Linux-Hardware Digest #315, Volume #9 Sat, 30 Jan 99 23:13:36 EST
Contents:
Re: Amazing Intel i740 display card ! Please help !! (Shayne Schecht)
Re: XWindows on a 16MB TNT :( no go. (Shayne Schecht)
Re: HELP: jumpersettings TVGA 9200 cxr ("Viet Yen, Nguyen")
Linux, triple boot and 13gb + 6.4gb hard drive. (Ray Van Dolson)
Re: two sound cards? ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Re: HELP!! Parallel tape drive setup question (Grant Guenther)
Re: U.S Robotics 56K modem setup... (JohnB)
Re: HELP!! Parallel tape drive setup question ("Blackey")
Re: Recomendations? Dual Processor MB with EIDE built in and compatible with AMD or
Cyrix (Allen)
Re: Newbie Q: Linux Box as Router, Server, Gateway? (Cyrus Mehta)
Xircom PEM III and RH 5.2 ("Dewayne Blanco")
Re: U.S Robotics 56K modem setup... ("Brett M. Delia")
Tyan S1833D - Need help accessing memory > 64M (John Montgomery)
Re: Linux PPP (Dan Miller)
Re: SB PCI 64 (Heiner Kallweit)
Re: ARCHIVE Python 4320nt DAT drive (Heiner Kallweit)
Re: Amazing Intel i740 display card ! Please help !! (James Youngman)
Re: XWindows on a 16MB TNT :( no go. (Shayne Schecht)
Re: Seeking Memory Tester (Dick Repasky)
Re: Seeking Memory Tester (Dick Repasky)
Same Disk RAID and Mirroring ("Andy Glew")
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Shayne Schecht <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Amazing Intel i740 display card ! Please help !!
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 06:45:32 -0800
On Fri, 29 Jan 1999, Chris wrote:
> I am a new user of redhat linux 5.2, I have a intel i740 display and setup
> as instruction which provide by redhat in ftp. I can display in 320*200
> resolution only (type startx to enter into X Windows), however I have
> 1600*1024 resolution only when I enter X window by command "xdm". If who
> have any ideas, please email me [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Shitcan the i740. I spent a week on configuring mine and no go .. I even
had all of the newest releases of the XF servers and XF itself.
I got a RIVA TNT and after I reinstalled all the latest drivers, it came
up first time.
i740 is a Win only card .. more or less ...
ceno
------------------------------
From: Shayne Schecht <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: alt.os.linux,comp.os.linux.x
Subject: Re: XWindows on a 16MB TNT :( no go.
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 06:47:17 -0800
On Thu, 28 Jan 1999, allacircle wrote:
> > use startx -- -bpp 32 to start X in 32 bit color
That's funny .. the docs say that the RIVA chips do not support 32 bit
colour. I just set it for 24 bit and it came up first time ...
There ya go ...
ceno
------------------------------
From: "Viet Yen, Nguyen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To:
alt.comp,alt.comp.hardware,alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt,alt.computer.consultants,alt.computer.drivers.wanted,alt.uu.comp,alt.uu.comp.os.linux,comp,comp.graphics.misc,nl.comp.hardware,nl.comp.os.linux,nl.comp.overig
Subject: Re: HELP: jumpersettings TVGA 9200 cxr
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:34:25 +0100
Kenny Chaffin wrote:
> And so you cross-post to all the same groups........hmmm
To message you all :)
> Who made you the boss?
Cross-posting to irrelevant newsgroups isn't allowed by netiquette.
> The guy's trying to find help.
I understand, but if he wants to find help. He needs to post in the
appropiate newsgroup.
--
- Viet Yen, Nguyen ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Linux CD kopen ? Ga naar ---> http://lkg.gii.net (NL)
Kostprijs ? ---> 10 gulden per CD inc. verzendkosten!
We hebben -> Red Hat, Slackware, Beowulf, Debian enz.
------------------------------
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.setup
From: Ray Van Dolson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Linux, triple boot and 13gb + 6.4gb hard drive.
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 07:51:03 -0800
Hi there, I recently purchased a brand new Maxtor 13.0GB drive and
installed it as my Primary controller master device in place of my older
Quantum 6.4GB drive which is now secondary master (both drives are UDMA).
