Adaptec 2910C - AHA Storage Controller Fast SCSI 10... User manual

1
Introduction
This installation guide provides step-by-step instructions on install-
ing your AHA®-2910C host adapter. This process involves installing
the following hardware and software:
■AHA-2910C host adapter
■Internal SCSI devices
■External SCSI devices
■AHA-2910C software
You will also find helpful hints on configuring your SCSI
devices and customizing your host adapter settings with SCSISelect®.
The AHA-2910C host adapter provides a powerful multitasking
interface between your computer’s PCI bus and internal and external
SCSI devices (disk drives, CD-ROM drives, tape drives, removable-
media drives, etc.). The host adapter supports SCSI Configured
AutoMatically (SCAM), which automatically assigns SCSI IDs to
SCAM compatible devices. The figure below identifies the major com-
ponents of the AHA-2910C host adapter.
With the Adaptec software drivers, you can use AHA-2910C host
adapters in computers running DOS/Windows®, OS/2,
Windows®95, Windows NT™, UNIX, and NetWare.
50-pin Internal SCSI Connector
External LED
Connector
EEPROM
50-pin High-Density External
SCSI-2 Connector
SCSI Terminator Chips
40MHz Clock
Crystal
SCSI Chip
Contents
Installation
Installing the Host Adapter. . . . . 2
Installing Internal SCSI Devices . 3
Installing External SCSI Devices 4
Installing AHA-2910C Software . 5
Helpful Hints
Configuring SCSI Devices . . . . . 6
Configuring Disk Drives . . . . . . . 6
Installing Multiple Adapters . . . 7
Windows 95 Driver Installation . 7
Using SCSISelect . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Troubleshooting Checklist . . . . . 9
Common Problems and Solutions 10

2
Installation
Installing the Host Adapter
Step 1:
Turn OFF your computer and attached
devices, and then disconnect the power cords.
Step 2:
Touch the metal on the back of your
computer with one hand to discharge any static
electricity. With your other hand, handle the host
adapter by the metal bracket or edges and remove it
from the antistatic bag.
WARNING:
Before you go any further, make sure
you have completed Steps 1 and 2.
Step 3:
Remove the cover from the computer case.
(If necessary, refer to your computer documentation.)
Tip:
If you own a computer tower, lay it on its
side for an easier installation.
Step 4:
Locate an unused PCI expansion slot
(typically white or ivory). Unscrew the slot cover and
set it aside.
Note:
The PCI slot must support 5-volt bus
master data transfers. (See your computer docu-
mentation or contact your vendor.)
Step 5:
Position the host adapter over the PCI slot,
and align the bottom edge to the slot’s opening.
Firmly push the host adapter into the PCI slot, so that
it stands perpendicular to the PCI slot.
Back of
Your Computer
PCI Expansion Slots
(typically white or ivory)
Slot Cover
Bottom Edge
PCI Slot
Opening

3
Step 6:
OPTIONAL. If you want the LED in your
computer to light whenever there is activity on the
SCSI bus, disconnect the LED cable from the LED
connector on the motherboard and connect it to the
LED connector on the host adapter.
Step 7:
Make sure that all your SCSI devices have
been set with unique SCSI IDs from 0 to 6. (Refer to
your device documentation for SCSI ID settings and
instructions on changing the default settings.)
Caution:
AHA-2910C host adapters support
only single-ended SCSI devices. Differential
SCSI devices may be damaged if you connect
them to the host adapter. Read the device
documentation.
Installing Internal SCSI Devices
The SCSI devices inside a computer are attached to an
internal SCSI cable. The last device on the cable must be
terminated. Most internal SCSI devices have a jumper or
switch that controls termination. Refer to the device’s
documentation on enabling or disabling termination.
If you purchased your AHA-2910C as part of an Adaptec
kit, you can use the 50-pin internal SCSI cable to connect
up to two internal SCSI devices.
Note:
Before you begin, make sure your internal
SCSI devices are not terminated.
Step 1:
Find the colored stripe on the 50-pin
internal SCSI cable and then align it with Pin-1 on the
host adapter’s connector. Pin-1 is usually identified by
a ▲, or “1” on the connector.
Step 2:
Plug the internal SCSI cable into the host
adapter’s connector.
1
1
LED Cable from
Motherboard
Pin 1
LED Connector
on Host Adapter
2-pin
LED
Cable
Colored Stripe
(typically red or blue)
50-pin SCSI
Ribbon Cable
Pin 1
Indicator Host Adapter’s Connector

