RE: [PLUG] OT: scsi cable

["Jeffrey J. Nonken" <jnork@nonken.net>]

At 05:27 PM 5/26/2003, you wrote:
> On Tue, 2003-05-27 at 01:09, Eugene Smiley wrote:
> > Michael wrote:
> > > I have an old sun Sparcstation LX and I wanted to add an external
> > > scsi CD-ROM to it.   I bought a model 411 sun cdrom, and am
> > > unsure of what type of scsi cable I need to connect it.  What
> > > type of cable do I need?  Is there anyplace in Philadelphia where
> > > I can get such a cable?
> >
> > There is a place on Walnut St. (between 17th St. and 20th St. -- I am
> > not sure exactly) that can build cables for you.  I think it's
> > called Cables and Things.
>
> PCM (Peripherals Cables and More), formerly on Walnut is now on the 1600
> block of Sansom.  There is another place, near 19th and Chestnut -- a
> second floor walk up -- with a similar name that specializes in custom
> built cables.

Sun boxes use standard SCSI-II cables, though I've run into problems with 
the shells being too short (the case gets in the way of the plastic 
housing). It uses the clip-type connectors rather than the screws, at least 
for the most part (I have a fast/wide adaptor that belies that: 
http://www.memoryx.net/x1018a.html -- had to remove the screws and plug it 
in unsecured).

The 411 box should look like the one with the CDROM drive in this picture 
http://jnork.nonken.net/images/P5231419.JPG (center right, on top of the 
"pizza box"; that's a 911 4-pack on top of it). You'll need a standard 
50-pin narrow cable for that, unless the LX comes with something different. 
You can find one of those here: http://www.memoryx.net/5301739.html. 
Generally I don't recommend buying from those guys, but that's not a bad 
price for the cable.

You also need a terminator if you don't already have one: 
http://www.memoryx.net/1501785.html I dunno, that seems a bit pricey, but I 
haven't bought many, so perhaps not.

I don't know Philadelphia. There's a place in Montgomeryville that sells 
all kinds of computer stuff, they're called PC Warehouse. Not the biggest 
discount house, but they give good service. Last time I looked they had 
suitable cables. Straight shot up 309, past Montgomery Mall, just past 
Circuit City on the left. Might be a bit of a haul for you, but I thought 
I'd at least mention it.

If you go anywhere to buy a non-Sun-brand cable, bring the 411 box and make 
sure the cable (and terminator) will actually insert.

http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Systems/SUNERGY/SUNERGY.html <== 
useful link
... Well, wouldn't you know that sunsolve would crap out just as I was 
trying to look up the particulars of the LX. I'm assured by my Sun geek 
friends that it's 50 pin narrow, so the links I gave you should be correct.

And don't forget the terminator. :)

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