[comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware] VGA and HD choices

ant@brolga.cc.uq.oz.au (Anthony Murdoch) (06/17/91)

Hi Netters,

I posted a query along this line a little while ago, but I didn't get any
replies that really helped me (most were os2 knockers).

I have to get a 386 based machine for testing LAN Manager as a server and
then later it is to be used as my machine for maintaining LM if we
eventually decide to get it.  There are two points that I have to be sure
on - namely which hard disk to get and which VGA card to get.

  HD - First of all I would like the system to be able to run both a 100 Mb
       (minimum) HD that will come with the system as well as a 40 Mb MFM
       drive (with controller) that I have sitting around doing nothing.
       This means that I will either have to get an MFM disk with the
       system or a SCSI controller that can work with am MFM controller.

       I have been talking to a technician friend about a SCSI controller
       that his business supports, namely the "Always SCSI" controllerr.
       He has been telling me that this controller never requires any
       drivers because it boots up like an XT hard disk.  He also claims
       that he has successfully had one of these controllers running with
       and MFM controller at the same time and that he had no problems
       getting it to work ("it worked first time").  Has anyone heard
       anything about these controllers - has anyone had the success thatt
       my friend has had ?

       The other major point of course is that it must be supported by
       OS/2.  If this "Always" controller boots up without drivers, then I
       assume that there won't be any problems with the support ?!?

 VGA - I need to get a good VGA card that is supported by almost
       everything - esp. Windows and OS/2.  My first thoughts go to either
       Paradise or Trident as they are both popular cards.  Are both of
       these supported by OS/2 v1.3 ???  I assume they will be supported
       by OS/2 v2.

Thanx in advance for any information you can send me.

ant

  V   ant                       "I killed Laura Palmer"
 \o/  ant@brolga.cc.uq.oz.au
 -O-  Anthony Murdoch           Prentice Centre
 /0\  Phone (07) 36 54078       University of Qld