case I designed for my 3b1. In my case, I mounted the drives (a 5.25" and 3.5") vertically in it. Personally, I think drives are much easier to use when mounted vertcially since I don't have to twist my hand as much when inserting the disk. Either that or I'm just used to it from my 'ole CP/M days when almost all the systems had disks mounted vertically (I skipped the DOS era so I was never forced to change :-). >The reason I am asking is that I am planning on adding a 3.5" drive to my >3b1. Jameco sells a cabinet, with power supply and cabling, for 2 half-height >drives (mounted vertically). I was thinking about putting the existing >5.25" and the new 3.5" drive in the same cabinet, and mounting the drive-select >switch on the cabinet. Sounds like a good idea but what are you going to do with the empty slot where the 5.25" drive used to be? You may also want to put the drive select switch in the plastic panel of the 5.25" drive, that's what I did. This way you can flip it one way for the 5.25" and the other way for the 3.5". -- Managing a software development team | Mark Dapoz is a lot like being on the psychiatric | mdapoz%hybrid@cs.toronto.edu ward. -Mitch Kapor, San Jose Mercury | ...uunet!mnetor!hybrid!mdapoz
rhaar@rcsac1.uucp (Bob Haar CS50) (05/29/90)
In article <1990May28.010513.3392@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: >For those of you that were at the 3b1 BOF at the last usenix, you probably >saw the case I designed for my 3b1. In my case, I mounted the drives (a 5.25" >and 3.5") vertically in it. How about posting a description of this new case? I, for one, would be interested in re-packaging my 7300 and would like to discuss some of the options. I am planning to build some custom furniture for my study to include my UNIX-pc and printer. I would like to get the main body of the UNIX-pc off the desk top. Some questions: 1) Can the monitor be removed from the case and run via some extension cable/ Any noise problems with this? Alternatively, can the video output be run to a composite video monitor? 2) Does anyone know how to get an extension cable for the keyboard other than splicing in some wires? 3) are there any problems with moving the floppy drive to a seperate box? 4) If I do move the floppy drive out, can I put a second hard drive in its place? (assuming the second drive mod and a 3b1 power supply) 5) Might there be any temperature problems with putting the 7300 into an enclosed cabinet ? -- Bob Haar CSNET: HAAR@GMR.COM UUCP: uunet!edsews!rphroy!rcsac1!rhaar Computer Science Dept., G.M. Research Laboratories DISCLAIMER: Unless indicated otherwise, everything in this note is personal opinion, not an official statement of General Motors Corp.
mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) (05/31/90)
In article <23640@rphroy.UUCP> rhaar@rcsac1.UUCP (Bob Haar CS50) writes: >In article <1990May28.010513.3392@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: >>For those of you that were at the 3b1 BOF at the last usenix, you probably >>saw the case I designed for my 3b1. In my case, I mounted the drives (a 5.25" >>and 3.5") vertically in it. > >How about posting a description of this new case? I, for one, would be >interested in re-packaging my 7300 and would like to discuss some >of the options. Ok, I have the plans in PostScript format so I'll build a shar file and post them separately. >I am planning to build some custom furniture for my study to include >my UNIX-pc and printer. I would like to get the main body of the >UNIX-pc off the desk top. So did I, except I only went as far as moving it off to the filing cabinet beside my desk. I suppose with long enough cables you could move it to the floor. >1) Can the monitor be removed from the case and run via some extension >cable/ Any noise problems with this? Alternatively, can the video >output be run to a composite video monitor? I took the monitor off the main unit and now have it sitting on my desk. I just used the existing cable that was there except I built a little extention cable to allow me to plug the monitor into the case instead of the motherboard. The extension cable is only a few centimeters long so it didn't add much to the total length. I think the 3B1 video signal has some special timing characteristics which makes it incompatible with a composite (or TTL) monitor. A quick look in the Tech Ref manual should clarify it. >2) Does anyone know how to get an extension cable for the keyboard other >than splicing in some wires? I canibalized an extra keyboard I had in order to get