Commodore 128 tower project continued!

[Jope]

redrumloa wrote:

As you see, there is a 120VAC -> 9VAC step down transformer bolted to the top of the ATX power supply.

Is the transformer alays connected to mains, or did you add a relay to toggle it as the PSU starts?

I used an AT PSU for my C-64T, mainly because I wanted a single switch to turn the PSU + trafo + monitor totally off. With an AT PSU, I didn't need to hunt down relays, I just tapped power to the trafo after the switch.

Probably a non-issue, as there are no power switches in original C-64 or C-128 PSUs either. Always good to think green, though. :-D

http://jope.fi/c64t/ in case you're interested.

Mine is not tip top, but I tried to make it as neat as possible.. It needs a neater port plate for the back of the tower, but otherwise I'm rather satisfied.

I also opted not to wire in video -> VGA converters, my flat panel monitor has s-video and SCART connectors behind it.

redrumloa wrote:

Only a few people have done such a project and no one has published information on it.

Nate/Vanessa Dannenberg's C-128 tower project has been on her website since 10 years ago.. The site seems to be down currently, but you can check out archive.org:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070628230052/starbase.globalpc.net/~vanessa/hobbies/c128tower.html

Hope it comes back up some day so you can see the pictures.

[redrumloa]

@Jope

Is the transformer alays connected to mains, or did you add a relay to toggle it as the PSU starts?

The transformer is currently connected to the the load side of the ATX power switch (main) and it is fused. If I shut off the ATX power supply switch(on the PS itself), the transformer shuts off. If I use the case on off switch, the transformer is staying live. Shouldn't be a problem, but I will probably add a relay at some point.

http://jope.fi/c64t/ in case you're interested.

Saw that, pretty nice dude :-)

Nate/Vanessa Dannenberg's C-128 tower project has been on her website since 10 years ago.. The site seems to be down currently, but you can check out archive.org:

http://web.archive.org/web/20070628230052/starbase.globalpc.net/~vanessa/hobbies/c128tower.html

Hope it comes back up some day so you can see the pictures.

Shame it's down and no pictures on archive.org. Vanessa has been very helpful on comp.sys.cbm with questions I've had and gave a very nice explanation on how to create an expansion port extension cable.

This has become a HUGE project, but I expect stage one to be done this upcoming week. I am mainly waiting on the composite to vga converter to arrive in the mail. Stage one will be a fully functional 128 with 1571 and 1750, with one VGA output. Stage 2 will probably be to incorporate 64HDD internally and stage 3 will be to incorporate SuperCPU 128 and RamLink internally.

[A1260]

the guy that did buy the Nate/Vanessa Dannenberg's C-128 tower project. was this guy at http://www.64hdd.com/ he did have pictures and stuff of the restoration of the macine and stuff on his site...

[Hodgkinson]

A bit OT, but still related to PSU's:
http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=2386

That projects going to be scrapped due to reasons listed there. The new one, which is going to use an ATX PSU with an always-on pass-thru mains port, is going to have a 20A 12V relay rigged in line with the pass-thru, so the monitor and other devices can all be turned off from the floppy port of the A1200.

But im straying OT here... :roll:
Hodgkinson.  

[redrumloa]

Here's more pics!! I'll follow up tomorrow with details, tired tonight  :lotsacoffee:



Here it is buttoned up running CP/M on a 15" SVGA monitor.



Inside pic #1



Inside pic #2


g'nite :-)

[tokyoracer]

What other 5.25 drives do you think you can add? Maybe it would be possible to cobble together a tape cassette drive in there (if they exist in that form)? Did the C128 ever had the option to use standard 3.5 floppys?

Sorry to bombard you with questions but it would be great to see the tower go to even better use.

[redrumloa]

What other 5.25 drives do you think you can add?

I probably won't add any more 5.25 drives, but I plan on putting a 1581 3.5 drive internal.

Maybe it would be possible to cobble together a tape cassette drive in there (if they exist in that form)?

I have no use for a cassette drive. I know they were popular in the EU, but not so much here.

Did the C128 ever had the option to use standard 3.5 floppys?

Standard 3.5 DD floppy disks? Yes. Standard 3.5 PC drives? No. I will convert a 1581 to go internal.

Sorry to bombard you with questions but it would be great to see the tower go to even better use.

No problems with questions. Don't worry about it going to better use, I am still only at the beginning of this project. Just about every inch of real estate inside the case will be used. I'm going to write some details this morning about the status. I guess I will use this thread, should be done soon.

[redrumloa]

This is the back of the tower. Currently the ports you see are standard SVGA (db15), keyboard (db25), 2x joystick (db9) and standard audio out in the top slot(pseudo stereo).

[redrumloa]

Here we go..

I have mentally broken this project into 3 loosely defined stages. I am close to the end of stage one now.

Stage 1:
Modify case heavily to accommodate 128D motherboard
Modify ATX power supply for 128D MB, include 9VAC transformer
Modify internal 1571 from 128D to use in tower
Modify standard PC 5.25 floppy faceplate to use with 1571
Remove DB9, DB15 and DB25 right angle ports and replace with straight panel mount type on 128D MB.
Make and install extension cables to relocate MB ports to back panel
Modify panel mount power switch to add 12V LED and mount to case
Install RGBi to SVGA converter with pass through
Install Composite video to SVGA converter, put output into RBGi converter pass through
Install video select toggle switch to front panel
Install standard audio jack to back panel, wire for pseudo stereo from 128D audio out
Remove original 128D internal 1571 floppy indicator LED and wire to LED on modified 5.25 faceplate
Install "Chicken Head" Commodore case badge

Stage 2:
Create expansion port extension cable
Mount SuperCPU 128 internally
Mount RamLink internally
Add battery for RamLink backup
Mount 1750 ram expansion internally
Add TBD RS232 adapter, possibly Swiftlink Clone, mount DB9 to back panel
Modify and install 1581 internally
Modify PC 3.5 floppy faceplate to use with 1581
Install MMU adapter
Install JiffyDOS for 128D
Remove original 128D MB and 1571 reset switches, wire to momentary switches on front panel
Add buttload of switches and LEDs to front panel, including all for SuperCPU and RamLink plus all 8-11 selection switches for internal drives
Install expansion (cartridge) port pass-through to front 5.25 bay

Stage 3:
Install SBC Pentium-1 internally with CF card
Install MSDOS and 64HDD
More TBD

Well that's it off the top of my head, I'm sure I'm missing a lot and I'm sure things can change some as time goes on. That's a pretty good snapshot at this time :-)

[A1260]

why dont you post about this at http://www.lemon64.com/forum/index.php people there love this stuff.... ;-)

[redrumloa]

A1260 wrote:
why dont you post about this at http://www.lemon64.com/forum/index.php people there love this stuff.... ;-)

Be my guest :-D I'm already posting abot it here mainly, but also commodore128.org and comp.sys.cbm at times.

[tokyoracer]

I'm really looking forward to seeing this progress over the next few months, I wish you the best of luck mate.

[McVenco]

Maybe it would be possible to cobble together a tape cassette drive in there (if they exist in that form)?

I have no use for a cassette drive. I know they were popular in the EU, but not so much here.

So? I don't use the floppy drive in my PC either. Just put a cassette drive in there for the geek factor! :-D

[A1260]

maybe the plus deck can be used as cassette player...

http://www.firebox.com/product/1700?src_t=wnw¤cy_conversion=1

[redrumloa]

I think I'd rather punch cards over cassette tapes! But the idea is to make this more modern, not retro :crazy: You guys are nuts with that cassette idea :-P

[adolescent]

No Datasette, but a DC2N would be cool!