Z100 with a Seagate ST137 Hard Drive
Jeff & Kathy Moore
I'm helping a friend get her recently acquired Z-100 up and running.
This model has a Seagate ST137 hard drive (30mb) and WDXT-GEN controller
card in place of the second floppy drive. I have not been able to get
the computer to recognize the hard drive. It boots and runs fine from
floppy (with either MS-DOS 2.1 or 5.0). I've tried the fdisk command but
it says there are "No fixed disks present". I know the ctrl/alt/inset
command for diagnostics but what is the key combination to enter the
BIOS setup? I have no manuals for this computer. Thanks for any help!
Jeff Moore
Tim McCaffrey
In article <34C414FB...@primenet.com>, qubi...@primenet.com says...
The real Z-100 are based on the S-100 bus, which looks very different
from the PC's.
Tim McCaffrey
Jeff & Kathy Moore
Thanks for the response, Tim. I don't really know of this is a "real" Z-100 or
not. I'm not very familiar with the Zenith line. However, I do have the model
number "ZF-151-52". I hope that helps. My conclusion that I had a Z-100 was
based on the demonstration software that my friend got with the unit.
Jeff Moore
Tim McCaffrey
In article <34C5E254...@primenet.com>, qubi...@primenet.com says...
>
>Thanks for the response, Tim. I don't really know of this is a "real" Z-100
or
>not. I'm not very familiar with the Zenith line. However, I do have the
model
>number "ZF-151-52". I hope that helps. My conclusion that I had a Z-100 was
>based on the demonstration software that my friend got with the unit.
>
>Jeff Moore
>
there is no BIOS setup screen. I forget exactly how you configure
the hard drive (I never owned a 151, but I did know something about
them, once). You may need to set either jumpers on the motherboard
(um, I guess the processor card in this case) or the hard drive
controller, or you may need a configuration disk.
Older systems sometimes required you to go into debug and to format
and configure the drive. I beleive the Z151 had an in built debugger,
although I don't remember how you get into it (maybe something like
CTRL-ALT-ESC, or CTRL-ALT-F1).
One thing to check is to make sure the drive is working a little
bit. If a access light is on the drive, see if it lights up during
boot up. It should blink at least once during the power-on diagnostics.
If it doesn't, move the disk to another machine (one with an MFM controller)
and make sure it works before knocking yourself out anymore.
Tim McCaffrey
Jeff & Kathy Moore
Tim McCaffrey wrote:
Ok, you have what is basically a PC/XT clone. If I remember correctly,
there is no BIOS setup screen. I forget exactly how you configure
the hard drive (I never owned a 151, but I did know something about
them, once). You may need to set either jumpers on the motherboard
(um, I guess the processor card in this case) or the hard drive
controller, or you may need a configuration disk.Older systems sometimes required you to go into debug and to format
and configure the drive. I beleive the Z151 had an in built debugger,
although I don't remember how you get into it (maybe something like
CTRL-ALT-ESC, or CTRL-ALT-F1).One thing to check is to make sure the drive is working a little
bit. If a access light is on the drive, see if it lights up during
boot up. It should blink at least once during the power-on diagnostics.
If it doesn't, move the disk to another machine (one with an MFM controller)
and make sure it works before knocking yourself out anymore.Tim McCaffrey
With a little more investigation, here's what I've found. I believe the controller card is operating properly - the LED access light on the hdd does come on upon boot up. It comes on and stays on for about 30 seconds until it goes out and the unit switches to booting from the floppy drive. In fact, if I remove the controller card altogether, the unit goes directly to booting from the floppy. I think I have a D.O.A. hdd. The motor never appears to even run in it, and as I'm told, those old drives were quite loud. I have another friend checking his garage for a few more MFM drives. Maybe he'll find me a keeper. Thanks for all the help!
Jeff Moore
Tim McCaffrey
In article <34C6AB62...@primenet.com>, qubi...@primenet.com says...
>With a little more investigation, here's what I've found. I believe the
>controller card is operating properly - the LED access light on the hdd does
>come on upon boot up. It comes on and stays on for about 30 seconds until it
>goes out and the unit switches to booting from the floppy drive. In fact, if
I
>remove the controller card altogether, the unit goes directly to booting from
>the floppy. I think I have a D.O.A. hdd. The motor never appears to even run
in
>it, and as I'm told, those old drives were quite loud. I have another friend
>checking his garage for a few more MFM drives. Maybe he'll find me a keeper.
>Thanks for all the help!
>
>Jeff Moore
>
>
You might have a "striction" problem with the drive if it was left
to sit too long. Take out the drive, smack it sideways against
something (not too hard, just hard enough to break the heads loose),
and reinstall it.
Remember to always PARK (or SHIP) the heads before powering off.
Tim McCaffrey
David A Wallace
The Z-150 used Ctl-Alt-INS (control-alt-insert) to access the internal debug
code. That's my limit of knowledge; I have a Z-100 (two actually) myself.
Also have a Heathkit H-8. Would talking about *that* antique be on-topic for
this newsgroup?
Al Heigl
Hurray! for the H8. Got one myself. Was working at the Hopkins, MN
Heathkit store when they came out.
Since I don't know of any comp.sys.oldfarts.h8 newsgroup, why not post
here? At least until the others get sick of it! <g>
Regards,
--
Al Heigl
Mill City Records
Northfield Minnesota USA.
(Professional Proofreading,
Web Site Work)
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Park/9555
gregor...@gmail.com
A web site dedicated to preserving the Heathkit 8 bit computers (H8, H89, etc.)
http://sebhc.lesbird.com
SEBHC : Usenet Group (Google Group link)
https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!forum/sebhc
Alan Hampson
alan