SCSI2SD version 5.1 Card issue

krazycat · May 28, 2019, 03:40:19 PM

Hello all, I recently got a new SCSI2SD version 5.1 to replace a dead HD of my NeXTstation mono 25. I followed the good guides on the forum, but I can't get the new card to work.
I set the SCSI2SD card with the config.xml file that my friend Paolo gave me, but I can't understand how I need to change the parameters to use it with a 16 GB microSD card (I always get a SCSI error and the machine doesn't start ).
Do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
config.txt

barcher174 · May 28, 2019, 06:38:41 PM

If the SD card is larger than the xml i don't think you should see issues. What kind of errors are you seeing?

wa2flq · May 29, 2019, 12:21:43 PM

I looked at your XML file and it seems to have the same settings I use with my Color Slab. If you haven't already, export the XML from the 5.1 card and verify it against the original upload file.

Even though the microSD card is 16gb, the SCSI2SD will only use the first 2GB defined in the XML.

Can you share a little more about how you are using the SCSI2SD. Are you doing a fresh NS or OS install from CDROM?

Or are you copying the data from some existing SCSI media or transferring a image file from another (non-next) computer? If so what tools are being used?

Jerry

krazycat · May 29, 2019, 12:34:28 PM

Quote from: barcher174 on May 28, 2019, 06:38:41 PMIf the SD card is larger than the xml i don't think you should see issues. What kind of errors are you seeing?

when I connect the SCSI2SD to NeXTstation and turn it on, I get the "PARITY ERROR" or sometime "SCSI ERROR", and the computer freezes.

krazycat · May 29, 2019, 12:46:38 PM

Quote from: wa2flq on May 29, 2019, 12:21:43 PMCan you share a little more about how you are using the SCSI2SD

This is what I did until now:
-I prepared the card with the config.xml file from my mac with "scsi2sd-util",
-then I wrote the microSD using a terminal command to copy the "ns33-16.iso" file to microSD,
-and then I mounted everything on the NeXTstation, but the NeXTstation freezes
I can't understand why it doesn't work. Two months ago I prepared the same configuration for a friend of mine, and it worked perfectly.
Could this SCSI2SD card be defective?

NOTE: this card hangs on all the computers I tested it on: NeXTstation / 25, NeXTstation / 33, NeXTstation Color / 25, NeXTCube / 25.

wa2flq · May 29, 2019, 01:29:32 PM

Its always "possible" that the card has some defect. But until you've checked the different parts (cables, power, termination, image) you won't know for sure. I have several of the cards, but despite all my abuse they all still work YMMV.

Turn on parity first. I missed this when I compared XML files the first time, sorry.

I would try to re-flash the firmware and then reload the XML file next.

Some other things to check or try:

Remove other drives and check your SCSI2SD terminations and term power.

Are you powering the card from the SCSI bus or power supply? While debugging I would do the latter.

Make sure the image size matches the XML size for the drive. If there is a published checksum for the image, check against your copy.

Good luck.

krazycat · May 29, 2019, 03:45:43 PM

thank you all for your suggestions and answers, I will try to do some additional tests over the weekend. For wa2flq: I forgot to mention that the card is powered by the power cable.

krazycat · June 02, 2019, 01:03:23 PM

Hi all,
today I did a series of tests on the SCSI2SD v5.1 card. See pics for the configuration I used. Unfortunately the card doesn't work, I always get the error message "sc: parity error".

-I tried the 16 GB SDcard (previously created for this SCSI card) on an old SCSI2SD v5.0 and it starts up correctly.
-I tried a known work 8 GB SDcard on this SCSI2SD v5.1 and it doesn't start.
-I tried with and without power cord plugged on SCSI2SD, not working.
-I tried with a different SCSI cable, no luck again.
-I tried activating the parity preference, but the error is always the same, "sc: parity error".

I'm losing hope with this card, someone have any other advice for me?

oneNeXT · June 02, 2019, 04:59:46 PM

That's maybe not important, but did you try to limit speed, and /or use only one drive, just to check ?

wa2flq · June 02, 2019, 07:31:02 PM

Quote from: krazycat on June 02, 2019, 01:03:23 PMHi all,
today I did a series of tests on the SCSI2SD v5.1 card. See pics for the configuration I used. Unfortunately the card doesn't work, I always get the error message "sc: parity error".

-I tried the 16 GB SDcard (previously created for this SCSI card) on an old SCSI2SD v5.0 and it starts up correctly.
-I tried a known work 8 GB SDcard on this SCSI2SD v5.1 and it doesn't start.
-I tried with and without power cord plugged on SCSI2SD, not working.
-I tried with a different SCSI cable, no luck again.
-I tried activating the parity preference, but the error is always the same, "sc: parity error".

I'm losing hope with this card, someone have any other advice for me? :'(

Two additional items.

1) You don't appear to have the latest utility program that has some features, especially termination control, that are intended for the V5.1. (see below)

2) I'll will again suggest that you flash the firmware to the latest version.

rumbeard · June 03, 2019, 06:04:11 AM

I also tried to look at the config and all my cables allowed power but no data. Finally I found an old flat USB cable and bam it magically showed up.

Rob Blessin Black Hole · June 03, 2019, 08:53:03 AM

Try setting the partition on the 3rd partition to 2Gb not 3Gb ..... also try enable parity, Enable Unit attention, enable SCSI2 mode.

krazycat · June 10, 2019, 03:22:50 PM

Quote from: wa2flq on June 02, 2019, 07:31:02 PMTwo additional items.

1) You don't appear to have the latest utility program that has some features, especially termination control, that are intended for the V5.1. (see below)

2) I'll will again suggest that you flash the firmware to the latest version.

I did other tests on Sunday: I downloaded the latest version of the software and the most updated firmware. I applied the new firmware to the card, and now it's definitely dead: scsi2sd setup no longer recognizes it, nor NeXTstation ("no scsi disk" message, and the card led never turns on). I tried to rewrite the firmware but it seems really dead completely.
I threw it away, I will buy a new one in Europe, maybe I'll have better luck ...
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions!
Luciano

wa2flq · June 11, 2019, 09:00:55 PM

Bummer on the card. I believe the bootloader jumper can recover a card that had bad firmware update, but you may want to contact Micheal M to get more information.

But then again, it may be more satisfying to bin it.

TrakLiteTheMoor · February 15, 2023, 04:39:42 PM

Quote from: wa2flq on May 29, 2019, 01:29:32 PMIts always "possible" that the card has some defect. But until you've checked the different parts (cables, power, termination, image) you won't know for sure. I have several of the cards, but despite all my abuse they all still work YMMV.

Turn on parity first. I missed this when I compared XML files the first time, sorry.

I would try to re-flash the firmware and then reload the XML file next.

Some other things to check or try:

Remove other drives and check your SCSI2SD terminations and term power.

Are you powering the card from the SCSI bus or power supply? While debugging I would do the latter.

Make sure the image size matches the XML size for the drive. If there is a published checksum for the image, check against your copy.

Good luck.

Peace. You mentioned re-flashing. I have a v5.1 that I mistakenly flashed firmware to version 5.2 ... is there a way for me to re-flash the firmware back down to v4.8.6 ?