More RSX-11M and ESDI

Question: How required are front panel connections for drives? The manual for my WQESD controller states "if required a front panel can be connected". Background: I'm still working on the problems I described in my "ESDI, MSCP, RSX11M, TK50's, etc." message yesterday. I got adventurous with the RQDX3, and tried the CSR settings listed for the RQDX2 controller and it worked. I replaced the Quad-Height WQESD ESDI Controller with the RQDX3 and a Continuity card, booted from tape, "BAD'd" the disk, and then "BRU'd" part of a tape to the disk. Unfortunatly it was to small a disk to hold the entire tape, but it tells me what I'm doing is right. I also discovered that the Unrecoverable error -65 that "BAD" has been giving me is apparently telling me that the device is either offline or unavailable. I got the same error when I initially tried the procedure with the RQDX3 and a RD52, but then discovered that I didn't have the 34-pin cable plugged in all the way. I'm sure the ESDI drive and controller are a good combination, and work, as I was able to use the onboard programs to format and test the drive. It looks to me like my problem is that as far as the software or hardware is concerned that the drive isn't online. On that note, I'll probably give the Emulex QD21 controller I've got a try tomorrow night since I've got a front panel thing for it. Zane | Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator | | healyzh(a)ix.netcom.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast | | healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector | +----------------------------------+----------------------------+ | Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, | | and Zane's Computer Museum. | | http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |