Path: news.uh.edu!barrett From: michael_bryant@freemf.wa.com (Michael Bryant) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.reviews Subject: REVIEW: DataFlyer XDS IDE interface for Amiga 600/1200 Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga.hardware Date: 11 Oct 1994 17:18:23 GMT Organization: The Amiga Online Review Column - ed. Daniel Barrett Lines: 125 Sender: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu (comp.sys.amiga.reviews moderator) Distribution: world Message-ID: <37ehcv$o9l@masala.cc.uh.edu> Reply-To: michael_bryant@freemf.wa.com (Michael Bryant) NNTP-Posting-Host: karazm.math.uh.edu Keywords: hardware, IDE, hard drive, commercial Originator: barrett@karazm.math.uh.edu PRODUCT NAME DataFlyer XDS BRIEF DESCRIPTION Enables the Amiga 600/1200 to add an external 3.5" IDE hard drive while leaving the 2.5" internal hard drive slot open. AUTHOR/COMPANY INFORMATION Name: Expansion Systems 44862 Osgood Road Fremont, CA 94539 USA Telephone: (510) 656-2890, 8:00am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri (PST) FAX: (510) 656-5131 LIST PRICE Approximately $70 US dollars. SPECIAL HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS HARDWARE Amiga 600 or 1200 computer. SOFTWARE The Amiga 600 MUST have Kickstart 37.350 or higher to use this product. The Amiga 1200 has no such requirements. COPY PROTECTION The Install disk is not copy protected. MACHINE USED FOR TESTING Amiga 600 with 2 megs Chip RAM External floppy (Amiga 1010 drive) Seagate 545 MB Hard drive AmigaDOS 2.05 (Kickstart 37.350) INSTALLATION [MODERATOR'S NOTE: If you are not comfortable opening up your Amiga, then you should have the work done by an authorized Amiga service center. Opening your Amiga yourself may void your warranty, and careless work may even damage the machine. - Dan] The included manuals were very clear and concise. Installing the hardware requires opening your Amiga case (possibly voiding your warranty). The only problem that I encountered was that the IDE header pins inside the Amiga needed to be spread apart slightly for a good connection. The Install disk has on-line help at any portion of the installation. The actual installation can be done by any Amiga user from the most novice to the most experienced. REVIEW The DataFlyer XDS is the size of my Supra 144LC modem. I have had the unit for 2 weeks, as of this writing, and have found NO flaws or problems with the equipment. My only regret is that the cable from the Amiga to the XDS is only 2 feet long and could be a little longer. The Tech for Expansion Systems says that this is the maximum length possible while keeping data transfer error-free. DOCUMENTATION Both printed and on disk. 2 separate manuals are included: one for the installation of the XDS, and the other for the installation of the software on the Install disk. Once you start with the Install disk, the on-line help is the same as the printed help. LIKES The XDS gives Amiga 600/1200 users the ability to purchase larger capacity hard drives than what the 2.5" drives offer. It does not take away from the internal hard drive. It uses the power supply from the Amiga, or you can purchase a separate power supply. DISLIKES AND SUGGESTIONS With the exception of the short cable described above, I have none. BUGS I have found none as of this writing. VENDOR SUPPORT Excellent. The Tech guy, Brian, was very helpful when I had a question. He even called Seagate and held a 3 way conference. CONCLUSION For those Amiga 600/1200 users that have not purchased a hard drive, or those looking to expand or add a hard drive, this is the route to go. There is an extra IDE header which allows you to 'daisy-chain' to another XDS or their SCSI interface. I am very happy with the product. - Michael_Bryant@freemf.wa.com --- Daniel Barrett, Moderator, comp.sys.amiga.reviews Send reviews to: amiga-reviews-submissions@math.uh.edu Request information: amiga-reviews-requests@math.uh.edu Moderator mail: amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu Anonymous ftp site: math.uh.edu, in /pub/Amiga/comp.sys.amiga.reviews