Adaptec AIC-7890 User manual






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ii
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 !
"!"!#

!
!
!
"!
$!#
%!!
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 

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
 
!  "#" 

iii

AXIOMTEK is a trademark of AXIOMTEK Co., Ltd.
Adaptec and SCSISelect are trademarks of Adaptec, Inc.
OS/2 and OS/2 Warp are registered trademarks of
International Business Machines Corporation.
MS-DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows NT, and Windows 95 are
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Novell NetWare and Novell UnixWare are registered
trademarks of Novell, Inc.
SCO UNIX, SCO OpenDesktop, SCO OpenServer are
trademarks of Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
Other brand names and trademarks are the properties
and registered brands of their respective owners.

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iv

This manual contains the hardware features and software
installation procedures of your AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host
Adapter.
Chapter 1 Hardwarecontains the hardware features and
definition of SCSI devices supported by the AIC-7890 Host
Adapter.
Chapter 2 Softwareincludes the device driver installation
procedures for Novell NetWare, OS/2, Windows 95, Windows
NT, SCO UNIX, and Novell UnixWare.
If you encounter any difficulty when installing the device drivers
into your system, please consult AXIOMTEK engineers for
proper measures and/or corrective actions to take.

Table of Contents v

Chapter 1
Chapter 1Chapter 1
Chapter 1 Hardware
HardwareHardware
Hardware
1.1 Introduction ............................................ 1
1.1 Device Drivers ........................................ 2
1.3 Requirements ......................................... 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2Chapter 2
Chapter 2 Software
SoftwareSoftware
Software
2.1 Microsoft Windows®NT Installation.......... 3
2.1.1 Installing the Driver when Installing Windows NT..3
2.1.1.1 Completing a Fresh Windows NT 3.5x Installation.............4
2.1.1.2 Completing a Fresh Windows NT 4.0 Installation...............6
2.1.2 Installing the Driver when Windows NT
is already Installed.................................................8
2.1.2.1 Updating Windows NT 3.5x.............................................. 8
2.1.2.2 Updating Windows NT 4.0.............................................. 11
2.1.3 Using Advanced Configurable Parameters........12
2.1.3.1 Using Windows NT SCSI Parameters.............................. 12
2.1.3.2 Using Driver-specific Parameters.................................... 14
2.1.4 Using Windows NT and the Host Adapter............15
2.1.4.1 Removing a Host Adapter............................................... 16
2.1.4.2 Swapping a Host Adapter............................................... 18
2.1.5 Troubleshooting....................................................19
2.1.5.1 Problems and Solutions ................................................. 19
2.1.5.2 Error Codes................................................................... 21
2.2 Microsoft Windows 95 Installation.......... 25
2.2.1 Installing the Driver when Installing Windows 95 25
2.2.2 Installing the Driver when Windows 95 is
already Installed ..................................................26
2.2.3 Updating the Driver for Windows 95
(Version OSR 2).....................................................27
2.2.4 Troubleshooting....................................................28
2.2.4.1 Problems and Solutions ................................................. 28
2.3 Novell NetWare Installation ................... 34
2.3.1 Installing the Driver when Installing NetWare.....34
2.3.1.1 NetWare v3.1x............................................................... 34
2.3.1.2 NetWare v4.0 or v4.1x ................................................... 35
2.3.2 Installing the Driver when NetWare is already
Installed................................................................36
2.3.3 Loading the Driver at Server Bootup ..................38
2.3.4 Using the Load Command Line Options.............39