An old Goldstar 4X cd-rom is the primary slave. My motherboard is a
PA-2011 from FIC using the VIA VP2 chipset.... I think it may be a buggy
chipset because whenever I try and use the UDMA drivers from VIA w/ Win95
or Win98 my system freezes up completely. Anyways.
I intended to use the 13.0gig drive as a Win95/NT4 drive and installed 95
in a 1.5 gig partition (drive C) and also another 2.1 gig FAT partition.
Then I installed NT4 and have the remaining space divided up into 2 ntfs
partitions. I wanted from here to put Linux on the 6.4 gig drive. This is
where I think cfdisk or something scrwes up my partition table! Linux
installation goes fine, but once I try and go back to Win95, it pauses for
a really long time after selecting Win95 from the NT4 boot menu, just
sitting there, no hard drive activity, nothing on the screen but a blinking
underscore in the top left hand corner of the screen. then it'll pop back
into booting up 95 all of the sudden. If I boot to command prompt only,
win95 is only able to see my C partition, and not my other fat16
partition... when I run fdisk it reports disk2 has an error and sees my
13gig drive as haveing only one 1.5gig partitoin and the rest as free space
(it doesn't see my other fat drive or the two ntfs partitions) If,
however, I boot up to 95, I can access all my drives although fdisk still
chokes and Partition Magic 4.0 wont' even start wiht Error 255. If I boot
to NT, everything works as normal... Disk Manager sees all partitions
properly. Also, from Linux, fdisk and cfdisk see everything as they
should, and I can mount all dos partitions. Basically, I'm wondering if
the Linux cfdisk program screwed up my partition table because it didn't
know how to handle the > 8.4gb drive?? Should I have created my ext2
partitions with Partition Magic 4 beforehand?? Are there any tools out
there to fix this problem, because it's really annoying not being able to
see all my drives from command prompt only and having to deal with that
pause when booting up... and also the fact that PQmagic won't work at
all... not even from dos alone.
My bios is old enough (even with the latest flash) that it doesn't support
anything greater than 8.4gbs either, so I was initially using maxblast
software although now I am not..
Well, any suggestions or can I provide more information?
thanks much
ray van dolson
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: two sound cards?
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 20:00:40 -0600
Tony Faradjian wrote:
> Is it possible to have two sound cards in my PC? I want Win98 to use my TB
> Montego and Linux to use a Soundblaster. Will this work? It'd be great to
> know soon, since I'm supposed to buy the Soundblaster by tomorrow 10am...
>
> Thanks,
> Tony
Tony,
I have done this with a Soundblaster and a different sound card which I
believe had a Soundblaster compatibility mode. I was able to use both cards
at the same time under Linux for digital audio and mixer applications. I
didn't test the midi or synthesizer functionality of either card. My guess
is that as long as you can avoid conflicts in hardware addressing, dma, and
irqs, you should be ok. But you may be in for a bit of a headache...
-Dave
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Grant Guenther)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.setup,comp.os.linux.misc
Subject: Re: HELP!! Parallel tape drive setup question
Date: 30 Jan 1999 15:51:06 GMT
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Fri, 29 Jan 1999 14:39:42 GMT, Dennis Putnam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>On Fri, 29 Jan 1999 00:47:34 GMT, C Sanjayan Rosenmund
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>>QIC 80 generally refers to Floppy type tape drives. If you are looking
>>to install a Travan type drive, they are QIC 3020 (?) I would recommend
>>getting an internal one for the Linux box and just swapping tapes as
>>needed.
>
>Thanks for the reply and I stand corrected. The Windows applications
>refer to it as a QIC-80 but indeed it really is a Travan type drive.
>In any case getting another drive is not an option. I am stuck with
>what I have. Is your response implying that there is no support for
>this type drive in Linux?
Just go back to the linux-parport home page and look a little more
carefully. Your drive is not a PARIDE supported device, but it is
probably supported by FTAPE.
Check out
http://www.torque.net/ftape/
(which is a mirror of the official ftape site.)
==========================================================================
Grant R. Guenther [EMAIL PROTECTED]
==========================================================================
------------------------------
From: JohnB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: alt.os.linux.caldera,comp.os.linux.setup
Subject: Re: U.S Robotics 56K modem setup...
