Using the Falcon SCSI Controller for the A570 cd-rom

[gafstu]

hi,

I have an A500 with an A570 cd-rom.  I installed a 2MB ram expansion and the falcon scsi controller in the A570 a long time ago but never got round to making any use of the SCSI controller.     I want to connect an external SCSI harddrive to it, but need some advise as to suitable cabling and what type of scsi drive to buy for it.  I will be buying all components from ebay as i think that is the easiest and cheapest option for old kit like this.

Any help would be appreciated!
George

[Matt_H]

I'm assuming the Falcon has a DB-25pin (SCSI I) port. So you'll need to find an external enclosure that either has:
1. Another 25pin port. Then a straight-through 25pin cable should work.
2. More likely, you'll find a case with a Centronics 50 pin connection, in which case you'll need a Centronics -> 25 pin adaptor.
3. Or you'll find a case with a high-density 50 pin connection and you'll need a 50 pin -> 25 pin cable.

You'll also probably need a terminator for true trouble-free operation. These come in the same varieties (25pin, Centronics, and 50pin). Most enclosures have 2 ports on the back, so plug the cable into one, and the terminator into the other.

As for the drive itself, any kind will work with the appropriate adaptors, but be aware of the Amiga's 4GB limit/issues. The Falcon may have size limitations of its own as well (like some Commodore cards)

[gafstu]

Thanks for the help.

I have found a good enclosure on ebay, but it is 68pin.  Can i use this with a 68pin drive if i can find suitable cables?

External 68-pin SCSI HDD Enclosure
(ebay Item number: 8795857364)

Cheers

[Matt_H]

Yeah, that'll work with a 68pin drive. But most of those kinds of drives are larger than 4GB, so make sure you've got the appropriate patches to use one. I *think* OS3.1 is required too.

The description doesn't say what kind of external cables it uses though. So you'll need to ask the seller or wait until you get it to make your cable purchase. (I can't tell from the picture)

[Boot_WB]

Hi Gafstu - I've got a spare 68-pin cable which looks suitable for this unit - it's yours for the postage if you want it.

It's a 6-headed 68-pin high density scsi cable - so although it would connect directly to this unit (and 5 other ones if you wanted to) you'll need a 68-pinHD--->25-pin adapter to connect it to your amiga.

By the way - it doesn't look like there's a psu with that enclosure, and £17 seems way expensive imho..

[Zac67]

You'll find enclosures with 50 pin Centronics style or HD50 for little more than 1 EUR (I've bought two or three for 1 EUR each, sometimes with old streamers/CDROMs inside)...

Prices for cables and terminators vary widely, so don't pay too much there either.