qlogic scsi card, portable cd's

[Paul Rubin <phr@netcom.com>]

I've had rotten luck with the Qlogic scsi card under Linux.
It works fine under DOS and Windows on my old Toshiba T4600 and
on my current Thinkpad 755cx, but on both of those machines
it is totally flaky under Linux (e.g. cd-roms will stop
reading after a few seconds).  However, it works ok under Linux
in my housemate's Toshiba Libretto 50ct (Japanese version).
Maybe there is some timing problem in the Linux driver or
something like that.  Anyway, if anyone wants to buy it,
it's available.

Re portable cd's, Fry's Electronics sells a nice looking Sony 6x
unit which comes with a genuine Adaptec 1460 pcmcia adapter for $299.
I'm tempted to buy one.

My housemate (with the Libretto) got a Japanese-market Panasonic 10x
unit for also around $300, but it came with some non-Linux-supported
pcmcia card.  He uses it with an Adaptec card that he got separately.
The cd drive seems very nice but I'd probably get the Sony because
of its domestic packaging and warranty in addition to the Adaptec
card.  I don't feel that the difference between 6x and 10x reading
speed is that important in this application.