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Table of Contents
vi
2.3.4.1 Table of aic7870.dsk Command Line Options.................. 39
2.3.4.2 Table of aic78u2.dsk Command Line Options.................. 42
2.3.4.3 Bit Mask Options ........................................................... 43
2.3.4.4 Sample Load Commands................................................ 44
2.3.5 Using NetWare and the Host Adapter.................45
2.3.5.1 Using Removable Media................................................. 45
2.3.5.2 Using the NetWare Tape Backup.................................... 47
2.3.5.3 Using a CD-ROM with NetWare...................................... 48
2.3.5.4 Optimizing Performance................................................. 48
2.3.6 Troubleshooting....................................................49
2.3.6.1 Error Messages............................................................. 49
2.4 IBM OS/2 Installation............................. 52
2.4.1 Installing the Driver when Installing OS/2 ...........52
2.4.1.1 Installing OS/2 v2.1x (Ultra SCSI Driver Only)................. 52
2.4.1.2 Installing OS/2 Warp 3.x, 4.x, and 4.x SMP..................... 54
2.4.2 Installing the Driver when OS/2 is already
Installed................................................................56
2.4.3 Using Command Line Options.............................58
2.4.3.1 Universal Parameters..................................................... 59
2.4.3.2 Adapter ID..................................................................... 59
2.4.3.3 Unit Parameters............................................................. 60
2.4.3.4 Command Line Examples............................................... 61
2.4.4 Troubleshooting....................................................62
2.4.4.1 Problems and Solutions ................................................. 62
2.4.4.2 Error Messages............................................................. 62
2.5 SCO UNIX Installation............................ 65
2.5.1 Installing the Driver when Installing SCO UNIX ...65
2.5.1.1 Installing SCO UNIX 3.2 v4.2, SCO ODT 3.0,
or SCO OpenServer 3.0................................................. 65
2.5.1.2 Installing SCO OpenServer 5.......................................... 67
2.5.2 Installing the Driver when SCO UNIX is already
Installed................................................................68
2.5.2.1 Perform a System Backup .............................................. 70
2.5.2.2 Use the Install Package ................................................. 72
2.5.2.3 Modify the mscsi File ..................................................... 73
2.5.2.4 Rebuild the UNIX Kernel................................................ 74
2.5.2.5 Boot the New Kernel...................................................... 75
2.5.3 Using SCO UNIX and the Host Adapter ...............75
2.5.3.1 Using Multiple Host Adapters ......................................... 75
2.5.3.2 Changing the Boot Disk ................................................. 76
2.5.3.3 Using Wide SCSI Host Adapters and Devices.................. 76
2.5.3.4 Using Tunable Parameters for the alad Driver................. 76
2.5.3.5 Enabling Scatter/Gather and Tagged Queuing................. 77
2.5.4 Troubleshooting....................................................78

Table of Contents vii
2.5.4.1 Problems and Solutions ................................................. 78
2.5.4.2 Error Messages............................................................. 82

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Table of Contents
viii
2.6 SCO UnixWare Installation..................... 83
2.6.1 Installing the Driver when Installing
SCO UnixWare ......................................................83
2.6.2 Installing the Driver when SCO UnixWare is
already Installed ..................................................84
2.6.2.1 Back Up the Computer................................................... 85
2.6.2.2 Load the Package.......................................................... 86
2.6.2.3 Modify the New System File ........................................... 87
2.6.2.4 Rebuild the SCO UnixWare Kernel.................................. 88
2.6.2.5 Boot the New Kernel...................................................... 88
2.6.3 Using SCO UnixWare and the Host Adapter .......89
2.6.3.1 Using Tunable Parameters............................................. 89
2.6.3.2 Using Multiple Host Adapters ......................................... 89
2.6.3.3 Removing the Driver...................................................... 90
2.6.4 Troubleshooting....................................................91
2.6.4.1 Problems and Solutions ................................................. 91
2.6.4.2 Error Messages............................................................. 93


viii


AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Hardware 1


The hardware sections in this chapter explain all hardware
installation procedures in relation to the onboard Adaptec AIC-
7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI controller chip. Sections referring to the
software describe the driversinstallation procedure of
supported software application programs.
The Ultra2 Wide SCSI host adapter also provides a powerful
multitasking interface between your computer’s PCI bus and
SCSI devices (disk drives, CD-ROM drives, scanners, tape
backups, removable media drives, etc.).
 
The AIC-78xx Manager Set v3.x is a set of software drivers and
other files that enable your AIC-7890 host adapter to
communicate with your computer. The AIC-78xx Manager Set
contains drivers for the following operating systems:
!"
Microsoft Windows NT
!"
Microsoft Windows 95
!"
Novell NetWare
!"
IBM OS/2
!"
SCO UNIX
!"
SCO UnixWare
The remainder of this chapter includes the AIC-7890 as well as
the minimum requirements needed to install the software.
Chapter 2 is organized by operating system. Each section
provides instructions on how to install the driver at the same
time you install your operating system. If your operating system
is already installed, instructions on updating or installing the
driver are also included. If you have problems installing and
using the driver, refer to the  sections,
included at the end of each section.

