Subj : Re: SCSI Hard drive?
To   : comp.os.linux
From : patrick
Date : Sun Jul 04 2004 02:44 am

garco wrote:
> I plan to install another Hard Drive in my Compaq Presario P4 desktop
> to  have Linux Mandrake 10.0 on it (the original disk, an IDE one, has
> Win$_XP).
> I was thinking in buying a SCSI one (with its adaptor, of course)
> because of the best performance compared to IDE ones but I wonder if I
> should, given that:
> I have no experience/knowledge at all with SCSI.
> I have currently no time to spend fighting against problems.
> 
> So, I need a drive that may be installed easily, like an IDE does.
> 
> Should I try SCSI or stick to IDE? or, in other words,
> Am I likely to find problems with an SCSI drive and adapter?
> Does anyone know of a SCSI drive that can be installed like that
> (snap)?
> 
> Please, any clue.
> Thanks,
> garco
I stick SCSI drives into Windows computers, and Linux computers, and 
computers that multi-boot, all the time!

I buy the 10,000 rpm SCSI hard drives on ebay, usually used, although 
some are new, running me between $12.00 and $24.00 (including shipping). 
Seagate ST118202LC drives are SCA and REQUIRE an adapter ($2.90 and up) 
to hook up the power connector and either a 50, or a 68 pin cable.  I 
also pick up SCSI adapter cards (used, usually, $10, & up), and the 
cables ($0.50 and up) there.

Another source is the vendors at http://pricewatch.com

In either case, check out the Reseller ratings, or background (feedback, 
too!) of the seller.

You do need to know that there are several generations of SCSI, starting 
with the 50 pin and going up through the 68 pin Ultra, and Ultra-2 
drives, and on to the Hot Swap SCA connector drives.

You must simply get the adapter, cable(s), and drives to all be the same 
standard.  Most adapters have an on-board bios, and are immediately 
booted up in any computer OS.

The drive(s) must be partitioned (CFdisk;fdisk;QTparted are good for 
Linux; also, in Microsoft environments, 'formatted'.
Note that you can have the system boot up form an IDE, or, a SCSI device 
(provided the scsi adapter has the bios boot firmware to do so).

Here is some info (don't let the multiple different SCSI 
standards/speeds/configurations surprise or confuse you, ask 
questions!):  http://www.scsita.org/aboutscsi/termsTermin.html

.