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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: djos on August 26, 2012, 12:31:10 PM

Title: Wiring up an A1010 drive light to FB-354?
Post by: djos on August 26, 2012, 12:31:10 PM

Hi All, I recently scored an A1010 for 99c in an auction because the owner had pinched the original drive to restore his A500 - anyway all the FB-354 needed was the heads and surrounding areas cleaned and stepper motor drive re-greased and it's flawless.

Now I've got the drive working Im wondering if I can wire up A1010 drive light to FB-354? If yes can anyone post a pic of where I need to install the header?


On another note, this unit seems to have had what I assume is a drive bypass switch (?) installed and removed but the wiring is still there (just joined together), what is the point of being able to bypass/disable an external drive?

Title: Re: iring up an A1010 drive light to FB-354?
Post by: Ral-Clan on August 26, 2012, 02:14:47 PM

I'm not sure, but I have a vague memory that when additional drives are attached, they eat up a very small amount of RAM.  Doesn't seem important today, but when all you had was 512K it mattered.

I might be wrong about the above...as I say, it's a vague, foggy memory of something I heard once.

The other reason might be that a few non-system friendly games might not like an external drive attached.

Title: Re: Wiring up an A1010 drive light to FB-354?
Post by: Darth_X on August 26, 2012, 03:14:39 PM

Quote from: djos;705264

Hi All, I recently scored an A1010 for 99c in an auction

Deal!

Title: Re: Wiring up an A1010 drive light to FB-354?
Post by: djos on August 26, 2012, 10:32:43 PM

Quote from: Darth_X;705286

Deal!

Indeed :D

Title: Re: iring up an A1010 drive light to FB-354?
Post by: djos on August 26, 2012, 10:33:36 PM

Quote from: ral-clan;705280

I'm not sure, but I have a vague memory that when additional drives are attached, they eat up a very small amount of RAM.  Doesn't seem important today, but when all you had was 512K it mattered.

I might be wrong about the above...as I say, it's a vague, foggy memory of something I heard once.

The other reason might be that a few non-system friendly games might not like an external drive attached.

Thanks, that makes sense. :)

Title: Re: iring up an A1010 drive light to FB-354?
Post by: Dr.Bongo on August 26, 2012, 10:38:50 PM

Quote from: ral-clan;705280

I'm not sure, but I have a vague memory that when additional drives are attached, they eat up a very small amount of RAM.  Doesn't seem important today, but when all you had was 512K it mattered.

I might be wrong about the above...as I say, it's a vague, foggy memory of something I heard once.

The other reason might be that a few non-system friendly games might not like an external drive attached.

I think it's 50kb, but I may be wrong.

Title: Re: iring up an A1010 drive light to FB-354?
Post by: shaf on August 26, 2012, 11:37:00 PM

I agree each floppy drive takes 50Kb of memory. I can't find my A1010 Service Manual but suspect that the LED is wired to DS (Drive Select).

Title: Re: iring up an A1010 drive light to FB-354?
Post by: djos on August 26, 2012, 11:44:10 PM

Cheers Guy's, I reckon I'll put the switch back as I've found Space Quest III doesnt like having an external drive attached - bit daft considering it's 4 floppies + save disk and supports HDD install. :p