On 06/05/2011 10:11 PM, Bill Garber wrote:
"Steven Hirsch"<snhirsch@gmail.com> wrote in message JcqdnUmvuNcHq3XQnZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@giganews.com">news:JcqdnUmvuNcHq3XQnZ2dnUVZ_sudnZ2d@giganews.com...On 06/02/2011 08:26 PM, Michael J. Mahon wrote:"Bill Garber"<willy46pa@comcast.net> wrote:"Steven Hirsch"<snhirsch@gmail.com> wrote in message 3omdnR5scsrKmHXQnZ2dnUVZ_oudnZ2d@giganews.com">news:3omdnR5scsrKmHXQnZ2dnUVZ_oudnZ2d@giganews.com...On 06/02/2011 11:43 AM, Bart wrote:The Vulcan unlike the Focus or other more modern IDE cards is 8 bit.And this is the precise reason why only certain hard disks work with the Vulcan as well. Apparently 8-bit transfer mode was part of the ATA spec, but not widely implemented - particularly in recent years.Several of us, me included, have considered disassembling the Vulcan ROM (Gold), and have a go at rewriting it to accommodate the 16-bit ATA protocol. The only problem is, would there be enough interest in that to make it worth the effort. Let us hear from all who would benefit from this, being there are newer and better solutions to this issue.I think that may be a hardware change.Almost certainly. The drives want to transfer 16-bits at a shot, so you'd need to latch that quantity and clock two bytes out in sequence to the Apple.I am in agreement, and also the firmware would need an update.
Another thought: Since modern media is >>larger than typically needed for 8-bit computing environments, why not simply ignore the top 8 bits and accept the loss of half the drive capacity? The only downside I see is that it prevents "sneaker net" portability between Mac and/or PC hosts and the Apple. This too could be worked around with a custom utility of some sort, but would be a hassle.
Steve