4
Step 3:
Align the SCSI cable’s colored stripe with
Pin-1 on the SCSI device connector, and then plug it in.
Step 4:
Attach the remaining devices using the
remaining connectors. These devices should not be
terminated.
Step 5:
Terminate the SCSI device that is attached
at the end of the internal SCSI cable.
Caution:
If you are attaching an AHA-2910C
between two terminated SCSI devices, or if you
are using both internal and external SCSI
devices, you must disable host adapter SCSI ter-
mination with SCSISelect, (see Using SCSISelect
on page 7).
Step 6:
Connect a DC power cable from your
computer’s power supply to the power connector on
the SCSI device.
Step 7:
Replace the computer cover.
Installing External SCSI Devices
Connecting One Device
Step 1:
Plug one end of the 50-pin high-density
external SCSI cable into the host adapter’s external
SCSI connector.
Step 2:
Plug the other end of the external SCSI cable
into one of the connectors on the external SCSI device.
Step 3:
Enable the device termination or attach a
terminating plug to the device.
Internal SCSI
Device
Colored Stripe
(typically red or blue)
Pin 1
This device must be
terminated, since it is
connected at the end
of the cable.
You would not terminate
this device.
DC Power Cable
(from the power supply)
Power Input Connector on
the Back of the Drive
Colored Stripe
(typically red or blue)
Pin 1
Terminating Plug
External SCSI Cable

5
Step 4:
Reconnect the power cables to the computer
and external SCSI device.
Step 5:
Turn ON the external device and computer.
Step 6:
Go to Installing AHA-2910C Software.
Connecting Two or More Devices
You can connect two or more SCSI devices by creating a
“daisy-chain,” that is, plugging one device into the next.
To do this, make sure you have a 50-pin high-density
external SCSI cable for each device.
Step 1:
Plug one end of the 50-pin high-density
external SCSI cable into the host adapter’s external
SCSI connector.
Step 2:
Plug the other end of the external SCSI cable
into one of the connectors on the external SCSI device.
(In the figure above, SCSI device A is connected to the
host adapter’s external SCSI connector.)
Step 3:
Take another external SCSI cable and plug it
into the next external SCSI device and the one you
connected in Step 2. (In the figure above, SCSI device
Bis connected to SCSI device A.)
Step 4:
Connect your remaining devices the same
way you connected SCSI devices Aand B.
Step 5:
On the last device , attach a terminating
plug or enable the terminator on the device. (In the
figure above, SCSI device Cis terminated with a
terminating plug.)
Step 6:
Reconnect the power cables to the computer
and external SCSI devices.
Step 7:
Turn ON the external devices and computer.
Step 8:
Go to Installing AHA-2910C Software.
Installing AHA-2910C Software
Install the appropriate host adapter device driver for
your operating system.
■DOS and Windows 3.x: DOS and Windows 3.x do
not have embedded driver support for your
AHA-2910C product, so you must load the drivers
yourself. If your host adapter came with Adaptec’s
EZ-SCSI®software, see the EZ-SCSI software docu-
mentation for driver installation instructions.
■Windows 95: Windows 95 has embedded driver sup-
port for the AHA-2910C. To verify that your
AHA-2910C device driver has been properly installed
under Windows 95, see Windows 95 Driver Installation
on page 7.
Note:
After installing your AHA-2910C product
and restarting Windows 95, you will be
prompted through the rest of the installation.
■Windows NT: Windows NT 4.0 has embedded driver
support for the Adaptec AHA-2910C product. How-
ever, earlier versions of Windows NT do not have embed-
ded driver support, so you must load the driver yourself.
If your AHA-2910C came with Adaptec EZ-SCSI
software (v4.01 or later), install the Windows NT
driver from the diskette provided for your
AHA-2910C to support previous versions of
Windows NT. (Refer to the Adaptec EZ-SCSI docu-
mentation.) Otherwise, if your host adapter came
with Adaptec’s 7800 Family Manager Set software
(v1.3), see the 7800 Family Manager Set software
documentation for driver installation instructions.
External SCSI Cables
A
B
C
Host Adapter’s External SCSI Connector.
Terminating Plug

