Problems Installing Additional CD-ROM Drives to NT Servers

Kenn's
Tech
Notes

20000203: Problems Installing Additional CD-ROM Drives to NT Servers

February/2000
Tech Note #3

Technicians adding SCSI devices (such as CD-ROM drives) to the 1999 NT 4.0 apps servers may experience problems unless certain settings are changed. Although the servers will function fine set up as shipped, the SCSI settings must be changed when devices are added to the SCSI bus.

If you are adding CD-ROM drives to one of these servers please perform the following steps:
a) Determine which SCSI IDs are in use and which are free. Normally, the hard drives will use 0 and 1 and the internal CD-ROM drives will be 2 and 3 (or 5 and 6).
b) Set the jumpers for your external drive(s) to the appropriate SCSI ID(s).
c) Power down the server.
d) Remove the active terminator.
e) Connect the external drive(s) to the SCSI port.
f) Ensure only the external drive at the end of the chain is terminated.
g) Boot the server.
h) Press Ctrl-A to enter the SCSISelect utility.
i) Choose "Configure/View Host Adapter Settings".
j) Choose "SCSI Device Configuration".
k) For each CD-ROM drive - including the internal drives which came with the system - make the following changes under the corresponding SCSI ID#: change "Initiate Wide Negotiation" to No and change the Sync Transfer Rate to 5.0 MB/sec. A Sync Transfer Rate of 5.0 MB/sec may seem slow, but in fact is suitable for all speeds of CD-ROM drives up to and including 32 speed. If you are installing a CD-ROM drive which is faster than 32 speed, you can set the Sync Transfer Rate for that SCSI ID only to 10.0 MB/sec.
l) Save and exit SCSISelect, rebooting the system.

DISCLAIMER: This document is intended for the reference of computer support personnel within Winnipeg School Division No. 1. There is no warranty or liability if procedures recommended here have an adverse affect on any systems. Use them at your own risk. Any trademarks mentioned are the property of their owners, none of whom have certified any information provided here. Opinions expressed here are personal only and do not represent the policy of Winnipeg School Division No. 1 or any other organization anywhere.

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2001 June 9

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