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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: mrbill317 on July 11, 2006, 08:22:23 PM

Title: What pcmcia items work on a 1200/600 stock?
Post by: mrbill317 on July 11, 2006, 08:22:23 PM

What types of pcmcia items work on an amiga?
I know theres a compact flash adapter that works with a driver.

What about external cd-rom? , What about dvd-rom?
Does it need external power or work fine with amiga power.

Any other items that are usually used on a pc work on an amiga? Zip drives?

Appreciate any help. I am a new amiga 1200/600 user and really dont know much about their expansions.

I did get my 4.3 gig ide hard drive working awesome in my 600 last night with 3.1 installer and switching to 3.1 roms

Title: Re: What pcmcia items work on a 1200/600 stock?
Post by: InTheSand on July 11, 2006, 08:26:04 PM

Hi,

Off the top of my head, you can get these PCMCIA devices working with an Amiga:
1. Wired Ethernet card
2. Wireless Ethernet card
3. SCSI interface
4. CompactFlash adaptor
5. CD-ROM interface (proprietary)
6. RAM card (slow!)

A cheap way to add SCSI to an Amiga is to get a Squirrel SCSI interface from eBay - then you will be able to use SCSI Zip drives and SCSI CD-ROM drives, etc...

 - Ali

EDIT: Note: PCMCIA cards on the Amiga need to be true 16-bit older-style cards and not the newer PC Card 32-bit ones...

Title: Re: What pcmcia items work on a 1200/600 stock?
Post by: Piru on July 11, 2006, 08:40:30 PM

In addition to the previous reply:

Quote

What about external cd-rom?

There are some proprietary amiga PCMCIA CD-ROM drives, you might be able to find it from ebay. Mind you, the interface between the drive and the controller was often proprietary back then, so you can't swap the cd-rom drive if it dies.

Quote

What about dvd-rom?

No, unless if you go thru the SCSI-interface route. PCMCIA is very slow still, so don't expect miracle speeds. Forget playing DVD video thru it (even if your system would be fast enough otherwise).

Quote

Any other items that are usually used on a pc work on an amiga?

Generally, no.

The devices that work need to either be specifically made for amiga, or drivers need to exist for the hw. Also, the electrical differences of the PCMCIA spec revisions limit the cards you can use, namely Cardbus (32bit) devices won't work.

Title: Re: What pcmcia items work on a 1200/600 stock?
Post by: amigagr on July 11, 2006, 08:54:40 PM

Quote

Piru wrote:
the electrical differences of the PCMCIA spec revisions limit the cards you can use, namely Cardbus (32bit) devices won't work.

in general have in mind to search for 16bit/5volt pcmcia stuff