Quantum TurboCharger v1.0 - (Dec 12 1991/02:29:17)
Copyright (c) 1991, Fuller Computer Systems, Inc.
DISCLAIMER
-------------------
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS". NO REPRESENTATIONS OR
WARRANTIES ARE MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY,
PERFORMANCE, CURRENTNESS, OR OPERATION OF THIS SOFTWARE,
AND ALL USE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
NEITHER FULLER COMPUTER SYSTEMS NOR THE AUTHOR ASSUME
ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY WHATSOEVER WITH RESPECT
TO YOUR USE OF THIS SOFTWARE.
DISTRIBUTION
-------------------
TurboQuantum is NOT in the public domain.
Permission is hereby granted to distribute the TurboQuantum
executable and documentation for non-commercial purposes,
provided the copyright notices are not removed from the
executable or documentation.
TurboQuantum may not be distributed for a profit without the
express written permission of Fuller Computer Systems, Inc.
Fred Fish is expressly granted permission to distribute the
TurboQuantum executable and documentation as part of the
"Fred Fish freely redistributable Amiga software library."
The Byte Information Exchange (BIX) is expressly granted
permission to distribute the TurboQuantum executable and
documentation as part of the Amiga Exchange listings area.
WHAT IS THIS THING?
-------------------
TurboQuantum is basically a SCSI bit twiddler. Specifically, it will
set or clear the Disable Disconnection bit in the Quantum Drive Control
Parameters Mode Page (vendor unique page $39 / byte 3, bit 7).
Q: What does the Disable Disconnection bit do?
A: The Disable Disconnection (DDIS) mode parameter controls a Quantum
hard disk's ability to disconnect from, and reconnect to a SCSI
controller while it is transferring data. The default behavior of
most Quantum drives is to allow disconnection/reconnection to
happen while a data transfer is in progress.
Q: Why whould I want to change the DDIS parameter.
A: When a hard disk causes a disconnect/reconnect to happen, the SCSI
controller must reset its internal data transfer pointers for that
hard disk. If your Controller uses DMA (like the A3000 and A2091),
it must also reinitialize its DMA controller. Certain DMA SCSI
controllers will actually "fall-back" to CPU controlled I/O after
a disconnect/reconnect! The bottom line is that your hard disk
data transfer performance can drop... And in some cases CPU
availibility during a hard disk access will disappear.
Q: What can be done about this?
A: Twiddle the DDIS bit -- TurboQuantum does this for you. This will
get rid of the disconnect/reconnects that happen during a data
transfer. It will not prevent the initial disconnection due to the
implied seek of a READ command. For a WRITE command, disconnection
will only happen after all data has been transferred into the buffer
on the hard disk. This will improve hard disk performance.
HOW TO USE IT
-------------------
TurboQuantum can be started from Workbench or the CLI/Shell.
When TurboQuantum starts, it will scan your SCSI bus looking for
Quantum hard disks. It can identify SCSI devices connected to the
following controllers:
scsi.device - Commodore A3000, A2091 and A590
HardFrame.device - Microbotics HardFrame
suprascsi.device - Some Supra hard disk controllers
gvpscsi.device - Some GVP hard disk controllers
Malibu.device - California Access Malibu Board
If you have more than one controller connected to your Amiga computer,
TurboQuantum will check for as many as it can find and identify.
You can specify additional devices to search for via the DEVICE= tooltype
in the TurboQuantum icon or via the "-d" option from the CLI/Shell.
Once the devices have been scanned, TurboQuantum will then ask you what
you would like to do.
If all of the Quantum hard disks do NOT have their DDIS bits set,
the "TurboCharge!" button will be selectable.
If all of the Quantum hard disks already have their DDIS bits set,
the "Remove TurboCharge Changes" button will be selectable.
If some of the Quantum hard disks already have their DDIS bits set,
and some do not, both buttons will be selectable.
To quit TurboQuantum without changing anything, simply select the
CLOSEWINDOW button in the upper left corner of the window.
ICON TOOLTYPES
-------------------
DEVICE
Use this tooltype to specify additional device drivers.
Example: DEVICE=foo.device|bar.device
FLAGS
The FLAGS tooltype is used to specify modifiers to the default
operation of TurboQuantum. These modifiers are:
ONEBOARD
When scanning device drivers for SCSI devices, this flag
limits the scan to the first board of the device driver.
NOLUNS
When scanning device drivers for SCSI devices, this flag
limits the scan to the first LUN on each SCSI device.
OVERRIDE
This flag removes the single invocation restriction.
If this flag is not specified and there is another
copy of TurboQuantum already running, the window of
the active TurboQuantum is moved in front of all
other windows.
Example: FLAGS=NOLUNS
USERFONT
This tooltype can be used to force TurboQuantum to use an
alternate typeface for all text rendered into the TurboQuantum
window. If the specified typeface can not be used because
of screen size limits, the default will be used.
Example: USERFONT=times.24
CLI/Shell USAGE
-------------------
USAGE: TurboQuantum [-d device] [-f font.size] [-blDO]
Options: d device name specifiers
b limit device scan to one SCSI board
l limit LUN scan to the first LUN
f text font specifier (ie. topaz.8)
D enable debug and progress messages
O override single invocation restriction
CREDITS
-------------------
Thanks to Michael Sinz for determining the
real world effects of the DDIS parameter.
MODIFICATIONS
-------------------
20-Dec-91 -- Initial public release.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR
--------------------------------------
Are you tired of using old and obnoxious utilities
that just don't seem to want to work right?
Well, here in the Fuller Research Cave we have been working around
the clock (which happens to be in the center of the cave) to bring
you the most sophisticated utilities which are pretty AND useful.
(Hey, how 'bout that, _Pretty_Useful_!)
Over the next few months we will be releasing some hot
new tools that help you be the master of your hard drives.
So... Keep your eyes peeled, your ears cleaned out, and your
fingernails trimmed -- Er, wrong commercial. Sorry.
So be watching for the new line of hard drive management tools
from Fuller Computer Systems, Inc... _The Utility Company_.
ps. _Please_ don't peel your eyes.
(Goofy music plays in the background.... Fade to black.)
--------------------------------------
Enjoy... Any questions... Just ask.
Ben Fuller
(bix: benfuller)
Fuller Computer Systems
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