MCG2@Lehigh (12/12/90)
Has anyone ever replaced their HD on their PS/2 30-286? I have a 20
Meg Seagate HD (standard equipment) that's slow and full. I
desperately need to replace it.
I'd first of all like to know what kind of controller my machine uses.
The HD has rather slow access time. Is this due to a slow HD or a
crappy controller? I've heard stories from people who blame the HD,
stories from people who blame the controller for the speed problem.
If the controller is to blame for the speed problem, I would (try to)
replace the controller and the HD. If the slow speed is solely due to
the Seagate HD, I would obviuosly just replace that.
I can't do any of this if I can't identify the controller type, so any
info on this dilemma would be appreciated.
-Thanks!
-Marc.CES8@psuvm.psu.edu (12/15/90)
I have replaced the 20MB drive in the PS/2 30-286 with an 85MB Seagate
ST1096N SCSI drive. I used a Seagate ST-01 SCSI controller card (8-bit, but
cheap). The total cost was $377 for the drive and controller (plus shipping).
The installation was very simple, taking less than 30 minutes. I used
the skid plate from the old drive and I had to make a power cable since
the 30-286 does not have standard power connections for hard disks. The new
Seagate ST-01 controller (16KB ROM) has a power connector which simplifies
installation. I think that a 16-bit controller would yield better performance,
but it would also add an extra $100 to the price tag.
A similar upgrade can be made on PS/2's with the microchannel bus since
MCA SCSI controllers are available from several sources.
Also, the new hard disk could be placed in an external case with power
supply or mounted on a "drive on a card" frame if there is enough space
in the case.
C.E. Soares CES8@psuvm.psu.edu