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 10:57:50 -0500
What is the model # and name that you bought that works and how much is
it. I've looked all over and nobody has any modems that work, with os2/
linux/ etc. thanks for any help!
JOHN
------------------------------
From: "Blackey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.setup,comp.os.linux.misc
Subject: Re: HELP!! Parallel tape drive setup question
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:34:28 +0100
OK guys,
It is nice to see the problem resolved :-)
But (always that) I have qic02 (150MB with extension to 250MB) and I have to
read three tapes. How to do that? I did changes in tpqic02.h but I don't
know even the command hoe to read. I tried with tar - nothing, with ftape -
nothing ...
I use SuSE 5.3 and I'm the new one
If have an idea?
Thanks for your time!
Regards,
Blacky
Dennis Putnam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
>On Fri, 29 Jan 1999 00:47:34 GMT, C Sanjayan Rosenmund
><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>>QIC 80 generally refers to Floppy type tape drives. If you are looking
>>to install a Travan type drive, they are QIC 3020 (?) I would recommend
>>getting an internal one for the Linux box and just swapping tapes as
>>needed.
>>
>>
>
>Thanks for the reply and I stand corrected. The Windows applications
>refer to it as a QIC-80 but indeed it really is a Travan type drive.
>In any case getting another drive is not an option. I am stuck with
>what I have. Is your response implying that there is no support for
>this type drive in Linux?
------------------------------
From: Allen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Recomendations? Dual Processor MB with EIDE built in and compatible with
AMD or Cyrix
Date: 30 Jan 1999 16:45:24 GMT
Good question... Back in the socket 7 heyday, they initiated the
OpenPIC spec and later partnered with Cyrix on it, but after they bought
out NexGen, I think their market research suggested that they stood a
better chance of making money by not targeting such a small market
segment (the SMP market) and they could actually make much more money
selling to the Wal-mart crowd Windoze compatible minimum capacity
starter computers...
The initiative was started to avoid having to pay Intel a licensing fee
to use their (intel)ectual property, which would have more than
obliterated any profit margin they could have made by competing in that
market. I never saw any test results of even alpha quality equipment, so
I don't know how far they got with it, beyond the mission statement, but
since the K-7 is supposed to be marketed as being better than by far,
not just as-good-as or almost, then they might revive it. (Pure
speculation at this point) BTW, Cyrix dropped out after getting bought
out by National Semiconductor, and publicly claiming to focus on the low
end of the market.
I've seen no evidence of any return of OpenPIC on any AMD website, but
we can all hope?
Erik Olson wrote:
>
> Craig Hanson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > As far as I know there are no dual boards that support AMD or Cyrix
> > because SMP was created by Intel. If you find one though I'd love to know
> > about it, because I was looking for one too.
>
> Does anyone know if AMD's upcoming K7 will support SMP?
>
> erik olson
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Allen
(email addy; user ID portion has a numeral one in place of word
onespoiler, and of course, delete the bogus secondary domain of nospam.)
fight spam everywhere!!!
The irony is that Bill Gates claims to making a
stable operating system and
Linus Torvalds claims to be trying to take over the world.
Linux; The Official OS of the New Millennium
http://www.linuxlink.com
------------------------------
From: Cyrus Mehta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: alt.os.linux,comp.os.linux.networking,comp.os.linux.setup
Subject: Re: Newbie Q: Linux Box as Router, Server, Gateway?
Date: 31 Jan 1999 02:26:42 GMT
I Looked at edge.firplug.net and it seems good, but does it allow me to run a full
LInux server too
for Samba, hylafax, etc. It seems like just a simple router solution for an old box.
Cyrus
Alinoor Walli <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
: On 30 Jan 1999 06:34:13 GMT, Cyrus Mehta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
: What you need is here:
: http://edge.fireplug.net/
: I use it on an old 486 I had. Works great with @HOME
: >Hi,
: >
: >I have tried to lurk to find the answer, but here goes:
: >
: >I want(hope??) to build a Linux Box for a home network connected to the net by
: >Cable Modem with IP masquerading with a possiblity of web hosting.
