philba@microsoft.UUCP (Phil Barrett) (08/25/89)
I've been looking at the Seagate 4144R (120Mb HD) and WD 1006 1:1 RLL controller (I forget the exact number) as a really cost effective way to get 100Mb+ and decent performance. Does anyone out there use this combination? Does it work well? Is there a more cost effective way to get a large disk + 1:1 interleave? Prices I've seen lead me to believe I can get both for about $720, $6/Mb. I'm not looking for the cheapest but rather for a low cost, good quality deal. Is the 4144R a reliable device? I know there are people out there who think seagate quality is a contradiction in terms but I'm looking for facts on this specific drive and controller. If you have one running, were there any problems getting the BIOS recognize the drive type? (and just what *is* the drive type?) Also, is the 4144R really just an RLL version of the 4096 (80Mb seagate)? Is the 4096 RLL capable? Is anyone using this combo? The 4096 is about $50 cheaper. Probably not worth the risk, though. Emailed comments will be summarized to the net. Thanks, Phil Barrett Microsoft
davidsen@crdos1.crd.ge.COM (Wm E Davidsen Jr) (08/26/89)
In article <7505@microsoft.UUCP>, philba@microsoft.UUCP (Phil Barrett) writes: | Also, is the 4144R really just an RLL version of the 4096 (80Mb seagate)? | Is the 4096 RLL capable? Is anyone using this combo? The 4096 is about $50 | cheaper. Probably not worth the risk, though. The 4044R is a 4096 which has been tested for RLL. I have run a regular 4096 (actually about five on several machines) without incident. I have the 1006VSR2 (track buffered) and it is about three times faster than the Adaptek I replaced (2372?) under UNIX, DOS is about the same. I agree, if you can get the 4144 for only a few $ more I would spend that much. -- bill davidsen (davidsen@crdos1.crd.GE.COM -or- uunet!crdgw1!crdos1!davidsen) "The world is filled with fools. They blindly follow their so-called 'reason' in the face of the church and common sense. Any fool can see that the world is flat!" - anon
karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Karl Denninger) (08/30/89)
>Response 4 of 4 (5123) by philba at microsoft.UUCP on Wed 30 Aug 89 07:26 >[Phil Barrett] (23 lines) > >I've been looking at the Seagate 4144R (120Mb HD) and WD 1006 1:1 RLL >controller (I forget the exact number) as a really cost effective way >to get 100Mb+ and decent performance. > >Does anyone out there use this combination? Does it work well? Is there Yes, it works fine. The WD1006 is a real screamer too; you'll like it. We sell 'em and haven't had any problems at all. Do make sure you get correct setup info from your dealer however. ST4144Rs have a few quirks :-) These are especially important if you intend to use two drives on the board at once (ie: the 4144 and something else). Failure to get correct setup can make it appear as if one or both drives have failed or aren't working correctly when this is not the case. Specifically, make sure you have the jumpers on the board (drive) correct. If your dealer doesn't know what needs to be done, DONT BUY THERE. >were there any problems getting the BIOS recognize the drive type? (and >just what *is* the drive type?) Use the controller BIOS to set geometry, set the ROM disk type to ONE (1). Yep, that's right, one. The controller will do the rest for you. >Also, is the 4144R really just an RLL version of the 4096 (80Mb seagate)? >Is the 4096 RLL capable? Is anyone using this combo? The 4096 is about $50 >cheaper. Probably not worth the risk, though. Yes, it is just a RLL version of the 4096. SOME 4096s work fine as RLL Devices, but if you don't like to gamble, spend the extra $50. >Thanks, No problem! -- Karl Denninger (karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM, <well-connected>!ddsw1!karl) Public Access Data Line: [+1 312 566-8911], Voice: [+1 312 566-8910] Macro Computer Solutions, Inc. "Quality Solutions at a Fair Price"