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XT-IDE Deluxe Install Guide?

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First post, by Auzlin

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Forgive my ignorance on this one, I am an old dog struggling to learn new tricks. I am trying to find instructions for installing my Monotech XT-IDE Deluxe into my IBM PS/2 Model 30 286.

There is some noise on the backside of the board, but I cannot make heads or tails of what it is telling me. The description of it on the website is a foreign language to me. I assumed I would put it in the slot and it would work, but I realize I am an idiot for thinking that.

Other than putting it in the slot, what do I do? Do I have to power it? Do I need to connect additional cables? Do I have to boot it a different way? Does anyone have a picture I could use for reference? All I know now is that when I boot and load dos from my floppy, I don't see a C: drive. This PC didn't come with an HDD, so I am missing any cables I might have.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks for being patient with me!

Reply 1 of 4, by Jo22

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Hi there!

Do I have to boot it a different way?
Does anyone have a picture I could use for reference?
All I know now is that when I boot and load dos from my floppy, I don't see a C: drive.

Yes, you have to press A when XT-IDE has detected your CF card.
Otherwise DOS won't see the CF card.

After DOS has loaded, run FDISK and create a primary partition.
Then exit FDISK. It will reboot the computer.

Then repeat first step by pressing A again.
Run FORMAT C: /S. After completion, the CF card should be bootable.

Note: If you have an old DOS (v 3.x) you must run FORMAT C: and SYS C: separately.
Older DOS has 32MB partition limit, though. Except Compaq DOS 3.31, which has 512MB partition limit.

Good luck! 😃👍

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 2 of 4, by Auzlin

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Much appreciated Jo22! I will give that a shot and see what happens.

Do you know if I have to plug anything else into it? I see a few empty connectors.

Reply 3 of 4, by Jo22

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Auzlin wrote on 2025-01-18, 05:57:

Much appreciated Jo22! I will give that a shot and see what happens.

Do you know if I have to plug anything else into it? I see a few empty connectors.

Hi! Good luck! 🙂

No, you don't need to connect anything else.

There are optional connectors for a) HDD activity LED b) an internal IDE drive c) MicroRAM daughter card.

That daugher card is available optional.
It allows adding memory below 1MB in 64KB steps.
The connector is meant to save a slot (XTs had few slots left).

Edit: There's also space for a not populated power plug next to the IDE connector.
If installed, it was meant to power an internal CF card reader (they often use floppy power cable).
That's just an ordinary floppy power connector for sake of conveniance.
The XT-IDE card draws power from ISA slot, it needs no extra power.

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 4 of 4, by Auzlin

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Great info, thank you! Your instructions work, my PC is running smooth. Woohoo! 🎉

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