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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: pedro7 on July 27, 2006, 10:51:43 PM

Title: Fitting things into an A2000
Post by: pedro7 on July 27, 2006, 10:51:43 PM

I have recently got myself an a2000 but I am having a little getting the expansions I also bought in there.

1) I have a GVP 030 Combo which is working fine but I can't get it in without removing the plastic card guide due to the external SCSI connector clashing with the case. Also the screw holes at the back don't line up so there is nothing actually holding the card in place. Is it possible to get the card in without removing the card guide? Not a big problem but I'm worried one day I will knock and break it or something.

2) There is nowhere to mount the 3.5" SCSI HD. I will also probably want to add another HD sometime in the near future. Is there any way I could make a mount for the HD or anywhere I could get a mounting kit?

3) WHY did Commodire put the CPU slot right next to the PSU so that it is impossible to access any of the jumpers on the accelerator board without janking it out of the machine. Having done that they then decided that the few microns of space left between the PSU and and CPU card would the ideal place for the power cable to the motherboard and the floppy drive cable. :pissed: It is so awkward!

Title: Re: Fitting things into an A2000
Post by: Amiga4k on July 28, 2006, 04:35:24 AM

Answers:
(1) The GVP Combo card will slide down with the "plastic card guide" in place. Remove the GVP card. Replace the plastic guide. Insert the GVP card tilted down at the rear. After the external SCSI connector is into the rear slot, apply slight pressure on the top front edge of the card. Gradually press and get the card level and into the CPU slots. The rear screw holes do line-up on the card and A2000 case.
(2) Either use a 5.25 to 3.5 adapter tray and mount the drive under the floppy bays (the 5.25 bay slot). Or, buy blank edge card (no traces, just a virgin blank) to fit into a Zorro-II slot. You'll have to size the card, and drill screw holes.
Or, you could use an old A2091 card just for the mounts and power. (Not using the SCSI connector on the A2091).
(3) Consider that question answered. It is awkward.

Title: Re: Fitting things into an A2000
Post by: leofoe on July 28, 2006, 08:55:03 AM

Second question, see this thread. (http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19594)

Title: Re: Fitting things into an A2000
Post by: pedro7 on July 28, 2006, 10:30:28 PM

Thanks for your help, looks like I have some hacking (literally :) to do! I had always wondered what use copperless veroboard could be  :-)

Title: Re: Fitting things into an A2000
Post by: alewis on July 29, 2006, 02:41:17 AM

I had a GVP G-Force in my B2000, and likewise I got fed up with the jumpers. So, I fitted switches.

Drilled a couple holes in the fron of the case, under the facia, and fitted a couple of dipole(? whatever 2 position switches are called). One to control the 68030/68000 mode, and another to configure the FASTMEM on/off. soldered the wire ends to the jumper pads, et voila bob is your mother's brother.

Title: Re: Fitting things into an A2000
Post by: Amiga4k on July 29, 2006, 06:25:30 AM

Caution note:
Using a veroboard is an excellent idea, but just remember:
(1) the loss of either 1 or 2 zorro-II slots depending on how you set the card and drive.
(2)after connecting the SCSI cable to the processor card besure to use duct-tape to pad the ribbon cable on both sides. The processor card and the A2000 case are going to pinch the ribbon cable.