Re: Problem connecting Wangtek 5125ES tape drive to Apple HS SCSI card

[gtolar@blkbox.com (Glynne Tolar)]

Jeffrey Robertson (jeffr@bnr.ca) wrote:
: Hi:

: I just received a Wangtek 5125ES SCSI tape drive that I bought from
: someone on the net.  He assured me it that it would work with the Apple
: High Speed SCSI card in my IIgs.  (He used a RamFast card to drive it,
: but a friend used a HS SCSI card to drive the similar 5150ES drive.)

I'd say the guy is full of it.  The only tape drive the GS system 
software supports is the Apple Tape Drive 40SC.  Now if there ware 
drivers for it that would be another story.

: I've been unable to get my system to recognize the drive, however,
: so I'm posting this in hopes of getting some insights.  Here's the
: deal:

: I'm using the "Archiver" program to identify the drive.  (ie. I try
: to restore a backup, and click the Device button until the tape
: drive shows up.)

As I said, the driver (SCSITAPE.DRIVER) only reconizes Apple's drive.

: I've taken all my other SCSI devices off the card, to avoid SCSI ID
: conflicts  (the tape drive doesn't seem to have an ID selector).
: The Wangtek has only 1 50-pin connector.  I've tried connecting to
: it both with and without an external SCSI terminator.  No dice.

: I have access to an old Apple 40SC tape drive, so I tried connecting
: it in the same way as the Wangtek, and my system _does_ recognize it.
: For this reason, I'm pretty sure it is a problem with the Wangtek.

Right, also note Archiver is buggy and I'd not trust it to my data.

: I'm using a ROM 01 IIgs, running System 6.0.1.  The only SCSI drivers
: I have are the ones that came with Sys601.  Is there a 3rd party
: driver that I need?

: Any help is greatly appreciated.

Well, it is not a total wash.  You have two solutions, both will cost money:

1) You can get GSTape.  It sells for $35 from the auther.  It is MUCH 
better and more reliable then Apple's Archiver.

His address is:

Tim Grams
P.O. Box 462283
Garland, TX  75046-2283
(214) 495,7675

2) Get a RamFAST SCSI card.  It has built-in backup software (volume 
backup) and in background.  However the latest ROM has a restore bug!  
You'ld have to get an older ROM.  (and loose CD-ROM support)  That is, if 
you have one.  This will cost $140+.

Be more careful when buying on the net.