6
■NetWare, OS/2, and UNIX: Drivers for these operat-
ing systems are not embedded, so you must load
them yourself. If your host adapter came bundled
with Adaptec’s 7800 Family Manager Set software
(v1.3), see the 7800 Family Manager Set software doc-
umentation for driver installation instructions.
Note:
If you purchased your host adapter from a
third-party vendor, you can use the drivers they
provide. (Refer to the third-party documenta-
tion for installation instructions and problem
resolution.) To obtain any of the Adaptec device
drivers, contact Adaptec directly.
Congratulations!
You have successfully installed
your host adapter. For more information on configuring
your host adapter, see Helpful Hints.
Helpful Hints
Configuring SCSI Devices
Your host adapter can transfer data up to 10 MBytes/sec.
SCSI devices can coexist on the same cable, and each will
transfer data at its own negotiated or assigned transfer
rate. However, in order to reliably transfer data at the
transfer rate of Fast SCSI, the following requirements
must be met:
■The internal cable must be terminated with an
active terminator, either provided by the SCSI
device at the end of the cable or by a separate termi-
nating plug. The terminator on the AHA-2910C is
an active terminator.
■Be sure to use a high-quality internal SCSI cable to
ensure reliable data transfer for SCSI devices con-
nected to the host adapter.
Note:
Always leave parity checking enabled to
verify reliable data transfers.
■When one or more Fast SCSI devices are connected to
the host adapter, the combined length of all cables
must not exceed 3 meters (9.8 feet) to ensure reliable
operation and data transfers of up to 10 MBytes/sec.
■Your host adapter can support the SCSI Configured
AutoMatically (SCAM) protocol, which automati-
cally assigns SCSI IDs dynamically and resolves SCSI
ID conflicts. To enable or disable SCAM support, see
Advanced Configuration Options on page 8.
Configuring Disk Drives
■The AHA-2910C product does not support the boot
option. To boot your system, use an IDE board or a
second SCSI host adapter with boot capabilities.
■Every SCSI hard disk must be physically low-level
formatted, partitioned, and logically formatted before
you can use it to store data.

7
If you connected a new SCSI hard disk drive to your
host adapter, you must partition and logically format
the drive. For DOS and Windows (3.x and 95) use the
AFDISK and FORMAT commands (see your com-
puter and DOS documentation). For other operating
systems, see your operating system documentation.
Installing Multiple Adapters
■You can install multiple SCSI host adapters if the sys-
tem resources are available (e.g., I/O port must be
unique).
■Each host adapter you install forms a separate SCSI
bus with a different set of SCSI devices.
■In a system with multiple host adapters, all devices
on each SCSI bus (attached to each host adapter)
must have a unique SCSI ID.
Windows 95 Driver Installation
To make sure that your AHA-2910C driver software has
been properly installed and is operating under
Windows 95, do the following:
1
On the Win95 desktop click Start. An options menu
appears.
2
On the options menu click on Setting and select
Control Panel.
3
Click on System. The System Properties window
appears.
4
Click on Device Manager.
5
Click on the SCSI Controllers icon.
6
If the Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller is not
listed, follow the instructions in the EZ-SCSI or the
7800 Family Manager Set documentation for install-
ing driver support.
OR
If you see a yellow exclamation point or red Xin
front of the listing for the AIC-7850 Controller,
double-click the icon to see the error message and
correct the problem.
Using SCSISelect
The SCSISelect configuration utility allows you to change
host adapter settings without opening the computer
case. SCSISelect also contains SCSI disk utilities that
allow you to perform a low-level format or verify the
disk media of your SCSI hard disk drives.
Starting the SCSISelect Utility
To enter the SCSISelect utility, insert the SCSISelect floppy
disk and then boot your system. To select either a color or
monochrome display, press F5 (this feature may not work
on all monitors).
Using SCSISelect Menus
SCSISelect uses menus to list the options you can select.
To select an option, use either the Tab key or the up/
down arrow keys to move the cursor. Then press Enter.
When you select an option by pressing Enter, the system
may display an additional options menu. Return to the
previous menu at any time by pressing Esc. To restore
the original SCSISelect default values, press F6.
Exiting SCSISelect
To exit SCSISelect press Esc . A message prompts you to
exit (if you changed any host adapter settings, you are
prompted to save the changes before you exit). At the
prompt, select Yes to exit, then press any key to reboot
the computer. Any changes you made in SCSISelect take
effect after the computer boots.

