SuperIDE README File Revision 1.00 Thank you for purchasing the SuperIDE Caching Disk Controller. There are a few precautions you should follow to get the most out of your superIDE disk controller. >>>>> Power off and Reset Warning <<<<< The SuperIDE controller uses dynamic RAM for its cache memory. If you turn off the power or reset the PC before the data in the cache is transferred to the disk, the data could be lost. With this in mind, here is the warning: NEVER POWER OFF OR RESET YOUR PC WHEN THE DISK ACTIVITY LED IS LIT. WAIT FOR THE LED TO GO OUT TO MAKE SURE ALL DATA FROM THE CACHE HAS BEEN SAFELY WRITTEN TO THE DISK. >>>>> Disable Cache During Partitioning and Formatting <<<<< We recommend you disable the cache operation while you are setting up the Disk Partitions or Formatting the Hard Disks. This will let the PC write directly to the disk without accessing the cache RAM. Disable the cache function by using the SIMODE.EXE Utility program that is supplied with the product. Assuming you are running from diskeete drive A, the command would be: A:>SIMODE D . >>>>> Stand Alone SuperIDE Utilities <<<<< The SuperIDE utility disk does not include the DOS system files, namely, MSDOS.SYS, IO.SYS, and COMMAND.COM. If you want to use the SuperIDE utilities without DOS, we recommend you copy the utilities to a DOS "boot" diskette. This will eliminate the need to switch diskettes each time you use one of the SuperIDE utilities. Note: Assuming you are running from diskette drive A, the command to create a "boot" diskette is A:>FORMAT A:/S. The system will ask you to insert the empty diskette in A: before formatting begins. >>>>> Minimum Cache Memory Requirements <<<<< The SuperIDE controller requires a minimum of 512KB of cache RAM before it will operate. Model DC-99 comes from the factory with 0 KBytes of cache RAM. You must install a minimum of two 256 KBytes SIMMs before the card will operate. (you may install two 1-MBytes or 4-MBytes SIMMs, but a minimum of 512 KBytes is required.) Model DC-99M comes from the factory with 512 KBytes of cache RAM. You can operate this card without installing additional SIMMs. Miscellaneous Notes: The superIDE emulates the industry standard WD-1003 protocol. The SuperIDE can work with ISA standard PCs including network servers and engineering workstations. The SuperIDE Caching Disk Controller is fully compatible with most popular operating systems, including MS-DOS, DR-DOS, OS/2, SCO UNIX, Xenix, Interactive Unix, AT&T UNIX and Netware.