Adaptec SlimSCSI APA-1460 User manual

User’s Guide
SLIMSCSI 1460 ADAPTER

Adaptec, Inc.
691 South Milpitas Boulevard
Milpitas, CA 95035
Copyright © 1998, Adaptec, Inc.
All rights reserved. Adaptec and the
Adaptec logo are trademarks of Adaptec,
Inc. which may be registered in some
jurisdictions.
Printed in Singapore
STOCK NO.: 511605-00, Rev. B BKB 2/98

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▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter
User’s Guide

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▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ Contents
Introduction 1
Where Do I Start? 1
Contents of Kit 1
System Requirements 2
Installing the SlimSCSI 1460 2
Completing the Installation 6
Updating the Windows 95 Miniport Driver 6
Completing the SlimSCSI Installation in Windows 3.1 7
Completing the SlimSCSI Installation in Windows NT 8
If Windows NT Is Not Installed on Your PC 8
If Windows NT Is Installed on Your PC 9
Completing the SlimSCSI Installation in OS/2 11
Using the SlimSCSI 1460 13
Hot Plugging 13
Disk Partitioning 14
Understanding SCSI 15
SCSI IDs 15
Terminating the SCSI Bus 16
Obtaining SCSI Cables 16
Connector Types 17
Troubleshooting 18
General Hardware Troubleshooting 18
Windows 95 Troubleshooting 18
Windows NT Troubleshooting 22
OS/2 Troubleshooting 22

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SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter User’s Guide
Contacting Adaptec 23
Electronic Support 23
Technical and Product Support 24
Sales and Ordering Information 24

1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Adaptec’s SlimSCSI®1460.
The SlimSCSI 1460 allows you to connect up to seven SCSI devices
to your portable PC, including Zip drives, CD-ROM drives, hard
disk drives, scanners, and other devices.
Where Do I Start?
1
Follow the instructions for installing the SlimSCSI 1460 and
connecting your SCSI devices to it.
2
Install the software driver for the operating system you are
using - Windows®95 (page 6), Windows®3.1 (page 7),
Windows NT™(page 8), or OS/2 (page 11).
3
(Optional) Install Adaptec EZ-SCSI software by following the
instructions in the Adaptec EZ-SCSI Quick Reference. (EZ-SCSI is
not required to operate the SlimSCSI 1460.)
Contents of Kit
■SlimSCSI 1460 PC Card-to-SCSI Adapter
■Windows 95, Windows NT, and OS/2 driver diskettes
■SlimSCSI 1460 User’s Guide
■50-pin high-density cable and 50-pin low-density cable
■Adaptec®EZ-SCSI®software for Windows 3.1, Windows 95,
and Windows NT
■Mail-in card for free DB25 cable
■Registration card

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SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter User’s Guide
System Requirements
■Portable PC with a PC Card Type II, Type III, or Toshiba
Type IV slot
■MS-DOS version 5.x or 6.x, Microsoft Windows 95,
Windows NT version 3.51 or 4.0, Windows 3.x, Windows for
Workgroups version 3.1 or 3.11, DR DOS, OS/2 version 2.x, or
OS/2 Warp
Installing the SlimSCSI 1460
Follow these steps to install the SlimSCSI 1460 and connect your
SCSI devices to it:
1
Remove the SlimSCSI 1460 from its packaging.
2
Determine which of the two 50-pin cables you will use to con-
nect the SlimSCSI 1460 to your first (or only) SCSI device. To
do this, see which cable connector (high-density or low-
density) fits the SCSI connector on the back of the device.
Note:
If your SCSI device has a DB25 (25-pin) connec-
tor, you can order a free DB25 cable from Adaptec by
sending in the card included in this kit.

