A few questions to finish my A4000D + Toaster + Flyer Project

[Theretrogamingroom]

Hey guys, been a (very long) while!

I decided to pull out my Amiga 4000D from storage so that I can finally get her up and running! I started the project a couple of years ago, but school got in the way and... you know.

Anyways, question time!

1: What are the internal data cable pinouts for the Toaster 4K, Flyer, and Faroudja Y/C Plus cards? I have all of the ribbon cables, but I am not sure if they are installed correctly (I had to remove them to clean out the machine and do an upgrade). However, it's been so long that I have no idea.

2: I still need a mouse. I'm assuming that all of the Amiga Mice are compatible across the different models (A1K-A4KT)?

3: I also need a Video Toaster Flyer backplate. Is it possible to purchase on for a reasonable price, or would I be better off hacking a standard PC card backplate?

4: Is the power supply (especially as old as it is) even capable of running the 3 cards, 2 internal hard drives, a CD-RW drive, floppy drive, maxed out ram, and an 040 without any issues? I have no idea what the TDP of this machine would be, but I assume that the PSU isn't exactly very roomy.

5: Any way I can get some software/manuals for everything? The individual that I got everything from was supposed to send me everything, but forgot the manuals and CDs. Then he disappeared.

I'll probably add some more questions later.

Thanks!

[Heiroglyph]

Hey guys, been a (very long) while!

I decided to pull out my Amiga 4000D from storage so that I can finally get her up and running! I started the project a couple of years ago, but school got in the way and... you know.

Anyways, question time!

1: What are the internal data cable pinouts for the Toaster 4K, Flyer, and Faroudja Y/C Plus cards? I have all of the ribbon cables, but I am not sure if they are installed correctly (I had to remove them to clean out the machine and do an upgrade). However, it's been so long that I have no idea.

It's been so long that I'd have to look it up too. I'd dig up some manuals.

2: I still need a mouse. I'm assuming that all of the Amiga Mice are compatible across the different models (A1K-A4KT)?

Yep, one mouse to rule them all.

3: I also need a Video Toaster Flyer backplate. Is it possible to purchase on for a reasonable price, or would I be better off hacking a standard PC card backplate?

I had a couple, but I don't think there are any boxes left in the warehouse either and I've been over it pretty well.

A new plate that showed up at the office looks suspiciously like them though. I thought someone dug up a box.

It turns out they were for a current product and I have been meaning to see if they would fit Flyers.

If you do make one, don't bother drilling out for that top S-Video connector, it's never used by anything that I'm aware of (it was for the unreleased genlock module) and the size of the hole makes it really close to the sides of the plate.

4: Is the power supply (especially as old as it is) even capable of running the 3 cards, 2 internal hard drives, a CD-RW drive, floppy drive, maxed out ram, and an 040 without any issues? I have no idea what the TDP of this machine would be, but I assume that the PSU isn't exactly very roomy.

I've never seen one overloaded that way, but they are getting old. Just give it a shot.

5: Any way I can get some software/manuals for everything? The individual that I got everything from was supposed to send me everything, but forgot the manuals and CDs. Then he disappeared.

I'll probably add some more questions later.

Thanks!

Bombjack had the best PDF manual I've seen.

Not spoken as an employee here, just my personal opinion:
As for the software, I think V4.3 is still a commercial product, so I can't condone copies of that, but for a Flyer owner I can't see a problem getting a copy of 4.2 or older somewhere. All Flyers had a copy of 4.something when they were sold.

[magnetic]

Hey guys, been a (very long) while!

I decided to pull out my Amiga 4000D from storage so that I can finally get her up and running! I started the project a couple of years ago, but school got in the way and... you know.

Anyways, question time!

1: What are the internal data cable pinouts for the Toaster 4K, Flyer, and Faroudja Y/C Plus cards? I have all of the ribbon cables, but I am not sure if they are installed correctly (I had to remove them to clean out the machine and do an upgrade). However, it's been so long that I have no idea.

2: I still need a mouse. I'm assuming that all of the Amiga Mice are compatible across the different models (A1K-A4KT)?

3: I also need a Video Toaster Flyer backplate. Is it possible to purchase on for a reasonable price, or would I be better off hacking a standard PC card backplate?

4: Is the power supply (especially as old as it is) even capable of running the 3 cards, 2 internal hard drives, a CD-RW drive, floppy drive, maxed out ram, and an 040 without any issues? I have no idea what the TDP of this machine would be, but I assume that the PSU isn't exactly very roomy.

