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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Stew on September 20, 2003, 06:31:29 PM
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I have a 4000d in a toaster oven case with a 7 slot bus board. I really need zorro slots for a toaste, flyer, PAR, TBCIV, and AD516. My PIV quit on me and I would like a new graphics card. Will a mediator allow a graphics card update and still allow the use of the rest of the system?
Stew
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@Stew
AFAIK, you need a PowerTower4000 like mine.
Its backplane, has the video slot also. (7 ZorroII/III and 5 free PCI slots (+1 in line with a Zorro slot, for the Mediator4000 card).
Ciao
-edit- i thik that Mirage4000 has the video slot also
Ooops- PAR requires ISA slot!!! righy
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I think all the Mediator boards for the A4000 have Zorro and PCI slots. They may only have one Video Slot, though. Maybe even none. I'm not sure. Check www.elbox.com for a model that appeals to you. Bear in mind that the 3000T/4000T models only work with original Tower systems, not converted ones.
If you replace your PIV with a Voodoo card, however, you'll lose native passthrough and scandoubling. My guess is that, since you're doing Toaster work, you have another display set up for native work already.
You might be better off just finding a new graphics card, though. What expansions would you use with the mediator?
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Ooops- PAR requires ISA slot!!! righy
The PAR is zorro the TBCIV is ISA.
Stew
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Actually wanted to use all the cards. Just replace the PIV with something. It has an x-surf that I might would sell and replace with a cheap pci card.
Not having the pass thru would suck but I have had to use a switch box before for toaster work. PIV's are hard to find at a decent price and the performance is not up to that of the Vodoo's.
Stew
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@stew
Talking about the Mediator just got me thinking, (yeah, I know that can be dangerous at times) Seems to me, Elbox adverts the Mediator as working with all Amiga's. Does anyone know if any of the Mediator's can be made to work with the A2000? I can't recall seeing any of them advertised as being used with one. Just wondered. Best regards...Art :-)
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stew:go for it...u wont regret it.
email elbox and you will get help to choose the best product for your needs.
cheers
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by Stew on 2003/9/20 20:03:58
Ooops- PAR requires ISA slot!!! righy
The PAR is zorro the TBCIV is ISA.
Stew
yes . . .sorry.
So the only way for you, should be to purchase a Mediator Zorro.
Ciao
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Wouldn't it be better to purchase a Prometheus (http://www.matay.pl/matay/amiga_en/index.php?page=prom&PHPSESSID=e8ee9d02872079da47377bfea7f2f45f) instead? It only takes an empty ZorroIII-slot AFAIK...
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by whabang on 2003/9/20 20:32:53
Wouldn't it be better to purchase a Prometheus instead? It only takes an empty ZorroIII-slot AFAIK...
even "Mediator PCI ZIII" takes only 1 ZorroIII slot. . . .and it has a lot of drivers.
Take a look HERE (http://www.elbox.com/products/mediator_pci_z3.html)
Ciao
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Ach so!
Never seen that one before...
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Stew wrote:
Ooops- PAR requires ISA slot!!! righy
The PAR is zorro the TBCIV is ISA.
Stew
Try to buy an older version of the E/Box 4000.
It has the ISA slots you're looking for.
The newer E/Box 4000's and all the Mirage 4000 Pro tower have PCI.
I had one...but sold it for two weeks. Now have the Mirage 4000 Pro.
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Unless you're willing to give up your ISA hardware, it sounds like you should stick with your existing setup and get a new graphics card. You're already used to the switchbox, so a CV3D to replace the PIV wouldn't be terrible. It's still a Z3 card and it's got Warp3D support. Not as good as a voodoo, but a fair compromise, I think. It's probably cheaper than a Mediator + Voodoo anyways.
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@ artman
Does anyone know if any of the Mediator's can be made to work with the A2000?
Yes, I know! :-D Only all flavours of A1200s, A3000s, and A4000s. No 500s,600s,1000s, 2000s or CDTVs, may apply---so sorry. :cry:
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Elbox took my money for an eFlash 4000,
7 week's and several story's later I recieved
it. It's advertised as coming with instructions
but isn't. I've spent the last few week asking
how to use it and recieved no specific instrucions on the use of an eFlash 4000,
but they did tell me if I get the OS3.5 developer
cd, it will tell me how to use this eFlash 4000.
If you have to be a developer to use one, and
there are no instruction's, they really should
mention this before they takeyour money.
Bob R.
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@aardvark
Thanks for the help, my A2000 is about where I want it, so I guess maybe it's time to start building up my A3000. Been thinking of going the tower route, the one sold as a kit by Software Hut.
:-)
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Hi Stew,
My advice is go for it.
With the possible exception of a Hard Drive, my Mediator has made a bigger difference to my A1200 than any other add on that I've bought for it.
You'll probably need to upgrade the case, and including the Mediator you'll be looking at shelling out a good deal of cash but it will be worth it. You can use PCI ethernet, Soundblaster, Voodoo and TV cards which will transform your system. Plus the new case will provide valuable extra room for CD ROMs etc.
You wont regret it.