A500 - PSUs, Mice, Cleaning, Scart

[Hattig]

I've just got myself a nice old A500, but I need to add on a mouse, and I'm not too in love with the rather discoloured PSU. Luckily the battery backed clock uses a coin style battery. I suspect the miggy has had a kickstart upgrade as it came with WB2, but isn't a 500+.

Is there a way to use a more modern, smaller PSU with the A500?

Additionally, what are good mice to use with the Amiga - I would prefer not to go for a classic ball mouse, rather something optical. I saw that there are USB and PS2 mouse adaptors available - does anyone have any experience with these?

Also, is the amigakit SCART cable good? Even with the cut down 25-pin connector (shame we can't send them the A520 to get a 23 pin connector from)?

And finally - cleaning. Apart from retrobriting the thing, what's a good way to get discolouration off the case and the keys? Alternatively I might spray paint it... are the keys easy to remove?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I've just got myself a nice old A500, but I need to add on a mouse, and I'm not too in love with the rather discoloured PSU. Luckily the battery backed clock uses a coin style battery. I suspect the miggy has had a kickstart upgrade as it came with WB2, but isn't a 500+.

Is there a way to use a more modern, smaller PSU with the A500?

Many people make upgraded PSU's for A500/A600/A1200.  You can also mod PC PSU's to work, or buy them new from AmigaKit.  Search the forums, here's a  few links for one to get you started:

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?p=775255

http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=39650&forum=25&10

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=866

Additionally, what are good mice to use with the Amiga - I would prefer not to go for a classic ball mouse, rather something optical. I saw that there are USB and PS2 mouse adaptors available - does anyone have any experience with these?

I use a Cocolino adapter and a standard PS/2 optical mouse.  You can also use a USB solution, but that's more complicated.  Cocolino is 100% compatible with everything I've thrown at it, and is in stock at AmigaKit for only $31.  To activate the scroll wheel you just stick a free program in your WBStartup directory.

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=88

http://aminet.net/package/util/mouse/FreeWheel

Also, is the amigakit SCART cable good? Even with the cut down 25-pin connector (shame we can't send them the A520 to get a 23 pin connector from)?

Not in Europe so I wouldn't know.  I only recommend Indivision's.  They work great with modern LCD monitors, TV's, etc.  $108 at AmigaKit.  Of course some people prefer using retro TV's or CRT monitors with their Amiga's for that "classic" feel, including all the "classic eye-strain" and interlace flicker.  But to each their own.  

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=918

If you get this make sure you ask them to update it to the 1.10 firmware, so you can use new video modes like 800x600x16 colors.

And finally - cleaning. Apart from retrobriting the thing, what's a good way to get discolouration off the case and the keys? Alternatively I might spray paint it... are the keys easy to remove?

Yes, they pop off with a screwdriver.  Take a picture first so you know where they go to put them back on!  

[Tenacious]

Mike beat me to most of it.  The only thing I can add is to carefully consider the paint option.  Many people have painted their Amigas.  Some have applied new labels to the curved surface of the keys.  What I haven't seen lately is how well these labels hold up over time.  

If games are your thing, you might consider a rom switcher.  You can install both a 1.3 for games and keep the more modern 2.05 (or even 3.1) for the improved OS.

Food for thought.

[motrucker]

I use one of the Micromys mouse adapters. Back when I bought the V3 I have, it was cheaper than other options. It will work on my C-128 when I want it to. I understand the V4 is even better, but the only real difference I see is that my V3 has DIP switches to set for the mode you want, and the V4 auto senses what you have plugged it into. I still use a wired mouse, just because I like them better. It is a laser USB mouse though. Works great, and no ball to pick up dust.
To cleaning up the look - retrobryt is a never ending task. Unfortunately its about the only option for the keys that makes good sense. BUT for the case (and PSU if needed) I would just paint them. Use this finish - they have colors that match the Amiga quite well! It's made by Krylon, which can be bought almost any where. I have used this stuff, and I love it. The spray cans will give you an excellent finish too, if you are any good at spraying at all. Look for:
 http://www.krylon.com/products/fusion-for-plastic/

This will give you options to 'Mikes ideas. Good luck......
BTW - We used to be able to by a cable adapter that allowed using an ATX PSU with the A500. I can't seem to find one now. You could build your own, or get this and adapt your 500 plug onto it -
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_84&products_id=998

[Hattig]

Thanks for the advice. The Cocolino looks sensible, and a scart cable will do to start with.