a577@mindlink.UUCP (Curt Sampson) (10/01/90)
> pwong@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu writes: > > The Toshiba docking station (called "DeskStation") should be available > sometime this month (or next month). It has TWO 16-bit full length > slots (16 bits because the DeskStation is supposed to be usable on T1200XE). Is there any reason that those 16 bit slots couldn't be used on the T1000SE/XE, too? It's got an 8086 (16 bit bus) rather than an 8088 (8 bit bus). I'm pretty sure that the built in hard-drive controller on my XE is 16 bit because of the transfer rate. (It transfers at about 475 KB/sec, which is in the AT speed range; typical XT speeds are 185 KB/sec.) cjs -- Curt_Sampson@mindlink.UUCP (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) {uunet|ubc-cs}!van-bc!rsoft!mindlink!Curt_Sampson Data: (604) 687-6736 Curt_Sampson@p0.f740.n153.z1.fidonet.org Voice: (604) 687-3227
pae@athena.mit.edu (Philip Earnhardt) (10/02/90)
I've been looking for a mechanism to connect a (non-portable) hard disk to my T1000SE for a while. I wanted to do this through the 100-pin connector to not tie up either the serial or parallel ports and to minimize data transfer latency that would be introduced by the interface. There appears to be a solution on the horizon! Connect Computer Company is now selling a product called WONUnder cradle, which provides a single 8-bit XT card slot. The company has successfully plugged in a variety of cards from VGA controllers to network cards. They also tried the Plus Hard Card, but it didn't work. They claimed that the T1000SE thought that there were already 2 hard drives on the machine and wouldn't configure a third. I've managed to avoid the Wonderful World of DOS Drivers for most of my career...does anyone have any ideas if this is something they can fix via a config change? Doesn't the T1000XE have the same ROM Disk/RAM Disk setup? Anyhow, CCC has shipped one of these beasties off to Toshiba. If a disk drive can be configured, they should figure out how to do it. Also, Toshiba's "official" docking station for the T1000SE is now available in Japan. It covers the entire back of the machine, so it must have pass-throughs for all of the connectors. The Japanese cost is a bit over $1000 US. Ouch! I believe that's for 3 8-bit slots. The WONUnder appears to cost around $300 on the street. There's on ad in the October issue of Computer Shopper that lists the WONUnder...Excel Micro on Page 208P. Anyhow, I'll keep in touch with CCC to see when they have figured out the hard disk configuration problem. This sounds like the cheapest way for someone to add "just one card" to their T1000SE. Phil Earnhardt Netwise, Inc. 2477 55th St. Boulder, CO 80301 Phone:303-442-8280 UUCP: onecom!wldrdg!pae My opinions do not reflect any official position of Netwise.
pwong@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu (Patrick Wong) (10/02/90)
In article <1990Oct2.005928.7722@athena.mit.edu> pae@athena.mit.edu (Philip Earnhardt) writes: >I've been looking for a mechanism to connect a (non-portable) hard disk to >my T1000SE for a while. I wanted to do this through the 100-pin connector >to not tie up either the serial or parallel ports and to minimize data >transfer latency that would be introduced by the interface. > Yes, it is possible. There is a product sold by Systems Peripherals Consultants (800-345-0824) in CA which consists of an adapter card to be plugged to the 100-pin connector, a ribbon cable to go from the card to the hard disk, and a power supply for the hard disk. > >There appears to be a solution on the horizon! Connect Computer Company is now >selling a product called WONUnder cradle, which provides a single 8-bit XT >card slot. The company has successfully plugged in a variety of cards from >VGA controllers to network cards. > Yes, I also contact them earlier and basically I found what you found about features and limitations of WONUnder box. > >They also tried the Plus Hard Card, but it didn't work. They claimed that >the T1000SE thought that there were already 2 hard drives on the machine and >wouldn't configure a third. I've managed to avoid the Wonderful World of >DOS Drivers for most of my career...does anyone have any ideas if this is >something they can fix via a config change? Doesn't the T1000XE have the same >ROM Disk/RAM Disk setup? > If all you need is just an ext. hard drive using the 100-pin connector, it is cheaper to buy an ext. hard drive than to buy any expansion chasis plus a hard card (assuming the expansion chasis works with hard