exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Even still, it could be a bit like Russian roulette, if the specific SCSI IC used in the SGI is not compatible with the later 16/32 bit wide/ultra protocols.

My SCSI compatability knowledge is a bit rusty now, but I will try to investigate when I actually find a drive *TO* investigate! :lol:

IIRC @rubber_jonnie is a good source of SCSI info. Perhaps he might be kind enough to chip in if necessary?

mrbombermillzy wrote: 05 Mar 2023 19:39 Even still, it could be a bit like Russian roulette, if the specific SCSI IC used in the SGI is not compatible with the later 16/32 bit wide/ultra protocols.

My SCSI compatability knowledge is a bit rusty now, but I will try to investigate when I actually find a drive *TO* investigate! :lol:

IIRC @rubber_jonnie is a good source of SCSI info. Perhaps he might be kind enough to chip in if necessary?

Well, SCSI is a standard, and if the Indigo is 50 pin, that's SCSI narrow and anything with a 50 pin connection should work as long as it's terminated properly.

My Octanes are using SCSI ultra wide, so 68 pin connectors externally and internally 80 pin SCA connectors, but it is usually possible to get adapters between these various connector types, though obviously a slower speed 50 pin drive won't work faster just because it's hanging off a faster HBA.

@rubber_jonnie

I was more concerned with the backward compatability if I were to find a 68/80 pin U/W drive and its to be used on a 50 pin SCSI 1 system.

Anyway, let's see what I find first and we can figure out the details after that. :)

mrbombermillzy wrote: 06 Mar 2023 09:31 @rubber_jonnie

I was more concerned with the backward compatability if I were to find a 68/80 pin U/W drive and its to be used on a 50 pin SCSI 1 system.

Anyway, let's see what I find first and we can figure out the details after that. :)

From experience I've found that not all systems like the newer drives but it's worth a try at least.

Ok, so here is what I actually have:


and:


So thats 4 x 10,000 RPM 72Gb drives: (server pulls)


and an external SCSI enclosure with a 2-8Gb drive in:



*HOWEVER*, I am awaiting confirmation from @JezC as to whether he wanted the external drive or not as part of a deal before I can let it loose.

As for the 15000RPM Cheetahs...they must have already flown. :(

Also, I'm sorry, but I have just sold (around a month ago) all my SCSI cabling/converters/terminators, so cant help out there either.

Once I get a reply from Jez, I can send these down to you to test out if you want to try them. (I probably need to PM you about other stuff anyway! ;) )

@mrbombermillzy yeah I binned off a lot of my SCSI gear and never thought I'd need it ever again.

I can likely pick up a 68pin to 50 pin adaptor off of eBay if necessary but if Jez isn't interested in the Lacie one then I'l take that but wouldn't need the enclosure.

mrbombermillzy wrote: 06 Mar 2023 09:31 @rubber_jonnie

I was more concerned with the backward compatability if I were to find a 68/80 pin U/W drive and its to be used on a 50 pin SCSI 1 system.

Anyway, lets see what I find first and we can figure out the details after that. :)

In theory, UW SCSI should work via a 50 pin adapter, but you'd also need an adapter that will feed power into the SCA connector, and in practice the drive won't perform at it's best.

It should still work but your mileage may vary. Going the other way, UW to 50 pin always worked well for me on the other hand, and the adapters are less troublesome.

It looks like the 50 pin to 80 pin SCSI adaptors are about a tenner but I do remember having issues with getting some drives working with an adaptor like that about 10 years ago with an Adaptec SCSI card but it may still be worth the try to see if they will work? I guess it depends on the SGI SCSI interface.

PM sent ;)

i have a box full of old scsi drives :)