3
Installing the SlimSCSI 1460
3
Connect the SlimSCSI cable to the SlimSCSI 1460, as shown
below:
4
Plug the other end of the cable into the first (or only) SCSI
device, as shown below. Make sure the SCSI device is not
powered.
PC Card Slots
SlimSCSI 1460
SlimSCSI Connector
SCSI Connector SCSI Device
Terminator

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SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter User’s Guide
5
(Optional) Connect up to six additional SCSI devices by daisy-
chaining them to the first device, as shown below:
6
Be sure that each SCSI device has a unique SCSI ID ranging
from 0 to 6. If any two devices have the same ID, change the
SCSI ID of one device. This is usually done by changing a
switch on the back of the device. (For more information, see
SCSI IDs on page 15.)
The diagram below shows a typical SCSI device with a select-
able SCSI ID switch:
7
Terminate the last (or only) SCSI device connected to the
SlimSCSI 1460. Read the device documentation if you are not
sure how to terminate the device, or refer to Terminating the
SCSI Bus on page 16.
SCSI Devices
Terminator

5
Installing the SlimSCSI 1460
8
Be sure that at least one external SCSI device provides SCSI
bus termination power or that the last device on the bus sup-
plies termination power to itself. Read the device documenta-
tion if you are not sure whether the SCSI device provides
termination power.
9
Connect all power cables to the SCSI devices. Then power up
all the devices.
10
Insert the SlimSCSI 1460 into one of your portable PC’s
PC Card slots.
11
Power up your portable PC.
This completes the physical installation of your SlimSCSI 1460 and
SCSI devices. Next, you need to install the software driver for your
operating system.

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SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter User’s Guide
Completing the Installation
Updating the Windows 95 Miniport Driver
Windows 95 has built-in software support for the SlimSCSI 1460.
This means that when you install the SlimSCSI 1460, Windows auto-
matically finds and installs the driver for it. However, you may be
able to achieve better data I/O performance by installing the
updated driver from the diskette included with the SlimSCSI 1460.
Follow these steps if you wish to do this:
1
If Windows 95 is not already running, start it now.
2
Insert the Windows 95 drivers diskette in the portable PC’s
floppy disk drive.
3
Double-click the My Computer icon and Double-click the Con-
trol Panel icon.
4
Double-click the Add New Hardware icon. The Add New
Hardware Wizard screen appears.
5
Click Next. When the next screen appears, select No and click
Next.
6
When the next screen appears, select the SCSI controllers icon
and click Next. (You may need to scroll down before you can
see the icon.)
7
When the next screen appears, click Have Disk. Type a: if it
does not already appear on the screen, and click OK.
8
When the next screen appears, select APA-1460B PCMCIA
SCSI Host Adapter, if it is not already highlighted, and click
Next.
9
When the next screen appears, click Finish.
10
Reboot your PC if Windows 95 prompts you to do so; if there is
no prompt, you do not need to reboot in order to start using
the new driver.

7
Completing the Installation
Completing the SlimSCSI Installation in
Windows 3.1
1
If Windows 3.1 is not already running, start it now.
2
Insert the Adaptec EZ-SCSI diskette #1 in the PC’s floppy disk
drive.
3
Select File/Run from the Program Manager menu.
4
When the Run dialog box appears, type a:\setup, and click OK.
5
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
6
When EZ-SCSI is installed and your PC recognizes the
SlimSCSI adapter, continue with Using the SlimSCSI 1460 on
page 13.
Note:
If your PC does not recognize the SlimSCSI adapter
and SCSI devices, there may be a resource allocation prob-
lem. Review the General Hardware Troubleshooting on
page 18.

