iav1917%ritcv@cs.rit.edu (alan i. vymetalik) (01/09/89)
In article <832@sdcc15.ucsd.edu> scoughlan@ucsd.edu writes: >I have a Digital RD53 (85meg) hard disk that I would like to use in >my Rainbow. Does anyone know if this is possible? All I have is the >hard disk itself. Will the DEC Rainbow hard disk controller work >with this disk, or will I have to go to a third party vendor for the >controller? Any help would be appreciated. > Thanks in advance, > Sean Coughlan > scoughlan@ucsd.edu You don't happen to have any extras for free, do you?? The RD53 (which is really a Micropolis 1325D in disguise) is a 71Mb drive which formats to around 67MB on the Rainbow. Does it work with DEC's controller? YES? In fact, the Rainbow's controller handles ST506 drives from 5Mb to about 128Mb. The RD54 (190Mb unformatted) has some trouble, but I've heard of someone who's done it. However, you need Suitable Solution's DOS 3.10 and you only get 4 partitions of 32Mb each. So, go right ahead and use the drive. You may have to cut a piece of the plastic on the cable connecting to the larger of the two edge connectors on the drive. It isn't a perfect fit otherwise. You'll need DOS 3.10 from Suitable Solutions (or a pirated version of the earlier Digital DOS 3.10 - which was never released by Digital). By the way, if you want to check out one of the larger DEC Rainbow BBSs, call The Hitchhiker's Guide at 1-315-589-7361. The SysOP is Fritz Howard and his 100B is running with an RD53. Tell him I sent you and ask about his experiences with the drive. As for myself, I am satisified with my RD52 drive (33Mb formatted) on my 100B. BUT, if anyone has an extra RD53 they can spare, give me a shout! Enjoy, Alan Physical Mail: uucp: Alan I. Vymetalik {allegro|seismo}!rochester!ritcv!iav1917 Prism Software Designs BITNET: 8 Barn Swallow Lane aiv1917@ritvaxb Rochester, New York, USA Flames: 14624-4650, 716-889-2904 {pyramid}!etnad!lleh!sedah!aiv1917 Non-Standard Disclaimer: The above statements and opinions are the exclusive property of the author. Any resemblance to actual statements found in temporal reality is simply a case of pure coincidence. And, as always, the above opinions and suggestions have absolutely nothing to do with the little, fat man putting crisp, $100 bills in my pocket.