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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: motorollin on January 08, 2008, 09:45:47 PM

Title: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: motorollin on January 08, 2008, 09:45:47 PM
Is there any way to fit a hard drive underneath the floppy drive in an A4000? I'm sure I've seen photos of A4000s with no hard drive in the usual place hovering above the motherboard so I can only assume that it is underneath the floppy drive, but I tried it today and the holes don't line up.

--
moto
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: meega on January 08, 2008, 09:49:01 PM
Haven't you got a drill?
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: A4000_Mad on January 08, 2008, 09:55:59 PM
I have worked on an A4000 with 3 IDE hard drives fitted. Two were back to back in the normal position between the PSU and daughterboard, and the 3rd was beneath the floppy drive. However, it was only just wedged in there. But I'm sure there must be a way of securing it if required though :-)

EDIT - What meega said  ;-)
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: motorollin on January 08, 2008, 09:59:45 PM
I don't like the idea of just wedging it there. I suppose I could drill some new holes. Suppose I've already hacked my A4000 quite a bit ;-)

--
moto
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: bigmac on January 09, 2008, 12:53:54 AM
How about velcro 4 pieces should do the trick?
just a thought.
cheers
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: meega on January 09, 2008, 12:58:15 AM
http://www.blutack.com/BLU_TACK.htm
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: countzero on January 09, 2008, 01:36:31 AM
I have a hard drive there which fits perfectly ?
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: Amiga4k on January 09, 2008, 02:21:42 AM
The lower bay fits 5.25 drives, just get a standard 5.25 bay to 3.5 drive converter. It can be as simple as rail converters. I have a few spares in my build box.
Here's a converter:
http://www.shopaddonics.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=AAMK53
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: adolescent on January 09, 2008, 02:28:15 AM
If you have the standard size floppy, then a HD will fit under it just fine.  If you have the tall floppy (A2000 size) then you'll need to do some hacking to get it to fit.  Nothing wrong with drilling a couple of holes.  
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: TjLaZer on January 09, 2008, 04:07:30 AM
I had a tall floppy chinon and was able to install a 1.2GB IDE HD under it!
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: motorollin on January 09, 2008, 09:03:16 AM
Quote
Amiga4k wrote:
The lower bay fits 5.25 drives

Ummm, have another look - it doesn't.

I think I'll take the advice about drilling new holes for the drive. Thanks guys.


--
moto
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: spirantho on January 09, 2008, 09:45:24 AM
To be honest unless you're moving your machine a lot, I'd just leave it wedged in there. It's not like you're going to be playing football with it or anything... I hope!

That way when you don't need it any more (like you've bought a new bigger HD or something) your A4000 is still undamaged.
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: motorollin on January 09, 2008, 09:53:24 AM
Yes I did consider wedging it in since you're right, I'm not going to be moving it (and definitely no A4000 football ;-) )  But my A4000 is a hobby machine, and part of the hobby is building and maintaining the machine as neatly and securely as possible. A hard drive not screwed in would be unthinkable :-)

--
moto
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: A4000_Mad on January 09, 2008, 11:20:19 PM
Quote

motorollin wrote:
A hard drive not screwed in would be unthinkable :-)


PLAN A

1. Remove and discard CDrom drive.

2. Raise floppy drive to top holes in cradle.

3. The screw holes for hard drive will now line up perfectly.


PLAN B

Replace 32mm thick floppy drive with 25mm thick floppy drive.


PLAN C

(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/Cyberstorm604e/old-hand-drill.jpg)

:egad:
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: motorollin on January 11, 2008, 06:13:39 PM
Quote
A4000_Mad wrote:
PLAN A

1. Remove and discard CDrom drive.

2. Raise floppy drive to top holes in cradle.

3. The screw holes for hard drive will now line up perfectly.

Would the floppy drive line up with the faceplate then?

Quote
A4000_Mad wrote:
PLAN B

Replace 32mm thick floppy drive with 25mm thick floppy drive.

Wouldn't this leave a gap in the faceplate?

Quote
A4000_Mad wrote:
PLAN C



:egad:

:lol:

I think drilling holes might actually be a good option. *However*, I just put the drive in to the bottom bay wedged in temporarily so I could sort the cabling out, and irritatingly the clip on the bottom of the case which holds the drive housing in place prevents the hard drive from pushing back all the way! It sticks out so far that the faceplate of the A4000 wouldn't go on. The drive is so thick that there isn't enough space between the floppy drive and the hard drive to move the hard drive up any further to make it clear the clip.

I suppose I could bend the clip down, but I don't really want to since there would be nothing holding the drive chassis in place other than the two screws at the front.

--
moto
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: meega on January 11, 2008, 06:33:47 PM
Two screws is plenty. :lol:

Don't forget the rest of the toolkit.

(http://www.fusionheadquarters.com/images/tools_hardware/grozing_pliers.jpg)
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: motorollin on January 11, 2008, 06:59:33 PM
Ok, done :-) My A4000 now has a bent bit and a hard drive not screwed in to the bottom bay. I feel so dirty :lol: At least the mobo is accessible now...

--
moto
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: TjLaZer on January 11, 2008, 07:02:40 PM
damn you guys are sure making it a chore, I remember installing a IDE HD in no time with no hacking at all.  I had the full height Chinon mech too...
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: A4000_Mad on January 11, 2008, 07:11:55 PM
Quote
Would the floppy drive line up with the faceplate then?


No :-D

Quote
Wouldn't this leave a gap in the faceplate?


Yes :-D

Quote
The drive is so thick that there isn't enough space between the floppy drive and the hard drive

(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/Cyberstorm604e/Angle-Grinder.jpg)

Quote
Ok, done  :-) My A4000 now has a bent bit and a hard drive not screwed in to the bottom bay. I feel so dirty :lol: At least the mobo is accessible now...



Well done moto :pint:
Title: Re: Hard drive underneath floppy drive in A4000?
Post by: meega on January 11, 2008, 07:28:31 PM
Quote
motorollin wrote:

I feel so dirty :lol:

Well done.  :-D