I was not aware of the PB1xx termination issue. I have mounted a 180 as a SCSI Disk on a 1400 without issue.

Click to expand...

But then, the 1400 is a NuBus, ATA and 603e machine, no? Quite possibly a great deal more accomplished than a PB1nn. Even as good as a desktop, in the context?

Why would you need two switchable adapters? No, rephrase that: you don't need two switchable adapters, only one.
You can even find them built into cables (HDI-50 to normal SCSI 25 or 50). I have one - that, a gender changer/terminator, and an ordinary Powerbook SCSI adapter was all that was required. Three items - not quite the intimidating kludgemonster you imply. I used to take that and my 1400 with me to service friend's 'books.

Click to expand...

I also have HDI-30/CN-50 or DB-25 cables. I don't expect that everyone else must have them. What I wrote is a useful alternative, but like many SCSI parts these days, getting scarcer. And the kludgemonster, as you put it, allows the option of insertion of the termination that is not available in a made-up cable. Termination power (or the lack of it) is the real killer in a PB1nn to PB1nn setup.

But you're not asking the 170 to go into SCSI Disk Mode - just to boot normally.

Click to expand...

Entirely true, but not a bad thing to be aware of. And it still lacks termination, so it's back to the adapter-terminator-cable scenario at the 170 end of a SCSI chain. CD-ROMs are often villainous critters in PB servicing for all of the reasons above.

de