PowerBook 1xx SCSI Disk Mode

  • In SCSI Disk Mode the PowerBook 1xx will behave as an external SCSI drive for another computer.
  • The inexpensive Powebooks, which include the 140 and 170 models, do not support SCSI Disk Mode.
  • The PowerBook 1xx has a SCSI connector at the back which, called an HDI-30.

  • There are two modes of operation for the HDI-30 adapter: System and Disk
  • Not all HDI-30 adapters support Disk, aka Dock, mode. The adapter must have an option to activate SCSI Disk Mode.

Prepare by Configuring SCSI Disk Mode on the PowerBook

  • Open the PowerBook Control Panel.

  • Select a SCSI ID for the PowerBook.
  • The PowerBook will be acting as an external hard drive, so the SCSI ID must not be 0 or 7.
  • If daisy-chained together with other SCSI devices, the device ID must be unique.

Activate SCSI Disk mode and connect to the desktop Mac

  1. Shut down both Macs and turn off any other SCSI equipment.
  2. Connect the PowerBook to the SCSI Disk Adapter.

  1. Put a terminator at the free end of the adapter.
    (The terminator is not required when attaching the PowerBook to a Macintosh Portable or to a Mac Plus with no internal drive.)
  2. Connect the terminated end of the SCSI Disk Adapter cable either to the desktop Mac or to the last SCSI device on the chain.
  3. Turn on the PowerBook.
    Across the face of the otherwise completely blank PowerBook screen marches a huge SCSI logo (later PowerBook screens may remain blank instead). Inside it is a large digit, representing the SCSI ID selected in the Powerbook Control Panel.

  1. Turn on any other SCSI devices.
  2. Finally, turn on the desktop Mac.
  3. The PowerBook’s hard drive icon shows up on the desktop Mac’s screen just as though it were an external hard drive.

Reverse the procedure

  1. First, turn off the desktop Mac.
  2. Turn off the PowerBook.
  3. Finally, turn off the other SCSI devices, if any.

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