: >
: >I intend to have a number of WinNT/9X PCs connected by Samba to the Linux Box
:which has the
: >cable modem connected to it. I know Samba does the file/print sharing for
:Linux/Windows.
: >
: >The Win PCs will have NICs, but do I need a hub to connect to a NIC on the LInux
:Box?
: >Or can I add more NICs to the LInux BOX to become a router, with direct wire
:connections
: >from the other NICs. Can (and intend to) use 10/100 NICs all around, hoping for
:100.
: >
: >And if the above is possible, obviously I am limited by the # of NICs I can put in
:a Linux
: >box, can I then add a small 4 port hub with one port to the Linux Server.
: >
: >Yes, it sounds like a lot of work just to eliminate one piece of hardware, but with
:a small
: >home network and access to cheap NICs, this seems like a legit question to me.
: >
: >If the above is possible, what software components do I need, I know I will need
:the following:
: >
: >Recent Linux Distribution with all Relevant Hardware Drivers (DUH)
: >Samba 2.0
: >IP Masquerading
: >Apache
: >
: >
: >
: >
: >
: >Cyrus
: >
------------------------------
From: "Dewayne Blanco" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Xircom PEM III and RH 5.2
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:46:33 GMT
Does anyone know if there is a driver for the Xircom Pocket Ethernet
adapter?
Thanks in Advance!
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
From: "Brett M. Delia" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Crossposted-To: alt.os.linux.caldera,comp.os.linux.setup
Subject: Re: U.S Robotics 56K modem setup...
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 07:36:21 -0800
If you or anyone else out there finds has some advise for this I too have the
same modem and do not know how to configure...
Adrian Neilson wrote:
> Hello.
>
> As probably seen many times before, I'm trying to setup a modem in Linux.
> I'm *VERY* new to Linux and don't know my way round. I've installed Caldera
> 1.3 Linux, all default settings used.
>
> My modem is not a Winmodem, I would never buy hardware dedicated towards one
> particular O.S. My goal is simple, or so I thought : Setup my modem in Linux
> to dial my ISP so I can send e-mail and browse. I've no clue what to run,
> what so called scripts to setup or anything.
>
> Some advice would be appreciated - with detailed instructions. Please
> remember, I'm very new at this. As most people, I have a lot of Windows
> experience but no Linux knowledge.
>
> Thank you,
> Adrian.
--
**************************************************************
Brett M. Delia ImageBuilder Software *
Tel 503.684.5806 x775 6650 SW Redwood Lane #200 *
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Portland, Or 97224 *
http://www.imagebuilder.com fax 503.639.6334 *
**************************************************************
------------------------------
From: John Montgomery <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Tyan S1833D - Need help accessing memory > 64M
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1999 04:42:06 GMT
I have a Gateway E5200 with a Tyan S1833D motherboard, apparently
similar to the S1832DL. This machine has 2 PII-350's and 256MB of
memory. RedHat 5.2 installs fine but I can't access memory above 64MB.
I have tried passing "mem=nnnM" to the kernel when booting, but this
does not help. I have used both the 2.0.36 and 2.2.0-pre9 kernels with
equal lack of success. I would be grateful for any assistance.
John Montgomery
------------------------------
From: Dan Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Linux PPP
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 03:27:25 GMT
naterackers wrote:
> When I dial, it connects and then I get an error saying PPPd died
> unexpectantly. Any solutions?
> --
> Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email -- always at Talkway.
> http://www.talkway.com
try using PAP authentication.
------------------------------
Date: 30 Jan 1999 18:01:00 +0200
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Heiner Kallweit)
Subject: Re: SB PCI 64
> Hi,
>
> I tried to install a Sound Blaster PCI64 but it doesn't seem to work.
> Does any body knows if there something special to do for it ??
>From the latest 2.1-kernels there is support for the SB 64PCI. Just
use the ess1370 module. Works w/o problems for me.
> thanks for it.
>
> Olivier
Heiner
--
******************************************************
* Heiner Kallweit, Berlin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *
******************************************************
------------------------------
Date: 30 Jan 1999 18:05:00 +0200
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Heiner Kallweit)
Subject: Re: ARCHIVE Python 4320nt DAT drive
> Has anyone managed to get a Python 4320NT DAT drive working. I am using
> Red Hat 5.1. The drive is made by Conner Peripherals (who were bought be
> Seagate). A SCSI Inquiry returns ARCHIVE Python 25588-xxx. I would be
> grateful for any help you can offer.