card). (See the price below) > >Anyhow, CCC has shipped one of these beasties off to Toshiba. If a disk drive >can be configured, they should figure out how to do it. Also, Toshiba's >"official" docking station for the T1000SE is now available in Japan. It >covers the entire back of the machine, so it must have pass-throughs for >all of the connectors. The Japanese cost is a bit over $1000 US. Ouch! >I believe that's for 3 8-bit slots. The WONUnder appears to cost around >$300 on the street. There's on ad in the October issue of Computer Shopper >that lists the WONUnder...Excel Micro on Page 208P. > The Toshiba docking station (called "DeskStation") should be available sometime this month (or next month). It has TWO 16-bit full length slots (16 bits because the DeskStation is supposed to be usable on T1200XE). The list price is US$1199. Yet another company called Advent Products, Inc. is going to sell a expansion chasis with THREE full length slots (both an 8-bit and a 16-bit versions will be available) some time this month. The price will be $495 for the 8-bit and $595 (?) for the 16-bit. Their phone number is 714-630-0446 (in Anaheim, CA). They claim that they have no problem in using a PLUS hardcard in their box. > >Anyhow, I'll keep in touch with CCC to see when they have figured out the >hard disk configuration problem. This sounds like the cheapest way for >someone to add "just one card" to their T1000SE. > Anyway, going back to the issue of ext. hard drive (a cheaper solution in my opinion). This product (marketed by Systems Peripherals Consultants) is called Quickbrick(tm) and the price is $495 for 20 meg. and $695 for 40 meg. (The 20 meg. is out of stock last time I called). > >Phil Earnhardt Netwise, Inc. 2477 55th St. Boulder, CO 80301 >Phone:303-442-8280 UUCP: onecom!wldrdg!pae >My opinions do not reflect any official position of Netwise. Patrick Wong pcw@squid.graphics.cornell.edu Disclaimer: I have no connection with all the companies mentioned in the posting. I am just another guy interested in putting a T1000SE into good use.
pwong@batcomputer.tn.cornell.edu (Patrick Wong) (10/03/90)
In article <3378@mindlink.UUCP> a577@mindlink.UUCP (Curt Sampson) writes: > >Is there any reason that those 16 bit slots couldn't be used on the T1000SE/XE, >too? It's got an 8086 (16 bit bus) rather than an 8088 (8 bit bus). I'm >pretty sure that the built in hard-drive controller on my XE is 16 bit because >of the transfer rate. (It transfers at about 475 KB/sec, which is in the AT >speed range; typical XT speeds are 185 KB/sec.) > Sorry for the confusion ! I did not mean to imply that the DeskStation cannot be used on 1000SE/XE. In fact, the brochure explicitly says it is for all three models. Also, you are right that the bus on the machines is 16-bit. However, if I remember correctly, the Toshiba Tech person told me on the phone that one can only put 8-bit cards in DeskStation if the laptop to which it is connected is a 1000SE or 1000XE. But then again, a Tech person is not God. >cjs >-- >Curt_Sampson@mindlink.UUCP (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) >{uunet|ubc-cs}!van-bc!rsoft!mindlink!Curt_Sampson Data: (604) 687-6736 >Curt_Sampson@p0.f740.n153.z1.fidonet.org Voice: (604) 687-3227 Patrick Wong pcw@squid.graphics.cornell.edu
pae@athena.mit.edu (Philip Earnhardt) (10/04/90)
>Yes, it is possible. There is a product sold by Systems Peripherals >Consultants (800-345-0824) in CA which consists of an adapter card to >be plugged to the 100-pin connector, a ribbon cable to go from the card >to the hard disk, and a power supply for the hard disk. The 800 number has been disconnected; WATS information has no listing for Systems Peripherals Consultants. Could you please provide a current address or phone number for the company? >If all you need is just an ext. hard drive using the 100-pin connector, >it is cheaper to buy an ext. hard drive than to buy any expansion chasis >plus a hard card (assuming the expansion chasis works with hard card). >(See the price below) $595 for the Systems Peripherals 40MB drive is cheaper than the $300 plus $450 for the Connect Computer and a 40MB hard card. There may be some other factors. Plus is a successful company; their hard card products have high reliability. Service and exchange should be widely available. Both the slot and the hard card can be recycled. I like to support small, innovative companies, but there may be risk. Systems Peripherals Consultants' dropping of their WATS number is not a good omen. --phil (onecom!wldrdg!pae) I speak for myself.