[Info-vax] DLT8000 drive question

[LenW]

On Apr 9, 8:16 am, Rich Jordan <jor... at ccs4vms.com> wrote:
> I've never used or seen a loader for DLT drives in person and I have a
> customer with a question.  They picked up a couple of "loader ready"
> HP DLT8000 drives, mounted on skids with the back panels, as part of a
> bulk surplus hardware load.  The drives appear new/unused but they're
> in another state so I can't look at them.  That customer doesn't have
> (or want) a loader but the drives themselves would be nice to put into
> service.
>
> The cellphone picture they sent makes it look like they don't have a
> normal front bezel or loading lever.
>
> Can these drives be pulled from their skids/panels and used as
> standalone drives, either in a compatible enclosure or system bay,
> using normal power and SCSI cables?  Does the lack of a bezel/lever
> (lights?  Eject button???) compromise their usability?

Hi Rich:

I think the show stopper for you will be the fact that MOST loader
drives
of that vintage were DIFFERENTIAL drives and you will need a
differential
controller to run the drive standalone. I would be happy to help you
if you want to persue this issue. (CHEAP!!!!)

Regards,

-Len Whitwer
Puget Sound Data Systems, Inc.
19501 144th Ave. NE Suite D-100
Woodinville, WA  98072
e-mail    mailto:len at psds.com
Internet: http://www.psds.com
Toll Free: (866)857-0710
Tel: (425) 488-0710
Fax: (425) 488-6414