{"id":2945,"date":"2023-05-26T12:00:17","date_gmt":"2023-05-26T10:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bananahdd.nl\/?p=2945"},"modified":"2023-05-26T12:07:47","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T10:07:47","slug":"fujitsu-m2903sgm-2-1gb-1997","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bananahdd.nl\/index.php\/2023\/05\/26\/fujitsu-m2903sgm-2-1gb-1997\/","title":{"rendered":"Fujitsu M2903SGM 2.1GB (1997)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Fujitsu M2903SGM was one of Fujitsu’s many SCSI offerings available in 1997, offering what the company refered to as a “high capacity specialty” drive. Over 25 years later, this monstrosity of a brick continues to function well, with this particular example being NOS.<\/p>\n

Few enterprise models survive so many years later, but looking into what was one of Fujitsu’s highest end offerings is a fascinating event.<\/p>\n

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A pricey event for 1997.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
  Drive Attributes<\/strong><\/em>\r\n  -------------------------------------\r\n  Fujitsu M2903SGM\r\n  -------------------------------------\r\n  Capacity      2.2GB\r\n  Mfc Date      1997-09\r\n  Format        3.5\" (full\/HH)\r\n  Interface     SCSI (50-pin)\r\n  Platters      7\r\n  Heads         13\r\n  Cache         TBD\r\n  RPM           5400\r\n  Origin        Japan (FCL)\r\n  -------------------------------------<\/pre>\n
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Series definitions [Fujitsu M2903SGM Product Manual]<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>This drive features a whopping 7 platters, alongside 13 heads. The above image provides a good overview of the other drives Fujitsu had in coming years, which is a commendable element of their documentation for these drives.<\/p>\n
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The labels.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The few labels on the drive provide reasonable information, although lack some key features (namely, capacity & spindle speed). Clearly, this drive was produced in Japan, being the only production hub for this model, a factory later relegated to pre-release & sample units in the mid-2000’s.<\/p>\n
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The rear.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Taking a look at the rear, the PCB is quite packed, which is something to expect with this level of SCSI implementation. Generally, it’s quite a clean looking drive, aside from the few blue wires traced across the backside of the board.<\/p>\n
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Beneath the PCB.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Removing the PCB, we get a look at the underside. A touch more digging is required to view the spindle motor vendor…<\/p>\n
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Another Nidec.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
As commonly seen, it’s a Nidec, pushing all 7 platters up to 5,400 RPM.<\/p>\n
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The PCB.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The PCB contains a lot of logic, as mentioned above. A couple notable chips include a huge microcontroller IC from Texas Instruments and a SCSI interface controller from QLogic.<\/p>\n
While the blue wires may look a little sloppy, almost as if they were a major afterthought, they do their job just fine. It’s worth being delicate with this model though, of course.<\/p>\n
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The PCB rear.<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The rear of the PCB offers a few things of note too, particularly the two 16-bit RAM chips from Toshiba (seemingly, 90ns parts). The head-stack connector is rather large.<\/p>\n
There’s little more to say about such a rare specimen of a drive, with few results being available online. It performs per expectations, although isn’t the top of its class by any means. Fujitsu’s full swing enterprise business was starting to sprint at this point in time, with much success to follow in the early 2000’s.<\/p>\n
One thing can be said for sure, it certainly sounds quite interesting in operation.<\/p>\n
Fujitsu MAN3184, MAN3367, MAN3735 Series – SCSI Physical Interface Specifications (.pdf) (contains M2903SGM specifications chart)<\/a><\/p>\n
Feel free to listen to this drive here (also available with visuals on the video below):<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/bananahdd.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Fujitsu-M2903SGM-Hard-Drive-Sounds.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n
If you missed the video I made on this drive, you can find it here:<\/p>\n