Re: Perplexing GS hardware problem

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Paul Schultz <pschultz@med.wayne.edu> wrote:

> ****This is a long description about a peculiar hardware
> ****problem I'm having with my IIgs. I NEED HELP!!!

[snipped]

> Any ideas??

Two possible things to try:

1. Disable DMA.  You might have something which is not happy with DMA
(though it doesn't seem likely).

2. Shift-boot to disable all extensions.  Do you have anything unusual
that might be interacting with disk accesses (e.g. HardPressed or
AutoArk)?

It sounds like you currently have a case of corrupted hard drive.  You
will only be able to get useful test results if you can get the file
system back to a clean state.  At present, trying to do anything with it
is just likely to make things worse.

I've never used Deliverance, so I don't know how reliable it is for
detecting and repairing problems.  You might like to try ProSel instead.

> Slot 5: 160MB Quantum 2.5" SCSI drive on "SCSI Expander" card.
>         (This card is just a mount for the drive and provides
>          it power from the IIgs bus +5V rail)

How much current is the drive drawing?  I would have expected that it
also needs +12V.

You might have a problem with induced noise on the power rail,
especially if the total current being drawn through +5V for the slots is
exceeding 500 mA.  Any chance you could try running it in an external
enclosure with its own power supply?

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand