Very Computer

Hi,

I am looking to buy drive caddys for an Digital Alpha 1000A (not the
rackmount version). If anyone has any for sale or knows where I may be able
to obtain such items I would be very grateful.

Thanks,
Paul.

Quote:> I am looking to buy drive caddys for an Digital Alpha 1000A (not the
> rackmount version). If anyone has any for sale or knows where I may be able
> to obtain such items I would be very grateful.

    Compaq does not sell empty caddies. I know of one vendor who used
to sell them, but he tells me he had to stop after being visited by
Compaq's legal department. Apparently Compaq feels that removing an
old drive from a caddy and selling the empty caddy violates their
patent ( it's beyond me how this could be - but I*).

   The official Compaq line on why they no longer sell empty caddies
is apparently that having the option "confused" customers ( I think
this means Compaq feels customers are too stupid to correctly insert the
drive into the container ).

    Technically there should be no reason you couldn't buy a small
drive in a caddy, throw the small drive away and install a larger
one. You would need to be careful about getting the right type of
drive though, some canisters are SCA and some are 68 pin. Compaq won't tell
you which is which, though a co-operative used equipment dealer
might be able to. OTOH I suppose this sort of behaviour might
bring down the wrath of Compaqs legal department on you too.

   If you do go this route be aware that the "classic" Storageworks
containers don't have the power and cooling required for high
performance/large capacity drives. I'd go with 7200 rpm drives rather
than 10,000 rpm and make sure each drive consumes less than 18 Watts.

   Of course if you use anything other than Compaq branded Storageworks
"bricks" in your Alphaserver 1000A you're on your own for any problems
which might arise.