BULLETIN BOARD - D4

FIRMWARE REVISION RMS1530-01-J

FIRMWARE REVISION RMS1530-01-K

These release notes contain important information about the new firmware and how it will affect the performance of instruments in which it is installed. Please read the notes before attempting to use the new firmware.
 

1.	MODIFICATIONS

1.1

A problem was fixed whereby a data system configured to write to disk could overwrite the boot block under the following circumstances: - Start scanning. - Stop scanning. - Turn the power to the disk unit off, and then on again, or change the disk cartridge (in an RHD). - Resume scanning without resetting the DAS8/DGR33A.

1.2	Better support of removable disk - When a removable disk is changed in the RHD (data recording unit) the operator is reminded to open a file on the new device if he attempts any other disk operation first.

1.3	Safer operation - If the HDS or RHD has lost power without the entire data system being reset, disk write operations are disabled, and the operator is warned to open a file on the new device.

1.4

Faster disk formatting - The F-Format item in the Disk Functions menu is much faster than in previous versions.  This is because the SCSI module no longer performs low-level disk formatting as part of the formatting operation.  A low-level format of the larger disks can take more than half an hour.  The low-level format operation remains available for those who require it; please contact RMS Instruments for more information.

1.5

Iomega's ZIP-100 drives are now supported.  An updated summary of devices supported is shown in the following table: Manufacturer & Model No. Capacity [Mbytes] Notes Tape Drives Tandberg Data TDC3620 Tandberg Data TDC3660 Tandberg Data TDC3820 60 150 525 S Fixed Disk Drives Conner Peripherals CP3040 Conner Peripherals CP30080 Conner Peripherals CFA540 (*) 40 80 540 R Removable Disk Drives Syquest SQ555 Syquest SQ5200C (*) Iomega ZIP-100 44 200/44 100 [1] R Others Sony SMO-C501 562/side R S:  Sequential Access Devices R:  Random Access Devices For these devices, "support" refers to the ability of the system (DAS8/DGR33A with SCSI Module) to format the medium as per its exact specifications.  For devices whose manufacturers/model numbers are not listed, the system will default to a 540-MB partition.  In some cases, when the manufacturer corresponds to one of those listed, but the model number does not, the system defaults to the format for the model marked with (*). [In general, the system will work with any (8-bit) SCSI drive formatted with a single (DOS-) partition < 2 GB.  Consult RMS Instruments regarding "support" of specific drives.  In selecting drives for support and/or incorporation into our HDS- and RHD- series of data recording systems, RMS gives careful consideration to performance, environmental, and shock and vibration specifications.  For example, as of the date of this release (Nov./97), we recommend the 2-GB Seagate ST32272N as a replacement for Conner's CFA540.] Notes: [1]     Inferior temperature specifications - 10 to 32ºC.  (Specs. for all other devices are better than 5 to 50ºC.)

2.	COMPATIBILITY Firmware revision RMS1530-01-K of the SCSI Module requires revision RMS1530-01-I (or later) of the Microcomputer Module.

FIRMWARE REVISION RMS1530-01-L

These release notes contain important information about the new firmware and how it will affect the performance of instruments in which it is installed. Please read the notes before attempting to use the new firmware.
 

1.	MODIFICATIONS

1.1

Support for 48-MB CompactFlash on an SCM Microsystems' PDC-25 PC Card Reader/Writer. If formatted by the RMS4526 SCSI Module, any PC card (PCMCIA/JEIDA) used in the PDC-25 (which identifies itself on the SCSI bus with Vendor ID = IntSys), will have its boot sector and partition table formatted as per Peristor Instruments' 48-MB CompactFlash cards.

An updated summary of devices supported by the SCSI Module is shown in the following table:   Manufacturer & Model No. Capacity (Mbytes) Notes Tape Drives Tandberg Data TDC3620 Tandberg Data TDC3660 Tandberg Data TDC3820 60 150 525 S Fixed Disk Drives Conner Peripherals CP3040 Conner Peripherals CP30080 Conner Peripherals CFA540 (*) 40 80 540 R Removable Disk Drives Syquest SQ555 Syquest SQ5200C (*) Iomega ZIP-100 44 200/44 100 1,2 R Solid State SCMMicrosystems' PDC-25 (Peristor Instruments' 48-MB CompactFlash) 48 1,3 R Others Sony SMO-C501 562/side   R S: Sequential Access Devices R: Random Access Devices For random access devices, "support" refers to the ability of the system (DAS8/DGR33A with RMS4526 SCSI Module) to format the medium as per its exact specifications. For devices whose manufacturers/model numbers are not listed, the system will default to a 540-MB partition. In some cases, when the manufacturer corresponds to one of those listed, but the model number does not, the system defaults to the format for the model marked with (*). [In general, the system will work with any (8-bit) SCSI drive formatted with a single (DOS-) partition < 2 GB. Consult RMS Instruments regarding support of specific drives. In selecting drives for support and/or incorporation into our HDS- and RHD- series of data recording systems, RMS gives careful consideration to performance, environmental, and shock & vibration specifications. For example, as of the date of this release (Dec/99), we recommend the 4-GB Seagate ST34573N as a replacement for Conner's CFA540.] Notes: 1. Devices supported in response to Customer's requests. Environmental, shock & vibration specifications may be inferior to those of RMS Instruments-recommended devices. (For example, specs. for all recommended devices are 5 to 50° C or better.) 2. Inferior temperature specifications (10 to 32° C). 3. Inferior temperature specifications (5 to 40° C). Unknown shock & vibration specifications.

2.	COMPATIBILITY Firmware revision RMS1530-01-L of the RMS4526 SCSI Module requires revision RMS1530-01-I (or later) of the RMS4183A Microcomputer Module.