Amiga.org
The "Not Quite Amiga but still computer related category" => Alternative Operating Systems => Topic started by: redrumloa on March 07, 2008, 12:13:27 AM
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A few people here expressed interest in my 128 tower conversion project, so I figured I'd give a little heads up that I have officially started! I expect this to be a fairly difficult mod, even more difficult than first expected!
HERE (http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.cbm/browse_thread/thread/6bb3aea42be841f7/eade2736dde846a5#eade2736dde846a5) is a comp.sys.cbm post explaining one of the first hurdle. HERE (http://i26.tinypic.com/2ym9cur.jpg) and HERE (http://i32.tinypic.com/2lw9dvn.jpg) are the first pictures. My first problem is the motherboard size :-o Wow is it a beast! I may have to cut about 1/2 total off the motherboard to make it fit without destroying the backplate.
If there is interest I will update here as I go, as Amiga.org is my favorite site :-D
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Flat 128 motherboard idea scrapped, currently using 128D motherboard.
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Good luck. Please keep us updated. It looks like a real pain of a project. :-)
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Intersting..
Kept us updating about this project..
regards
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Wow man! Thats hardcore!
I'm doing a rackmount A1200 project myself at the moment. I might post pictures as well.
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What's with the multi-color wire clips?
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LoadWB wrote:
What's with the multi-color wire clips?
Goes to the MMU adapter, required for the SuperCPU 128.
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What about running the motherboard with the back towards the back of the tower? Looks like you'd have to modify at least one rail of the power supply, and probably the drive cage, but it'd give you more breathing room front to back.
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BTW, did you ever see Jope's C64T? http://jope.fi/c64t/
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adolescent wrote:
What about running the motherboard with the back towards the back of the tower? Looks like you'd have to modify at least one rail of the power supply, and probably the drive cage, but it'd give you more breathing room front to back.
Yeah, that was/is a consideration. I just don't think it would work. I think cutting that away will harm the integrity of the case. Also I have the superCPU, RamLink and 1750 to consider. They have to be relocated but an expansion port expansion cable length can;t be too long.
I've seen Jope's C64 tower, nice job. The c64 motherboard is much shorter though, lucky guy..
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After much consideration I think I am going to scrap the idea of a flat 128 motherboard and use a 128D motherboard. While taller, the 128D mb is not as wide. It should fit in the case a lot cleaner than the flat 128 and has the added benefit of having a 1571 controller built in!
Stay tuned..
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Funny, I was wondering at first, "Why not a 128D?" But I really like my 128D case. Tower-ize it by standing it on its end. Done! :lol:
The keyboard will be a treat, though. I guess just as much as the original 128. Unless there exists (and I have no doubt that one does) a PC to Commodore keyboard adapter.
Maybe one day I'll get hold of one of those SuperCPUs.
[EDIT] And I see one DOES exist at the C64T page. :crazy:
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Is it possible to fit a HD to the 128 mobo? If so, are there any OS's?
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What? No neon? :P
Nice project.. I am not sure why.. :) But I think sometimes "just because" works!
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tokyoracer wrote:
Is it possible to fit a HD to the 128 mobo? If so, are there any OS's?
I have a RamLink, which is essentially a 16MB hard drive in RAM. The speed is insane! I also have a SBC(single board computer) which I am going to install inside the case as a slave for 64HDD, which is a DOS program that essentially turns a PC into a hard drive for the Commodore.
OSes? There are Wheels(Geos 3.0), Wings, Lunix, CP/M and others.
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Probably a better idea with the 128D, that way the keyboard is essentially done, and like you said there isn't a seperate floppy controller board to deal with.
I just got my 1541-III (ordered a pre-made one from Jusi so I can play until I build one for myself). You can control it without an LCD so that may be a nice option as a device 9 (or 10 or 11) in a tower.
