IDE Interface

[Brunty]

I think that my powerflyer - getting quite old now and possibly one of the first, is on it's last legs. I'm getting errors way to frequently, and also on every HD I try.

Has anyone tried one of these off ebay?

Item no. 160059541615

For the money, if it solves my problem would be great!

Brunty

[motorollin]

It will let you use more devices than the built-in IDE connector, but it won't be as fast as the PowerFlyer.

Are you using a desktop or tower machine?

--
moto

[Brunty]

Wow, 2 minutes!

It's in a tower. So space isn't a problem. I only really need one HD and one CD.

Brunty

[motorollin]

In that case my recommendation would be to forget about the PowerFlyer and go SCSI instead. Of course you will need the SCSI controller and new drives and cables which will be more expensive than just replacing the PowerFlyer, but SCSI is SO much faster even than the PowerFlyer. It also takes much of the load away from the CPU which means multitasking during disk access is much much nicer than with IDE.

--
moto

[amigakit]

BTW: you can also that item directly from our webshop:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=532

We provide it cheaper through our webshop as there are no Ebay overheads.

It delivers around 1.5MB/sec max so it wont be as fast as your existing Powerflyer.

[X-ray]

SCSI kicks arse, no question about it.

[Brunty]

SCSI would be nice, but the cost of the devices is too much for a second computer and "fun" machine...

BTW. I made an order from Amigakit yesterday afternoon, and it arrived this morning! Superb service, very pleased :-)

I've been trying my amiga now without the powerflyer which has been a right pain. It seems to be quite stable apart from some really weird crashes when getting the Mediator and voodoo card set up. (OS 3.9) I'm about to go back and try it on 3.5 for a bit where it used to work quite happily.

[amigau]

have you considered a Buddha IDE setup from Individual Computers? I have used them in several Amigas and while they may not be as fast as SCSI, they are FAR, FAR, FAR easier to set up and more reliable.

I finally stopped rebuilding old Amigas in part because i'd get the darn thing all set up, SCSI terminated, etc. and use it for a month, then start getting drive errors all the time, checksum problems, etc. - it may not have been the fault of whatever SCSI controller I was using (the drives in question were **new** Quantum 4.5GB vikings, OS 3.1, etc.) but I stopped having the problems when I moved to using Buddha cards. Moreover, given how Micro$oft bloatware has effectively forced the issue on IDE (ever faster, bigger, etc.) drives, I'd really be surprised for nearly any application (save Toaster/Flyer or possibly hard-disk audio recording) that you gain much anymore by using SCSI.

thoughts? If it were me, get a Buddha and forget the problems! :)

kevin
http://www.amigau.com

[InTheSand]

Hi,

I also use a Buddha IDE interface (well, it's part of the combined Catweasel/Buddha card) in my A3000 and it seems speedy enough for day to day use.

However, the Buddha's IDE is like the A1200's and A4000's internal IDE - e.g. it only operates in a basic PIO mode and is very CPU intensive.

If you're using your Amiga to do anything that seriously churns through lots of hard disk reads/writes, you'll definitely be better off with SCSI. However, for my use (old games and demos, DOpus, Workbench stuff and general "sodding around"!), it's fine and seems a match for the A3000's inbuilt SCSI controller.

- Ali

[Brunty]

Interesting - I hadn't considered the Buddha...

How does it compare to the Power Flyer? I was happy with the Power flyer until it seemed to be the cause of a load of software failures. If I was lucky enough to get into Workbench that is, it usually hung on the Setpatch...

I've now got my system running in what seems to be a happy and reliable way in OS 3.9 with Mediator and Voodoo. I'm using the standard IDE interface and a Squirrel 2x CD ROM (omg it's slow...).

I'm having a few problems getting it on the network at the moment but hopfully be sorted as soon as I find that nice online guide!

Cheers,

Brunty

[Dr_Righteous]

Brunty wrote:
SCSI would be nice, but the cost of the devices is too much for a second computer and "fun" machine...


Not if you raid parts from old macs like I do :-D

[alexh]

What accelerator (if any) do you have?

The best value for money would be to get a new accelerator with SCSI.

Cheapest would just be to continue to use the internal IDE.

Why not consider selling your Power Flyer as in need of repair and use the proceeds to part fund a new purchase?

You can of course still get Powerflyers (aka Elbox Fast ATA MK-III) but they are almost as expensive as an accelerator with SCSI.

[Brunty]

I've already got a 68060/66, but no SCSI module.

I've just found out about the trade in program that Elbox are doing for old versions of the Flyer, so I'm seeing if they'll accept mine.

If not, as it seems I have a stable system now, I'll get a new one from Amigakit.

[motorollin]

If your accelerator is a Blizzard, I have a SCSI module I could sell you if you want it.

--
moto

[Brunty]

Thanks, but I've just ordered a new Flyer from Elbox.

Lets see if the mkIII is much better than the mkI!

Brunty

[ascadol]

Hi,
You hard drive problem sound like either your drive is failing or need to revalidate with say disksalv.

You should back it up.

I dd mine to a large file using a usb to ide interface.

Also I found the flyer makes bad/intermittent connections with the rom chips, the pins are a tad bit too short.

I fitted a couple of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?TabID=1&criteria=ic%20spacers&ModuleNo=27676&doy=13m12