Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Tutorials => Topic started by: on May 15, 2003, 09:43:55 PM
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Hi,
I am planning on turning on of my A600s into a PC. I know that sounds bad but it'll actually be quite cool. Basically I am going to use a VIA mini-itx main board, a 2.5" hard drive, a slim slot loading DVD drive and stuff like that.
Where I need help is with the keyboard. I want to connect the A600 keyboard up to the PS/2 port and use it as my keyboard. Any suggestions?
I was thinking that there has to be some solution to this. Since PS/2 keyboards have been connected to A1200s I am sure it most be possible to do it the other way around.
If anyone has any ideas or can help me out I would be very glad to hear from you. Thanks.
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Hey, I have that plan too :)
And I'm curious on the keyboard as well, just like you.
One thing though, are you sure it will fit inside? The M9000 board I have is too tall with its RAM, cooler and backplate.
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I plan on using the same board. The A600 is small, but I am thinking of modifing the back so the board will fit. It will take some major work to get it in there but I think it would be worth it to have an A600 that can play DVDs.
The real problem would be the keyboard, without which it wouldn't be quite so cool.
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-Edited by redrumloa. Reason: trolling
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Funeral,
If you want to go around slagging people off, then please do it somewhere else, Amiga.org is not the place for you, if you can't be nice.
-Jar.
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I hope all you people want to put a PC into A600 for running Amithlon, UAE or Aros, right? :P
That's what I'd do ;) (I think there are players for Amiga that can play dvd, or only read dvdrom?)
The problem with the A600 keyboard is that it has no cable, it has something like a ribbon (I don't know how its called)
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The keyboard ......
a) get one of the kbd-units sold with old Mirkonik-towers for the A1200. This will turn a A1200-kbd into a AT(=PS/2) kbd, and should
also work with an A600-kbd. But beware those things aren't perfect.
b) Rip the controller out of a PS/2-kbd (quite easy with a Cherry-kbd). Search an A500/A2000-kbd that still had a real PCB
instead of just a foil. Cut the Num-block of it (sacrilege, better use a broken one ;-) ). Follow the traces on the PS/2-kbd
and rewire the A500-kbd to match it.
c) Get a newer A500/A4000-kbd with a foil and a smaller PCB. Connect the A600-kbd to that PCB. Build one of the
microcontroller-based "Axxx gets PC-KBD"-projects found on the Aminet, and reprogramm it to work the other wa round.
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I tried to squeeze an 800MHz Mini-ITX into an old A1200 Case...
The Mobo fits (with the connectors at the back of the A1200 case where the Real Amiga Mobo would have them), the Hard drive fits, the Slimline DVD fits into the old Floppy location, even a small 240V to 12V (~4 Amp) PSU fits!!!!
But the problem is the DIMMs, they are too high, they stick up too high and no keyboard will fit. There isn't any other way you can really fit everything in sadly :-(
It would have been great to run AROS on, and the TV output is ideal!!! I wantedtoshow off at Wold of Amiga Shows, for having the only 800Mhz Amiga1200 :-D (and one with 18bit Audio, DVD drive, 30gig hard drive and 3Dgfx, all in a standard case)
As for the Amiga Keyboard... Kronos's idea of using a PS/2 keyboard contoler and rewiring the amiga keys to it is actually the best idea I've heard on the subject (though it's going to be sooooo fiddly... best do it when you have some time on your hands), my personal idea was to use a BasicStamp microcontroller but that would have been a pain in the butt.
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Try to get Infinitiv Keyboard case. That's actually A1200 kb => Win95
kb converter.
I am *NOT* sure, are A1200 and A600 keyboard compatible with each
other?
It should be possible taking off contents of kb case, and put them in
A600 case...
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Jupp3 jumped in:
I am *NOT* sure, are A1200 and A600 keyboard compatible with each other?
:-( Sadly, not enough. Electrically, they may be somewhat compatible, but the A600's keyboard is smaller, with the number pad omitted, and the arrow keys are snugged in with the others, etc. A simple parts swap is out ot the question.
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A1200 and A600 keyboards are suppost to be compatible with each other as so far as my friend says that he has used them...
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@bloodline
Is it possible to buy or build some sort of L-Shaped adapter for the DIMMS? Maybe they'd fit that way.
AmigaGuy
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amigaguy wrote:
@bloodline
Is it possible to buy or build some sort of L-Shaped adapter for the DIMMS? Maybe they'd fit that way.
AmigaGuy
Not as far as I'm aware.... :-(
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Take a look around for "low-profile" DIMMS. These may be short enough. They are often used for 1U servers and were also need for Desktop Mac G3's.
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www.elbox.com , here you can buy a keyboard interface.... end of discussion.
cheap even..
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bhyman1 wrote:
Take a look around for "low-profile" DIMMS. These may be short enough. They are often used for 1U servers and were also need for Desktop Mac G3's.
I got the Low=Profile DIMMs... cost a bit more too.. but really the amount of space at the front og the A1200 case is about 1 and a half cm... that is just enough clearance for the DIMM cocket... let alone the DIMM in there as well...
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lempkee wrote:
www.elbox.com , here you can buy a keyboard interface.... end of discussion.
cheap even..
You've missed the point... We want to attach an A1200/A600 keyboard to a PC (mini-itx mobo)... not the other way round :-o
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sadistic!!!
jeez.....
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oh well...then i dont know....
have fun
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If you get it done then posts some pics. I'd like to see what you get worked out. :-)
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Afaik the only movie player that's able to handle CSS encrypted DVDs
is mplayer, but it's only available for MorphOS, not for classic
AmigaOS so far. As it's Free Software, I suppose someone will port it
to AmigaOS, so there'll be a full (well, without proper menu support)
DVD player software for AOS ...