Planning to make my custom case.

[som99]

You will be able to fit the A1200 motherboard and extras inside the "SilverStone Milo ML03B" and fit extras without problems Case dimensions:
440x340x105 mm (W/D/H)


That case is quite cheep also if I would do a A1200 desktop case ill use something like that

Cutout a new back for I/O's, new mounting holes and the motherboard is set, if you want a CD/DVD-drive it has a spot for it, you have to mod to get a internal floppy but not to much work, I would probably put the floppy in the 3,5" HDD cage under the 5,25" facing left or make a cut out in the right part of the front for a floppy.

[som99]

I love you Thanks! They sell it at the local computer store I think I saw it but since they had just the box, I was not able to figure out if it was big enough, and if it has a good internal layout to place the board.

Indeed it is a really nice starting point; and being made of metal, allow me to screw on top either some decorative piece of painted wood or ABS; Or I can paint it directly (in "Amiga white") without fear

As side note; is there a quick way to adapt a keyboard? I will get the adapter from Amigakit (the one that you stick on top of the chip on the motherboard), but if there is another option I am available to explore.

Also for the power: I have an ATX PC power supply; would be better to get one of these laptop AC adapter (12 or 15V, about 75-90W), and use that adapter from Steadman, in conjunction with a picoPSU?

I love the 1200 case but I need space on the desk...I can save the PS2 keyboard in the drawer when I don't use it, and keep the Amiga ready to be used under my monitor

Thanks!

You are welcome my friend, im just glad I can help!
I would rather fit a FLEX-ATX PSU inside the case instead of a Pico-psu.

I think your best bet is just to wait for the PS/2 keyboard adapter from Amigakit, but since you know what connection it has you can make the hole beforehand in the case

Amiga white is the way to go when repainting the case yes I would also print out a sticker with the amiga logo and Amiga 1200D on

I wish you all luck with your build!

[som99]

If you don't want to buy 9-pin dsub contacts and solder yourself you can buy these since you can mount them with nuts and bolts

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSub-SubD-9pin-Buchse-auf-DSub-9pol-Stecker-1-1-13cm-Verlangerung-gut-10cm-/161099997148?pt=DE_Computer_Sonstige&hash=item25824edfdc


Also for the backplate, you could measure the dimensions of it, go to your local metal shop and buy a piece in the same size, maybe a tad thinner to make it easier to work with.

Cut out the holes for connectors with a dremel or anything that works, then cut out the original backplate, save maybe 5-7mm at the edge of the original backplate then use a MIG welder to put the new plate there. If you don't have a MIG Welder then drill holes and use pop riverts.

Pictures would be great!

[som99]

Thanks Som Last time that I tried soldering a connector, people on the other side of the world started to scream in pain and anger I am ok with bigger items, but the connector is too small for my fat fingers

I will try to find something like you posted....the guy does not ship in USA sadly; will check my electronic store, hoping that he does not ask a hand a an arm for it (they robbed me 12 dollars for a serial cable; when I was making my joystick LOL).

I do not have a MIG Welder; probably either I have to bolt it, glue it or put rivets It sounds simple enough for me; after all I will need just 4 plugs going out of the case.

Will post pictures as soon as I start; I placed the order for the keyboard adapter and the case yesterday Thanks!

Haha no problem I bet you could find em for a fair price on ebay, those chinease sellers have free shipping world wide Looking forward to see your pictures tho

[som99]

Just looking at how much watt a PSU can output is a bit pointless in my opinion. The thing is that most of the power on modern 300W PSU's is on the 12V rail, while on the Amiga, a decent 5V output is much more important.

As for your backplate, I would recommend that you use an aluminium plate instead of steel since it is much easier to work with.

Anyway, please post pictures of your progress

The most important thing to look at when buying a PSU is the ripple at the 5v/12v at the load the Amiga pulls, ive used PSU's with high amps on 12v and 5v but at low load there was quite some ripple = unstable Amiga.

So allways google a PSU and check ripple values!

[som99]

I recently converted a cheap chinese ATX PSU to Amiga.  The Amiga crashes within minutes and shows a lot of noise on the video output.   As you've said above - I'm assuming this is due to ripple;   I've not connected it to a scope.

