SCSI write caching

[MaxVal]

I instaled a fujitsu 2954e SCSI drive. By default, Write caching is disabled.
Fujitsu Tek support informs me that I need utility from Adaptec (EZ-SCSI) to enable it.
The program is available from Adaptec for $80! I choke at spending this much for changing a bit in ROM on the drive.
Any other way to get the job done?
THANKS!

[Pushrod]

Max, have to tried the symbios SCSI Tools software?

ftp://ftp.symbios.com/pub/symchips/scsi/drivers/Windows_Drivers/Windows95/Tools/symtools.exe
You'll have to type it in (it works) but if I enter as a link it won't.

Doc Silly took the time to do this for me so I'm doing for you. It has a box where you can check to enable write cache but it doesn't seem to improve performance a bit.However,it has other good uses.

Don't get your hopes up too high,though.I have the same drive you have I bought at Onsale. I'm regretting it now.They didn't say its configured for Sun Microsystems.Goods specs at the Fujitsu website but just slightly faster than my SyQuest SyJet external SCSI removable drive using HDTach and Nuts&Bolts and way slower than my UDMA drive.I asked to return it but CompuGeeks want me to pay for shipping plus restocking fee.Never again.

It benchmarks at 9600kbps using HDTach.Will you tell me what your benchmark results are?

Thanks.



[This message has been edited by Pushrod (edited 04-16-99).]

[This message has been edited by Pushrod (edited 04-16-99).]

[This message has been edited by Pushrod (edited 04-16-99).]

[MaxVal]

Pushrod,
I got the same drive from the same people- On Sale, via Computer Geeks.
I was disapointed with the performance also. I have a quantum Viking II SCA80 that tests at 5.6Mb/s, and the best I can get on the 2954 w/write caching is 2.6Mb/s. (no real improvement over write caching off). The seek time for the Fujitsu tests better though- 5.8ms.vs Viking 7.9ms.
I must admit that the Fujitsu feels faster than it tests.
Thanks for the responce!

NOTE- Tested on fast SCSI Initio 9100a under Win95B, via Nuts&Bolts98.

[This message has been edited by MaxVal (edited 04-22-99).]

[Davek]

The utility you want is called ASPI-WCE.exe. Look for it with an FTP search at http://www.ftpsearch.ntnu.no./

[Junior]

What benchmark are you using? I have a quantum viking sca 4.5 and have enabled write caching.

I get about 10500kps with scsibench32. This is on a sequential data transfer. Comes with adaptec ez-scsi 5.0.

With Forefront Troubleshooter 5.5, I get about 10549.3 kbs on sequential read and a 6.58ms access time.

With Sisoft Sandra 99 Pro, it used a test file of 192mb. The sequential read dropped to 6mbs, sequential write was at 3.5mbs and access time was 6ms. The drop off for is due to the fact that I am on my last 500 mb. Meaning that the data writes closer to the inner tracks of the hd - which is the slowest part of the hard drive. It also reads from this file it copies, explaining the drop off. I ran this test before when my drive had 4 gb free and the results were much better.

I also ran some of the tests with cache disabled and the marks were much lower.

[This message has been edited by Junior (edited 04-21-99).]

[Pushrod]

Here are recent benchmarks with HDTach.

Fujitsu M2954E SCA 3.5" UW SCSI 512k cache 7200RPM on FirePort40 at 16bits 40MBps bandwith:
Read Burst Speed: 17.5 mbps
Read Average Speed: 8130 kps

WD AC28400 UDMA 3.5" 5400RPM 512k cache:
Read Burst Speed: 25.8 mbps
Read Average Speed: 12060 kps

Nuts&Bolts show similar proportion.