Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: DrValkyer on December 10, 2005, 07:10:08 PM
-
I found a new A1200(Commodore)3.1Rom NTSC bare-motherboard from Vesalia. Ofcourse this kit doesn't include anything more than a motherboard. I was thinking that would it be possible that I only bought a motherboard, a keyboard and a IDE-Fix (to add more IDE slots for CD-Rom & HD).
I own:
a powersupply (A500 and spare PC-PSU)
CD-ROM(PC)
Spare Amiga mouse
10G Seagate 3.5 HD
Sooo... Would it be possible to build a hobby-A1200-Tower from these parts?? Ofcourse I need a case too, but that can be build or moded from PC-Case? (Right :getmad: ???). Is this possible, reasonble? The whole thing would possibly cost 110-120eur. Am I mad, or am I trying to get a A1200 desperately???
I seek the answer!!! :-) :-) :-)
-
Parts needed for building an A1200 into a tower...
-Motherboard (I think you would need a PAL motherboard, if you plan on connecting it to a TV)
-Keyboard adaptor
-Keyboard that works with the keyboard adaptor
-Floppy drive with front blend
-Floppy cable
-Tower with enough space and a PSU (the most easy PSU to mod is an AT PSU)
Nothing more, nothing less. The IDEfix you mention would be good to purchase as well, for connecting up to 4 devices to the IDE controller, and an accelerator for adding fast ram and getting more speed.
-
So can't I just use A1200 keyboard and make/mod case for it? Is floppy compulsory? Is it possible to install just AmigaOs into HD and then boot from it?
-
You might be able to make a case for the A1200 keyboard, but buying a keyboard adaptor would make it easier and most likely also cheaper.
Floppy isn't compulsory, but what would you do if your harddrive fails? You can of course just have an external drive laying around to connect in case it happens. Personally I prefer to have the floppy installed in the tower, but people are of course different.
-
DrValkyer wrote:
So can't I just use A1200 keyboard and make/mod case for it?
You'd need the controller board from an A500 keyboard to convert from the foil ribbon to a 5 core cable. It'd be easier to just get an A2000/3000 or 4000 keyboard, the adapter is simple enough just a few wires to solder from one of the CIAs to a socket (Or solder to a 44pin PLCC socket and push it over the CIA)
Have a search about on Aminet, there's a couple of archives that describe both ways of doing it.
-
Vesalia sells A1200 UK keyboard for 9.90(from A1200 case)
Can I attach normal PC CD-Rom drive?
What about installing AmigaOS? Can it be done with UAE and PC?
-
So can't I just use A1200 keyboard and make/mod case for it?
It's possible, but not easy.
pic 1 (http://www.iki.fi/sintonen/tmp/keyb_front_1_s.jpg)
pic 2 (http://www.iki.fi/sintonen/tmp/keyb_back_s.jpg)
pic 3 (http://www.iki.fi/sintonen/tmp/keyb_back_circuit_s.jpg)
-
Hmm that keyboard-mod looks very nice!! :-) Did you grab that circuit from the motherboard?
-
@DrValkyer
Did you grab that circuit from the motherboard?
It's from A500 keyboard... In fact, the metal part of the keyboard and the keyboard matrix (the thin green thingie inbetween layers) is from A500 (that is, only the keys themselves are from A1200).
This way the the only thing I had to do was to solder a connector to A1200 (with wires going directly to the mobo, and disabling the onboard keyboard controller).
Full instructions are available from aminet hard/hack (somewhere, can't remember the file name right now).
-
Ok thanks!!!
What about the AmigaOS, is it possible to pre-install it into HD? (If no floppy-drive)
-
Oh {bleep}. Just realized you're from Finland..
Ok here we go, my article on Finnish Amiga User club mag: Iso torni - A1200 torniin 650 markalla (http://batman.jypoly.fi/~saku/lehti/online/33/osastot/sekalaiset/torni.html)
(It's in finnish)
A quick note: This is just one way of doing it, there are other ways aswell.
What about the AmigaOS, is it possible to pre-install it into HD? (If no floppy-drive)
I guess it should be possible with WinUAE and modern Windoze. Haven't ever tried it myself though.
-
Aah great!!! That site contains everything! I have to look up those tutorials. Thank you very much!! :-D
I have to try that WinUAE install some day. Maybe it works and boots.
-
What about the NTSC version. I now that I should use PAL(because in EU) but isn't it possible to switch during the boot which stanard to use? Or am I going to face some deep troubles with NTSC?