one of the nice locking connectors that the keyboard uses. Inside the case I just used standard berg connectors and some wire to build an extension cable which allowed me to put the keyboard connector on the left side of the case. >3) are there any problems with moving the floppy drive to a seperate >box? Nope, my other 3B1 is using one right now since the internal one died. >4) If I do move the floppy drive out, can I put a second hard drive >in its place? (assuming the second drive mod and a 3b1 power supply) Yes you can, I did, but be aware that the 3B1 power supply can't really handle the load which two hard drives put on it. Take it from experience, I blew a 3B1 power supply after trying to do just that (it worked for about a month though :-). I now have my two drives being powered by an additional 300W power supply which is also in the new case. >5) Might there be any temperature problems with putting the 7300 into >an enclosed cabinet ? Heh heh, oh yea :-). I have two Maxtor XT1140's in the enclosed case and they seem to be in competition with my furnace :-). I had to go to a 4.5" 120V boxer fan in order to get enough airflow through the case so that my drives (and power supplies) didn't burn themselves up. It's quite a bit louder now than when I had the small 3" fan in there, but the components stay *very* cool. -- Managing a software development team | Mark Dapoz is a lot like being on the psychiatric | mdapoz%hybrid@cs.toronto.edu ward. -Mitch Kapor, San Jose Mercury | ...uunet!mnetor!hybrid!mdapoz
mvadh@cbnews.att.com (andrew.d.hay) (06/01/90)
In article <1990May31.035625.18728@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: "In article <23640@rphroy.UUCP> rhaar@rcsac1.UUCP (Bob Haar CS50) writes: ">In article <1990May28.010513.3392@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: ">4) If I do move the floppy drive out, can I put a second hard drive ">in its place? (assuming the second drive mod and a 3b1 power supply) " "Yes you can, I did, but be aware that the 3B1 power supply can't really "handle the load which two hard drives put on it. Take it from experience, "I blew a 3B1 power supply after trying to do just that (it worked for "about a month though :-). I now have my two drives being powered by "an additional 300W power supply which is also in the new case. it depends on just what drives you have in mind... the computer shopper had a big feature on hard drives a few months ago. one of the columns in their *very*complete* table of models was power rating; it showed miniscribe 67Mb drives at 29w, ex-cdc wren-II hh 40Mb (my present drive) at 18w, and ex-cdc swift (3.5") 88Mb at 9w. i plan to install two of these in my 7300, just as soon as i can get up the money... i have no quarrel with mark's *real* argument, that you must observe the power supply's rating, which is 12v@5a for the 3b1 (anyone know what else draws 12v?). just be aware that drive power consumption varies *widely*! -- Andrew Hay +------------------------------------------------------+ Ragged Individualist | But I thought we were *ALL* iconoclasts! | AT&T-BL Ward Hill MA | I was just trying to fit in!!! | a.d.hay@att.com +------------------------------------------------------+
jlw@lzga.ATT.COM (Joe Wood) (06/01/90)
In article <1990May31.035625.18728@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: >In article <23640@rphroy.UUCP> rhaar@rcsac1.UUCP (Bob Haar CS50) writes: >>In article <1990May28.010513.3392@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: >>>For those of you that were at the 3b1 BOF at the last usenix, you probably >>>saw the case I designed for my 3b1. In my case, I mounted the drives (a 5.25" >>>and 3.5") vertically in it. >> >>How about posting a description of this new case? I, for one, would be >>interested in re-packaging my 7300 and would like to discuss some >>of the options. > > >>2) Does anyone know how to get an extension cable for the keyboard other >>than splicing in some wires? > >I canibalized an extra keyboard I had in order to get one of the nice locking >connectors that the keyboard uses. Inside the case I just used standard berg >connectors and some wire to build an extension cable which allowed me to >put the keyboard connector on the left side of the case. > A much more elegant solution would be to order a longer cable from the manufacturer as I did. DuPont Corporation Connector Systems 515 Fishing Creek Road New Cumberland, PA 17070 Order the following: 81610-001 Convergent Assembly but to extend 10 feet color = white I forgot to specify the color on one order and got black. My quote was for $20 each in small (~10) quantities. No, I don't have any more left. Joe Wood jlw@lzga.ATT.COM