8
Default Settings
The AHA-2910C has default settings appropriate for
most PCI systems (see the table of settings below). Do not
run SCSISelect unless you want to change a default
setting.
Definitions of SCSISelect Settings
This section defines the SCSI device settings for the host
adapter and for each device on the SCSI bus.
SCSI Bus Interface Definitions
The following definitions are most likely to require
modification:
■Host Adapter SCSI ID—This option sets the SCSI ID
of the host adapter.
To give the host adapter the highest priority on the
SCSI bus, we recommend that you leave the host
adapter at its default setting of SCSI ID 7.
■SCSI Parity Checking—This option determines
whether the host adapter verifies the accuracy of
data transferred on the SCSI bus. The default setting
is Enabled.
If any SCSI device connected to the host adapter does
not support SCSI parity, disable SCSI Parity Checking
on the host adapter and all SCSI devices. To deter-
mine if a device supports SCSI parity, consult the
device documentation.
■Host Adapter SCSI Termination—This option sets
termination on the host adapter. You can set termina-
tion to Automatic, Enabled, or Disabled. In general, you
should leave this option set to its default setting of
Automatic.
SCSI Device Configuration Options
SCSI device configuration options allow you to configure
parameters for each device on the SCSI bus. To configure
a specific device, you must identify the SCSI ID assigned
to that device. To determine the SCSI ID of a device, see
Using the SCSI Disk Utilities on page 9.
■Initiate Sync Negotiation—This option determines
whether or not synchronous data transfer negotiation
between the host adapter and a device is initiated by
the host adapter.
The default setting is Yes (Enabled). Set Initiate Sync
Negotiation to No for devices that do not support
Sync Negotiation.
■Maximum Sync Transfer Rate—This option sets the
maximum synchronous data transfer rate that the
host adapter supports. The host adapter supports
rates up to 10 MBytes/sec.
If Initiate Sync Negotiation is set to No, then the max-
imum synchronous transfer rate is the maximum rate
that the host adapter accepts from the device during
negotiation.
■Enable Disconnection—This option lets a SCSI
device temporarily disconnect the SCSI device from
the SCSI bus. This allows the host adapter to perform
other operations while the SCSI device is discon-
nected. The default setting is Yes. Set Enable Discon-
nection to Yes if two or more SCSI devices are
connected to the host adapter.
Advanced Configuration Options
Plug and Play SCAM Support—This option allows the
host adapter to automatically assign SCSI IDs to SCSI
devices that support the SCAM protocol.
Caution:
The default setting is Disabled. Most
non-SCAM legacy devices tolerate the SCAM
protocol, so you can enable this option even if
you have a non-SCAM device.
SCSI Bus Interface Definitions Default
Host Adapter SCSI ID 7
SCSI Parity Checking Enabled
Host Adapter SCSI Termination Automatic
Additional Options
➤
SCSI Device Configuration Default
Initiate Sync Negotiation Yes (Enabled)
Maximum Sync Transfer Rate 10 MBytes/sec
Enable Disconnection Yes (Enabled)
Additional Options
➤
Advanced Configuration Options Default
Plug and Play SCAM Support Disabled

