HD Chain problems

[nathan@cco.caltech.edu (Nathan Mates)]

After returning from summer vacation, I tried to unpack my IIGS, but I found
that the RamFAST can't find anything on the SCSI bus. Here's the symptoms:

- When I turn the computer on, the RamFAST waits a few seconds, then puts up
its "Searching; this may take up to 45 seconds", then I get the sliding apple
after some time.

- If I go into the Ramfast utils, and tell it to search for everything, it
seems to wait a bit (during which time the access light on the floptical
blinks once or twice) then can't find anything either.

Here's my system configuration:
Rom 1 IIGS with 4.125 MB ram
RamFAST rev C (256K) with Rom 3.01a
40 MB Quality Computers HD (internally terminated), scsi ID=6
Tulin Tech. Floptical, not terminated (before HD on chain), scsi id=2

This system worked with the same configuration before summer vacation, so it
seems to be a failure of one part or another.

Here's what I've done to try and get it to work:
- Clean every connection in the IIGS (RamFast, Ram Card, Zip, and all cables
in the scsi chain) with rubbing alcohol and Q-tips

- Tried just theQuality Comps  HD on the scsi chain

- Put cables into every possible combination of connections

- Tested the 25-pin D-shell to 50-pin scsi cable connecting the RamFAST to the
first item on the scsi chain. It worked fine on a Mac+ in my dorm

- Turned off the Termination switch on the RamFAST

Even after all of this, nothing seemed to work.

I don't know of anyone around Caltech at the moment who has a IIGS that would
let me see that the HDs are indeed accessible, but someone should be back soon
within the week.

The problem may lie in the RamFAST, as the configuration program works, and
makes the floptical's light flicker, but it can't see anything on the chain.

I haven't yet called up Sequential (Who seem to have taken over the RamFAST
line); I'll do that after I check out the HDs.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.


Nathan Mates

-- 
* Nathan Mates nathan@cco.caltech.edu * MSC #850, Pasadena  CA 91126
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* Too late for that! Several Megabyte joke collector and IIGS hacker 
* operating out of Caltech, the world's best place for an education!