tbm@cbnews.ATT.COM (thomas.b.merrick) (03/12/90)
The rapid evolution of PC's capabilities, combined with the large number of existing machines, makes the following question pertinent; related questions are appearing on the boards. To be specific, assume one has an AT class (-286) computer running DOS 3.2 or later; more general answers also welcome. 1. Is it possible to use two floppy controllers to handle more than two drives (most controlllers now are limited to two)? One should have a 1.2M, 1.44M/720k, and a 360 drive for full compatibility. If answer is no, why not; and if yes, how? 2. Is it possible to use two hard drive controllers together in the machine without conflict? The older MFM drives have slow access times and limited capacity, but it's a waste to discard them. Can an EDSI or SCSI controller co-exist with an MFM? If no, why not; if yes, how do you configure them (hardware and software)? I think many people will find answers to these questions helpful in making plans whether to upgrade a comfortable machine, or to "start over" (costly, learning curve, etc). Posted for C. F. Hampstead, ATT Bell Labs by T. B. Merrick ATT Bell Labs
deano@rpp386.cactus.org (Dean Carpenter) (03/13/90)
In article <14656@cbnews.ATT.COM> tbm@cbnews.ATT.COM (thomas.b.merrick,54234,wi,2n020,508 374 5575) writes: > >2. Is it possible to use two hard drive controllers together in the >machine without conflict? The older MFM drives have slow access times > Yes it is possible. At least with original IBM equipment that is. I've had a system working with 4 of the IBM XT controllers (made by Xebec) each controlling 2 drives. C: D: E: F: G: H: I: J: all at once under DOS 3.3 in a standard IBM XT with expansion unit. Was a blast having 8 drive LEDs ! It's a matter of playing with jumpers on the card to disable the ROM on all but one of them, and to set the other cards to different IO addresses. If people are seriously interested, mail me and I'll dig out the information, and I'll summarize the info if the volume warrants. -- Dean Carpenter ...cs.utexas.edu!bunyip!deano (preferred) ...cs.utexas.edu:ibmchs!auschs!ausvm1.vnet.ibm.com!deano (sometimes sporadic)