When I have time I'll take some measurements with and without a heavy load on the 12V line.

Take it under a scope and you will probably see the ripple problems with cheep PUS's, post your results here when done

[som99]

They might have bought a new PSU at their local peecee shoppe, which is very convenient. Try finding a 90 watt PSU at those places I bought a new 460 watt PSU for my A1200 a few years ago for 50 bucks for the same reason: Convenience. Can't be bothered to shop around for low power PSUs. Plus, those PSUs won't have to work very hard, which may be good for their lifespan.

Jepp, also buying a to me unknown brand old PSU can be risky, it can fry taking the Amiga with it also you don't know the quality of them how they have been stored over the years, usage etc, I try to use known good quality PSU's to be safe and they also are more energy efficient then old PSU's so I only see pros no cons as long as it's a stable good PSU.

[som99]

Nice paint job As Lumi said, use a 5.25" to Slim DVD and Floppy bay converter, cost around 10$ on ebay and all your trouble is solved

[som99]

Yes, I used a Lyra adapter, the connector has already a plate so you can mount it easily.

I can't use a microswitch keyboard because it is too loud But it is nice to be able to use either an Amiga keyboard from a 1000-2000-3000-4000 or a generic windows keyboard.

I will try also a usb keyboard with the adapter for PS/2; I was told that some are working.

Id recommend you to get red cherry mx switches since they do not make any click sound and are nice to type on There are switches that makes no sound and in my opinion the red ones are the best non clicking ones (black are nice to but requires quite some force to push down)

I myself love the clicking sound and im using blue switches

[som99]

Today I was able to fix the motherboard to the case; used a piece of wood, and made some cuts to let the air go around the mobo, especially under the accelerator card chip and ram.

I've also finished the power cable; I need to put the power switch on the back plate. I made a mistake ordering the serial flat extension cables...they came on full PCI plate, while the case uses the smaller version, so I am forced to remove the connectors and make holes on the case PCI brackets, to add the mouse and joystick ports.

Also I need to stretch a bit the Lyra connector, since it is a bit short; that plate is also full size, so I will have to remove the connector from that plate too...meh.
I seriously shed tears for not having a 3d printer...would make nice back plates, I think that my hand cut plates will not look that great

Maybe by tomorrow I can put in also the CD and cable up everything.

I've also attached a photo of the front panel after being cut and sanded with grit sand paper....the cut for the floppy, as you can see, looks horrible; so if you have any idea for that, I am all ears Once that will look decent, I will paint it white again. I realized that was pretty dumb to paint it before making all the mods...but it is my first time so I am learning making mistakes.

You are getting along nice, I look forward to see more how it goes!

Is there no interfaces that allow use of Amiga 500 keyboards? Re-using the original Amiga 1200 keyboard was really what I meant not a PS/2 or DIN converter to use PC keyboards. I am thinking of towering up my super expanded A600 and using it as a graphics workstation with Dpaint 3 and some Blitz/Amos coding but the keyboard is not convenient and I have a spare A500 keyboard

I would never tower or re-house any of my machines if I had to have Mac or Windows keys on them. I'd rather use an Atari keyboard lol

You can buy custom keycaps, mostly for mechanical boards but you could always sand away the windows logo text and have it blank or put a adhesive printed A on them

[som99]

I hope the button modify goes easy for you Never attempted myself so can't input there.

Tho I got a spare Commodore PC case I am not using, this one:


After reading your posts I want to put an Amiga inside it and print a new sticker on the front, same as is but saying the Amiga model and a extra D in the end instad (example Commodore Amiga 1200D).

But I got one huge problem, the Commodore PC-20 III case is small so the only Amiga that fits are the A600 and putting a A600 inside there seems pointless since it has to few expansions to really benefit from a desktop case :/

[som99]

You could stick a Minimig or Replay board in there...

I have thought about that to but feels a bit overkill to use such a big  case for that :/  I soon get my Vampire 600 board but still dosent justify putting a A600 inside that case I wish it was wide enough for the A1200

Got no clue what to put in it yet but I hope ill figure something out
Thanks for the tip tho!