I realize that they don't qualify for the 10 year rule, however, since I
will be using them to run Ersatz-11 to run RT-11 software from
1985 which does qualify, I hope that this question is not too OT.
Up until 10 year ago, even drives for a PC had individual LED circuits
which provided a status when a read or a write request was being
processed. Now, I can't find any drives which have such an LED.
Tony (any anyone else who may know the details), perhaps you have
the hardware knowledge as to what might be required to add a
circuit with an LED (or anything else that would do the job) which
would provide a status when a SATA II drive is being accessed.
Separate read and write would obviously be even better, but a
single LED would be more than adequate. My concept would be
to modify the existing cable between the motherboard (or the
controller) and the drive so that an LED could be wired in with
the appropriate hardware. The wires on the LEDs should be long
enough to allow them to place the LEDs outside of the case so
that the user can watch then as needed. Even better might be
really long wires that would allow the LEDs to be attached to
the monitor. From what I know of LEDs, the current that they
draw would not be a problem with wires that are many feet long.
Can anyone suggest if this is a feasible project?
I realize that the motherboard which has a display LED status
capability for all hard drives is available, but then I don't see
the status for an individual drive (I have 3 SATA II drives),
let alone if the request is a read or write - assuming that it is
possible to show read and write separately. Plus if the LEDs
were attached to the monitor, that would be much more
convenient.
I actually have such a software display on my monitor right
now for each of my UDMA 100 drives which is really
helpful, but I don't know of any software which is set up
to do that with current systems
Sincerely yours,
Jerome Fine