After some shopping on eBay recently, I've managed to find some good deals. I got a Compaq 2 Bay external SCSI case, a 4.3 GB Seagate Barracuda pulled out of some kind of Compaq, and a refurbished Yamaha CDRW. Problem is that I'm having major problems with the HD.

I wasn't delusional enough to think that I'd ever be able to simply use Apple's HD Setup utility to format it, but before I spent $50 on FWB HD Toolkit, I wanted to give it a shot. Well, I haven't even made it that far. I can't even get the 'Book to see it on the SCSI Chain. System Profiler sees the CDRW with no problems and I haven't even installed any SW yet. I've tried all kinds of things to get the HD to display:

Only plugging the HD in so it's the only thing on the chain, using it's built in termination, an external terminator, changing the jumpers around so the HD spins up automatically after a certain amount of time, etc. Nothing seems to work. The hard drive does spin up like this, but that's it. When it's set to spin up on command from the controller, it doesn't do anything at all.

I'm wondering if maybe there's a problem with the 50 pin to 68 pin converter, or if I should mess around with some of the default jumper settings. There are jumpers to set the termination power and two separate jumpers that are identified as "reserved." Is my book just not seeing the HD because if it's firmware? Do I need FWB to even see the drive?

Any ideas?

The jumpers shouldn't be your problem, they generally represent SCSI ID setting (3 jumpers), termination, head parking, spin up and sometime few other items. They should have two character abbreviations near them to indicate their use.
Baring a SCSI ID conflict, in which case your computer may not boot, the drive is probably a newer SCSI impementation, like SCSI2, Fast, Ultra, or even low voltage differential. Most drives are backward compatible, but not all. Since it has a 68pin connector, it probably one of the newer SCSI implementations and you are probably trying to connect it to your built in SCSI.
Your better bet would be to purchase a SCSI card, like the 2930 from Adaptec. Don't settle for the 2906, it doesn't have what you are looking for. The card would support connecting to newer SCSI drive implementations than what you built-in SCSI support.
I doubt it firmware, that should have no effect on your ability to see it. I've taken disks from Unix systems and reformatted them for use on a Mac. Technically, a SCSI drive is a SCSI drive. The Apple formater should be able to see any drive and format it, older versions couldn't format certain third party drives.

Brent,

Thanks for the feedback. I think you're right about the SCSI implementation. The drive is a Fast/Wide SCSI. The problem is that I have a Powerbook, so the only option for adding support for this SCSI implementation is a PC Card.

Check to see that the drive is running in non-parity mode This is a jumper setting and will cause a drive to be invisible to a Mac

I am having a similar problem, in my case with a LVD drive. To clarify, are you saying the drive should have SCSI parity enabled or disabled for the Mac to see it?

Well,

On Friday, I talked to a guy from cablemakers.com. According to him, for many of these newer SCSI drives to work with older SCSI 1 or 2, you need a special adapter with something called high-bit termination. I have no idea what that is, but I ordered an adapter from them for $25.00, so when I get it I'll let you know how it goes.

Good luck with your drive Tony.

Well, I got the adapter yesterday and plugged it in and wouldn't you know it...my Lombard finally saw it on the SCSI chain. Used FWB HD Toolkit to create a new volume on it and a minute later I had a fully functioning external HD!

[wlonh]

aces! and thanks for posting the info...

but for our benefit could you also tell us what the specific name for this adapter is and who manufactures the one you bought?

I'm not sure of the manufacturer or anything, but it's part number from www.cablemakers.com is SCSA-3920T

Hope this helps

[slboett]

This will get you going...
http://datapro.net/scsi_doc.html

Scott