> Well, you need a cd-rom for OS3.9 to install
I'm assuming it doesn't actually care about the media itself, though? I mean couldn't i copy the install files to the HDD and then ask it to use them there? It seems a waste to get a CD drive and controller etc, when i'm never going to need it.
I don't think it would need more than an assign to an OS3.9 folder, but I have never tried.
In any case a normal IDE CDROM works with an A1200 just fine, although you may need an IDEFix card/cable (a buffered IDE interface system) to use both the CDROM and HD at the same time (haven't ever tried without). The IDEFix isn't awfully expensive though, and will speed up just the harddrive alone later on.