Amiga 1200 and IDE channel!!!

[flaviosr]

Hi to all!!!

Quickly (more or less): :-)
* I was thinking about using the standard IDE channel of my A1200 with a standard IDE CD-ROM; :-D
* some limits in the type of CD-ROM (I mean may I also use a DVD-ROM, DVD-burner or whatever else)?
* the IDE channel accept two units, right?
* the most important question: is it possible to use a single cable in the standard A1200 (not towered) for two units (the internal HD and an "external" standard CD-ROM) using the same cable for data and power for both units?
* I was thinking in modifying the left side of the A1200 applying a simple port replicator... a 4pin standard power connector and the standard IDE data cable connector... and then a standard external CD-ROM in a plastic case! :-)

Bye and thank you

[derringer3]

Hi!

Yes you can use any standard ide unit as a secondary drive, but probabply u need a 44pin to 40 pin adapter. However keep on mind that you probably can't write dvd disc with the internal ide port of a1200. Its simply lack of speed.

I have the same problem, so that's why i change to scsi. It has dma so don't use cpu, and about 10MB/sec transfer rate.  

[flaviosr]

derringer3 wrote:
Hi!

Yes you can use any standard ide unit as a secondary drive, but probabply u need a 44pin to 40 pin adapter. However keep on mind that you probably can't write dvd disc with the internal ide port of a1200. Its simply lack of speed.

I have the same problem, so that's why i change to scsi. It has dma so don't use cpu, and about 10MB/sec transfer rate.  

Hi,

sounds right :-( ... this is a matter not to understimate! :-o
The IDE solution could be quick and cheap... but...
do you think the Amiga can bear the power needed for a 2.5" HD and a CD-Writer? I mean with the two units connected to the same cable connected to the only IDE channel in the A1200? So the IDE channel should power both units!!!

Bye and thank you

[amigean]

I used to have an 3.5 IDE HDD and a 4x CD-rom connected to my A1200 for much of the 1990s without any problems.

Some claim that a buffered interface is needed otherwise you risk damaging your motherboard - however my experience and that of others here suggest it is safe. You will need the IDEfix software (aminet?) to get the CD-rom up and running properly.

I would, however, advise against powering the IDE devices from the IDE connector; ideally you should power the CD and HDD externally. I had mine housed in an old AT tower and powered by its own power supply. Good luck with it - and have fun!

[lurkist]

you probably can't write dvd disc with the internal ide port of a1200. Its simply lack of speed.

Check this out.

I'm assuming the buffered interface doesn't add any speed, so the standard port should act the same...

Cheers

[rkauer]

flaviosr wrote:
Hi to all!!!
- Hi!

Quickly (more or less): :-)
* I was thinking about using the standard IDE channel of my A1200 with a standard IDE CD-ROM; :-D
- OK, it's a common hack;

* some limits in the type of CD-ROM (I mean may I also use a DVD-ROM, DVD-burner or whatever else)?
- Wathever you like (or afford to); :-D

* the IDE channel accept two units, right?
- Yup, even four with this tiny hack;

* the most important question: is it possible to use a single cable in the standard A1200 (not towered) for two units (the internal HD and an "external" standard CD-ROM) using the same cable for data and power for both units?

-Don't EVER TRY THIS! The internal IDE port have not enough current (Àmperes) to drive more than a standard notebook IDE HD. Use an external PSU (could be a PC-AT one putted togheter in the CD/CDRW/DVD/DVD-RW case for better looking.

* I was thinking in modifying the left side of the A1200 applying a simple port replicator... a 4pin standard power connector and the standard IDE data cable connector... and then a standard external CD-ROM in a plastic case! :-)
- I saw a guy who "make" a sidecar with a tiny barebone, put a PC-AT PSU in it, FOUR (!) IDE devices (there is a hack on Aminet to do this), plus hacking the PSU to deliver power to Amiga, too.

Bye and thank you

- It's what we are here for. :-D  

[derringer3]

@lurkist: Ok i review my opinion, it is possible, but compared to pc when you write about a few minutes its takes hours (?) to write in amiga. So i think for everyday use the internal port is not an option.

[motorollin]

amigean wrote:
You will need the IDEfix software (aminet?) to get the CD-rom up and running properly.

That is incorrect. If you are using a CD-ROM connected directly to the Amiga's motherboard (i.e. not using a buffered interface) then you do not need IDEfix. Just use scsi.device (in ROM) and the drive will be detected.

--
moto

[zipper]

That is incorrect. If you are using a CD-ROM connected directly to the Amiga's motherboard (i.e. not using a buffered interface) then you do not need IDEfix. Just use scsi.device (in ROM) and the drive will be detected.

Depends on which version of OS you happen to have.

[motorollin]

No it doesn't. On an A1200 scsi.device is in the kickstart ROM.

--
moto

[zipper]

The original scsi.device doesn't support atapi (afair), needs to be 3.5 / 3.9. As was the situation with my A4000, IdeFix was mandatory with 3.1.

[motorollin]

It does on the A1200. I used an IDE CD-ROM on the internal IDE channel with no 4 way adapter using scsi.device in the mountlist.

--
moto

[flaviosr]

Mumble... mumble... the IDE solution in my standard case A1200 does not seem nice to look! :-|
I think I am going to look for a SCSI interface... :-o

Thanx... :-D