Microsoft KB Archive/120812

= QIC 40/80 Tape Drives Slow with Adaptec 154x Controller =

Article ID: 120812

Article Last Modified on 10/31/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
 * Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1

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This article was previously published under Q120812



SYMPTOMS
After you configure an Adaptec 154xC or 154xCF SCSI controller for floppy controller support, data transfer on QIC 40/80 tape drives may be slow.

NOTE: If you are using an Adaptec 154xA or 154xB SCSI controller and the performance is slow, upgrade to the Adaptec 154xC or 154xCF and change the busontime/busofftime values, if necessary.



CAUSE
This problem occurs on ISA-based machines when devices that use floppy controllers contend for DMA time with devices that use SCSI controllers. EISA-based machines do not have this problem because they have a built-in DMA arbitrator circuit.



RESOLUTION
Download 1542CCFG.ZIP from Adaptec's BBS at (408) 945-7727. After you extract the files, follow these steps:

 Boot your machine and press CTRL+A when the system is verifying and running the SCSI configuration. This allows you to run the SCSISELECT utility in the MS-DOS environment. Select MS-DOS at the Windows NT flexboot option, or place an MS-DOS boot disk in drive A. Follow Step 1 again. In conjunction with the utility, run C_CONFIG.EXE if you have an Adaptec 1542C or CF_CONFIG.EXE if you have an Adaptec 1542CF.

NOTE: C_CONFIG.EXE and CF_CONFIG.EXE are available after extracting 1542CCFG.ZIP. In Advanced Configuration, set the values of:

BusOnTime to 4 microseconds

BusOffTime to 12 microseconds

 Exit the utility program and restart your system.

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STATUS
The product discussed here is manufactured by Adaptec, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

Additional query words: 3.10 prodnt

Keywords: KB120812

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