5: Any way I can get some software/manuals for everything? The individual that I got everything from was supposed to send me everything, but forgot the manuals and CDs. Then he disappeared.

I'll probably add some more questions later.

Thanks!

*edit* oh crap i didnt see hieroglyph posted before u worked at newtek no?

1. take a pic and show me ill tell u
2.euro amiga stores have brand new mice for sale
3. i saw a flyer backplate on us ebay the other day!
4. yes
5. yes ask around , look ebay etc

[Theretrogamingroom]

UPDATES (Including picture of setup coming together):

1: Attached is a picture of the current cabling setup. Again, I'm unsure if it is correct.

2: What was the original mouse for the A4000D? I'm assuming tank mice were used from day 1 to the very last 4000T, but IDK. Also- If anyone has any originals for sale, let me know.

3: Regarding the backplate- I just remembered that I already got one from Heiro a while back (thanks btw). I may still make one for the Toaster + Flyer setup for the external hard drive cables though (this one would be a lot easier- just a rectangle for the ribbon cables). That is, if I don't get an Octopus cable.

4: Anyone know the TDP, more or less?

5: Looks like discreetfx is the place to go. I might also need a copy of 3.9 and a new hard drive- it seems that every time I try to use any hard drive on any of my classic machines, they are usually dead. I haven't tried the one in the Amiga yet. *crosses fingers*

OTHER:

There is a reasonably good sized square cut out of the side of the case which apparently was originally cut for a joystick port (measuring 1.5" wide and 1.25" tall. You can see this in the picture). I could get a new panel (which would probably be very difficult, but let me know if you have one), OR... put something there? Maybe a fan to keep everything cool? Or perhaps find a way to bondo it?

There is also another small hole (.5" in diameter) on the back near where the cards go (also visible in the pic). Any idea what this was for?

I will also start Retr0brighting the case soon (once all of this rain goes away-about a week from now). All that really needs treatment is the floppy drive faceplate and the power button.

I plan on installing a socketed 3.6V battery to keep time. Thankfully, the old soldered Varta (or whatever it was) was removed from my system years ago, so the board is in good shape.

I will order some new SCSI hard drives (with adapters) for the Toaster + Flyer setup. My plan is to have the main system hard drive and audio drive for the cards installed inside the main case, and the two video hard drives in an external enclosure.

This machine has had the ROM, RAM, and CD drive upgraded. Any other (reasonable inexpensive) additions I should make? I was considering USB/PS2, but I'm unsure if I want to keep the machine fairly original, or if I should just go with the times.


I'll post some more updates as time goes by.

[Theretrogamingroom]

And here is a pic of how the setup is coming along (the Amiga will go below the TVs).

[Plaz]

The Toaster to Flyer connector is a very unusual beast. He's a picture I took of the one I built that was based on the original.

http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh331/PlazinJavelin/Computer%20Misc/IMG_1748.jpg

Plaz

[mbrantley]

Plaz, in case I never thanked you before, I must say that picture of your ribbon cable has been for me the most valuable image ever on a.org. I used it as a guide for making my own cable for my Toaster 2000 and Flyer cards..... works a charm!

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

And here is a pic of how the setup is coming along (the Amiga will go below the TVs).

Great looking setup! Gotta admit, that old 1084S-D1 always had an appealing shape to it. Very classic/retro!

Hope you're going to put a stand between the A4k and the TV's?  Don't want to crush it, lol.  

[Theretrogamingroom]

Actually, its a D2- used by NewTek in the late 90's for diagnosis/repair purposes. I'm not sure whether or not I should take off the white sharpie on the back top of the case (which reads "Tech Support 12.98"), or if I should just leave it.

But yes, I'm getting a stand for the poor Amiga. A couple of TVs piled on the case probably wouldn't turn out very well!

Oh, and does anyone a diagram of how the cables should plug in to each card? I'm pretty sure I have all of the cables, I just need to know which ports they plug into to/from each card, if they plug in facing up or down, etc.)

[Plaz]

Glad I could help mbrantley. After searching the net high and low for a long while I finally reached someone at newtek kind enough to track one of their last cables from a junk box and sell it to me. Craziest cable I've ever seen in 30 years of cables. Once I had it, darn right I was going to post a picture the rest of the planet. Possibly the last one newtek ever ships. : )

Plaz