Seagate ST296N 85MB SCSI-1 hard drive front view Seagate ST296N 85MB SCSI-1 hard drive front view
Seagate ST296N 85MB SCSI-1 hard drive front view Seagate ST296N 85MB SCSI-1 hard drive front view
Seagate ST296N top view Seagate ST296N top view
Seagate ST296N angled view Seagate ST296N angled view
Seagate ST296N 85MB SCSI-1 hard drive front view
Seagate ST296N 85MB SCSI-1 hard drive front view
Seagate ST296N top view
Seagate ST296N angled view

Seagate

Seagate ST296N – 85MB | SCSI-1 Single-Ended | 3600RPM | 5.25" | Legacy HDD

$199.95

Brand New, Factory Sealed | In Stock | Bulk Orders Available

The ST296N delivers 85MB capacity with SCSI-1 Single-Ended interface featuring 3600RPM rotation, 28ms average seek time, and 8.33ms latency in a 5.25" half-height form factor. Built for late 1980s and early 1990s workstations and servers, it is ideal for vintage computing restoration, legacy system maintenance, and retro hardware enthusiasts. Compatible with 8-bit and 16-bit ISA SCSI controllers including Seagate ST-01, Adaptec AHA-1540B/C, and Trantor cards. Engineered with RLL 2/7 recording method and 70,000-hour MTBF for continuous operation in mission-critical legacy systems.

All products from Anand International ship brand new and factory sealed. Volume and B2B pricing available for qualified buyers.
Specifications
  • Manufacturer: Seagate
  • Model: ST296N
  • Capacity: 85MB
  • Interface: SCSI-1 Single-Ended
  • Spindle Speed: 3600RPM
  • Cache: No cache
  • Form Factor: 5.25" Half-Height
  • Seek Time: 28ms average
  • Latency: 8.33ms
  • MTBF: 70,000 hours
  • Drive Type: Internal Hard Drive
  • Warranty: 90 days
  • Shipping: Free domestic US shipping
  • Condition: Brand New, Factory Sealed
Product Features
  • SCSI-1 Single-Ended interface with 50-pin connector
  • 85MB formatted capacity (96MB unformatted)
  • 3600RPM spindle speed for reliable performance
  • 28ms average seek time, 8ms track-to-track
  • RLL 2/7 recording method for data integrity
  • 70,000-hour MTBF for continuous operation
  • 5.25" half-height form factor
  • Open collector SCSI drivers with passive termination
  • Direct replacement for legacy systems requiring SCSI connectivity
  • 90-day Anand International warranty on all legacy stock
  • Free domestic US shipping included
  • Volume and B2B pricing available for qualified buyers
Compatibility

Compatible with 8-bit and 16-bit ISA SCSI controllers including Seagate ST-01, Adaptec AHA-1540B/C, Trantor, and other SCSI-1 controllers. Requires passive termination and works best with controllers supporting SCSI-1 speeds. Not compatible with modern SATA or IDE interfaces, active termination controllers may require specific configuration.
Shipping & Returns
  • Free Shipping: We currently offer free Economy Shipping within the continental U.S. with no minimum order required. Expedited shipping is available at standard carrier rates.
  • Same-Day Shipping: Order placed before 2PM PST will ship the same day. Orders received after this time will ship the following business day.
  • Hassle-Free Returns: If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return it within 10 days for a hassle-free refund or exchange.

85MB SCSI-1 3600RPM Legacy Design Factory Sealed

Why the ST296N — Legacy SCSI Storage You Can Still Buy New

The ST296N represents Seagate's early SCSI-1 generation, delivering reliable 85MB storage for vintage computing systems. Built during the transition from MFM/RLL to SCSI interfaces, it offers superior performance and compatibility over earlier storage technologies. This drive features the robust engineering and passive termination design typical of late 1980s enterprise storage, making it essential for authentic period-correct system restoration.

SCSI-1 Single-Ended Interface

Features 50-pin SCSI-1 Single-Ended interface with 1.5MB/s external transfer rate. Compatible with period-appropriate 8-bit and 16-bit SCSI controllers.

Vintage System Compatibility

Designed for late 1980s and early 1990s workstations and servers. Works with IBM XT/AT systems, early Unix workstations, and retro computing platforms.

Reliable Legacy Performance

28ms average seek time and 3600RPM rotation provide solid performance for period applications. 70,000-hour MTBF ensures long-term reliability in vintage systems.

Half-Height 5.25" Design

Space-efficient half-height form factor fits standard 5.25" drive bays. RLL 2/7 recording method provides excellent data integrity for the era.

New Old Stock with 90-Day Warranty

Available as brand new, factory sealed old stock units from Anand International with a 90-day warranty. Ideal for legacy system maintenance, vintage computing restoration, and hard-to-find replacement needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for SCSI, including information on usage, configuration, and compatibility.

1. What is a SCSI hard drive?

A SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) hard drive is a legacy enterprise storage device that connects using parallel ribbon cables. SCSI was widely used in servers, workstations, and storage arrays before newer technologies like SAS and SATA became standard.
2. What systems are SCSI hard drives compatible with?

SCSI drives are designed for older servers, RAID controllers, and storage arrays that have SCSI interfaces. They are commonly used today to maintain or repair legacy IT infrastructure.
3. What’s the difference between SCSI and SAS?

SCSI uses parallel communication and bulky ribbon cables, with speeds up to 320 MB/s. SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) is the modern successor, offering serial communication, smaller connectors, dual-port redundancy, and speeds up to 24 Gb/s.
4. Can SCSI hard drives still be used in modern systems?

Most modern computers don’t have SCSI ports. To use a SCSI drive, you’ll need a compatible SCSI controller card or an external enclosure designed for parallel SCSI.
5. What capacities are available for SCSI hard drives?

SCSI hard drives were typically available in capacities ranging from a few gigabytes to several hundred gigabytes. Larger capacities are rare compared to modern SATA and SAS drives.
6. Are SCSI hard drives hot-swappable?

Yes, many SCSI drives used in enterprise servers were hot-swappable when paired with a compatible RAID backplane or enclosure. This allowed replacement without shutting down the system.
7. Why are SCSI hard drives still used today?

SCSI hard drives remain important for maintaining legacy servers, specialized equipment, and industrial systems where upgrading to newer storage technologies isn’t possible or practical.