trouble installing Atari hard drive- please help
Joseph Zorzin
drive, SH205. I'm having trouble with getting the hard drive
running.
First of all, I used several Atari computers from when they
first came out until when I bought my first IBM compatible PC in
94. Since then I've only used my old Atari to run certain
programs I created for my work and haven't yet ported to the PC.
My Atari's floppy stopped working which is why I bought a system
online. For my old Atari I had a hard drive custom built before
the Atari hard drives came out.
Anyways, the fellow who sold me the Atari said that he wiped the
hard drive clean but reinstalled the Atari hard drive software
so it should boot up, but it doesn't.
I'm not even sure I have the hard drive plugged in properly. It
has 2 ports on the back, one is "out" and one is "in". I presume
the "out" is the one to use. I vaguely remember that it is
necessary to first turn on the hard drive, let it come up, then
turn on the computer. What happens is that the computer's drive
"A" light stays on and the hard drive doesn't come up. If I put
a floppy in the drive, the light will go off but the computer
can't see the floppy complaining that the disc or floppy drive
is no good and I do not see an icon for the hard drive. If I
turn the computer on without the hard drive turned on, then the
computer successfully sees drive A.
The fellow who sold me the computer then emailed me what he says
is the Atari hard drive software. It consists of 2 folders. The
first is called Ahdi and in it are 2 files, Ahdi.prg and
Shdriv.sys. The other folder is Hdx and in it are Hdx.prg and
Hdx.rsc.
So, how do I install this hard drive software? What steps are
necessary as far as turning on the computer and hard drive and
what should be in the floppy? Do I need to remove those files
from the folders?
I used to be really good at Atari tech stuff and did a lot of
programming with Laser C. But, it's been almost 10 years since I
did any such tech stuff- and I don't have the hard drive
installation instructions.
I wouldn't be surprised the hard drive has the software already
installed but I must be doing something wrong.
Help will be greatly appreciated.
--
Joe Zorzin
Pelcombe-Ilford
"Joseph Zorzin" <red...@forestmeister.com> wrote in message
news:3C076F86...@forestmeister.com...
> I just bought from someone online a Mega ST4 and an Atari hard
> drive, SH205. I'm having trouble with getting the hard drive
> running.
>
>
> I'm not even sure I have the hard drive plugged in properly. It
> has 2 ports on the back, one is "out" and one is "in". I presume
>
> the "out" is the one to use. I vaguely remember that it is
> necessary to first turn on the hard drive, let it come up, then
> turn on the computer. What happens is that the computer's drive
> "A" light stays on and the hard drive doesn't come up. If I put
> a floppy in the drive, the light will go off but the computer
> can't see the floppy complaining that the disc or floppy drive
> is no good and I do not see an icon for the hard drive. If I
> turn the computer on without the hard drive turned on, then the
> computer successfully sees drive A.
>
I suspect it might be a SCSI drive, in which case you might need to connect
the computer to the 'IN' port, and then connect a SCSI teminator block to
the 'OUT' port.
(This might just be a shot in the dark, since I'm not familiar with the
Atari built hard drives, I'm working from my experience with a System
Solutions external SCSI drive, which I operated with a ST+ SCSI adaptor and
a Falcon. I hope this information is useful though.)
Johan
terminators.
But be careful about what files you put in the "auto"-folder, i put a
bad file in that folder by mistake and now I can't boot my HD either.
Flowers 'n' Fliers
daisychain another drive "out" from it. In other words, plug the cable into
the other port and see if that works.
Jared
----------
"Joseph Zorzin" <red...@forestmeister.com> wrote in message
news:3C076F86...@forestmeister.com...
Joseph Zorzin
I now have the computer connected to the Atari hard drive via the
"in" port. But, apparently the boot up software isn't installed. I'm
not sure how to use the software mentioned above. I see that Hdx.prg
is a format program. I ran it but haven't yet done a reformat as I'm
hesitant to ever reformat unless I know I should. Since I can't get
the drive to work, I suppose I should go ahead and do this. The
other program, Ahdi.prg, I presume will install the boot up software
on the hard drive? When I ran Hdx, without formatting, I did notice
the hard drive lights flickering, so apparently the computer can see
the drive at least for the purpose of formatting.
Any last suggestions before I go ahead and reformat? I always
dislike running programs without detailed instructions.
