pb@computer-lab.cambridge.ac.uk (Postmaster) (09/22/89)
A quick warning for any of you out there who "customer install" an internal hard disc in a Sun 3/80 (and maybe other configurations). Although all the SCSI connectors on the mother board have locating slots, none of the objects which plug into have corresponding lugs. For the cables, this only really means that you can insert them the wrong way up. However the neat little SCIS terminator which some of them use is a more serious problem. It is narrower than the motherboard connector and if located by looking at one side of the connnector only, it will quite happily sit one pin off centre. When power is applied, smoke pours out of the machine, and there is a possibility that it may cause damage to the mother board as well as the terminator. Sun is aware of this, but until they bring out a fix, I advise users to look VERY CAREFULLY at the terminator before applying power.