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Use a 1750XL and not a 1750 in the Ramlink. Smart choice going to the 128D. I'm sure you saw it in one of the old Commodore World magazines but a guy in Florida did an excellent job building a tower such as you are. There were pictures and everything. If it was me I wouldn't worry about the 5.25 inch drive at all. I would mount an FD drive internally and go only with 3.5 inch floppies. There is not very much left in the commodore software world that hasn't had the protection taken out so that it can be put on the smaller disks and also onto your CMD hard-drive. If you really need a bigger drive for something just plug it in the back. Out of the front of the tower you will want the FD drive, HD, RamLink controls, and accelerator. I had a kit that was made at one time for running a cable from the ramlink to an external control box. It was made so that you didn't have to reach to the back of your 128D to push a ramlink button. They stopped getting used much because people started setting the 128D's sideways so that the controls to the things plugged in the back could be reached.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I had asked you once before and I don't think I ever got your response. How are you planning to overcome the video output limitations of the 64/128. I don't think it was ever done or can be done. I know you can soeed up the processor, load instantly with ramlink, have enormous storage with the HD, but in the end you are still stuck with the crummy video output. That was why after almost 20 years I left the 8 bit scene. You run into a brick wall when it comes to getting decent looking graphics. That was why I chose to stick with the Amiga. Good luck on your project. I have to admit thinking about it makes me miss my 128D a little, but not enough to get it out of the attic.
Dan
:-D
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http://www.commodorecheetah.co.uk/c128Tower/C128T.htm
http://cbm.ficicilar.name.tr/sayfa/c64_tower_project.html
;-)
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A1260 wrote:
http://www.commodorecheetah.co.uk/c128Tower/C128T.htm
Bad ass!! :-D
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dannyp1 wrote:
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I had asked you once before and I don't think I ever got your response. How are you planning to overcome the video output limitations of the 64/128. I don't think it was ever done or can be done.
If you mean better quality graphics over all, probably a not-doing. If you mean better quality output, you could connect the 128's 40-column video output to a monitor with S-VHS (S-Video) inputs. I built my own cables for this, 8-pin DIN with 4-pin SVHS on the other end. Looks VERY nice on my 20.1" LCD.
At this point I've just about converted all of my old 8-bit consoles and computers to use S-Video: TI, Atari 5200 and 7800, and Commodore stuff. Some require hardware hacks, some just require a cable.
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Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I had asked you once before and I don't think I ever got your response. How are you planning to overcome the video output limitations of the 64/128. I don't think it was ever done or can be done. I know you can soeed up the processor, load instantly with ramlink, have enormous storage with the HD, but in the end you are still stuck with the crummy video output.
For composite output (40 column) that is easy. There are many cheap composite to SVGA adapters on the market that do a good job. RGBi (80 column) is more difficult, but possible. THIS (http://www.converters.tv/products/cga_to_vga/77.html) should work with a small modification. I will probably eventually install both in the tower case with 2 outputs into an monitor A/B switch, going to an LCD monitor.
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Cool idea. Pictures, lots of pictures.
Plaz
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Use a 1750XL and not a 1750 in the Ramlink
Please elaborate! I had problems with the 1750 in my setup.
128 > SuperCPU > RamLink > 1750 (in passthrough)
I'd get corruption on the 1750. I'd suspected possibly a problem due to distance from the real expansion port.
I'm sure you saw it in one of the old Commodore World magazines but a guy in Florida did an excellent job building a tower such as you are. There were pictures and everything.
Al Anger, I used to see him in #c64friends IRC channel.I've seen the pictures. He's actually local to me, only about 70 miles away. I may try to contact him with questions.
I would mount an FD drive internally and go only with 3.5 inch floppies.
Naah, still need a 1571 as #8 IMHO. Original floppy with copy protection or direct copies of originals still require it. The vast majority of applications are not fixed.
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Plaz wrote:
Cool idea. Pictures, lots of pictures.
Plaz
Thanks!! Here's an update and a few pictures.
I did scrap the flat 128 motherboard idea completely, I am now using a 128D motherboard. It is a tight squeze, but with modifying the front metal cage it fits almost perfectly!!
HERE (http://i28.tinypic.com/2aes308.jpg) is a picture showing the front. I ended up cutting a little more off the area below the MB, but this pic basically shows that it fits. With the board mounted in place, the front plate easily fits with about 3/4" to spare. HERE (http://i27.tinypic.com/13yoz1e.jpg) is a top view.
The final cuts were made last night, the frame was cleaned and mounts were put into place. The motherboard has been mounted and I am pleased with the results. I have decided to put aside expansions for the moment and get the base 128 functional. Next step will be wiring, which will be very time consuming. I am modifying an ATX power supply and an 120VAC-9VAC step down transformer to provide power to the 128 and future expansions. It may be a while before the next update, gotta get parts from mouser.com..