Identify drive and set SCSI ID

[LaneB]

Good day,

I recently became the owner of a Compaq-branded external DLT8000 drive. I need to know which specific one I have, so I can locate docs/drivers, and I need to know how to set the SCSI ID.

This is not like any Compaq box I've seen before. Instead of two 68-pin connectors on the back, it sports a pair of VHDCI-style. There's also a blank filler plate where the SCSI ID switch normally lives.

Inspection of the interior of the unit revealed the presence of a fairly complex-looking SCSI interface board at the backside. It appears the thing is capable of auto-termination, and the presence of an LSI SCSI chip makes me think the ID is set by some odd means I've not see before. There are no jumpers or DIP switches anywhere I can find.

Photos of the front, back, and bottom labels of the unit may be found shortly at:

http://www.bluefeathertech.com/pics/tape1.jpg
http://www.bluefeathertech.com/pics/tape2.jpg
http://www.bluefeathertech.com/pics/tape3.jpg

Thanks much.

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi,

In your 3rd picture there's a Compaq spares number label, but I can't read what it says.

If you stick that number into PartSurfer

http://partsurfer.hp.com

it might give you some hints. It certainly doesn't look like an enclosure I've come across before.

Cheers,

Rob

[LaneB]

Between Partsurfer and some keyword searching, I figured it out. For those who may be confused by such drives in the future, here's what I learned.

This is a generic DLT8000 drive in a Compaq-branded enclosure, nothing more. This being the case, the SCSI ID is easily set by several jumpers on the lower left side of the drive (looking at it from the front).

Normally, the drive must be removed from the case to access these jumpers. However, not being enamored of this idea every time I might need to change ID's, I took advantage of the existing hole in the rear of the case and mounted a standard SCSI ID selector switch assembly.

A little bit of sheet-metal work (to cut a slot in the internal support frame to allow access to the jumpers), and some poking around with an ohmmeter to verify which leads on the switch went where, and everything was working just grand.

Thanks much.

[LaneB]

Everything's cleared up, thanks. See previous post.