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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: KatManDEW on January 27, 2010, 06:29:49 AM

Title: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: KatManDEW on January 27, 2010, 06:29:49 AM
What are my options for adding ethernet to my A2000 and A1200, and getting them online? I have cable internet, and a hub, with plenty of empty connections for them. I know that Amigakit has a relatively inexpensive PCMCIA ethernet adapter for the A1200, but I would really like to add ethernet to my A2000.

My A2000 is my "Main Miggy" until I get my A1200 installed in the tower case I have for it, and I need to get a keyboard adapter for it before I can install it in the tower case (I'm open for suggestions for the keyboard adapter...).

I have my A2000 connected to my Pee Cee with 115,200 serial (via GVP 040), and it's not too shabby, but ethernet would be sweet...

Are there any OS 3.x email proggys that are usable?
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: tone007 on January 27, 2010, 07:03:21 AM
Sounds like you already know about the PCMCIA cards for the 1200, there are Zorro ethernet boards available for the 2000, generally in the $50-$100 range for older ones (may need an AUI transciever or worst case a BNC to 10baseT solution.)  New ones from Individual Computers may still be available, but are generally well above the $100 mark.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: zipper on January 27, 2010, 07:20:29 AM
I'm running X-surf in my A4000  http://www.jschoenfeld.com/products/xsurf2_e.htm
and got it running after some initial mess (being too smart when installing s/w). But it did cost some 120 € to me so being quite pricey. But instead of phone modem it's a big leap.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: Damion on January 27, 2010, 07:31:23 AM
X-Surf is great, so is Ariadne/Ariadne 2 if you can find one. (Those cards also have mhi drivers, a real plus IMHO.) DENEB is another option, expensive but you'd also have a very nice USB solution.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: amiga1260 on January 27, 2010, 09:05:51 AM
Amigakit has the X-Surf in stock. It's about 102 Euros.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: Fingers on January 27, 2010, 09:29:01 AM
Looks like you've got the A1200 sorted.

As for the A2000, if you are on a budget, the Hydra Systems AmigaNet card works quite well:
http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/amiganet2000
I'm using this on my A2000 & it works fine (cost $50 on eBay).
Mine needed an AUI transceiver like Tone mentioned (cost $4 on eBay).

PZ.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: yssing on January 27, 2010, 09:57:14 AM
well I will suggest, for the A2000, the X-Surf and the EasyNet CD from Amigakit. its really easy to use.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: KatManDEW on January 27, 2010, 05:01:16 PM
Thanks for the info. Sounds like X-Surf is the way to go for me (easy...)

Any opinions on the best keyboard adapter for my A1200? Is the Lyra adapter the only option?

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: amigakit on January 27, 2010, 05:08:59 PM
Apart from Lyra keyboard adapters (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=lyra) we also stock the PC-Key 1200 (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=332)


BTW: here is direct link for X-Surf 3cc network card with EasyNet:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=X-Surf
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: KatManDEW on January 28, 2010, 01:59:15 AM
Quote from: amigakit;540299
Apart from Lyra keyboard adapters (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=lyra) we also stock the PC-Key 1200 (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=332)


BTW: here is direct link for X-Surf 3cc network card with EasyNet:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=X-Surf


Thanks for the info. Can you give me a idea of the advantages of one versus the other? I have a Indivision in my A1200, and I might want to upgrade to a Mediator someday...
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: Fingers on January 28, 2010, 07:15:36 AM
The PC-Key works great, but will require slight modification if it is to be installed alongside an Indivision 1200:

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=39708&highlight=pc-key+indivision

PZ.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: KatManDEW on January 28, 2010, 07:52:01 PM
Quote from: Fingers;540423
The PC-Key works great, but will require slight modification if it is to be installed alongside an Indivision 1200:

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=39708&highlight=pc-key+indivision

PZ.


Thanks for the information. I kind of like the PC-Key better because it allows use of real Amiga Keyboards.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: amigakit on January 28, 2010, 07:52:05 PM
The Lyra 1200 (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=207) has the added advantage of being able to be used with the Indivision and has multiple key press support for games.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: RMK305 on January 28, 2010, 09:29:26 PM
KatManDew,

You're lucky you can just plug your cable into the router, mine is as far away from the Amiga as is possible. I'm looking into getting an X-Surf and either ethernet mains plugs or a wireless ethernet bridge. Anyone setup a wireless bridge before? I have no idea what's involved.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: Damion on January 28, 2010, 09:37:57 PM
Quote from: RMK305;540498
KatManDew,

You're lucky you can just plug your cable into the router, mine is as far away from the Amiga as is possible. I'm looking into getting an X-Surf and either ethernet mains plugs or a wireless ethernet bridge. Anyone setup a wireless bridge before? I have no idea what's involved.


Something like a WAP54g, configured in wireless client mode should work OK. I did it with a WAP11 via a switch to my A2000/Ariadne2, the only minor problems I had were with the POS WAP11. I definitely prefer some sort of wired connection, though.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: tone007 on January 29, 2010, 01:10:43 AM
If you don't mind a bit of soldering, you can connect an Amiga keyboard jack directly to your A1200's motherboard, it's only 4 wires (2 to one of the CIAs and 2 for power, maybe an additional one for reset?)  Now that's a cheap keyboard adapter.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: KatManDEW on January 30, 2010, 05:02:17 AM
Quote from: tone007;540517
If you don't mind a bit of soldering, you can connect an Amiga keyboard jack directly to your A1200's motherboard, it's only 4 wires (2 to one of the CIAs and 2 for power, maybe an additional one for reset?)  Now that's a cheap keyboard adapter.


Now you've got my attention... Can you give me more details about where to pickup the necessary connections?

Amazingly enough, I scrounged around in my shop and found some 5 pin DIN connectors. They're PCB mount, but that's not a show stopper.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: KatManDEW on January 30, 2010, 09:22:34 PM
I found ths about the keyboard connections...

http://www.textfiles.com/computers/newkbdhack
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: tone007 on January 30, 2010, 09:53:59 PM
That looks about right.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: ChaosLord on January 30, 2010, 10:20:14 PM
Quote from: KatManDEW;540248
Are there any OS 3.x email proggys that are usable?

There are 2 excellent ones that I know of.  Thousands of ppl use them:
YAM
SimpleMail

I recommend SimpleMail.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: KatManDEW on January 31, 2010, 01:16:33 AM
Quote from: tone007;540791
That looks about right.


I'm probably going to give it a try. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Gettting my Miggy(s) online
Post by: KatManDEW on January 31, 2010, 01:20:53 AM
Quote from: ChaosLord;540796
There are 2 excellent ones that I know of.  Thousands of ppl use them:
YAM
SimpleMail

I recommend SimpleMail.


Thanks.

Many many moons ago, when internet access first became available in my area, I had a shiney new Gateway 486, but I was still using my old A2000. I remember getting my A2000 "partially online" (with dialup - yeeuch), but I don't remember if I ever did email with my A2000 (I didn't really know anyone else who had email at that time anyway). When I did start emailng regularly, everyone I knew was using Eudora on the PC.