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SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter User’s Guide
Completing the SlimSCSI Installation in
Windows NT
The SlimSCSI adapter is supported under Windows NT version 3.51
and higher.
Note:
Windows NT 3.51 does not support hot plugging or hot
swapping. This means that the SlimSCSI adapter and the
devices connected to it must be plugged in and powered ON
before you start Windows NT and that you cannot remove
the adapter (or other PC Cards) while Windows NT is
running.
If Windows NT Is Not Installed on Your PC
If Windows NT is not already installed on your PC, install it now
and then continue with the instructions in the next section, If
Windows NT Is Installed on Your PC.
Follow these steps if you need to install Windows NT from a
CD-ROM drive connected to your SlimSCSI adapter:
1
Insert the SlimSCSI adapter in a PC Card slot, connect the
CD-ROM drive to it, and turn the drive ON.
Be sure the CD-ROM drive is terminated, if it is the last (or only)
SCSI device on the bus. Also, be sure that you have installed
your PC’s version of DOS Card and Socket Services.
2
Boot the PC to DOS and insert the EZ-SCSI diskette #2 in the
PC’s floppy drive.
3
At the DOS prompt, change to the drive letter of the floppy
drive (usually a:), type dosinst, and press Enter.
4
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen. EZ-SCSI will
install the drivers required by the CD-ROM drive.

9
Completing the Installation
5
When EZ-SCSI installation is complete, remove the diskette
and reboot your PC to DOS. A drive letter should now be
assigned to your CD-ROM drive.
6
Insert the Windows NT installation CD in the CD-ROM drive
and change to the
\i386 directory on the CD.
7
At the DOS prompt, type winnt /b and press Enter.
8
Install Windows NT by following the instructions that appear
on the screen.
When Windows NT is installed, continue with the next section, If
Windows NT Is Installed on Your PC.
If Windows NT Is Installed on Your PC
You must complete all steps in this section, even though
Windows NT is already installed on your PC. These steps ensure
that the required Windows NT registry changes are made.
1
Be sure that the SlimSCSI adapter is inserted in a PC Card slot
and that the CD-ROM drive is connected to it and is turned ON.
2
Start Windows NT on your PC.
3
Double-click the Windows NT Setup program icon in the Main
group.
4
Select Options from the Setup menu bar, then select
Add/Remove SCSI Adapters. A list of all currently installed
SCSI adapters will appear.
Note:
If Adaptec 151x/152x/AIC-6260/6360 appears
on the list, select it and click Remove.
5
Click Add, then click OK to verify that you want to add an
adapter.
6
When the Select SCSI Adapter Option dialog box appears,
select Other from the Adapter window.
7
Insert the Windows NT/OS2/Windows 95 Driver diskette
(included with your SlimSCSI adapter) in the PC’s floppy
drive. Type a:\winnt in the dialog box and click OK.

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SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter User’s Guide
8
Select APA-1425/50/60 SCSI Host Adapter, for NT 3.51 from
the list and click OK to add it to the list of SCSI adapters.
9
Select APA-1425/50/60 SCSI Host Adapter, for NT 3.51 from
the list of SCSI adapters and click Install. Follow the instruc-
tions that appear on the screen.
10
When the Setup program displays an updated list of currently
installed host adapter types, verify that APA-1425/50/60 SCSI
Host Adapter, for NT 3.51 appears on the list.
11
Click Close, and exit Setup; then restart your PC when you are
prompted to do so.
12
When Windows NT starts again, insert the EZ-SCSI diskette #1
in the floppy disk drive.
13
Select Run from Program Manager’s File menu.
Note:
If you are using Windows NT 4.0, click the Start
button, and select Run.
14
Type a:\setup and click OK to install EZ-SCSI.
15
When Adaptec EZ-SCSI is installed, continue with Using the
SlimSCSI 1460 on page 13.

