24x6 (C1559B) DDS3 Switch settings

[CA1402180]

Hi all!

I'm running into a bit of a problem finding out some info on this drive, and I'm hoping you can help!

I just purchased a used HP 24x6 C1559B DDS3 autoloader, and I need to find out what each dip switch on the bottom of the drive does (as well as the autoloader option switch)

The best I can find on the HP site is 3 different ways to configure the switches for UNIX. That's great, except they still don't mention what each switch does, plus I am using the drive under WinXP not unix.

I just need to know which switch handles compression, ID response, parity, etc.

Can anyone lend a hand? This is such a simple thing, I'm amazed at how hard it's been to find out info...you'd think the drive was 20 years old or something! :)

Thanks!

-Greg

[pete krohn]

as with most installation issues, they are best resolved by using the specific device installation manual or operating/users manual. these are found in the HP/Compaq/Certance documentation section, generally as a PDF.

http://docs.hp.com/en/30216-90269/30216-90269.pdf

my experience shows Windows/DOS users are generally best handled with the "default" device settings.

always make the autoloader SCSI id lower than the drive setting, so the hardware finds/detects it in the proper order. backup ware will then use this appropriately.

some DIP/option switch settings/use are NOT found within the documentaton for some internal HP reason. dont set them other than the factory default, you will have further problems if you do. ( i found that out the hard way)

yes, this info is treated as if these devices were "outdated" and HP didnt have a kilobyte of webspace to spare for such critical info. even archived, they would be of use to many many persons.

there are some excellent russian sites that provide this type of basic info, for almost all devices.

http://docs.hp.com/en/30216-90269/30216-90269.pdf

[Lewis Finch]

Greg, I can email you a PDF file that will tell you eevrything you need to know. (too big to attach) BTW, computer peripherals are measured in Dog Years so it really is over 20 years old

[CA1402180]

Thanks Lewis!

I finally got TapeTools to recognize the autoloader and the drive...had to use the ASPI detect method and also the autoloader option switch had to be at 7 instead of the recommended default of 6 (per one of the documents I ran across)

I was also able to get the firmware to update.
All the docs I've seen recommend that the drive be set to a higher scsi address than the loader....but there isn't a way to set the drive's ID (unless it's 3 of the DIP switches on the bottom-I'll check your PDF)
It's OK though, as setting the loader to 5,0 sets the drive to 5,1

Do you know if the PDF you are sending mentions what option to set on the scsi card itself? I have an Adaptec 2940UW. I've turned the multiple LUN option on (which helped tape tools find the drive), and I've heard that the rate should be set to what the drive can support (10 I believe - as opposed to the default 40) but the other options like disconnect, sync neg, wide neg., etc. I'm a little unclear about...

Thanks again!

-Greg

[CA1402180]

Thanks for your response as well, Pete! I appreciate all the help I can get. I will check out the link you included...

-Greg