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Hardware
2
 
The AIC-78xx Manager Set has two driver files for each
operating system; one for Ultra SCSI, one for Ultra Wide SCSI
and one for Ultra2 Wide SCSI devices. This manual refers to
both the Ultra SCSI and Ultra2 SCSI drivers when describing
installation. Refer to the table below for a list of files for the
drivers provided on your installation diskette or CD ROM. Use
the columns in the table to determine the correct driver for your
SCSI device.
Operating System UltraSCSI Driver Ultra2 SCSI Driver
Windows NT
Windows95
NetWare
OS2
SCO UNIX
SCO UnixWare
aic78xx.sys
aic78xx.mpd
aic7870.dsk
aic7870.add
alad or alad325
adsl20 or adsl
aic78u2.sys
aic78u2.mpd
aic78u2.ham
aic78u2.add
blad or blad325
adsb20 or adsb
For information on how to install the driver for your SCSI
Adapter, refer to the section of this manual describing your
specific operating system.
  !"
The following are the minimum and recommended requirements
needed to install the AIC-78xx Manager Set:
!"
A system onboard AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI ChipSet and
configured AIC-7890 host adapter(s).
!"
An installed primary (boot) floppy diskette drive. The drive
must be able to read your operating system diskettes. A
3.5-inch (1.44 MByte) floppy diskette drive is required.
!"
The diskettes included with your AIC-78xx Manager Set.
!"
Optional-an installed and configured CD-ROM drive for
installing your operating system from CD-ROM.
!"
The distribution software and documentation included with
your operating system.
!"
The User’s Manual for your host adapter.

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Software 3


This chapter describes the installation procedure of software
utilities bundled with the Ultra2 Wide SCSI controller. The
following sections provide the information needed to install and
use the AIC-78xx manager.
 #$$%&
This section explains how to install the AIC-78xx Manager Set
 and  drivers for WindowsNT. The
 driver supports all Adaptec 7800 Family Ultra
SCSI (and earlier) host adapters, and the  driver
supports all Ultra2 SCSI adapters.
If you are performing a first time Windows NT installation, see
. If
Windows NT is already installed in your system, see 
.
 

A version of the  driver (Ultra SCSI) driver is
embedded (included) in the Windows NT 3.5x and 4.0
installation disks (or CD-ROM).
During a normal Windows NT installation, the AIC-7890 host
adapter is detected in your system and the embedded driver is
automatically installed.
NOTE:If you are booting from a AIC-7890 host adapter and
you are unable to install the embedded aic78xx.sys
driver by performing a Windows NT installation,
follow the instructions for completing a fresh
Windows NT installation.

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Software
4
The  driver (Ultra2 SCSI) is not embedded on the
Windows NT 3.5x and 4.0 installation disks (or CD-ROM) and
must be installed after Windows NT has been installed. When
completing the Windows NT installation, you can update the
driver by following the instructions in 
.
 

1. If you choose to install Windows NT from a floppy drive,
locate the Windows NT Setup Disk 1 for Floppy
Installation.
If you are installing from a CD-ROM drive, locate the
Windows NT Setup Disk 1 for CD-ROM Installation.
2. Insert the diskette into drive A (not drive B) and turn
ON your computer. When prompted, insert Windows NT
Disk 2.
3. From the
Welcome to Setup Screen, press Enter to set
up Windows NT.
4. When prompted, select Custom setup.
NOTE:If you are installing an Ultra2 SCSI host adapter, you
cannot select Express setup, because the
aic78u2.sys driver is not embedded. Selecting
Express setup loads the embedded driver
aic78xx.sys included with Windows NT, which is for
Ultra SCSI adapters only.
5. Press
S to skip mass storage device detection. This
allows you to manually select the driver for your host
adapter.
6. Since mass storage device detection was skipped in
the previous step, Windows NT Setup displays none in
the list of recognized devices. Press S to configure
additional SCSI adapters.
7. From the list of additional SCSI adapters, expand the
list, select Other, and press Enter (requires disk

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Software 5
provided by a hardware manufacturer).
8. Insert the AIC-78xx Manager Set diskette for Windows
NT into drive A and press Enter.

