wrp@biochsn.acc.virginia.edu (William R. Pearson) (04/12/88)
I would like to continue my saga of the installation of an Everex 60 Mbyte streaming tape drive under Xenix. I have received three responses to my initial question, how do you install a Everex 60 Mbyte streaming tape drive with QIC02 controller under xenix. One of these was a call from SCO, the lady said that I needed to get the Mountain tape driver, which I did. It is marked "Fix# xnx071". Another kind individual told me that my controller/tape combination would work out of the box, and told me the IRQ vector, DMA, and address to use. A third person told me how to test if the tape drive could be installed. None of these options have worked. I talked to SCO this afternoon, and the lady (in tech support this time) said that SCO does not support Everex tape controllers, they are too slow, and you have to get a driver from Everex. (A slight change in the story now that I have spent the money). Apparently I am going to be forced to get the drivers from everex (the reason that I purchased the QIC02 controller in the first place was to avoid this), so once again, I ask the question: Has anyone gotten an everex QIC02 controller to work with Xenix286 version 2.2.1? Bill Pearson wrp@virginia.EDU
dyer@spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer) (04/12/88)
In article <333@hudson.acc.virginia.edu>, wrp@biochsn.acc.virginia.edu (William R. Pearson) writes: > I would like to continue my saga of the installation of an Everex 60 Mbyte > streaming tape drive under Xenix. If you had asked before hand, you'd have found out that SCO XENIX supports Wangtek and Archive tape units out-of-the-box, and if you had bought one of those, you wouldn't be posting now. -- Steve Dyer dyer@harvard.harvard.edu dyer@spdcc.COM aka {ihnp4,harvard,husc6,linus,ima,bbn,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
karl@ddsw1.UUCP (Karl Denninger) (04/13/88)
In article <831@spdcc.COM> dyer@spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer) writes: >In article <333@hudson.acc.virginia.edu>, wrp@biochsn.acc.virginia.edu (William R. Pearson) writes: >> I would like to continue my saga of the installation of an Everex 60 Mbyte >> streaming tape drive under Xenix. > >If you had asked before hand, you'd have found out that SCO XENIX >supports Wangtek and Archive tape units out-of-the-box, and if you >had bought one of those, you wouldn't be posting now. Or the Irwin 145 (40M on a DC2000, but it requires formatting). The Archive and Wangtek have the advantage of a 'tape' utility; we have a similar utility for Irwin 145 users and Xenix (it comes with the Irwin 145s we sell)... the only disadvantage I have seen with the Irwin is that you cannot make multiple "save sets" on the tape (ie: the tape is one big stream; you can only access it sequentially). We have a 145 here for backup and it works fine. The 145 is slower than the Archive or Wangtek in some circumstances, although most of the time the *disk* is slower than the tape... thus erasing any possible advantage for the "QIC" drives. The Irwin is less expensive, but it eats a floppy slot (our Televideo actually thinks there's a floppy there!) All three work out of the box... plug it in and run 'mkdev tape'; tell the config program what you have, reboot and you're done. ---- Karl Denninger | Data: +1 312 566-8912 Macro Computer Solutions, Inc. | Voice: +1 312 566-8910 ...ihnp4!ddsw1!karl | "Quality solutions for work or play"
davidsen@steinmetz.ge.com (William E. Davidsen Jr) (04/13/88)
In article <831@spdcc.COM> dyer@spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer) writes: | If you had asked before hand, you'd have found out that SCO XENIX | supports Wangtek and Archive tape units out-of-the-box, and if you | had bought one of those, you wouldn't be posting now. | -- | Steve Dyer | dyer@harvard.harvard.edu | dyer@spdcc.COM aka {ihnp4,harvard,husc6,linus,ima,bbn,m2c}!spdcc!dyer I have heard this claim before, and I would love to have a tape on my system. Unfortunately no one will tell me the make, model, or part number on the controller! I have called three Archive dealers, all disclaimed knowing what kind of controller was needed, but "it works real well with Xenix." I called SCO tech support, and they wanted a customer number. I'm trying to order this thing, I don't HAVE a customer number. I called SCO marketing and they couldn't seem to give me any useful information. I have one 386 now, and AT which will be upgraded to 386, and a new machine to order. Each has two hard disks of 80MB or more. I am really sick of floppy disks!!! Could someone tell me what type of controller to order? I wasn't going to post this question, but it seems as if others are having tape trouble, too. On the brighter side ==================== I have tried Xenix/386 with a Ws1006 (1:1 track buffered) disk controller and it works fine. Unfortunately as the load on the disk increases it works less fine until it's only 30% better than a standard controller. Works great on DOS, though. I hope to try an RLL 1:1 controller next, and would like any info. -- bill davidsen (wedu@ge-crd.arpa) {uunet | philabs | seismo}!steinmetz!crdos1!davidsen "Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me
dyer@spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer) (04/14/88)
In article <273@bby-bc.UUCP>, john@bby-bc.UUCP (john) writes: > Does this fellow really need to hear this from you? > > As it happens Everex drives are Wangtek drives. What matters is not just the drive, but the controller as well, since that is what presents itself to the device driver software. The Everex controller is not exactly the same as the Wangtek PC-36 controller, which has been certified as working "out of the box". -- Steve Dyer dyer@harvard.harvard.edu dyer@spdcc.COM aka {ihnp4,harvard,husc6,linus,ima,bbn,m2c}!spdcc!dyer