My Python-DAT works fine. What's your problem ? The only thing to
think of is including SCSI-Tape support in the kernel or build the
appropriate kernelmodul.
> Tim Camilleri
Heiner
--
******************************************************
* Heiner Kallweit, Berlin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> *
******************************************************
------------------------------
From: James Youngman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Amazing Intel i740 display card ! Please help !!
Date: 29 Jan 1999 21:34:02 +0000
"Chris" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> I am a new user of redhat linux 5.2, I have a intel i740 display and setup
> as instruction which provide by redhat in ftp. I can display in 320*200
> resolution only (type startx to enter into X Windows), however I have
> 1600*1024 resolution only when I enter X window by command "xdm".
chmod a+r /etc/X11/XF86Config ?
--
ACTUALLY reachable as @free-lunch.demon.(whitehouse)co.uk:james+usenet
------------------------------
From: Shayne Schecht <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: alt.os.linux,comp.os.linux.x
Subject: Re: XWindows on a 16MB TNT :( no go.
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 06:12:07 -0800
On Thu, 28 Jan 1999, allacircle wrote:
> > I just instaled Linux after a about 4 month break from.
> > Since then I've upgraded to a Diamond Viper 550 - TNT 16MB AGP.
> >
> > Does this card work at all with X Windows?
Yes it does ... I have an STB TNT card with 16 MB and essentially it is
the same card. Ok ... you need to get these files.
XFree86-SVGA-3.3.3.1-1.xxxxxx
XFree86-svgalib-3.3.3.1-1.xxxx
XFree86-XFree86-3.3.3.1-1
and the latest Xconfig utility.
Next you need to run he config utility and select RIVA TNT Generic driver.
That is the only one that would work and as soon as I set it, I fired up X
and it KICKS ASS!!! Unfortunately, in the config utility, it only allows
you 8MB so you will have to go to the /etc/X11/XF86config file and specify
the correct amount of memory.
Hope that helps ...
ceno
========================================================================
Only bikers can truly understand why dogs love to hang their head
out of a car window ......
========================================================================
[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.slip.net/~cenobite/
[EMAIL PROTECTED] "Ceno's Bytes"
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Shayne L. Schecht
Santa Clara, Ca
Quote du jour: "Could I get that with extra curry sauce please?"
========================================================================
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Dick Repasky)
Subject: Re: Seeking Memory Tester
Date: 30 Jan 1999 17:20:53 GMT
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I have a word of caution to add. The lesson that I learned when I
had memory problems some time ago was that memory can fail in
ways that cannot be detected by software. I tried memtest and pc-technician,
and both checked out ok. Physicial memory testers exist, but alas there
seems not to be one in Bloomington. I replaced the memory, and the machine
has run fine since 1996. So, memtest may not find existing memory problems.
Dick
On Thu, 28 Jan 1999 22:29:06 GMT, Thomas Zajic
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>[ e-mail CC�ed ]
>
>Paul Bonnington wrote:
>> Is there is simple test one can apply to a Linux machine that
>> comprehensively tests the memory?
>> I have a number of cluster machines which I suspect have faulty SIMMs. I am
>> familiar with the "Compile the Kernel"/"caught signal 11 error"test but due
>> to the diskless nature of the cluster machines, this test is impractical.
>> The BIOS test simply doesn't push the memory enough.
>> I would appreciate any advice/pointers to software etc.
>
>This should do the trick:
>
>ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/system/hardware/memtest86-1.4a.tar.gz
>
>HTH,
>Thomas
>--
>=---------------------------------------------------------------------=
>- Thomas Zajic aka ZlatkO ThE GoDFatheR, Vienna/Austria -
>- Spam-proof e-mail: thomas(DOT)zajic(AT)teleweb(DOT)at -
>=---------------------------------------------------------------------=
--
Remove the underscore from my e-mail address to reply by mail.
