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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: rossi46 on December 11, 2005, 03:58:45 PM

Title: n00b cd query
Post by: rossi46 on December 11, 2005, 03:58:45 PM

Hi all

Sorry if this has been covered already, but I'd like to know what additional items of hardware are needed to connect an external cd rom drive to my A1200, please. I've just been offered one for nothing on another forum I frequent by a member that picked it up at a car boot sale, thinking it would do for his old pc.

He didn't mention if there were any connection cables with it, so I was wondering what software/hardware I might need to install it.

Thanks guys.

Paul

Title: Re: n00b cd query
Post by: nasty on December 11, 2005, 04:20:22 PM

I think for the external CD drives you need a Squirrel interface The big book of amiga hardware (http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=1201)

And if one of the other guys can comfirm this then there's one on ebay Squirrel Interface (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SQUIRREL-SCSI-INTERFACE-COMMODORE-AMIGA-1200-BOXED_W0QQitemZ8241690147QQcategoryZ98928QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Title: Re: n00b cd query
Post by: rossi46 on December 11, 2005, 04:32:43 PM

Thanks mate. I've got a cdrom coming in the post this week, but the guy that's sending it hasn't got a clue if it even works. Maybe I should wait and see what I get then take it from there.

Title: Re: n00b cd query
Post by: motorollin on December 11, 2005, 04:41:21 PM

If the drive is SCSI then Nasty is right, you need a Squirrel or similar SCSI interface to connect it.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to find out if it works until you've got a SCSI interface. So unless you've got another computer (Amiga or otherwise) with a SCSI interface, you will need to buy the Squirrel before you even know if it works.

The only alternative is to look and see if the drive has a Play button and a headphone jack on the front. If it does, then you can put an audio CD in, connect some headphones to the socket, power up the drive, and see if you can play an audio disc. If you can, then the mechanism of the drive is ok, so assuming the SCSI interface on the drive is working then it should be fine.

--
moto

Title: Re: n00b cd query
Post by: rossi46 on December 11, 2005, 04:58:47 PM

I've just mamaged to get hold of the guy, and he says that theres a double-ended connector in the bag that the cdrom came in, and that the cdrom accepts a (missing) kettle-lead type connection. He couldn't find anything that said 'squirrel' on it at all. I'll just wait till midweek and evaluate what I've been sent and report back.  Will I need installation software too?

Paul