bdb@becker.UUCP (Bruce Becker) (06/03/90)
In article <1990May31.035625.18728@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: |[...] |Yes you can, I did, but be aware that the 3B1 power supply can't really |handle the load which two hard drives put on it. Take it from experience, |I blew a 3B1 power supply after trying to do just that (it worked for |about a month though :-). I now have my two drives being powered by |an additional 300W power supply which is also in the new case. I think Mark had a spot of bad luck - I've been running 2 drives on a 3B1 power supply for months, without a hint of trouble. Thee drives are large Maxtors (1105 & 2190). The supply seems to run slightly hotter, but the top of the 3B1 case doesn't seem too warm... -- ,u, Bruce Becker Toronto, Ontario a /i/ Internet: bdb@becker.UUCP, bruce@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu `\o\-e UUCP: ...!uunet!mnetor!becker!bdb _< /_ "I still have my phil-os-o-phy" - Meredith Monk
mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) (06/04/90)
In article <14063@becker.UUCP> bdb@becker.UUCP (Bruce Becker) writes: >In article <1990May31.035625.18728@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: >|[...] > I think Mark had a spot of bad luck - > I've been running 2 drives on a 3B1 > power supply for months, without a > hint of trouble. Thee drives are large > Maxtors (1105 & 2190). The supply seems > to run slightly hotter, but the top of > the 3B1 case doesn't seem too warm... But Bruce, you only have one card installed, a combo card with no memory on it. I have a combo card with 1.5 meg, voice card and tape drive. You'd be surprised how much of a load those cards can add to the machine, especially the voice card. Let's see what happens when you add the 1.5 meg of ram on the combo card (you have an extra power supply right :-). -- Managing a software development team | Mark Dapoz is a lot like being on the psychiatric | mdapoz%hybrid@cs.toronto.edu ward. -Mitch Kapor, San Jose Mercury | ...uunet!mnetor!hybrid!mdapoz
bdb@becker.UUCP (Bruce Becker) (06/04/90)
In article <1990Jun3.202319.16565@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: |In article <14063@becker.UUCP> bdb@becker.UUCP (Bruce Becker) writes: |>In article <1990May31.035625.18728@hybrid.UUCP> mdapoz@hybrid.UUCP (Mark Dapoz) writes: |>|[...] |> I think Mark had a spot of bad luck - |> I've been running 2 drives on a 3B1 |> power supply for months, without a |> hint of trouble. Thee drives are large |> Maxtors (1105 & 2190). The supply seems |> to run slightly hotter, but the top of |> the 3B1 case doesn't seem too warm... | |But Bruce, you only have one card installed, a combo card with no memory |on it. I have a combo card with 1.5 meg, voice card and tape drive. You'd |be surprised how much of a load those cards can add to the machine, especially |the voice card. Let's see what happens when you add the 1.5 meg of ram on |the combo card (you have an extra power supply right :-). Actually the combo card has 0.5 meg on it. I suppose the needed extra 1.0 meg of memory will stress the supply more, but somehow I am not worried (perhaps foolishly?). The 3B1 supply ought to still be within its published ratings... Cheers, -- ,u, Bruce Becker Toronto, Ontario a /i/ Internet: bdb@becker.UUCP, bruce@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu `\o\-e UUCP: ...!uunet!mnetor!becker!bdb _< /_ "I still have my phil-os-o-phy" - Meredith Monk
yarvin-norman@CS.YALE.EDU (Norman Yarvin) (06/05/90)
In article <1990Jun1.100533.7951@cbnews.att.com> mvadh@cbnews.att.com (andrew.d.hay) writes: >i have no quarrel with mark's *real* argument, that you must observe >the power supply's rating, which is 12v@5a for the 3b1 (anyone know >what else draws 12v?). The fan uses 12V. I don't know how much, but I've replaced mine with an AC fan. The 3b1's power supply is one of the major points of failure, and it may pay off to take load off it. Also, the new fan pumps more air, as well as being louder. I'd bet that some of the modem circuitry also uses 12V. Norman Yarvin yarvin-norman@cs.yale.edu
murphyn@motcid.UUCP (Neal P. Murphy) (06/05/90)
mvadh@cbnews.att.com (andrew.d.hay) writes:
: the power supply's rating, which is 12v@5a for the 3b1 (anyone know
: what else draws 12v?). just be aware that drive power consumption
I believe the monitor uses some 12V, and I *know* that EIA-232 uses
+/- 12V
NPN