PowerBook 1400c/166 SCSI Question

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PowerBook 1400c/166 SCSI Question

Wondering if the collective wisdom of the Apple Discussion boards might be able to help me with something.

I’m attempting to install some MIDI software on my trusty PowerBook 1400c/166 (OS 8.6) from a CD-ROM. For some reason, my expansion bay CD-ROM drive is being finicky this evening and won’t recognize any CDs. As a work-around, I’ve hooked up an external CD-ROM drive via SCSI, but it’s not showing up on my desktop. When I run the Apple System Profiler, my PowerBook “sees” the external CD-ROM (SCSI Bus 0, ID=4, Manufacturer: Toshiba) and even displays the correct removable media name, but includes a message: ”Note: Not mounted.” The SCSI chain is properly terminated.

My question is: how do I mount the external CD-ROM volume to my desktop so that I can install the software? Many thanks.

Power Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Dec 10, 2006 3:14 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 10, 2006 3:24 PM in response to garp_ct

>"With the introduction of IDE (ATA) specification internal hard drives in PowerBook computers [such as the 1400] it is necessary to supply double-termination to the SCSI bus. When connecting a device with internal termination an extra external terminator should be placed between the cable and the device. If the device lacks internal termination a total of two external terminators are required."

12192- PowerBook: SCSI Bus, Termination, and Termination Power

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Answer 2

garp_ct Author

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Dec 10, 2006 4:03 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks very much for the prompt reply. Look like I’ll need to go out and buy a pass-through terminator tomorrow to make this work.

Power Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

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Answer 3

jpl

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Dec 10, 2006 8:12 PM in response to garp_ct

garp,

Regarding your internal CD-ROM drive: Try resetting the PRAM to restore functionality. On the 1400, resetting the PRAM usually causes the 'book to appear to shut down; just press the power manager reset button on the back panel to start up.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

There could be several reasons why the external SCSI CD-ROM drive does not mount;

- First, no icon of the external drive will appear on the desktop until a CD is loaded and recognized, just like the internal drive.

- If your Toshiba drive has a temination switch and the drive is the only SCSI device in the chain, make sure it is turned on. I have used SCSI Zip100 drives and third-party SCSI CD-ROM drives on my 1400 without additional termination since they had a termination switch.

- Since your Toshiba is a third-party drive, Apple's CD-ROM driver will not support it. Download Apple's "universal" CD-ROM driver from OS 7.6 and give it a try. I would open the Extensions folder in the System Folder, drag OS 8.6's Apple CD-ROM Driver to the desktop, then drag the OS 7.6 CD-ROM driver into the Extensions folder, close all windows and restart.
http://www.maximumdebian.org/docs/mirrors/macdrivermuseum/disk.html

- A corrupted HD driver may cause SCSI problems. When booted to your HD, open Drive Setup > select your HD in the window > then go to the menu and select 'Update Driver' > close all windows > restart.

- Make sure you follow the correct procedure for connecting SCSI devices: Powerbook off, SCSI drive off; connect SCSI drive, then power on SCSI drive; now start powerbook. Unpower ALL devices when make any hardware changes.

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Answer 4

garp_ct Author

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Dec 11, 2006 7:36 AM in response to jpl

jpl,

The “universal” CD-ROM driver from OS 7.6 worked perfectly — thank you very much! The Toshiba drive didn't have a termination switch, but rather a separate 50-pin terminator. I, too, have used external SCSI Zip100 drives on my PowerBook before, so was curious about the supposed need for double termination as referenced in the linked article.

I also reset the PRAM, but that didn’t seem to help with the internal CD-ROM drive. It seems to acknowledge that a CD (I tried Apple system CDs, third party software CDs, and even an audio CD) is in the drive, the drive’s LED flashes, it makes some noises for a few moments (though never spinning the CD up to full RPM), and then gives up. My floppy drive and VST Zip drive work fine, though. Kind of disappointing considering that I’ve only used the internal CD-ROM drive a few times since the computer was purchased new, but now that I have an effective work-around with the external CD-ROM drive, all is well. Thanks again.

Power Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

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Answer 5

jpl

Level 7

28,285 points

Dec 11, 2006 12:09 PM in response to garp_ct

garp,

Glad the fix was as simple as a driver.

You may find this link useful for repairing the 1400's optical drive. In the author's case, adjusting the focus of the laser lens promptly solved his non-working drive...looks pretty straightforward but possibly time consuming.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/gionpeters/hhhh/pb1400.htm

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Answer 6

garp_ct Author

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Jan 11, 2007 5:46 AM in response to jpl

Looks like a good rainy day project for me! Thanks again.

Power Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

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