SCSI ID (device address jumper settings)

• Each device must have a unique SCSI ID.
• Recommended SCSI ID for the boot device is 0.

Termination

• SCSI systems should have termination at both ends of the cable. Make sure that the controller terminates one end of the cable and that there is an active terminating device on the other end of the cable. If a drive does not have onboard termination, a terminator should be placed on the last connector of the cable, making sure that the last connector is at the end of the cable.
• Any device attached that is not at the end of the cable must have internal termination disabled.
• For adapters with multiple SCSI ports contact the adapter manufacturer for proper termination requirements.
• For adapters with a common port, with both internal and external connections in use, DO NOT enable termination on the controller.
• Narrow (50-pin) devices SHOULD NOT be connected at the end of a wide (68-pin) SCSI cable. A terminator in a 50-pin SCSI device cannot provide the correct termination for the unused data lines.
• Using a 68 to 50-pin cable converter to connect a 68-pin disk drive to a 50-pin SCSI adapter could cause problems, because the 68 to 50-pin cable converter leaves 18 of the 68 pins on the disk drive without termination.

Cables and connectors

• Check that the cables are seated correctly and that no pins are bent.
• Make sure that pin 1 of the cable is plugged into pin 1 of the SCSI connector. (Pin 1 on the SCSI cable is normally identified by a red or red-striped wire.) This is especially important if you are using cables or connectors (on the SCSI adapter) that are not keyed. The connectors on our drives have a slotted key to prevent you from plugging the cable in backward, but not all SCSI cables are made with a key.
• If possible, try replacing the cable and terminators.

Resolution

• Place the 68-pin drive at the end of the bus and set the jumpers for the drive for active termination which provides termination to all 68 pins. If the drive does not provide termination, the converter should provide on board termination so that all unused lines are terminated.
• The termination for a drive should match the interface of the drive. For example, single-ended drives should use single-ended terminators.

Drive jumper

Make sure that drive jumpers are set to enable auto start when power is applied.

Adapter defaults

Try resetting the SCSI adapter defaults.

Drive spinning

Does drive spin up and remain spinning?

SCSI adapter

Does SCSI adapter recognize the drive during boot up?

Checking cable lengths

Make sure that lengths are within the ANSI specification for the interface transfer rate used and the number of devices installed on the bus. The SCSI Trade Association lists specifications definitions.

If using removable carrier for drive

If drive is attached through a removable carrier, try removing the drive from the carrier and attaching the drive directly to the bus.

On multi-channel SCSI adapters, do not use more than two ports on each adapter.