Two OLD questions.

[Sandy Harris sharris@fox.nstn.ca]

Some fairly old PC history:

Mike Taylor  <mtaylor@scruznet.COM> wrote:

>>         1)  I have IDE edvices in my computer.  Can anyone recommend
>>             a CD-ROM (IDE) that is proven to work with plan9 ?
>>             (as in the distribution CD-ROM.)
>> 
>> As currently distributed, there is no support for IDE (ATAPI) CD-ROMs.

Some ATAPI code has been posted to this newsgroup, but that does you no
good until you've installed.

>I'm confused because I'm dealing with the same problem. The 4-disk system
>seems to want SoundBlaster attachment for the CD-ROM, but my
>SoundBlaster16 attaches CD-ROM drives as IDE CD-ROMs (and it doesn't
>work). Could some (patient, tolerant) person explain to a non-PC person
>like me . . .

At one point, CD-ROMs were either SCSI and expensive or a proprietary
interface, different for each vendor. The 1st SoundBlasters with a
CD-ROM interface used Panasonic's proprietary interface; Creative
Labs who make the SB would also sell you a Panasonic drive with a
Creative labels on it.

The SoundBlaster 16 MCD supported Multiple CDs: Your choice of Sony,
Mitsumi or Panasonic's proprietary interface. Methinks that's the
card Plan 9 supports.

Within the last year or so, the IDE spec has been expanded & renamed
ATAPI. IDE interface CD-ROMs have taken over most of the market. As
far as I know, all quad-speed CD-ROMs are either IDE or SCSI. So are
most of the recent double speeds. 

Current SB 16's, using the Vibra chip, have an IDE CD interface.
That's the card you have. I don't think you can install Plan 9
from it.
 --
 Sandy Harris
 sharris@fox.nstn.ca