Viper 630

[BenShep]

I've just obtained one of these boards (It's actually the mtec version apparently - but these are all the same card yeah?) - it's a 40MHz 030 accelerator for the amiga 600 and I have a couple of questions.  This has 8MB on board and no FPU (think I might grab one from a mac card/mobo).

1) the article on the big book regarding this board says the memory is PCMCIA friendly - I've heard conflicting reports (esp with the 8MB ver).  If it isn't friendly - is there a way around this (disabling 4mb for instance?).

2) How hot does this run - does it need a beefy heatsink or fan for safe operation?  

3) What is the best way of mounting the hard drive now the upgrade card will be in the way?  Any hints/tips/links?

Thanks all!

[balrogsoft]

Ahhh, you are a lucky owner of a A600 accelerator, i have been finding on ebay one for my A600, but without luck. Take a look to www.amiga600.de and www.amiga600.net, on this sites you will find information about how to mount the HD, and how to add a cooler.

[amigalamer]

Best solution for internal mass storage device on a600 with any kind of accelerator is cf2ide 44pin adapter with CF/Microdrive. I'm a owner of that m-tec accel (4mb ver) too. Works perfectly without heatsink/fan.

[BenShep]

That's a pretty cool solution actually.. I really didn't want to glue the hd on or screw through the case (even though the case isn't perfect).

Further research brings me to think the 8mb ver prob does disable the pcmcia port (I haven't had time to test yet)

It's a major bummer really.

[keropi]

E-Matrix 630 (T630 / Viper 630)

Company M-Tec
       
processor
68030 @ 40 MHz, QFP
optional PGA FPU
memory
4 or 8 MB RAM soldered to board
not expandable
the 8 MB version rules out the PCMCIA port
notes
 too bad...
 :-(

[alexh]

The bummer is that I think it's just a firmware / CPLD change to make them friendly (which is why there are conflicting reports).

Unfortunately the chances are you'll ever be able to upgrade your firmware / CPLD is realistically zero.

[Amigaz]

Maybe this pic will help http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=857

A heatsink is highly recommended and a cooling fan that sucks air from underneath the case and blows it out thru the top (see my pic again)

[rare_j]

@AMIGAZ
What's that silvery material you've used to cover the vents on the A600 lid?

[alexh]

It's electrical ducktape!

[alexh]

It's electrical ducktape!

[rare_j]

Oh yes I can see that now, from the picture it looked like some kind of padded insulation but it's just the effect of the grooves on the case!  :oops:

[BenShep]

I finally got around to testing this - installed it and chucked my 4MB SRAM card in and I get 12MB of memory free.. looks like it is PCMCIA friendly after all!

Think I might keep this setup rather than buying the new card now that I can use the PC card slot and can use a FPU (though it apparently doesn't work all that well??).

[Brian]

I see there's 4 holes in the turbo board... Now before ppl bach me I know heat is an issue and I know the way these turbos sit on the motherboard makes them very insecure but how about mounting a IDE2CF on the turboboard using these holes... plastic intact?

But personaly I like the idea of drilling 2 holes on the back and one on the left side then fabricate a new harddrive holder (basicly just a bent plate of steal with 3 holes for fastening it to the case and 4 for the HDD).