jason@cbmami.UUCP (Jason Goldberg) (01/23/91)
I know that it has come up, several times that the A2091 has problems in
using multiple drives. I have heard that the problems stem from a bad
Western Digital chip. Is it true that Western Digital has no plans to
replace this chip?
I have also heard here, that you can resolve the problem by turning of
reselection. Well, this does help, but it doesn't solve the problem
completely. I have two identical Segate drives on my A2091 with reselection
off and everything works great. However, if I try to add a different speed
drive (like a Quantum) in addition to the Segates (with reselection turned
off on the controller software), then I experience lock-ups when trying to
access both drives simultaneously. I have found that the problem is very
repeatable with any two drives with different access speeds, if I try to
back up from any fast drive to one of my Segates, forget it!
It seems obvious to me that either CBM has received a replacement
Western Digital chip OR they have found a way compensate for the existing
chip in their own firmware. I base this assumption on the fact that the
SCSI controller in the A3000 (which supposedly uses the exact same design)
does not have any multi-drive difficulties.
My problem is that CBM has apparently worked out some sort of fix for
the A3000, but according to at least 4 different CBM service centers I have
spoken to, they have not provided any way to fix the existing A2091. When
I asked why, one dealer speculated that CBM would not release any fix for
the A2091 until the vast majority of them had passed our of their 1 year
warranty period. Now I can't believe that CBM would do this (at least I
hope not!) and further, I would assume that since the bug has obviously
been their since before the warranty expired, and since the bug clearly
prevents the controller from functioning as advertised that CBM would be
obligated to perform the correction on any A2091 regardless of age.
Scott or Dave (or any other CBM employee out their), I know that you
guys don't make the policy and that you try to put out the best product
possible. I would just like to know if the A3000 does represent a
solution to the A2091 problem, and if you are aware of any plans to offer
a fix for existing A2091's, for free or for a cost.
Thanks very much,
-Jason-
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Jason Goldberg UUCP: ucsd!serene!cbmami!jason
Del Mar, CA