Hi,

I've installed a new external scsi storage recently, and it works fine
now.
So I want to know the interface speed of my scsi, but I can't find a
way to see it.
Someone told me to press ctrl+A when my pc boots-up, but ctrl+A does
nothing to my pc.
I tried using seatools enterprise edition, but it does not tell the
speed either.

Is there something I missed, or any other way to check the speed?

I'm using a seagate disc, and an adaptec controller.

Words to the wise, qkaths@hanmail.net (hellur) wrote:

>I'm using a seagate disc, and an adaptec controller.

Check what controller and what hard disk it is, this ought to tell you
the speed limits of both.

Claus Dragon <claus@ultima-dragons.org> wrote in message news:<p52to01cnpndoascmng4umb27j3qkk3tf6@4ax.com>...
> Words to the wise, qkaths@hanmail.net (hellur) wrote:
> 
> >I'm using a seagate disc, and an adaptec controller.
> 
> Check what controller and what hard disk it is, this ought to tell you
> the speed limits of both.

I know the speed limits of the devices which I'm using, but what I
really want to know is the current speed OR scsi mode(i.e. fast scsi
OR ultra scsi...), because I think the scsi mode can be different
according to the devices attached OR number of devices.
And I also want to check myself whether it really works as the
described scsi mode on manual.

I saw some people saying "hitting ctrl+A" enters SCSI BIOS, but it
does not work on my pc.
Is there any other way entering SCSI BIOS? And can I see what I want
if I enter SCSI BIOS?

On 8 Nov 2004 17:43:43 -0800, qkaths@hanmail.net (hellur) wrote:

>Claus Dragon <claus@ultima-dragons.org> wrote in message news:<p52to01cnpndoascmng4umb27j3qkk3tf6@4ax.com>...
>> Words to the wise, qkaths@hanmail.net (hellur) wrote:
>> 
>> >I'm using a seagate disc, and an adaptec controller.
>> 
>> Check what controller and what hard disk it is, this ought to tell you
>> the speed limits of both.
>
>I know the speed limits of the devices which I'm using, but what I
>really want to know is the current speed OR scsi mode(i.e. fast scsi
>OR ultra scsi...), because I think the scsi mode can be different
>according to the devices attached OR number of devices.
>And I also want to check myself whether it really works as the
>described scsi mode on manual.
>
>I saw some people saying "hitting ctrl+A" enters SCSI BIOS, but it
>does not work on my pc.
>Is there any other way entering SCSI BIOS? And can I see what I want
>if I enter SCSI BIOS?
The link speed is available programmatically by querying mode subpage
3, mode page 19.  I'm not aware of any freebie software which will
decode this for you.

SANtools has a package that can return this information, and the
software is ported to all major operating systems.  You can see
specifics for the link speed function from the manual at:
http://www.santools.com/smart/unix/manual, click on link for link
speed (1.39).

Note -- real important, link speed can change, so even if you could
report it at POST via the BIOS, that is no guarantee that some problem
will crop up a few seconds later that causes your U320
disk/cable/adapter combo to crank down to U80 mode.  The SANtools
software can also poll and report link speed if you wish.  

"hellur" <qkaths@hanmail.net> wrote in message news:3feb0fd3.0411081743.622e8879@posting.google.com
> Claus Dragon <claus@ultima-dragons.org> wrote in message news:<p52to01cnpndoascmng4umb27j3qkk3tf6@4ax.com>...
> > Words to the wise, qkaths@hanmail.net (hellur) wrote:
> > 
> > > I'm using a seagate disc, and an adaptec controller.
> > 
> > Check what controller and what hard disk it is, this ought to tell you
> > the speed limits of both.
> 
> I know the speed limits of the devices which I'm using, but what I
> really want to know is the current speed OR scsi mode

> (i.e. fast scsi OR ultra scsi...), 

Fast, Ultra and Ultra2 devices are negotiated to the highest 
synchronous speed that they support whether it works are not. 
Utra160 and up can run at lowered speed if Domain validation is in effect.

> because I think the scsi mode can be different  according to the devices 
> attached 

Only SE vs LVD.

> OR number of devices.

Nope.

> And I also want to check myself whether it really works as the
> described scsi mode on manual.

To check whether something is seriously wrong one usually runs 
HD Tach and check results against the specified STR of the drive.

> 
> I saw some people saying "hitting ctrl+A" enters SCSI BIOS, but it
> does not work on my pc.

So either your controller card doesn't have bios or it doesn't work properly.

> Is there any other way entering SCSI BIOS? 

Does it have one?

> And can I see what I want if I enter SCSI BIOS?

Nope. 
*If* it has one the negotiated speed is reported during post again *if*
it has a somewhat recent bios.

"David A.Lethe" <davidATsantools.com> wrote in message news:2lj0p0t3qgrm1lmbirnac0tj9e7nkfpt6e@4ax.com
> On 8 Nov 2004 17:43:43 -0800, qkaths@hanmail.net (hellur) wrote:
> > Claus Dragon <claus@ultima-dragons.org> wrote in message news:<p52to01cnpndoascmng4umb27j3qkk3tf6@4ax.com>...
> > > Words to the wise, qkaths@hanmail.net (hellur) wrote:
> > > 
> > > > I'm using a seagate disc, and an adaptec controller.
> > > 
> > > Check what controller and what hard disk it is, this ought to tell you
> > > the speed limits of both.
> > 
> > I know the speed limits of the devices which I'm using, but what I
> > really want to know is the current speed OR scsi mode (i.e. fast scsi
> > OR ultra scsi...), because I think the scsi mode can be different
> > according to the devices attached OR number of devices.
> > And I also want to check myself whether it really works as the
> > described scsi mode on manual.
> > 
> > I saw some people saying "hitting ctrl+A" enters SCSI BIOS, but it
> > does not work on my pc.
> > Is there any other way entering SCSI BIOS? And can I see what I
> > want if I enter SCSI BIOS?

> The link speed is available programmatically by querying mode subpage 3, 
> mode page 19.  

Oh goody. 
So not only does this drive need to have a Port Control mode page but it 
needs to be of the SubPageFormat variety. 
So how many (or better, how few) drives actually support this format?

> I'm not aware of any freebie software which will  decode this for you.
> 
> SANtools has a package that can return this information, and the
> software is ported to all major operating systems.  You can see
> specifics for the link speed function from the manual at:
> http://www.santools.com/smart/unix/manual, click on link for link
> speed (1.39).
> 
> Note -- real important, link speed can change, so even if you could
> report it at POST via the BIOS, that is no guarantee that some problem
> will crop up a few seconds later that causes your U320
> disk/cable/adapter combo to crank down to U80 mode.  The SANtools
> software can also poll and report link speed if you wish.