Hardware Wanted

I just got an Indigo2 but it's missing a few things I'd really like to have, namely a storage disk and matching sled, an optical drive, and a 13W3 to VGA adapter so I can run it off my multi-sync monitor. I honestly don't need a SCSI disk itself as much as I need the sled for one, but I definitely need the optical drive and monitor adapter. A mouse and keyboard would be nice too, but not as necessary since the Indigo2 uses PS/2 connectors.

Thanks!

Ensure your monitor is sync-on-green compatible.

itsvince725 wrote: I just got an Indigo2 but it's missing a few things I'd really like to have, namely a storage disk and matching sled, an optical drive, and a 13W3 to VGA adapter so I can run it off my multi-sync monitor. I honestly don't need a SCSI disk itself as much as I need the sled for one, but I definitely need the optical drive and monitor adapter. A mouse and keyboard would be nice too, but not as necessary since the Indigo2 uses PS/2 connectors.

Thanks!

Are these things 50 pin? Well, just ensure you choose your size well, 2GB leaves little for the imagination if you go 6.5.22 (I think that's you max?).

I suppose I'll have to get two disks then, the system disk currently in there is only 1GB.

I have found some drives on eBay of decent capacity for relatively low prices ($59 for a 73GB drive pre-loaded with IRIX 6.5.22 and some other software) but I'd like to get a second sled...

itsvince725 wrote: I suppose I'll have to get two disks then, the system disk currently in there is only 1GB.

I have found some drives on eBay of decent capacity for relatively low prices ($59 for a 73GB drive pre-loaded with IRIX 6.5.22 and some other software) but I'd like to get a second sled...

I think roughly install standard is over a GB ?? on 6.5.22. Mind you I say that, but I install from a network dist which has a bundle of stuff.

This was a question I was going to raise but like me, I never got round to it.

SUN allowed you to create a complete system partition over many disk at the point of install. Can we do that?

www.ebay.com/itm/391718046084

13w3 for SGI for a good price! I'd jump on it Vince

Are you sure it's SGI compatible though? The listing doesn't say and I don't want to buy a Sun one by mistake...

That's an SGI design and Acronym1 is an SGI vendor. You could always drop him a line. I have a 13w3 failing that, but it's a rare model that would cost $35 because its DIP switchable between Sun, SGI and other modes - very rare. I have a special cable that was custom made so I don't need it, but still - its rare.

Raion-Fox wrote: That's an SGI design and Acronym1 is an SGI vendor. You could always drop him a line. I have a 13w3 failing that, but it's a rare model that would cost $35 because its DIP switchable between Sun, SGI and other modes - very rare. I have a special cable that was custom made so I don't need it, but still - its rare.

They make these new still, if it is the one I am thinking of: http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-ft-13W3-Male-to-SVGA-HD15-Male-Universal-Cable-w-12-Dip-Switches-W3-606-/270832512031

I have a small pile of them, from that seller, and have used them on both Sun and SGI. Very handy!

No, its not that, its a stubby gender changer with labels for the various configs (Sun, SGI and I think one other.) But knowing there's another I'll have to revise my price lol ^o^

Oh, this is the seller with the SCSI hard disks I was looking at! Well, I suppose if he really knows his stuff I'd be wise to buy from him.

itsvince725 wrote: I suppose I'll have to get two disks then, the system disk currently in there is only 1GB.

I have found some drives on eBay of decent capacity for relatively low prices ($59 for a 73GB drive pre-loaded with IRIX 6.5.22 and some other software) but I'd like to get a second sled...

The Indigo2 can use 80pin SCA drives with an adapter. Hence how my system has 36GB and 300GB drives in it. Things to bear in mind though are that the adapters are a tight fit (put a strip of card between the adapter and the drive), and only some drives will work. Some drives don't support the necessary fallback to support the Indigo2's SCSI-2 bus. You won't harm anything to plug one in, but it simply won't be recognised. I'd say with the 30 or so drives I have that I've tested, I've had between a 40% to 50% success rate with them on my Indigo2 (ones that don't support it I reserve for my Fuel).

What about 68-pin drives with an adapter? 68 pin drives are pretty common.

I'd still need a drive sled though because the interface on the backplane doesn't match any hard drive I've ever seen...

Do I need a sled for an optical drive too? That also is an odd connector.

AFAIK, sleds are required. I know someone on Neko did look at hooking a drive directly up to the backplane port, but I'm not sure if they had any success. A 68pin drive should work, but 80pin SCA drives are probably the most common ones I've seen and can be picked up pretty cheaply.

I guess I still need another hard drive sled and possibly also an optical drive sled then. I'd really like to have an optical drive.

itsvince725 wrote: I guess I still need another hard drive sled and possibly also an optical drive sled then. I'd really like to have an optical drive.

Wouldn't we all? Check mashek.com for these items, failing that, there's always sgidepot.co.uk. Ian's got pretty much anything I'd ever need SGI-wise but due to UK -> US shipment costs for big he's not my first choice for larger/heavier stuff (Not to knock him - packages always arrive fast, in good shape and so-on!)

Also, another option would be one of these:http://www.ebay.com/itm/282359180448

Although an Apple-branded drive isn't my taste its a good drive at a good price. You would just need a centronics -> 50-pin adapter (found cheaply on ebay, and I also have them) to be able to work it.

I have some spare Apple internal SCSI drives (since I have a collection of 68k and PPC Macs) but I didn't think they would work in a SGI.

Unless you're talking externals. I don't have an external SCSI CD drive yet.

That's an external SCSI drive

Oh shit this one needs a CD caddy. I'll find another one on eBay that doesn't :/

Caddies are relatively easy to find so it's not a big deal...

I looked on that Mashek website and they have both a 3.5" caddy for a second hard disk and a 5.25" caddy for an optical drive but wow, not cheap. Will have to either shop around or put money aside for that.