11
Completing the Installation
Completing the SlimSCSI Installation in OS/2
Here is some important information about using the SlimSCSI
adapter in computers running under OS/2:
■OS/2 must already be installed before you begin these installa-
tion steps. OS/2 does not support installation from a CD-ROM
drive connected to a PC Card such as the SlimSCSI adapter.
■OS/2 does not support hot-plugging. This means that the
SlimSCSI adapter and the devices connected to it must be
plugged in and powered ON before you start OS/2 and that
you cannot remove the adapter (or other PC Cards) while
OS/2 is running.
Follow these steps to complete installation of the SlimSCSI adapter
under OS/2 versions 2.x, 3.0, or 4.0 (Warp).
1
Be sure that the SlimSCSI adapter is inserted in a PC Card slot
and that the SCSI disk drive and/or other SCSI devices are
connected to it and are turned ON.
2
Start OS/2.
3
Open the OS/2 System icon, then open the System Setup icon.
Double-click the Selective Install icon.
Note:
In version 4.0 (Warp), select the Install/Remove
icon.
4
Click PCMCIA Support, select the PCMCIA system appropri-
ate to your PC, and click OK.
5
Click Install and follow the instructions that appear. (You will
be instructed to insert a series of OS/2 diskettes.)
6
When the installation procedure is completed, click OK.
7
Insert the Windows NT/OS2/Windows 95 Driver diskette in
drive A.

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SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter User’s Guide
8
Open the OS/2 System icon, and then open the System Setup
folder. Double-click the Device Driver Installation icon.
Note:
In version 4.0 (Warp), select the Install/Remove
icon.
9
Click Change, double-click the OS2 directory, and click Install.
The
aha152x.add file is now installed on your PC, and the
required changes are made to your
config.sys file.
10
If you are installing a CD-ROM drive, select a CD-ROM from
the Selective Install icon.
11
When automatic installation completes, restart your PC. The
installation is now complete.
12
Continue with Using the SlimSCSI 1460 on page 13.
Follow these steps if automatic installation does not complete
successfully:
1
Use a text editor to add these lines to the config.sys file . (Be
sure to place them before other basedev lines.)
basedev=aha152x.add /v
basedev=os2scsi.dmd
2
Copy the aha152x.add file from the \os2 directory of the
Windows NT/OS2/Windows 95 Driver diskette to
\os2\boot .
3
Restart your PC. The installation is now complete.
4
Continue with the next section, Using the SlimSCSI 1460.

13
Using the SlimSCSI 1460
Using the SlimSCSI 1460
Hot Plugging
After you install the SlimSCSI 1460 driver in your Windows 95 PC,
you can insert or remove the SlimSCSI 1460 at any time except when
data is being transferred on the SCSI bus. This is called hot plugging.
(You can tell that data is being transferred if the SCSI device activity
light is on.) Follow these steps to remove the SlimSCSI 1460 while
Windows 95 is running
1
Click on the small PC Card (PCMCIA) icon in the lower right
corner of the screen. You will see a dialog box similar to the
following:
2
Select Adaptec APA-1425/50/60 PCMCIA SCSI Adapter.
3
Click the Stop button.

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SlimSCSI 1460 Adapter User’s Guide
4
When you see the message You may safely remove this device,
remove the SlimSCSI 1460 from the slot.
Caution:
Your PC may hang if you remove the adapter
before the message appears.
When you insert the SlimSCSI 1460 adapter while Windows 95 is
running, Windows 95 detects the adapter and the device(s) con-
nected to it. (Be sure the devices are powered before you insert the
adapter!)
Disk Partitioning
If you want to use a new, unpartitioned SCSI drive with your
SlimSCSI adapter, you must first partition the drive. Follow these
instructions:
■Windows 3.x or Windows 95 PCs: Boot the PC to DOS and parti-
tion the drive with the
afdisk.exe utility. (This utility is
installed in the
\scsi directory when you install EZ-SCSI.) If
you are running Windows 3.1, use the Disk Partitioner pro-
gram found in the Adaptec SCSI program group. Disk Parti-
tioner is not supported under Windows 95.
■Windows NT 3.51 PCs: Start Windows NT, and use the Disk
Administrator program (in the Administrative Tools program
group) to partition the drive.
■OS/2 PCs: Currently, you cannot partition a SCSI drive con-
nected to the SlimSCSI adapter while OS/2 is running. There
are two ways you can partition the drive:
1
Boot the PC to another operating system, such as DOS or
Windows 3.x, and follow the instructions under the
Windows 3.x or Windows 95 PCs bullet.
2
Partition and format the drive on another PC first.