Perplexing GS hardware problem

[Paul Schultz <pschultz@med.wayne.edu>]

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

---------------LENGTHY DESCRIPTION BELOW!-----------------

I have a IIgs system which runs very stably EXCEPT for the
following problem which I can't cure:

My hard drive (see hardware set-up list below) acts flakey
and unreliable. The problems fall under 2 general categories:

1. I get several cases of error $1101 or $110A. This is a
   system loader error. Actually, this occurs after trying
   to install and then run the newest (v. 2.1) ORCA/M and
   ORCA/C using the provided installer script.

2. When using Salvation Deliverance to examine and fix the
   partition which contains many of the apps which lead to
   the $11xx type errors, I virtually always get a directory
   problem with one of the files of the type "key block
   pointer already in use". Deliverance is unable to fix
   this situation.

A second problem is that when I try to copy or duplicate a
large number of files using the finder it never works. I get
the finder's copy thermometer dialog; it counts and reads in
the files to be copied; then, it writes only a  fraction (10-20)
files to the destination and then leaps the 'files remaining'
counter to zero and quits as if it has completed the operation!
This happens with _any_ large file copy (e.g., copying the
entire ORCA/M installation to a new location)

I've tried 2 separate SCSI hard drives and get the same results.
This problem started with my RamFAST (which I've sold) and
continues with my Apple Hi-Speed SCSI card. I've tried various
combinations of SCSI cables/terminators. I've re-installed the
system software. I've tried using a slower oscillator in my ZipGS.
I'ver tried different SRAMS in my ZipGS. I've removed my SecondSight
card with no change in symptoms! I've even tried testing my
expansion memory. I've repartioned the drives. I've checked the
voltage on the +5V rail on the bus (exactly at 5V).

I did run the GS diagnostics utility (v 3.0). The only test that
failed was the 'Sound Circuitry test'. But, I had my ZipGS
installed and active so I assume that the test failure was an
artifact of having the ZipGS installed. But, I need to test
this possibility further.

I could go on and on and on but I think you get the idea that
I've tried quite a lot of things to stabilize this problem.

Any ideas??

------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a summary of my system:

ROM 3
8MB memory (7MB on Sirius GS ram card)
IIgs Heavy Duty Power Supply (I had a Buggie supply but it
didn't help.)
System 6.0.1

Slot 7: Apple Hi-Speed SCSI card (DMA on)
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)
Slot 3: SecondSight, rom 1.4BEEF, 1MB ram.
Slot 1: ZipGS v1.0.2 12/64.     

I have an Apple CD-150 CD-ROM connected to the SCSI chain. It
works fine.

All ideas and suggestions are welcome!

Paul.

pschultz@med.wayne.edu
Paul Schultz