David Bolt
<snip>
>I now have the computer connected to the Atari hard drive via the
>"in" port. But, apparently the boot up software isn't installed. I'm
>not sure how to use the software mentioned above. I see that Hdx.prg
>is a format program. I ran it but haven't yet done a reformat as I'm
>hesitant to ever reformat unless I know I should. Since I can't get
>the drive to work, I suppose I should go ahead and do this. The
>other program, Ahdi.prg, I presume will install the boot up software
>on the hard drive? When I ran Hdx, without formatting, I did notice
>the hard drive lights flickering, so apparently the computer can see
>the drive at least for the purpose of formatting.
>
>Any last suggestions before I go ahead and reformat? I always
>dislike running programs without detailed instructions.
Before you do, double-click ahdi.prg and then try installing and icon on
the desktop for C: It may not need formatting, just having the driver
installed again.
Regards,
David Bolt
--
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Ken Springer
It's been a long, long time since I used the Atari software, so I hope
don't make a mistake here. <G>
> I'm not even sure I have the hard drive plugged in properly. It
> has 2 ports on the back, one is "out" and one is "in".
Someone in the thread said to connect the computer's port to the "in"
port of the hard drive. That is correct. (I double checked that by
looking at my Mega/Pizza box hard drive combo.)
> The fellow who sold me the computer then emailed me what he says
> is the Atari hard drive software. It consists of 2 folders. The
> first is called Ahdi and in it are 2 files, Ahdi.prg and
> Shdriv.sys. The other folder is Hdx and in it are Hdx.prg and
> Hdx.rsc.
>
> So, how do I install this hard drive software? What steps are
> necessary as far as turning on the computer and hard drive and
> what should be in the floppy? Do I need to remove those files
> from the folders?
It sounds like you have all the software.
1. If you don't have a blank formatted 720k floppy, make your self one
now.
2. Copy the 2 folders to the blank floppy.
3. Make a new folder on the floppy, and name it Auto.
4. Copy SHDRIVER.SYS from the AHDI folder to the root directory. Leave
the original file where it is.
5. Copy AHDI.PRG to the AUTO folder.
6. Repeat the first 5 steps. Label one disk as to the contents, call
it Master, and write protect it. Do the same with the 2nd disk, but
call it Working. Don't write protect it, and this will be your boot
floppy if you want to boot from floppy rather than the hard drive.
7. Turn on the hard drive.
8. Insert the Working floppy in the Mega. After the hard disk is up to
speed, turn on the Mega.
If I haven't given you bad information, your hard drive should show up
on the desktop after booting. If the answer is yes, save the desktop.
The desktop file will be saved to the floppy disk (I think <G>)
If you want to boot from the floppy disk, you're done. If you want to
boot from the hard drive, continue on.
The following assumes the hard drive is already formatted.
9. Open the HDX folder on the floppy, and run HDX.PRG. Somewhere in
the menu structure you will find "Install". Follow the instructions,
and an SHDRIVER.SYS file will be written to the hard drive. If you get
a message box telling you that things aren't working, my guess would be
the drive's formatting has been damaged. If it was my hard drive, I
would Format the drive, picking the options I preferred. Then you
should be able to install SHDRIVER.SYS.
10. Reboot the computer. You can use the reset button if you like, a
cold boot shouldn't be necessary.
11. If all has gone well, you should now have a desktop with the hard
drive icon on the desktop for C: drive. If you partitioned the drive, I
don't remember if the other partitions automatically show up or not.
12. Save the desktop, it will be saved on C: I think.
Unless I've screwed up, you should be up and running.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken Springer "All progress depends upon the
unreasonable person."
George Bernard
Shaw
Cheap prices make for cheap goods; cheap goods make for
cheap men; and cheap men make for a cheap country!" -
President William McKinley
http://www.greeleynet.com/~wordwork/airpage.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Joseph Zorzin
I tried all of the above with no luck, the drive must be defective.
While booting up, with the floppy in the drive (as described in your
instructions)- I see Ahdi working to identify the hard drive, but it can't-
it says something like "not bootable". When I attempted to do a format it
lists the potential 0-6 SCSI devices but next to each I see "not
responding". If I try clicking on SCSI "0" and try to proceed it just gives
up after awhile.
The cable must be OK as during all the above efforts I do see the hard drive
lights flickering so the MEGA is connected to the drive.
In the HDX program, there is no option for INSTALL, which apparently sets
the boot sector. I keep hearing about this function but don't know where to
find it.
JZ
Ken Springer
>
> I tried all of the above with no luck, the drive must be defective.
