Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997 19:34:26 -0500 From: dkelly@hiwaay.net To: freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG, freebsd-isp@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Is there still problems with Adaptec UW controllers (fwd) Message-ID: <199708210034.TAA04400@nospam.hiwaay.net> In-Reply-To: Message from Howard Lew <hlew@www2.shoppersnet.com> of "Wed, 20 Aug 1997 03:49:04 PDT." <Pine.BSF.3.91.970820023126.1242A-100000@www2.shoppersnet.com>
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Howard Lew replies: > > I think the original question (if I recall correctly) was about whether > the Adaptec 2940UW works with 2.2.2R or a RELENG one? I think he said that > it worked in 2.1.7 before, but not on the later release. Then someone > else said it was likely his cpu and suggested him try another cpu > first. Why would it work in 2.1.7 before then? [snip] > Having taken back that last line above, all I am saying is it works for > me. Your mileage may vary. [snip] > Yes, I agree -- that is a possibility. But until we are certain about the > problem should we say that just because he has a K6, he has problems > running FreeBSD with a SCSI card? I am sure there are others using a K6 > and a 2940UW without problems too. Maybe this guy has a newer rev K6 and > has SCSI trouble? Do we not help him because he is a K6 owner and just > use the cpu as the scapegoat for any kind of problems with FreeBSD? I > don't think it is fair for him to be treated that way. I know there are > some FreeBSD users with K6s that feel bad about their chip, but for now > there isn't much that can be done except to wait for the puzzle to unravel > given some time. I would hate to see FreeBSD become just a genuine Intel > only OS and not support any user who doesn't own an Intel chip. Think I've trimmed this down without altering the original meaning. But what I glean from the above is an example of a misconeption I fight against at work every day. Software and computers are too complex systems to "nicely" behave according to control theory. Its an art, more like economic predictions, less like carpentry. One can not prove that software (or a computer) works. One can only demonstrate a fault. Failure to demonstrate a fault is not proof that one doesn't exist. I (dkelly@HiWAAY.net) asked: > Have you been following the thread on AMD K6 problems? With the problems > *everyone* else is having with the K6 and "make world" it would be hard > not to attribute your problems to the K6 unless you can reproduce the > same problems with another model CPU. On re-read I still don't read into the above that non-Intel CPU's are not supported. As if I'm anybody who could/would deny that support. For heavens sake, I'm running a NexGen! An Adaptec 2940UW is a very popular card, if there was a survey you'd probably find it the #1 or #2 card used in FreeBSD systems. What I was trying to say is the exact same problem others have in "make world" might be manifesting in the system when communicating with the 2940. I run 2940A's in this NexGen PCI-90 and an AMD 5x86/133-P75, and a 2940AU in a P-133, all with 2.2.2. An Adaptec 2940UW is a very popular card, if there was a survey you'd probably find it the #1 or #2 card used in FreeBSD systems. Problems with the 2940 family pop up every now and then, it might be happening to you. Have been doing a lot of shopping for an upgrade lately. Would like to buy the latest incarnation of my NexGen, the AMD K6, but I can't justify it due to reliability. It'll cost AMD (5) sales next week. And another 25 this year. As for Adaptec, its time for me to try a Symbios 875 based card. -- David Kelly N4HHE, dkelly@hiwaay.net ===================================================================== The human mind ordinarily operates at only ten percent of its capacity -- the rest is overhead for the operating system.
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