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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Jambalah on December 21, 2008, 02:17:39 PM

Title: A1200 mod
Post by: Jambalah on December 21, 2008, 02:17:39 PM
Hi everyone!
I'm modding my A1200 with Blizzard PPC and BVision, all in the original case. I added a Fast Ata to connect Hard disk, DVD/CD Rom and a CF disk.
The problem is that Fast Ata and BVision card are in conflict each other: they can't be fitted in the same time.
I tried to add two couple of rom sockets due to make Fast Ata higher than BVision and that's ok!
But keyboard doesn't fit well anymore... :(
In fact, now Fast Ata is too high and keyboard touches the roms making impossible to close the A1200 case....
I removed one socket for each rom bank and Fast Ata still fit well without touching the BVision. But keyboard doesn't still fit well =(
Any solution?!?
Is it possible to make a cable to connect BVision to Blizzard, due to move the BV where I want?  :crazy:
And if it is so, who can do it?!?   :-?
Thanks!

P.S: I have a Fast Ata MK III too and I even tried with that. But the results were the same...
And after all, I have 4XEIDE too. Although I'd prefer to use the Fast Ata... :-)
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: Jose on December 21, 2008, 03:42:30 PM
Hi, if your blizzardppc has scsi you should use that as the Fast Ata is not DMA, besides occuping more space, heat etc...
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: mfilos on December 21, 2008, 06:48:44 PM
I have same setup plus the Indivision AGA and indeed everything fits just fine (although you have to remove the plastic connector of Indivision, leaving only the pins for the ribbon connector else it doesn't fit).
That ofc only with  the double kickstart spacers in order for space to exist underneath for both BVision and Indivision.

The problem with the keyboard attaching in the lower kickstart is deffinitely a problem. The way I started dealing with it (haven't finished yet) was marking carefully the metal keyboard base and cutting via dremel the  area (1cm height) where the kickstart is having the issue. (IIRC one fellow amigan from this forum have done this also succesfully) I don't think there will be a problem since the height that u need is only a little and won't interfere much with the keyboard. OFC don't forget to put an insulation in the flexible keyboard layer in order not to short-circuit with the kickstart pins once closed.

Here's some photos of the setup, without keyboard cut yet.

(http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/9954/dsc02565cb5.th.jpg) (http://img93.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc02565cb5.jpg)

(http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9849/dsc02566xu9.th.jpg) (http://img524.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc02566xu9.jpg)
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: orange on December 21, 2008, 07:05:45 PM
i don't think it would be possible to connect bvision with a cable to ppc, because of the speed.
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: Jambalah on December 21, 2008, 08:30:28 PM
Thanks dudes!

@ Jose:
Unfortunately, no SCSI controller on my blizz... =(

@ Mfilos:
Nice photos and suggestions!!! I will try this hack carefully and after an accurate check.

@ Orange:
A crazy idea?!? Ehm... :-D
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: Gavilan on December 21, 2008, 10:42:06 PM
Quote

Jambalah wrote:
The problem is that Fast Ata and BVision card are in conflict each other: they can't be fitted in the same time.
I tried to add two couple of rom sockets due to make Fast Ata higher than BVision and that's ok!
But keyboard doesn't fit well anymore... :(

Any solution?!?


@Jambalah: i have exactly same setup, and a friend of mine has same setup + Indivision. He cut the plastic parts of the indivision card and everything went just fine

In my case, i used 2 rom sockets to upper the BVision instead of the Fast Ata. Have you tried that?

About the cable you ask...if i understadn correctly, do you want to conect BVision to Blizzard PPC? I think thats NOT possible, BUT, check at Amigakit: they sell a LARGER Bvision cable (larger than original). Maybe that would help you to put the card in a different place inside the machine.

But believe me, it can be done and it works!!!

Ciao!

Sebastian

Mayber this pic helps you a little? Just see the huger size of the cooler/heatsink of the BVision, and think that that fits under the keyboard!!!!!

http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bvppcpd6.jpg
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: Jambalah on December 21, 2008, 10:53:14 PM
@ Gavilan:
I'm going to check Amigakit cable.:-)
 But sorry, I didn't understand the rom sockets to upper the BVision....
What kind of rom sockets and where to put them?
Thanks!

Ciao!
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: Gavilan on December 21, 2008, 11:07:10 PM

BVision cable at Amigakit (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=693)
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: Jambalah on December 21, 2008, 11:19:41 PM
It's not that cable I asked for =)
BVision has a connector to fit directly on the Blizzard PPC. I was thinking about a cable that could connect this two cards ( a female/male cable with that type of connector).
Thanks the same!! =)
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: delshay on December 30, 2008, 07:02:07 PM
excellent +++++

you are the first person iv seen to have fitted heatsink to the other chips on the Blizzard PPC.

tbe heatsink near the front on the Blizzard PPC near the front of the amiga *must* be very low profile,otherwise when keyboard is fitted it will make contact with Blizzard PPC card & force Blizzard card down. *FIX THIS PROBLEM FIRST*.

+++ GREAT +++

here's another tip at your own risk.

remove the PPC fan,then cut part of the PPC fan casing a small slot ( be carefull not to cut damage the blades ) then put the fan back. with a small slot some air will now cool the chip near the front on the amiga.

make sure you dont cut a slot to big & check you don't cut the three mounting bracket that hold the fan.

at your own risk.
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: delshay on December 30, 2008, 07:11:43 PM
OTHER TIPS.

put a small bit of plastic precaution only between Bvision & fast ata just enough to cover Bvision ram chip to avoid any possible short cicuit.

you just need to cover just *one* of the Bvision ram chip only about 15 to 20mm.

when cutting a hole for the kickstart on the keyboard,be sure the hole is big enough not to make contact with kickstart chips legs,just enough as you dont want the hole to be big.

put a thin flexable plastic where the hole is to help support keyboard internal layout.
Title: Re: A1200 mod
Post by: delshay on December 31, 2008, 02:26:07 AM
Quote

mfilos wrote:
I have same setup plus the Indivision AGA and indeed everything fits just fine (although you have to remove the plastic connector of Indivision, leaving only the pins for the ribbon connector else it doesn't fit).
That ofc only with  the double kickstart spacers in order for space to exist underneath for both BVision and Indivision.

The problem with the keyboard attaching in the lower kickstart is deffinitely a problem. The way I started dealing with it (haven't finished yet) was marking carefully the metal keyboard base and cutting via dremel the  area (1cm height) where the kickstart is having the issue. (IIRC one fellow amigan from this forum have done this also succesfully) I don't think there will be a problem since the height that u need is only a little and won't interfere much with the keyboard. OFC don't forget to put an insulation in the flexible keyboard layer in order not to short-circuit with the kickstart pins once closed.



you have s-video out on your A1200 how did you do it?

put dummy connector on other subway pins,avoid possible short cct with keyboard.