#Titel Hard- & Software / Hardware / DataFlyer XDS
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           Test : DataFlyer XDS
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PRODUCT NAME
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        DataFlyer XDS

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION
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        Enables the Amiga 600/1200 to add an external 3.5" IDE hard drive
while leaving the 2.5" internal hard drive slot open.

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AUTHOR/COMPANY INFORMATION
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        Name:           Expansion Systems
                        44862 Osgood Road
                        Fremont, CA  94539
                        USA
        Telephone:      (510) 656-2890, 8:00am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri (PST)
        FAX:            (510) 656-5131

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LIST PRICE
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        Approximately $70 US dollars.

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SPECIAL HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

        HARDWARE
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                Amiga 600 or 1200 computer.

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        SOFTWARE
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                The Amiga 600 MUST have Kickstart 37.350 or higher to use
                this product. The Amiga 1200 has no such requirements.
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COPY PROTECTION
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        The Install disk is not copy protected.

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MACHINE USED FOR TESTING
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        Amiga 600 with 2 megs Chip RAM
        External floppy (Amiga 1010 drive)
        Seagate 545 MB Hard drive
        AmigaDOS 2.05 (Kickstart 37.350)

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INSTALLATION
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        [MODERATOR'S NOTE:  If you are not comfortable opening up your
        Amiga, then you should have the work done by an authorized Amiga
        service center.  Opening your Amiga yourself may void your warranty,
        and careless work may even damage the machine.  - Dan]

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        The included manuals were very clear and concise. Installing the
hardware requires opening your Amiga case (possibly voiding your warranty).
The only problem that I encountered was that the IDE header pins inside the
Amiga needed to be spread apart slightly for a good connection.

        The Install disk has on-line help at any portion of the installation.
The actual installation can be done by any Amiga user from the most novice
to the most experienced.

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REVIEW
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        The DataFlyer XDS is the size of my Supra 144LC modem.  I have had
the unit for 2 weeks, as of this writing, and have found NO flaws or
problems with the equipment.  My only regret is that the cable from the
Amiga to the XDS is only 2 feet long and could be a little longer. The Tech
for Expansion Systems says that this is the maximum length possible while
keeping data transfer error-free.
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DOCUMENTATION
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        Both printed and on disk.  2 separate manuals are included:  one for
the installation of the XDS, and the other for the installation of the
software on the Install disk. Once you start with the Install disk, the
on-line help is the same as the printed help.

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LIKES
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        The XDS gives Amiga 600/1200 users the ability to purchase larger
capacity hard drives than what the 2.5" drives offer.  It does not take away
from the internal hard drive.  It uses the power supply from the Amiga, or
you can purchase a separate power supply.

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DISLIKES AND SUGGESTIONS
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        With the exception of the short cable described above, I have none.
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BUGS
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        I have found none as of this writing.

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VENDOR SUPPORT
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        Excellent.  The Tech guy, Brian, was very helpful when I had a
question.  He even called Seagate and held a 3 way conference.

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CONCLUSION
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        For those Amiga 600/1200 users that have not purchased a hard drive,
or those looking to expand or add a hard drive, this is the route to go.
There is an extra IDE header which allows you to 'daisy-chain' to another
XDS or their SCSI interface.  I am very happy with the product.

- Michael_Bryant@freemf.wa.com

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---

   Daniel Barrett, Moderator, comp.sys.amiga.reviews
   Send reviews to:     amiga-reviews-submissions@math.uh.edu
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   Moderator mail:      amiga-reviews@math.uh.edu
   Anonymous ftp site:  math.uh.edu, in /pub/Amiga/comp.sys.amiga.reviews