jack@turnkey.TCC.COM (Jack F. Vogel) (04/15/88)
In article <10383@steinmetz.ge.com> davidsen@crdos1.UUCP (bill davidsen) writes: > > I have heard this claim before, and I would love to have a tape on my >system. Unfortunately no one will tell me the make, model, or part >number on the controller! I have called three Archive dealers, all >disclaimed knowing what kind of controller was needed, but "it works >real well with Xenix." Bill, The controller you want is called the SC499 tape controller from Archive. You should not have been surprised that the dealers didn't know afterall when do they ever :-}. The SCO release notes also talk about a SC400 but the 499 is what we have and I guarantee it works out of the box! One thing to be careful of, Archive is now shipping a new half length controller (the 499 is full length), I do not know what they call it. Be forwarned, it DOES NOT work with the present Xenix drivers. In fact Archive even knew it didn't. I had a client who got a drive with one and it worked under DOS but not Xenix. Make sure you get the older full length 499. You might want to contact Archive directly. Otherwise send me some mail because there is a distributor here in Orange County that sells both internal and external versions. Best of luck, -- Jack F. Vogel Turnkey Computer Consultants, Costa Mesa, CA UUCP: ...{nosc|uunet}!turnkey!jack Internet: jack@turnkey.TCC.COM
john@bby-bc.UUCP (john) (04/15/88)
In article <850@spdcc.COM>, dyer@spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer) writes: > > > > As it happens Everex drives are Wangtek drives. > > What matters is not just the drive, but the controller as well, since Obviously. I assumed everyone (who cared) could then make the leap to: "gee, so if I can get a wangtek controller from somewhere it will work on my everex drive and the whole thing will work on xenix" > that is what presents itself to the device driver software. The Everex I think just about everyone who can manage to install their own peripherals realizes this.
sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) (04/15/88)
In article <831@spdcc.COM> dyer@spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer) writes: >In article <333@hudson.acc.virginia.edu>, wrp@biochsn.acc.virginia.edu (William R. Pearson) writes: >> I would like to continue my saga of the installation of an Everex 60 Mbyte >> streaming tape drive under Xenix. > >If you had asked before hand, you'd have found out that SCO XENIX >supports Wangtek and Archive tape units out-of-the-box, and if you >had bought one of those, you wouldn't be posting now. Or you at least have bought one with the right label! Bell Technologies sells this under their own name, with drivers for System V/286 or 386 and Xenix 286/386/SCO/IBM. Unfortunately for you, rumour has it they have very slightly modified the controller to allow their driver to distinguish their own version from the generic version to prevent anyone from pirating the software. -- {ihnp4!alberta!ubc-vision,uunet}!van-bc!Stuart.Lynne Vancouver,BC,604-937-7532
root@ispi.UUCP (Super user) (04/16/88)
In article <333@hudson.acc.virginia.edu> wrp@biochsn.acc.Virginia.EDU (William R. Pearson) writes: > > I would like to continue my saga of the installation of an >Everex 60 Mbyte streaming tape drive under Xenix. I have received >three responses to my initial question, how do you install a >Everex 60 Mbyte streaming tape drive with QIC02 controller under >xenix. One of these was a call from SCO, the lady said that I >needed to get the Mountain tape driver, which I did. It is marked >"Fix# xnx071". Another kind individual told me that my controller/tape >combination would work out of the box, and told me the IRQ vector, >DMA, and address to use. A third person told me how to test if the >tape drive could be installed. > > None of these options have worked. I talked to SCO this >afternoon, and the lady (in tech support this time) said that SCO >does not support Everex tape controllers, they are too slow, and >you have to get a driver from Everex. (A slight change in the story >now that I have spent the money). Apparently I am going to be forced >to get the drivers from everex (the reason that I purchased the >QIC02 controller in the first place was to avoid this), so once again, >I ask the question: > > Has anyone gotten an everex QIC02 controller to work with >Xenix286 version 2.2.1? > >Bill Pearson >wrp@virginia.EDU Bill, I have installed Everex tape drives on several Xenix systems, both 286 and 386. I found that there were only a few requirements: 1. The system must be running Xenix 2.2 or greater 2. The link kit must be installed 3. The tape must be configured using the "mkdev tape" script. 4. In the mkdev script, configure a cartridge tape drive 5. Set the tape parameters as follows: 1. Controller type 3 (type W) 2. DMA channel 1 3. Interrupt Vector 5 4. Base Address 0300H 6. Finish installing the system, set the tape card to the above addresses, install, and reboot the system using the new kernel. When the system boots up you should see a line on the screen indicating the tape drive is available. 7. Try accessing the tape drive using the tape device rct0. Be sure the tape drive is on and a non-write protected tape is in the drive. I have also installed a tape drive on a Xenix 2.1.3 system using the drivers supplied by Everex. It works, but GOD IS IT SLOW!! Jonathan B. Bayer Intelligent Software Products, Inc. Rockville Centre, NY uunet!ispi!root - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Vote for Nobody. Nobody can save the economy.
