Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: tiffers on July 02, 2008, 06:55:14 AM
-
Good Morning, (hey, it's morning _somewhere_ in the world right now!)
I sit here on a.org reading about all the neat (and astounding) projects going on and just wish I could do something myself. I've got the basics underhand after finished senior high school physics etc. (ALthough that _was_ 16 years ago *ouch*)
If I wanted to make my own kickstart rom switcher for an A500, what size parts do I need (ie physical dimensions of the ROM socket etc)
And what free software can I use to design the circuit and PCB and give files to someone to make the PCB(s) for me?
tiffers
-
Why not just ask if someone has got one going spare/cheap :idea:
It could be a lot more cost effective ;-)
In fact I have one spare - don't know what the p&p would be though but shouldn't be that expensive.
Dave G 8-)
-
Free PCB software (for small projects): http://www.cadsoft.de/
I did just one like that for several years ago for my A500. As I remember, it was just a question of enabling one of the two ROM's. All pins was basically parallelled except for one of the chip-enable signals that was routed to a alternating switch. Making them low enables the chip, making it high turns the chip off (logically). I don't have the schematics available as this was before-internet time... (it was on some paper that has been lost)
-
Good Morning, (hey, it's morning _somewhere_ in the world right now!)
I don't know what time you posted this, but here in Gosford (Sydney), it's around 7:00pm - so Good Evening! :-D
Good luck...
I was wanting to do the same thing myself, only for my A600. There are a few designs on aminet as far as I know, and most could probably be made using an easily available (from Dick Smith, Jaycar etc) vero (?) PCB board. I don't think you'll need to get a PCB custom made for this - it would be really unnecessary unless there was a complex design.
This is probably a good place to start as a lead up to more involved projects. You could just buy a board, but where is the fun and education in doing this? Go for it!
Oh yeah, and also...I finished senior physics about that amount of time ago also!
-
Well, from the top of my head, all you need to do is make a PCB which splits all pins from the original source to two destinations. The A500 ROM is a 40-pin DIP IIRC, and simply add a switch on the CS line.
A PCB can be made online with services like expresspcb.com etc.
Ok, I said all that just to wave and say "hi!". I'm in Sydney at the moment, just flew in from Brisbane after staying there for 5 days.
Heading downstairs to watch the game over an icy schooner. Later mate, cheers. ;)
-
@davideo
As Astral posted above, where's the fun and education in that? :-D
@skurk
Greetz! Enjoying our country?
Yes the kickstart ROM is a 40-pin DIP. Try buying a 40-pin DIP socket on digikey, and look at all the options you get *sigh*
Dick Smith seems to have what looks like the right type (http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/486c903007c07af82740c0a87f9c0754/Product/View/P4250). Dual-wipe contact.. and surprisingly, they're only $0.78 each! :-o Can anyone confirm these are the correct size?
The 'best' design on aminet for a 3 chip switcher has tracks on both sides, and describes the board as component side and solder side. Does this mean it has thru-the-board links for those tracks?
tiffers