----------------------------------------------------------------- STACKER NOTE STACKER NOTE ADAPTEC SCSI DISK CONTROLLER WITH STACKER (Applies to Stacker 4.x) STAC FAX 4501 (01-31-1994) ----------------------------------------------------------------- BACKGROUND This document covers the use of the Adaptec 154x SCSI controller and MS-DOS 6.0/6.2, or PC-DOS 6.1 with file dates 9/30/93 or later, with Stacker. Under certain conditions, use of an Adaptec controller with a Stacker drive can make it appear as though your disk contains no data even though the root directory is preserved. Your data is intact. SOLUTION - Properly install the Adaptec controller. - Properly configure Stacker, Smartdrv and ASPI4 DOS 6. Properly install the Adaptec controller If you are using an Adaptec 154x bus-mastering SCSI disk controller, be sure that Adaptec's ASPI (Advanced SCSI Programming Interface) manager is properly installed on your system. Install the ASPI DOS managers as well to help DOS communicate with the SCSI host adapter more effectively and allow additional SCSI devices. You'll need the ASPI DOS managers also: - To support programs that use virtual memory (such as Microsoft Windows 3.0 and 3.1, QEMM 386 and Qualitas 386MAX) - To support programs that write large amounts of data directly to video memory (AHA-1540, 1542, and 1640 host adapters only) - When more than two hard disk drives are already installed - To install a SCSI drive that is configured at a SCSI ID other than 0 or 1 - To install removable media such as a CD-ROM or tape backup drive For example, if you are using a AHA 1542/B, or 1542/C controller, the following lines should be included in your CONFIG.SYS file: FILES=40 BUFFERS=20 DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS DOS=HIGH,UMB DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS DEVICE=C:\ADAPTEC\ASPI4DOS.SYS Note Adaptec does not recommend loading the ASPI4DOS manager high with the 154x/B card, but that is possible with the 1542/C model. See your Adaptec software manual for further details regarding proper installation of this and other ASPI DOS manager software. Properly configure Stacker Stacker can work with the Adaptec controller if one of the following is true: - The /EMS switch is not used in STACKER.INI - Use double buffering when loading Smartdrv - ASPI4 DOS 6 is installed. 1. To examine or edit the STACKER.INI file type ED at the Dos prompt. From the File menu, select STACKER.INI. When the file displays, look for a line with the switch /EMS. If the switch is present, remove it, save the file, then restart your computer. 2. Install Smartdrv double buffering in accordance with the DOS instructions. 3. Install ASPI4 DOS 6 in accordance with Adaptec's instructions. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1994 Stac Electronics