john@bby-bc.UUCP (john) (04/17/88)
In article <1710@van-bc.UUCP>, sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) writes: . . . > Bell Technologies sells this under their own name, with drivers for System > V/286 or 386 and Xenix 286/386/SCO/IBM. > > Unfortunately for you, rumour has it they have very slightly modified the > controller to allow their driver to distinguish their own version from the > generic version to prevent anyone from pirating the software. > This is true - I called them last year and asked about it and was told they do modify a gate array (as I recall) for just that purpose.
mdc@mcp.entity.com (Marty Connor) (04/18/88)
In article <10383@steinmetz.ge.com>, davidsen@steinmetz.ge.com (William E. Davidsen Jr) writes: > > I have heard this claim before, and I would love to have a tape on my > system. Unfortunately no one will tell me the make, model, or part > number on the controller! I have called three Archive dealers, all > disclaimed knowing what kind of controller was needed, but "it works > real well with Xenix." The WANGTEK 5099EK24 comes with a controller card in the box with the tape drive. Mine seem to cost about $750-$790 big ones. Seems to work ok on Wyse 386s and Compaq 386 and Compaq 286 with an inboard/386.
davidsen@steinmetz.ge.com (William E. Davidsen Jr) (04/19/88)
In article <178@turnkey.TCC.COM> jack@turnkey.TCC.COM (Jack F. Vogel) writes: | In article <10383@steinmetz.ge.com> I write: | > | > I have heard this claim before, and I would love to have a tape on my | >system. Unfortunately no one will tell me the make, model, or part | >number on the controller! I have called three Archive dealers, all | >disclaimed knowing what kind of controller was needed, but "it works | >real well with Xenix." | | Bill, | The controller you want is called the SC499 tape controller from | Archive. You should not have been surprised that the dealers didn't know | afterall when do they ever :-}. The SCO release notes also talk about a | SC400 but the 499 is what we have and I guarantee it works out of the | box! I played it safe and ordered the SC400 version. I would like to thank you, and all the other people who responded to this. I will certainly post my results when I get the drive installed, if only to say "it works." Although SCO didn't help on the phone, I did get info by Email from two people there. I guess they have a staffing problem with qualified people answering the phone. Thanks, guys. -- bill davidsen (wedu@ge-crd.arpa) {uunet | philabs | seismo}!steinmetz!crdos1!davidsen "Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me
keithe@tekgvs.TEK.COM (Keith Ericson) (04/19/88)
In article <1710@van-bc.UUCP> sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) writes: [regarding Bell Technologies tpae controllers & firmware] >Unfortunately for you, rumour has it they have very slightly modified the >controller to allow their driver to distinguish [it]... It's no rumor. It's fact. keith a line for the line counter, just in case... ...me, too
tankus@hsi.UUCP (Ed Tankus) (04/19/88)
I have a friend who is interested in a Mountain internal or external 60M tape
backup for use with DOS and, eventually, SCO. From what I understand, Mountain
slaps their name on either an Archive or Wangtek unit and sells it as their
own. The caveot here is you might get either one (can someone say one-potatoe
two-potatoe?). Anyway, has anyone tried the Mountain OEM flavors? Thanks.
Cheers!
-- Ed.
Net : {uunet,ihnp4,noao,yale}!hsi!tankus
Snail: Health Systems Int'l, 100 Broadway, New Haven, CT 06511
Bell : (203) 562-2101network@hgcvax.uucp (craig chaiken) (10/12/88)
I recently purchased a 40 meg streaming tape drive from Archive Corp.
The device works as advertised, but the software is too inflexible for
my needs. I decided to write my own drivers for the device, so I called
up the technical support division in an effort to get programming specs.
Unfortunately, they were totally uncooperative.
Does anyone have specs on the QIC-40 format used by this device?
Does anyone have any technical information about programming the
Archive-XL model 5540 1/4-inch streaming-tape drive?
Craig Chaiken
Hartford Graduate Center
Computing Servicesscott5@garfield.MUN.EDU (Douglas Scott Murphy) (10/29/88)
I would also like to have any info that would be helpful in writing a driver for an Archive 40M tape unit. Scott Murphy scott5@garfild.UUCP
davidsen@steinmetz.ge.com (William E. Davidsen Jr) (11/04/88)
In article <4969@garfield.MUN.EDU> scott5@garfield.UUCP (Douglas Scott Murphy) writes: | I would also like to have any info that would be helpful in | writing a driver for an Archive 40M tape unit. If that's the one which hangs off the floppy controller, I'm told that the standard drivers will handle it. I think you pretend it's a Maynard? I haven't tried it, but if this info is correct the price is right. -- bill davidsen (wedu@ge-crd.arpa) {uunet | philabs}!steinmetz!crdos1!davidsen "Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me