**Need Setup HELP** with Classic Amiga 2000 HARD DISK (Bridgeboard)

[darkage]

Darkage,

MANY thanks for E-Packet Idea.

I ordered a fish tank thing Dec 2016.
It never came (7 weeks waiting)  Two weeks ago I contacted Seller. They gave me refund (Package Lost)
I asked for replacement but this time E-Packet.
They agreed (Free Shipping).
It shipped Last Thursday, and Arrived TODAY (5 days from China-to-Canada)!!! INCREDIBLE!!

Many thanks!!!

 NP, I couldnt believe it myself when I read up about it.      Now its my preferred delivery method from china.

[darkage]

Never mind that point.
I contacted seller to thank him, but when I opened box, the quantity was wrong.  Turns out this is Old Nov 3rd, 2016 Order (Finally came)
New E-packet replacement is still on the way.

ha!  d'oh!

[darkage]

(Retro Computing Device) What is it?  What's inside? (Challenge)

Looks like something from the 90's.. reminds me of something that either SGi, Sun or Digital would bring out.....  at first I wanted to say SGI but no funky colours, logo or unique shapes.

[darkage]

Now that looks like a real machine!  haha I would restore and play around with hardware like that.

http://www.amiga.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5619&stc=1&d=1487916201

[darkage]

Holly Cow!!  Our new resident Bridgeboard / Lo-Tech-ISA-IDE-CF expert!

[darkage]

After trying adapter, I did a search and it says you cannot USE PS2 keyboard on Amiga.  You need special converted.
 OOOPS!!

heres the adapter required -

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=228

or you can DIY.  (simple small Atmel Mircocontroller project)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhAM-nbyoLM

[darkage]

Vampire II Amiga Accelerator

I stumbled up this.  Pretty cool.

It could be the finishing touch for the Amiga side.

They had a demo at the last meeting of our local Amiga Users Group.  Too bad I missed it.

The Vampire board was designed for an Amiga 500, but appears to also work in a A2000.

Not cheap, but could be considered since it have so much to offer, HD, Video, Memory.

I think the waiting list is about 1.5 years roughly.   You dont know until your name comes up.  

I think this DIY accelerator is more fun.  

https://github.com/terriblefire

He's already done a 020 board and is just completing a 030 board.. next would be a 040 board.  

You can order the PCBs as he completes the projects for $10 to $20 bucks, only issue  you need to assemble/program yourself.

His youtube channel is on that project homepage, he runs alot of live video sessions about the design of his accelerators.  fun I know!

[darkage]

Yes, I think I will have to get some FDTI cables to programme most devices with these days.

careful of FDTI chips, theres fakes and at one stage FDTI where bricking fake chips.

http://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/ftdi-drivers-break-fake-chips-again/

https://zeptobars.com/en/read/FTDI-FT232RL-real-vs-fake-supereal

[darkage]

Good job documenting.   How much did the HxC firmware cost ?  Ive never really looked into it, Ive only used the free Cortex one.

[darkage]

I need a decent FileManager for Amiga

I don't expect modern MS windows Quality, but for me to do my testing and build some Custom Workbench disks (From bits an peices of other disks)
Some kind of  need a GUI FileManager for Amiga.

Directory Opus (aka Dopus)   Alternatives would be Disk Master or File Master.

Edit - a modern version is available on PC.  https://www.gpsoft.com.au/   I recently purchased a copy from the Humble Bundle for 10 bucks or something like that.   https://www.humblebundle.com

[darkage]

WHY DO I Spend So much Time Doing these Posts with DETAILED IMAGES?

Im still waiting for that book of yours

[darkage]

Wow.  There a ton of these modules for sale (China, Malysia,..).  Cheap too (free ship)..
How they make these for so cheap baffles me.  I couldn't get the connectors for that price.

Difference in currency.   1 Chinese Dollar (RMB) = 6.8 USD.
Mass production
Cheaper labour but thats changing over time.

I regularly visit the electronics markets in china.. its a wonderland of components.

Info on electronics markets.
http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2009/a-visit-to-the-electronics-markets-of-shenzhen/


Here in Australia 100 3mm LEDs cost me $12.95 (AUD), in china I got a bag of 5000 3mm LEDs for $12..  (I think it was 0.002 cents per led)   of course I purchased several bags just for the heck of it and future electronic projects ha!  

You can get even more cheaper than that, but run the risk of getting salvaged recycled parts instead of new.

[darkage]

then tomorrow...... Stuff it, I'll buy a A4000!  

[darkage]

I havent logged in for awhile, great to see this thread keep on getting bigger.

This looks like fun http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESP8266-reprogrammed-as-Hayes-serial-Wifi-Modem-Commodore-C64-Apple-Amiga-/201881095855?hash=item2f010d0eaf:g:UCIAAOSw4CFYrQ~o

at true 300 to 2400 baud speeds.

[darkage]

thought you might be interested in this, depending if price stays low ?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kipper2-8MB-Ram-expansion-for-Amiga-500-or-2000-/192161132915?hash=item2cbdb23173:g:zuEAAOSwmCVY9KFP

[darkage]

Thanks Darkage,

I can count on you to support my A2000 Over spending habits

I better give you more support

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GVP-GForce-68030-50mhz-Combo-Accelerator-fo-Amiga-2000-2000HD-2500-Video-Toaster-/282427844611?hash=item41c202e803:g:LnMAAOSwdGFY3iIC