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Software
6
The screen displays the adapter drivers supported on
the diskette. For Windows NT 3.5x, the following is
displayed:
Adaptec AHA-290x/291x/294x/4944/AIC-78xx PCI SCSI Controller (NT 3.5x)
or
Adaptec AHA-294xu2/AIC-7890/91 PCI Ultra2 SCSI Controller (NT 3.5x)
9. Highlight the driver and press Enter.
10. To add other host adapters that are not part of the
AIC7890 host adapter, do so at this time by repeat
from step 7 for each additional adapter and insert the
appropriate driver disk. The AIC-7890 host adapters
use the same driver; it is not necessary to install the
driver again.
11. Press
Enter to continue with the Windows NT operating
system setup. Follow the instructions given onscreen
and in the Windows NT installation documentation.
 

1. Start your system with the Windows NT Boot Diskette in
the floppy drive.
2. When prompted, insert diskette #2 in your floppy drive.
After a few moments you will see a blue screen. To
setup Windows NT now, press Enter.
3. Press
S to skip auto-detection of your SCSI host
adapter.
4. Press
S again to specify an additional device.
5. Press
Enter to select Others; insert the AIC-78xx
Manager Set diskette for Windows NT in your floppy
drive.
6. Select from the following drivers:
Adaptec AHA-290x/291x/294x/394x/4944/AIC-78xx PCI SCSI Controller
(NT 4.0)
or

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Software 7
Adaptec AHA-294xu2/AIC-7890/91 PCI Ultra2 SCSI Controller (NT 4.0)
7. Highlight a driver and press Enter.

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Software
8
8. To add other host adapters that are not part of the
AIC7890 host adapter, press S and repeat from Step 4
for each additional adapter and insert the
appropriate driver disk. The AIC-7890 host adapters
use the same driver; it is not necessary to install the
driver again.
9. Press
Enter to continue with the Windows NT operating
system setup. Follow the instructions onscreen and in
the Windows NT documentation to complete the
installation.
 

To update or install the  or  driver if
Windows NT is already installed, follow the instructions below
for the version of Windows NT you are installing.
 
1. Select and start the Windows NT Setup program. (Its
icon is usually found in the Main program group.)
There is a brief pause while Windows NT Setup scans
your hardware configuration.
2. Select the
Options pull-down menu and then select
Add/Remove SCSI Adapters. The SCSI Adapter setup
program displays a list of all host adapters currently
installed.
3. Click the
Add button to add another host adapter
type to the list. A list of additional SCSI adapters
appears.
4. Expand the list of additional SCSI adapters; select
Other and press Enter. (Requires disk provided by the
hardware manufacturer.)
5. Insert the AIC-78xx Manager Set diskette for Windows
NT into drive A; enter one of the following paths to the

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Software 9
installation files and then click OK.
a:\winnt\3_5)
The screen displays the adapter drivers supported on
the diskette:

AIC-7890 Ultra2 Wide SCSI Host Adapter User’s Manual
Software
10
Adaptec AHA-290x/291x/294x/4944/AIC-78xx PCI SCSI Controller (NT 3.5x)
Adaptec AHA-294xu2/AIC-7890/91 PCI Ultra2 SCSI Controller (NT 3.5x)
6. Highlight a driver, then click OK. The driver is added to
the list of SCSI adapters.
7. Select the driver from the list of SCSI adapters and
click Install.
At this point, Windows NT Setup checks to see if the
specified driver has already been copied to the
system disk.
8. If the following message appears, click New to
replace the existing driver and skip to Step 10.
The driver(s) for this SCSI Adapter are already on the system.
Do you want to use the currently installed driver(s) or install
new one(s).
If the following message appears, continue with Step 9.
Please enter the full path to the Windows NT SCSI Adapter
files.
9. Change the path to the a:\winnt\3_5 directory, then
click Continue.
The device driver is copied to your system disk and the
Windows NT configuration is updated so that the new
device driver loads when Windows NT reboots.
10. When the installation is complete, Windows NT Setup
again displays a list of currently installed host adapter
types. Verify that the new host adapter appears on
the list. The text string should look similar to:
Adaptec AHA-290x/291x/294x/4944/AIC-78xx PCI SCSI Controller (NT 3.5x)
or
Adaptec AHA-294xu2/AIC-7890/91 PCI Ultra2 SCSI Controller (NT 3.5x)
11. Add other types of host adapters if necessary (see
step 4 on page 8), or click Close to exit the SCSI
adapters portion of Windows NT Setup, and then close
the program.
12. When you see this message, click OK to exit: