Gigafile SCSI SD-Cardreader

[Mathias]

I wanted to inform you that I sucessfully tested the Gigafile device at my PM9600. The device is a SD-Cardreader attachable at the SCSI port. It is produced in low volumes at a german company. http://shop.inventronik.de/store/10

The fascinating thing is that it is faster than USB 1.1 devices are, I reach 1,333 MB/s, so it is an advantage even this days at importing my photos from my camera. And the best of all is, it is bootable (tested with Mac OS 9.1 and 9.2.2)! HFS, as HFS+. I even can format the SD cards as DOS, HFS and HFS+.

I thought that might be highly interresting for real 68k stuff, as there are no other "upgrade possibilities" beside SCSI.

The cards are damn cheap this days and it might be interresting for "HD swapping" for different configurations, testing etc. Man, what I would have given for such a possibility when I head to deal with my 850 MB HD at my PM 6100 back than

My next stepps will be that I will setup a system with "Apple only drivers and tools". Recently I am using HDSpeedtools from Intech (and HDTK can access the Gigafile as well see screenshot). And later this summer I will setup one of my LCs and test with OS 7.01 and 7.5.5 as well (and report here again).

Just for the records I am in contact with Wolfgang Förster, the producer. We are "working" together (for free) on an Open Source Atari computer. Wolfgang did his own entire Atari Computer Line (3 different complete computers), and the Gigafile advanced as an "side effect" from ACSI implementation and later SCSI implementation. I have no financial interrest, and just wanted to tell you about the new development as I use many Macs beside my Ataris, contrary to him, who has never done stuff with Macs, especially no Oldworld or 68k.

If you like me to test something specific (I just have the 9600 at my hand right now) please go ahead. I hope this information is interresting for you, even if the device is not that cheap, but thats the drawback if somebody produces for small niche-markets.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Very nice! At that size it seems like it should be easily adaptable to the internal PowerBook HDD bay/cable, especially if it's available without the DB-25 connector.

 

[LOOM]

Nice! I'm looking forward to see how it works in System 7. :beige:

 

[Mathias]

Yes, there is the PCB version without any enclosure. It is 88 Euros than instead of 112. And there are the different connectors, for various attaching situations. See all the "Gigafile Adapters" in this overview: http://shop.inventronik.de/store

So yes, it should fit into the Powerbooks as well. It should even be possible to mount it internally in diferent ways. Perhaps as Floppy replacement, or in PDS "Slots" etc.

I really need to test it with System 7. But the Intech HD Speedtools are working with 7 anyways, so it is at least usable with any Mac that has SCSI.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Yeah, I saw that and downloaded the manual, but it looks like the PCB version comes with the D-Shell connector installed and I didn't see an adapter for the PB cable. Desoldering the connector wouldn't really be a problem on a two sided board and the PB cable adaptation should be trivial, it would supply power as well. [}] ]'>

 

[Mathias]

Wait a moment, it is a little bit comfusing, but not that complicated. But I didn´t get it as well, before I had one at my hands.

1st, the Gigafile (PCB or with enclosure - it is both the same) has its own connector, that isn´t any standard connector. Not SCSI not ACSI, it is prepared to be usable everywhere. It has more pins than all the external SCSI cables (26 Pins 3 rows).

You can either solder an own cable for your needs, or take one of the adapters (or the cables inventronic is offering as well). The adapters have that connector which is at the Gigafile itselve at the other side (26 Pins 3 rows), and the desired SCSI (DB 25, ...) at the other side. At all the pictures of the page, the connector for the Gigafile (the 26 Pins) side is missing!

So these small PCBs are needed if you like to use standard cables. I have for example an external SCSI cable form a ZIPDrive, plus an adapter "Type 2a - SCSI external" plus the Gigafile itselve here at my desk.

Ah, and the device is usable only with TERM Power. So no external PSU is needed!

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Yeah, I caught that bit about it being a high density 26 pin connector, that's why I called it a D-Shell connector and not a DB-25 in the last post. Is that a DB-Shell or a DA-Shell, the size of the DA-15 Mac Video Connector?

Whatever it is, I wonder if the card's available without it for a PB adaptation?

 

[Mathias]

Sorry for the delay. I didn´t completely understand your last questions. What are the differences of DB vs. DA? In fact the connector has exactly the same outer dimentions like the old Mac Video connector, you are right. I compared it with my old 14" from my PM6100. Of course there are 26 pins at the Gigafile.

And I do not get as well what you plan to do with the Powerbook. Would you like to hook it up to the external "HDI 30-SCSI II" ? If you really like to have it without it, just drop inventronic a mail. I am sure they will do one for you without at the next production run.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-subminiature

DA-15 = Mac Video

DA-26 = same size D-Shell Connector, but high density with three rows and 26 pins total.

I'd like to get one to put into my PB-100 project, replacing the HDD, so there's no room for a D-sub connector in there.

Maybe some day, when I've got the money to spare!

 

[Mathias]

Ahh, thanks, so yes we are indeed having a DA-26 at the GIgafile. Now I also understand that you have no room inside! Yes, I think you should get one without connector if you need it one day.

 

[techknight]

I assume hes running an emulated 53C80/53C96 as a target to SDIO in the cyclone FPGA?

for the powerbook situations would be nice if he released at least the schematics with pre-programmed FPGAs (to protect intellectual propery), or at the least produce PCBs to fit.