A1200 External SATA port

[bbond007]

I really wanted to have an external CD-ROM option for my A1200. Analogic computers ruined my dream to have a PAL CD32...

The subway works well, but is slower and not as compatible obviously.

I know a lot of people have figured out how to mount a cd-rom internally, but really I don't see myself using the cd-rom that often. Plus I can notch out little square holes with my dremel tool and files, but I don't know about mounting a CD-ROM. Also, my 4 USBs do use space that would make that more difficult.

So anyway I just tried this all out with an internal SATA Blu-ray/DVD burner(with little rubber feet to make it nice and professional)

Anyway, I used the following parts:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=194
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=949
http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=916

I already had external connectors for both SATA and ESATA.

Wow. I now have 4 USB and 1 external SATA port. I doubt Commodore ever imagined that level of expansion for the 1200.

Also, It looks like the SATA adapter from Amigakit supports 2 devices, but I have not tried more than one yet. That would be awesome. I could have both SATA and ESATA ports.

I can post some pics if anyone is interested.

All I ask is that someone writes a HAM8 player for Blu-Ray disks. It needs to work well on a 030/40, but don't worry, I have 32mb ram and a 40mhz 68882 FPU. I can live without menus and such at first...

Thanks,

-nate

[bbond007]

My god! Does that combination of hardware work?

Yes it works. it really fits in the case nice and turns out to be a really clean mod.

I have been using my external internal Blu-Ray(in CD Mode) and I have even tried an External SATA HD....

The combo of the Elbox 4x adapter and the Compact Flash card and possibly the Compact Flash adapter seems to intermittently cause the A1200 to hang on boot and require a ctrl-amiga-amiga kick in the a$$ to get going, but thats only if I load the IDEFIX.

I did not have that issue with the HD, but I do remember reading about an issue with CF and IDEFIX and a patch to fix it.

Worst case, I'll leave IDEFIX commented out in startup-sequence unless I really need the SATA port live.

I think I'm going stay away from spinning media in the 1200 (other than the floppy which works well). My internal floppy for whatever reason still makes a slight tick even after noclick programs(which do help), so I'd prefer that being the only sound the 1200 makes other than Paula.

[bbond007]

That's some great work!
I have the IDE-SATA adapters. Would like to do this to my Black A1200...hmm...

FYI. Not all IDE-SATA converts seem to work.

test it out before you get out the drills and saws

[bbond007]

My god! Does that combination of hardware work?

Just an update to this little project.

I ended up getting this ESATA/USB external case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817392031

I have it connected with this 6' cable(yeah, you can put the drive anywhere)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189158

Also, for now, I replaced the CF Adapter and card with a 32GB PATA 2.5" SDD. HD Toolbox sees 8GB of which I have only partitioned about 3GB so far.

According to Sysinfo, the SDD only gets about 950k/SEC. Both the CF card and external blu-ray get around 1.6mb/sec. I may switch back to the CF and use the SSD in another project.

I never did test out that second SATA port, so I have no update on that. But if it is live, I'll be breaking out the dremel tool yet again.

I got a almost free (had to help someone move) powerbook g4 HD with 2GB RAM. Hope it gets MorphOS support in the future. At 1.67GHZ with 128mb VRAM, it would dust my minig4 I'm sure. It might benefit from the SSD more...

[bbond007]

why would you use IDEFIX with Elbox 4x IDE? Why not use fast AtA 99' which is made for the Elbox adapter?/

You are so right. I'm running EIDE'99. I have been all along. IDEFIX must have been just some old cobweb in my brain.

yep..
s:startup-sequence
c:4xEIDE driver QUIET

Anyway, that driver seems to hang when using a CF adapter(on boot sometimes, but works after reset). I'm going to see if there is a fix for that. I have no problem with an actual 2.5" HD or my SDD.

So, if anyone is wondering about that second SATA port. No... looks like when I have anything connected to that the computer won't boot.

I guess one SATA port is good enough

As a side note, I tested out this adapter to mount my CF over the SATA port.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812186099

Works. fast too. 1.6mb/sec.

That will be fantastic for doing a backup.