On Nov 10, 11:27 am, Stewie de Young <stewies...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> ... I think what he is after though is whether these cards can have a DVD > drive plugged into them that you can boot off... > Stewie Correct! I just searched for Mac compatible SATA controller cards, then for cheap Mac compatible SATA cards. I finally found that Silicon Image chip sets are the basis for most Mac compatible SATA cards. SYBA makes about the cheapest SATA II 2int/2/ext 4-port Mac compatible out there; PCI-X model SD-PCXSA2-2E2R, $33.99 @ mwave.com. The card comes stock with a RAID capable (software only) BIOS/firmware that only supports hard drives. However, a non-RAID BIOS/firmware is available for download (card must be flashed in a Windows PC) that eliminates the delay at boot caused by the RAID BIOS looking for a RAID drive set, and allows the card to support SATA ATAPI devices such as optical drives, tape drives, etc. as well as hard drives (non-RAID). The SYBA SATA PCI-X model SD-PCXSA2-2E2R controller card is based on the SIL3124 chipset. So theoretically, any card based on this chip set will run in a Mac with the right BIOS/firmware installed. There are several other manufacturers cards available using this chip set that allow port multiplier (up to 5 devices/port) operation with external enclosures, etc.. I had to inquire directly with the manufacturer's tech support personnel to obtain this info. They were also very specific about which versions of OS X the card would operate with. Namely, 10.4.9, 10.4.10 and 10.5.1. I have sent an inquiry to confirm whether or not these are the ONLY versions of OS X the card will function with. If so, I will have to keep searching for a solution. I believe I have found an alternate card that will work under 10.5.8 and 10.6.1, but it is a 4-port internal that costs about $89.99-$119.00. Way too much for simply adding a SATA DVD burner to my MDD, unless I can sell the Seritek 1V4 for about the same amount. There may be some SIL3512 based cards that will work as well. Still looking... Anyway, thanks to all who tried to help. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to g3-5-list@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
