Re: Apple //e HD question

[nathan@visi.com (Nathan Mates)]

In article <01bc69d7$8fd02800$2a880fcf@chesster.pcl.net>,
Jason Whorton <chesster@pcl.net> wrote:
>Hello.  I am considering purchasing a HD for my Apple //e.  Does anyone
>have any comments on the Apple HD40SC or HD80SC?

   As long as they're in working condition, should be fine. With any drive
that old, I'd make sure I did a good low-level format of it with bad block
check.

>I have an IBM 320MB SCSI hard drive that might be available for use
>as a hard drive in my //e.

   The major problem with SCSI drives on a //e is that ProDOS
partitions are limited to 32MB each, and that ProDOS is limited to 14
devices max, with 5.25" drives and anything else counting against
that. HFS is not available as a choice for partitions on the
//e. Thus, there's an effective maximum usable size for HDs on a //e.
The 320MB drive is just about that size if you've got a few other
devices in the system.

>What would be necessary to convert it to use for my Apple //e?

   SCSI card, then just reformat/repartition it. SCSI does not *need*
any extra driver partitions on the drive when implemented normally; Macs
are the oddball for requiring such partitions. 

>Also, I understand that I would have to get a SCSI card in order to
>do this.  Which card would be best suited for this purpose?

   Either the Apple HS SCSI or RamFAST rev C will work
fine. Sequential's now only mostly selling the rev D, so you're likely
to have to look for one uses. The RamFAST is much fsater, but most
likely more expensive.

Nathan Mates
--
<*> Nathan Mates http://www.visi.com/~nathan/      <*>
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