Amiga.org

Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: pan1k on October 21, 2009, 04:47:49 PM

Title: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: pan1k on October 21, 2009, 04:47:49 PM
So, I was talking to Omnicron and he suggested I use a CF card as a hard drive in my Amigas, how long should they last? How much speed increases have you guys seen over a stock say 5400RPM laptop drive? I know the A1200 only supports PIO0, would you recommend a IDE FIX Express or something similar? This is going to be a portable machine, in a sense so I can take it to AmiWest or club meetings, and the idea of no moving parts (or less) really appeals to me..
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: Jope on October 21, 2009, 04:56:29 PM
Quote from: pan1k;526769
So, I was talking to Omnicron and he suggested I use a CF card as a hard drive in my Amigas, how long should they last?


It will probably outlive the Amiga.

Quote
How much speed increases have you guys seen over a stock say 5400RPM laptop drive?


The speed increase is quite profound, as the Amiga loads lots of small files off the drive. You can't beat instant seek times.

Quote
I know the A1200 only supports PIO0, would you recommend a IDE FIX Express or something similar? This is going to be a portable machine, in a sense so I can take it to AmiWest or club meetings, and the idea of no moving parts (or less) really appeals to me..


If you have the express adapter, then why not, but it is by no means necessary to notice a speed difference.
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: TheGoose on October 21, 2009, 05:08:06 PM
I have moved on from CF cards to these modules:

http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/product_memory.asp?Cid=60&indexnum=4

I can tell you they are way faster than the ScanDisk CF card I was using.

Another plus is that there is no cable/bracket and physicaly works perfect
with Indivision AGA. Fits great on the A1200 IDE header.

Was recognized by Harddisk Setup fine. I'm using a 2GB module, AOS / Work partitions.
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: pan1k on October 21, 2009, 06:49:07 PM
That is the coolest thing I have seen! A bit more expensive. Does it just plug right onto the 44 pins? Does it fit in the case fine?
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: TheGoose on October 21, 2009, 07:39:47 PM
They really do fit great, not too tall, grab on to the ide header pins snug. I will try to send some pics tonight, I've been holding back about my pizza box G1200 mod that uses one of these.

The 44 pin (2.5 in) ones are small. Have a master / slave slider on the top too.

YOU DO NOT WANT THIS ARRANGEMENT:

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/images/986/1_P5230065.JPG
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: skurk on October 21, 2009, 08:16:22 PM
Quote from: TheGoose;526786
YOU DO NOT WANT THIS ARRANGEMENT:

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/images/986/1_P5230065.JPG


Ouch.  Use one of these instead: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19494

Connect to motherboard with HD cable.  Voila.
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: balrogsoft on October 21, 2009, 08:25:39 PM
I have a CF to IDE adapter, but on my A600, and is notable slower than the old hard disk i had before, maybe the CF card is slow, but on my A600 system it works slower than a real hard disk.
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: TheGoose on October 21, 2009, 08:38:12 PM
Is there a simple app to test HD read write? SYSinfo do this pretty well? I want to test mine...
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: Damion on October 21, 2009, 08:55:16 PM
Quote from: TheGoose;526796
Is there a simple app to test HD read write? SYSinfo do this pretty well? I want to test mine...

SysSpeed (SysInfo is crap) or RSCP (http://aminet.net/package/util/moni/RSCP) work pretty well.
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: NovaCoder on October 21, 2009, 11:11:30 PM
Quote from: TheGoose;526772
I have moved on from CF cards to these modules:

http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/product_memory.asp?Cid=60&indexnum=4

I can tell you they are way faster than the ScanDisk CF card I was using.

Another plus is that there is no cable/bracket and physicaly works perfect
with Indivision AGA. Fits great on the A1200 IDE header.

Was recognized by Harddisk Setup fine. I'm using a 2GB module, AOS / Work partitions.



Does it also correctly light up the HD LED?

There is also another IndivsionAGA friendly option....

mrmkl (http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49480)

(http://www.students.tut.fi/~leinone3/ide2cf/a6i2cf.jpg)
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: TheGoose on October 21, 2009, 11:19:22 PM
Ohhh, that is a slick solution, nice. Yes, the LEDs work just fine.
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: TheGoose on October 22, 2009, 01:25:40 AM
Ummm, after looking at in again, I'm not sure it will fit in the original case? Maybe?

I put up some pics on my blog - link on the avatar thingy.
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: trip6 on October 22, 2009, 04:22:51 AM
@NovaCoder

Are those still available? Where can I get one two of those angled CF adapters? I really need them...
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: NovaCoder on October 22, 2009, 05:03:54 AM
Quote from: trip6;526830
@NovaCoder

Are those still available? Where can I get one two of those angled CF adapters? I really need them...


Check the link in my post ;)
Title: Re: CF Card HD for Amiga
Post by: AmigaNow on November 27, 2009, 06:04:38 PM
Quote from: skurk;526791
Ouch.  Use one of these instead: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19494

Connect to motherboard with HD cable.  Voila.


I opened up my Ami and the IDE cable has only 43 holes? Will I need to get another cable or do I need to cut off that pin from the CF adapter?

Thanks,
AmigaNow