9
Using the SCSI Disk Utilities
To access the SCSI disk utilities, select the SCSI Disk
Utilities option from the menu that appears after start-
ing SCSISelect.
Once the option is selected, SCSISelect immediately scans
the SCSI bus and displays a list of all SCSI IDs and the
devices assigned to each ID. When you select a specific
ID and device, a menu appears, displaying the options
Format Disk and Verify Disk Media.
■Format Disk—This utility allows you to perform a
low-level format on a hard disk drive. Most SCSI disk
devices are preformatted at the factory and do not
need to be formatted again.
The Adaptec Format Disk utility is compatible with
nearly all of SCSI disk drives.
Caution:
A low-level format destroys all data on
the drive. Be sure to back up your data before
performing this operation. You cannot abort a
low-level format once it is started.
■Verify Disk Media—This utility allows you to scan
the media of a hard disk drive for defects.
If the utility finds bad blocks on the media, it prompts
you to reassign them. If you select Yes, those blocks
are no longer used. You can press Esc at any time to
abort the utility.
Troubleshooting Checklist
If you have any problems during the installation, check
the following items first:
■Have you installed the host adapter into a PCI Rev
2.0 compliant computer?
■Are all SCSI devices powered?
■Are all SCSI bus cables and power cables properly
connected? Is pin 1 oriented correctly?
■Does the host adapter and each device on the SCSI
bus have a unique SCSI ID?
■Did you install your host adapter in a bus master PCI
slot? Refer to your computer’s documentation for
instructions or try another slot.
■Are the devices at the extreme ends on the SCSI bus
terminated properly?
■Does your system CMOS setup require you to enable
PCI bus parameters? If so, refer to your computer’s
documentation for instructions. Check that IRQ chan-
nel assignment, board, and BIOS settings have been
made.
Some configuration options apply to a specific PCI
bus slot, so if you change these options be sure you
are applying them to the slot in which the host
adapter is installed.
Check your computer documentation to verify which
slot corresponds to which number.
– If there is an Interrupt Type or Interrupt Line
option in the Setup program, be sure to select
Int-A or Interrupt Type = A. Depending on your
system design, you may also be required to
change a motherboard jumper setting.
– If there is a Triggering Interrupt option, be sure to
select Level.
– If there is an option to enable or disable bus mas-
tering for the PCI slots, be sure to select Enabled.
– If there is an option to enable or disable
individual PCI slots, be sure the slot in which you
install the host adapter is Enabled.
– If your computer has a combination of ISA (or
EISA) boards and PCI boards, you may need to
mark the IRQs used by ISA/EISA boards as Used
so the system BIOS will not try to assign these
IRQs to other PCI boards.
– In some systems the BIOS reserves a set of avail-
able IRQs for PCI boards, and you have to assign
these IRQs manually.

10
Common Problems and Solutions
■Changed Values Not Loaded—If you changed any
values on the host adapter in a Setup program or on a
SCSI device, select the Saved option to ensure that
the new values are loaded.
■Format/Verify Disk Device Utility Startup Fails—If
you tried to use the Format/Verify utility on a disk
device and got an Unexpected SCSI Command Fail-
ure pop-up box with error information, the utility
probably encountered a problem with the disk device
or the media and therefore cannot run.
You can probably determine from the Sense Key
information (e.g., 06h - Unit attention) both the cause
of the problem and its solution. Listed below are
some of the more common Sense Key values and
their meanings:
02h - Not ready—The media is not ready to for-
mat. Be sure that media is inserted in the drive
and that the media is spun up.
03h - Medium error—The disk media may be
defective. If it is a removable-media drive, try
using a different disk media. If it is a fixed disk
drive, the disk may be physically damaged. Verify
and format the media with SCSISelect.
04h - Hardware error—The disk drive may be
defective. Consult the hardware documentation
and contact the manufacturer.
06h - Unit attention—The removable media may
be write-protected. Disable write protection and
run the utility again.

11
Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency
Interference Statement
WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interfer-
ence in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accor-
dance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in aparticular installation. However, if this equipment does
cause interference to radio or television equipment reception, which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encour-
aged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for
help.
Use a shielded and properly grounded I/O cable and power cable to
ensure compliance of this unit to the specified limits of the rules.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful inter-
ference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, includ-
ing interference that may cause undesired operation.
Canadian Compliance Statement
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du
Règlement sur le matérial brouilleur du Canada.
❒
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
Tested to Comply
With FCC Standards
AHA-2910CAdaptec, Inc.

R
Installation
Guide
AHA-2910C
PCI-to-Fast SCSI Host Adapter
Adaptec, Inc.
691 South Milpitas Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035
© 1997, Adaptec, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publi-
cation may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or trans-
mitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written
consent of Adaptec, Inc., 691 South Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA
95035.
Adaptec, the Adaptec logo, AHA, EZ-SCSI, and SCSISelect are
trademarks of Adaptec, Inc. which may be registered in some
jurisdictions. Windows and Windows 95 are registered trade-
marks, and Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corpora-
tion in the U.S. and other countries used under license. All other
trademarks used are owned by their respective owners.
The material in this document is for information only and is sub-
ject to change without notice. While reasonable efforts have been
made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy,
Adaptec, Inc. assumes no liability resulting from errors or omis-
sions in this document, or from the use of the information con-
tained herein.
Adaptec reserves the right to make changes in the product
design without reservation and without notification to its users.
Printed in Singapore
Stock No.: 511691-00, Rev. B BKB 11/97