I want to install cd drive in a2000

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

You'll need a SCSI controller and a SCSI CD-RW drive.
Alternatively you'll need an IDE controller and a compatible IDE CD-RW drive.
Of course you will need the appropriate cables, and screws for securing it inside the case.

What type of drive you chose depends on what type of controller you have.  I assume you have some kind of existing controller, since I (again, I assume) assume you're talking about backing up artwork you already have saved on your internal hard drive.

Everything you need can be bought on ebay or Amibay.

You'll need the MakeCD software (google it) which AFAIK is the only software for Amiga's that can write files to a CD.  I've used it, it's a bit slow, I don't think it will work at all if you only have a 68000 (unaccelerated) CPU.  Learning curve can be tricky.

Setup is easiest under Workbench 3.9.  A bit harder under 3.1.  A right royal PITA under 2.1 or anything older.  Obviously this is IMHO, maybe some folks like to torture themselves by setting them up under 1.3.  

Not to dissuade you, but if you've never before installed a drive in an Amiga you're going to have to do lots and lots of research, to learn how to set this up.  Good luck!  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Couldn't he also attach an external writer to the scsi via DB25 at rear of A2000? I seem to remember that the OP wasn't too keen on opening his case and upgrading the hard drive.

MakeCD...I think the key (or full version) was made freely  available years ago wasn't it?

Sure, assuming his controller has an external port.

MakeCD keyfile is free from homepage of the authors:  http://www.estamos.de/makecd/

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Sure you can add a second hard drive.  I remember one guy on the forum a while back had added five internal hard drives.  Nothing stopping you, it just depends on what controller card you have and how handy you are with a screwdriver.  A typical two hard drive setup might be one mounted to the controller card and one in the second 3.5" floppy drive bay.

Again, you'd need to get a drive and cables that are compatible with your controller.  You still haven't told us what controller you have.

An '040 would definitely make it much easier to burn CD's.

If you just want a backup solution, you could also add USB and back your data up that way.  Something like an X-Surf 100 + RapidRoad module would make that very easy.  Lots of options, just depends on your budget and skill level.

IMHO you should spend some good, quality time reading sites like the Amiga Hardware Database and Big Book of Amiga Hardware, and decide what exactly it is you're trying to accomplish, rather than just picking things willy-nilly.  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

If all you want to do is back up your data, put it on some floppy disks.  Make two or three copies, or five.  Store them in a cool, dry place.  Even if one or two disks fails over the years, make 10 copies, or 20.  Your data will be backed up and it will cost you a lot less time & money than going through a major upgrade project.

When you are ready to upgrade your system, the A2091 is a good place to start.  Common and reliable, they can support up to six additional SCSI drives, internally or externally.  Of course you'll have to use SCSI drives, which means you'll be buying them used on ebay, since SCSI drives haven't been made in years.  You could also use IDE drives with an adapter, or a more modern solution such as a SCSI-to-CF or SCSI-to-SD solution.  Here's one example:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1264


To do USB you're going to need one of the various USB cards for Amiga.  There's a variety available, but a good solution is to use an X-Surf 100 + RapidRoad module.  These are still available new from a variety of Amiga vendors:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1156

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1212

http://amigastore.eu/en/204-x-surf-100.html

http://amigastore.eu/en/302-rapidroad-x-surf-100.html

This combination will give you both networking and USB capability.  You'll want an accelerator to use them (at least a 68020, I don't know if they require it, but for your own sanity you'll want a faster system) and a USB stack.   Poseidon is the standard software for this and is included with the RapidRoad.


You'll want to be using at least Workbench 3.1 if you intend to add all this hardware.


Be prepared to spend at least $500 for a decent '040 card, although these prices may drop when the Vampire boards become more readily available.  And research, research, research!

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Go to Ebay.

Type in "50 pin scsi hard drive".

Any capacity will work, but drives under 4GB are easiest to make work.

You can use other types of drives but they will require an adapter.  A 50 pin drive will plug right in (with the appropriate cable, of course).

Some early revisions of the A2091 had more limitations.  You should upgrade to the latest ROM version if you intend to use large capacity hard drives.

Or get the SCSI2SD card from my previous link, or some similar more modern storage solution.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

@ oldsmobile_Mike:

I appreciate the time you took to answer my questions.
I think now, my best bet, instead of a major overhaul of my amiga,
is to just save my pics to floppy disks. Not only a pic can take 25 k
but many only take like 10 k. As you see, a disk can hold a whole lot of pics.
I can always save my money and expand my amiga later.
Thank you !!!

Good choice.