Commodore 128 tower project started!

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A few people here expressed interest in my 128 tower conversion project, so I figured I'd give a little heads up that I have officially started! I expect this to be a fairly difficult mod, even more difficult than first expected!

HERE is a comp.sys.cbm post explaining one of the first hurdle. HERE and HERE are the first pictures. My first problem is the motherboard size  :-o Wow is it a beast! I may have to cut about 1/2 total off the motherboard to make it fit without destroying the backplate.

If there is interest I will update here as I go, as Amiga.org is my favorite site :-D

-Edit-

Flat 128 motherboard idea scrapped, currently using 128D motherboard.

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LoadWB wrote:
What's with the multi-color wire clips?

Goes to the MMU adapter, required for the SuperCPU 128.

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adolescent wrote:
What about running the motherboard with the back towards the back of the tower?  Looks like you'd have to modify at least one rail of the power supply, and probably the drive cage, but it'd give you more breathing room front to back.

Yeah, that was/is a consideration. I just don't think it would work. I think cutting that away will harm the integrity of the case. Also I have the superCPU, RamLink and 1750 to consider. They have to be relocated but an expansion port expansion cable length can;t be too long.

I've seen Jope's C64 tower, nice job. The c64 motherboard is much shorter though, lucky guy..

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After much consideration I think I am going to scrap the idea of a flat 128 motherboard and use a 128D motherboard. While taller, the 128D mb is not as wide. It should fit in the case a lot cleaner than the flat 128 and has the added benefit of having a 1571 controller built in!

Stay tuned..

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tokyoracer wrote:
Is it possible to fit a HD to the 128 mobo? If so, are there any OS's?

I have a RamLink, which is essentially a 16MB hard drive in RAM. The speed is insane! I also have a SBC(single board computer) which I am going to install inside the case as a slave for 64HDD, which is a DOS program that essentially turns a PC into a hard drive for the Commodore.

OSes? There are Wheels(Geos 3.0), Wings, Lunix, CP/M and others.

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A1260 wrote:
http://www.commodorecheetah.co.uk/c128Tower/C128T.htm

Bad ass!!  :-D

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Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I had asked you once before and I don't think I ever got your response. How are you planning to overcome the video output limitations of the 64/128. I don't think it was ever done or can be done. I know you can soeed up the processor, load instantly with ramlink, have enormous storage with the HD, but in the end you are still stuck with the crummy video output.

For composite output (40 column) that is easy. There are many cheap composite to SVGA adapters on the market that do a good job. RGBi (80 column) is more difficult, but possible. THIS should work with a small modification. I will probably eventually install both in the tower case with 2 outputs into an monitor A/B switch, going to an LCD monitor.

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Use a 1750XL and not a 1750 in the Ramlink

Please elaborate! I had problems with the 1750 in my setup.

128 > SuperCPU > RamLink > 1750 (in passthrough)

I'd get corruption on the 1750. I'd suspected possibly a problem due to distance from the real expansion port.

I'm sure you saw it in one of the old Commodore World magazines but a guy in Florida did an excellent job building a tower such as you are. There were pictures and everything.

Al Anger, I used to see him in #c64friends IRC channel.I've seen the pictures. He's actually local to me, only about 70 miles away. I may try to contact him with questions.

I would mount an FD drive internally and go only with 3.5 inch floppies.

Naah, still need a 1571 as #8 IMHO. Original floppy with copy protection or direct copies of originals still require it. The vast majority of applications are not fixed.

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Plaz wrote:
Cool idea. Pictures, lots of pictures.

Plaz

Thanks!! Here's an update and a few pictures.

I did scrap the flat 128 motherboard idea completely, I am now using a 128D motherboard. It is a tight squeze, but with modifying the front metal cage it fits almost perfectly!!

HERE is a picture showing the front. I ended up cutting a little more off the area below the MB, but this pic basically shows that it fits. With the board mounted in place, the front plate easily fits with about 3/4" to spare. HERE is a top view.

The final cuts were made last night, the frame was cleaned and mounts were put into place. The motherboard has been mounted and I am pleased with the results. I have decided to put aside expansions for the moment and get the base 128 functional. Next step will be wiring, which will be very time consuming. I am modifying an ATX power supply and an 120VAC-9VAC step down transformer to provide power to the 128 and future expansions. It may be a while before the next update, gotta get parts from mouser.com..