That is a possibility. But it's rattling around in my mind that Atari
made some little modification to the SH 204 & 205 so the weren't 100%
SCSI compatible. This is info I would have heard about long before I
ever owned a hard drive. My first hard drive came with my Mega 4, and
the 205 may have been discontinued by the time I owned a hard drive.
> While booting up, with the floppy in the drive (as described in your
> instructions)- I see Ahdi working to identify the hard drive, but it can't-
> it says something like "not bootable". When I attempted to do a format it
> lists the potential 0-6 SCSI devices but next to each I see "not
> responding". If I try clicking on SCSI "0" and try to proceed it just gives
> up after awhile.
>
> The cable must be OK as during all the above efforts I do see the hard drive
> lights flickering so the MEGA is connected to the drive.
It would seem the external cable is ok. I assume it is connected to the
controller board inside the 205 case just like all other hard drives
I've seen. If so, there will be a cable from this board to the actual
hard drive itself inside. It could be this cable is loose or defective.
> In the HDX program, there is no option for INSTALL, which apparently sets
> the boot sector. I keep hearing about this function but don't know where to
> find it.
Is there an HINSTALL program? That name just now popped into my mind.
I might try to find my original disk that came with my Mega ST for the
hard drive. I should still have it, but I may have lost it as that
system has moved a number of times from state to state.
Ken Springer
old Atari stuff to sell here or on Ebay, and I found copies of Atari's
hard drive software, versions 2 and 3.
Run your HDX program, and find out the version number that you have. If
it's 2 or 3, I'll zip the software I have here and email it to you.
xla...@cix.compulink.co.uk
>"Joseph Zorzin" <red...@forestmeister.com> wrote in message
>news:3C076F86...@forestmeister.com...
>> I just bought from someone online a Mega ST4 and an Atari hard
>> drive, SH205. I'm having trouble with getting the hard drive
>> running.
>>
>> I'm not even sure I have the hard drive plugged in properly. It
>> has 2 ports on the back, one is "out" and one is "in". I presume
>> the "out" is the one to use. I vaguely remember that it is
>> necessary to first turn on the hard drive, let it come up, then
>> turn on the computer. What happens is that the computer's drive
>> "A" light stays on and the hard drive doesn't come up. If I put
>> a floppy in the drive, the light will go off but the computer
>> can't see the floppy complaining that the disc or floppy drive
>> is no good and I do not see an icon for the hard drive. If I
>> turn the computer on without the hard drive turned on, then the
>> computer successfully sees drive A.
>>
>
>I suspect it might be a SCSI drive, in which case you might need to connect
>the computer to the 'IN' port, and then connect a SCSI teminator block to
>the 'OUT' port.
I think the old Atari hard disks had DMA connections with an
internal host adapter. Most were of the old RLL or MSF type -
definitely not SCSI.
But, Joseph, you should connect his DMA lead to the IN socket! The
OUT was mainly for the Atari Laser, but could be used with a Link
or similar device to connect to SCSI drives. Also, try downloading
ther demo version of HDDRIVER from Uwe's site. If it works, buy
the full version -it's the best Atari harddisk driver there is!
You can run HDDRIVER from the floppy - as you can AHDI - and install
it on the hard drive. Don't forget you have to add the partition icons
manually to the desktop, unless you have Thing or jinnee which will
install them all with one mouse click. With the Atari desktop, click
on one of the floppy icons, then 'Install Disk Drive' and type in 'C'
(capital!) for the drive and 'Hard Disk' for the name. If the disk has
several partitions, repeat this for each one, incrementing the letter
by one each time (it doesn't matter if you install too many - if the
partitions don't exist you will get a warning message when you try and
open them, so delete the surplus ones by dragging their icon(s) to the
wastebasket. Once you have icons for all partitions installed and
dragged to your preferred positions, don't forget to 'Save Desktop'.
Regards, /Peter/
Francisco L Fernandez
It is strange to see AHDI looking for SCSI drives. SH205 wasn't an SCSI
drive, but an MFM or RLL one, altough with the suitable AHDI translator
circuitry. Perhaps you are using a too "recent" version of AHDI. I
remember that in version 3.x or 4.x that you could select explicitly the
SH205 drive, and each model of the Megafiles when you were inside
of HDX.
Also you could have a problem with the DMA chip of the MEGA. I have one
in my countryside house that has ever had problems. First with a Megafile
unit an later with an SCSI unit with GESOFT host adapter. Lately it can't
even boot the drive, and sometimes it corrupted data.