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Rather Odd 8600/250 Behaviour

C

chrismacguy

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 13, 2009
1,979
2
United Kingdom
Okay this one has me stumped. For reasons I can't workout (its probably something very simple Ive missed), my PowerMac 8600/250 will only boot from its Secondary HDD with System 7.5.3 on from Cold, ignoring the larger, original system drive with 8.1 on it, however once up it can reboot and start fine from the 8.1 HDD. (They are not partitions, but physically separate SCSI disks). Anybody remember how to persuade a old Beige Mac to play nice with 2 HDDs? (For those interested, this 8600 is still in production-ish use, with a redundant 7500 with AV just in case. I use it for grabbing stills and short clips from archival material on VHS in AVID/Strata VideoShop 3).

It should be noted the 7500/132 (the card is from a 7600, so its basically a 7600/132 with the wrong number on the front) runs just fine with 2 HDDs in what is identical software wise and appears identical configuration wise.
 
I'm not exactly sure what causes this but I think it's related to older SCSI chipsets. A friend/client of mine had the same basic issue and resolved it with a SCSI PCI card. I can get you the exact part number if you want. I know it was an Adaptec.

Not only did that fix the issue but sped up his SCSI. I bet you could get one for $5 on ebay or CL. I even have one laying around somewhere that I pulled from a B&W G3 years ago.

Edit:

I forgot to mention that my friends system is a 9600 but as I'm sure you know the two are very similar.
 
Last edited:
zen.state said:
I'm not exactly sure what causes this but I think it's related to older SCSI chipsets. A friend/client of mine had the same basic issue and resolved it with a SCSI PCI card. I can get you the exact part number if you want. I know it was an Adaptec.

Not only did that fix the issue but sped up his SCSI. I bet you could get one for $5 on ebay or CL. I even have one laying around somewhere that I pulled from a B&W G3 years ago.
Click to expand...

The part number would be appreciated. I love these old Beige Macs, and well, its good to keep them in useful service, and Ill hunt around for the equivalent part over here in Blighty :)

adcx64 said:
Is this the same 8600 you showed us in your videos? Just wondering...
Click to expand...

Nope. The 8600 is actually a rather recent acquisition. The 75/7600 however is the same one as in my videos :) - The 8600 will be there "soon".
 
I will get the part number in the next couple days. Remind me if I forget.

IMO the 8600/9600 towers are two of the greatest ever. Also the tallest ever towers till the G5. I would say those two and all the G3/G4 towers are about the best hardware ever made at Apple.
 
zen.state said:
I will get the part number in the next couple days. Remind me if I forget.
Click to expand...

Shall do :)

zen.state said:
IMO the 8600/9600 towers are two of the greatest ever. Also the tallest ever towers till the G5. I would say those two and all the G3/G4 towers are about the best hardware ever made at Apple.
Click to expand...

I agree. The best part is, I have what I class as my "dream-team" of towers under my desk: My 8600, One of my various G4s (MDD right now, but may go back to one of my sawtooths) and then (zen you won't like this as much) my Mac Pro (Which is for work, and intel things - but I don't do much personal stuff on really. Its just a shame a G4 can't keep up with HD Editing and Final Cut Studio 3). Its probably the best combination for getting stuff done, and having something stable to check email on Ive had.

Also, I reckon if you got a Handle-less Mac Pro, The 8600 Might be a shade taller. (just comparing them by sight as their next to each other).
 
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