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Dick Repasky)
Subject: Re: Seeking Memory Tester
Date: 30 Jan 1999 17:23:00 GMT
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I have a word of caution to add. The lesson that I learned when I
had memory problems some time ago was that memory can fail in
ways that cannot be detected by software. I tried memtest and pc-technician,
and both checked out ok. Physicial memory testers exist, but alas there
seems not to be one in Bloomington. I replaced the memory, and the machine
has run fine since 1996. So, memtest may not find existing memory problems.
Dick
On Thu, 28 Jan 1999 22:29:06 GMT, Thomas Zajic
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>[ e-mail CC�ed ]
>
>Paul Bonnington wrote:
>> Is there is simple test one can apply to a Linux machine that
>> comprehensively tests the memory?
>> I have a number of cluster machines which I suspect have faulty SIMMs. I am
>> familiar with the "Compile the Kernel"/"caught signal 11 error"test but due
>> to the diskless nature of the cluster machines, this test is impractical.
>> The BIOS test simply doesn't push the memory enough.
>> I would appreciate any advice/pointers to software etc.
>
>This should do the trick:
>
>ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/system/hardware/memtest86-1.4a.tar.gz
>
>HTH,
>Thomas
>--
>=---------------------------------------------------------------------=
>- Thomas Zajic aka ZlatkO ThE GoDFatheR, Vienna/Austria -
>- Spam-proof e-mail: thomas(DOT)zajic(AT)teleweb(DOT)at -
>=---------------------------------------------------------------------=
--
Remove the underscore from my e-mail address to reply by mail.
------------------------------
From: "Andy Glew" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.arch,comp.arch.storage,alt.os.linux,comp.periphs
Subject: Same Disk RAID and Mirroring
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 11:13:05 -0600
comp.arch readers may know that I am very interested
in issues of how reliability for personal computers.
In this instance, how to provide the reliability of RAID
and/or mirroring to computers that have only one disk
spindle, since the vast majority of PCs have only one
or two hard disks.
Which causes me to ask if anyone has support for
single disk RAID or mirroring, whether as a Windows
installable filesystem, in UNIX, even better in standard
LINUX, or possibly at the level of the disk controller
or disk drive?
And, similarly, whether anyone has any error distribution
data that would suggest whether this would be effective.
I imagine single disk RAID as providing a 5th, parity, track,
for every 4 data tracks on disk. Dibs as to whether the parity
block rotates or not.
Such track oriented single disk RAID would allow an error that
hit any single disk block or track to be recovered. The usual
performance impact (nothing for reads, a significant impact 4X for
random writes, etc.). Hybridized with mirroring, read performance
might improve.
Such single disk RAID would not help continued uptime for
whole disk failures, but would help data integrity and recovery
if the disk could be repaired. It would also help data integrity
for storage errors - bad blocks, bad tracks, etc.
Which is why I ask about the distribution of disk errors:
Are multi-block disk errors common, motivating a track oriented
RAID rather than a RAID approach that kept parity blocks on the
same track as their data blocks? Are errors that take out
multiple tracks common, motivating interleaving of data tracks
protected by different parity tracks?
And, overall, I am interested in whether this is available on any
system I am likely to want to use on my home computer - LINUX
or NT.
---
My question is motivated by the prospect of a weekend spent backing up
my home systems to CD-R, and by my unhappiness at having lost data
on existing storage media, both main disk and archives. (I hope CD-Rs
last longer than my old magnetic QIC tapes and Jazz disks.)
I would happily lose 20% of my storage media in order to increase reliability.
I would not be so happy about the loss of performance on writes, although
a hybrid mirroring strategy would help, as would a strategy that did not
protect recently written data, but which, overnight and in idle cycles,
protected likely to be read only data.
On my active hard disks, 95% of my storage is read-only - installed software,
etc. - so the loss would be small.
On my backup and archive storage, such protection is almost a no-brainer.
---
So: is it out there?
------------------------------
** FOR YOUR REFERENCE **
The service address, to which questions about the list itself and requests
to be added to or deleted from it should be directed, is:
Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
You can send mail to the entire list (and comp.os.linux.hardware) via:
Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Linux may be obtained via one of these FTP sites:
ftp.funet.fi pub/Linux
tsx-11.mit.edu pub/linux
sunsite.unc.edu pub/Linux
End of Linux-Hardware Digest
******************************
