parke@star.enet.dec.com (12/08/89)
I have a VENDEX Headstart-III (AT Clone) which comes with a 32MB 28ms MFM drive. I have used all (3) of the expansion ports and wish to increase my hard disk capacity. I noticed that the controller card for the Hard disk has an empty connector which leaves me with the following questions: 1) Does anyone know if the connector is for a second hard drive? If it is, the drive would have to be mounted outside of the box as the Headstart box has no additional room. 2) Has anyone replaced the 32MB half height drive with a larger capacisy MFM half height drive (I have seen 80MB units) or would there be power supply problems with the larger drive ? 3) Assuming someone has done this, is there any additional software needed to support the expanded configuration ? Sorry to be a PC illiterate, but I need to have something I don't know }8-)} Early thanks for your help, Bill
jrp@rducky.uucp (JIM PICKERING) (12/08/89)
In article <6694@shlump.nac.dec.com> you write:
:I have a VENDEX Headstart-III (AT Clone) which comes with a
:32MB 28ms MFM drive. I have used all (3) of the expansion
:ports and wish to increase my hard disk capacity.
:
:I noticed that the controller card for the Hard disk has an
:empty connector which leaves me with the following questions:
:
:1) Does anyone know if the connector is for a second hard drive?
It is.
:
: If it is, the drive would have to be mounted outside of the
: box as the Headstart box has no additional room.
:
I currently have a second 32 mb drive mounted on a 'hard card'
holder hovering over the motherboard. If you do this, leave
the case off. The Headstart III is far too cramped in design, and
you can expect heat problems.
I would replace your Seagate ST138 drive as soon as possible. This has
to be the worst excuse for a hard drive ever made. Of the 30 drives
we have, about 10 are dead or dying. Some came dead from the factory.
The most common problem is 'sticky' heads. All of these drives are
less than a year old.
:2) Has anyone replaced the 32MB half height drive with a larger
: capacisy MFM half height drive (I have seen 80MB units) or
: would there be power supply problems with the larger drive ?
:
The Headstart III is a little weak on the power supply end, but you
you should be able to use a 80 mb drive.
:3) Assuming someone has done this, is there any additional
: software needed to support the expanded configuration ?
:
None, except when you either replace your hard drive or add another,
be sure to low level format it at 1:1 interleave. The controller
supports it.
:Sorry to be a PC illiterate, but I need to have something
:I don't know }8-)}
:
: Early thanks for your help,
: Bill
If you have any other questions regarding the Headstart III, let me
know. The company I work for contracted out the design of that
machine, and I have had alpha, beta, and final release machines
on my desk at one time or another.
jim
--
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