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Offline Shep1978Topic starter

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Amigas in the attic...
« on: April 14, 2010, 10:43:24 AM »
Hello and nice to meet you all!
First off I apolagise if this thread is in the wrong forum section, feel free to move it mods if it's not. (not like you need my permission but you get the idea!)

Well where do I start. Ok, when I was younger I had an Amiga which was simply awesome and yesterday I went and found said Amiga in the attic hoping to blast away on the likes of Speedball 2, Xenon 2 and the Chaos Engine.      But, after easily locating the actual (rather yellow and dusty) Amiga I noticed I have no power pack (if that's the correct term), no leads/wires, no joystick and no mouse!
Oh no this is a nightmare I thought, well not quite a nightmare but annoying so i figured i'd turn to you experts to ask for help...
So, what do I need in terms of all the wiring/leads? One that goes to the t.v i'm quite sure but what sort of lead would that be? A 'powerpack' - where can you buy them and can you buy them brand new? (i'm in the UK) Where could I buy preferably brand new or second hand joysticks and a mouse?   (Is my joystick port 2 meant to have several pins less then port 1 too? - 4 on port two vs 9 on port one.
Audio leads is another issue, are they hard to come by and will they fit a 10 year old CRT t.v?  
How much money do you guys think I would need to spend get the beast up running again too?  I'm unemployed so money is a bit of an issue see.
Lastly, do you think my old games, and even the actualy Amiga will still work after years of being sat around in a hot attic?
Really appreciate any help and advice no matter how small, I just want my best computer ever made running again!

Thanks in advance, Shep.
 

Offline Karlos

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2010, 10:48:34 AM »
Quote
First off I apolagise if this thread is in the wrong forum section, feel free to move it mods if it's not. (not like you need my permission but you get the idea!)


Moved to "new user introductions" :)

Welcome aboard!
int p; // A
 

Offline countzero

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2010, 11:11:52 AM »
hello and welcome !

for parts, you can check ebay for quick replacements. A power pack shouldn't cost more than 5 UKP or so ... As for lead to connect to TV, you need a dongle called modulator to do that. Modulator will give you AV and RF output. Then you can connect your miggy to any TV which accepts those. You can connect the audio directly to your tv set or anything that will accept a stereo input. You can get the modulator from ebay for about 5 ukp I guess and leads from any electronic store for 2-3 UKP I guess. You can't get any amiga specific item as new anymore.

If you have time you can check local boot sales for commodore equipment if you want better deals.

btw, did you have a RAM expansion in your miggy ? If you had, and if it had a battery, it may have leaked and ruined your ram expansion. It's better to check and get it out of there, cause acid may eat through your expansion port if you leave it there too long ...

also if your A500 is A500+ by any chance, it will have a battery installed inside the main unit, so you should remove it ASAP.

good luck !
I believe in mt. Fuji
 

Offline meega

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2010, 11:15:14 AM »
Hi.

What model is it? I presume an A500, but if it's an A600 or A1200 then you won't need some bits (modulator is built-in with both of those).

Ed: I reckon you could get it running for £20 or less, regardless.

And ed2: both mouse ports should have all 9 pins.
« Last Edit: April 14, 2010, 11:29:00 AM by meega »
:)
 

Offline dougal

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2010, 02:06:57 PM »
Please specify what model Amiga you have.

Regarding the Power Pack,

If your Amiga is an A500, A500 Plus, A600 or A1200, then the same power pack is used on all the models. Look out for an A500 power pack as they are the best ones.

Regarding TV connection,

If it is an A500/A500+ you will be needing the TV modulator which will allow you to connect to any TV with an RF input. If you buy an RF modulator, make sure it has the wire which connects the Amiga audio outputs to the modulator.

Another option is to buy an Amiga to Scart lead. They go very cheap, probably the same as a modulator and they give a much better picture on any SCART TV. A good Amiga-Scart lead will have the audio leads built in.

If it is an A600/A1200, the RF Modulator is built in. The Amiga-SCART option also applies on the A600/A1200 if you want a nicer picture than you would get using the RF Modulator.

Joysticks and mice are easily found on ebay and cheap too. A cheap good option for mouse would be the original Amiga "Tank" mouse.

With regards to the Amiga still working after being in the attic for so long,

If it is an A500 Plus, there is a chance that the battery on the motherboard is leaking. I would open the Amiga (500 Plus) up and remove the battery regardless if it has leaked or not. If it hasn't leaked yet , it will. If it has leaked, after removing it make sure you clean the board using a circuit board cleaner (spray) and an old tooth brush. Do not  brush too hard or else you may damage the tracks. I usually remove the battery using plyers and wedging it side by side loosening it till it comes off. Again don't be rough or else you will damage the board.

A500 (NOT PLUS), A600 and A1200 do not have onboard batteries, but check for any memory expansions (especially A500) in the trapdoor underneath and check/remove the battery.

Another reason an A500/A500 Plus may not work after a long time in storage could be the socketed chips may have come loose and would need to be pressed in again. Unlikely but very easy fix.

A600s/A1200 are know to suffer leaky capacitors. Its unlikely but possible and if so it is repairable.

Hope that helps
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Offline Crom00

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2010, 02:31:39 PM »
The subject line on this thread... "Amigas in the Attic" sounds like the title for a Mexican horror film. Welcome!
 

Offline Shep1978Topic starter

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2010, 03:13:54 PM »
Wow thanks guys! I've quickly skimmed through the posts so far and you've all been a fantastic help. I shall sit and read it bit more slowly and digest the information.
One massive snag i've hit is the games, two whole big disk box things full of all my games are nowhere to be found in the three attics at my (parents) place, i'm just praying my brother has them safely at his house!
It is an A500 plus too, can't believe I forgot to mention that most important point!  I had a 1200 and a 600 too at one point but they all got sold when I entered my teenage years, kids gotta get his booze somehow but damn how I regret that now.  
Anyway, I'll keep you all up dated on the progress - looks like an ebay account is a must which should be fun...   Cheers very much, Shep. :)

Quick edit: Thanks to having a very good brother who doesn't throw anything away I still have all the games and some demos like 'State of the art' which has made my day! :)
« Last Edit: April 14, 2010, 08:06:03 PM by Shep1978 »
 

Offline Buzzfuzz

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2010, 03:33:03 PM »
Quote from: Shep1978;553494
It is an A500 plus too, can't believe I forgot to mention that most important point! I had a 1200 and a 600 too at one point but they all got sold when I entered my teenage years, kids gotta get his booze somehow but damn how I regret that now.

Welcome, I'm pretty new here too.
 
You can probably pick those up on ebay and maybe a local add or site for second hand A1200's / A600's.
I got most of my Amiga's from the Dutch site marktplaats.nl, they sell anywhere from 50 to 200 euro's or more.

Never sold my A500, which was the only one I owned at the beginning.
Also have my C64II.
I'm also glad that I kept all my disks, especially my tool disks and utilities.
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Offline amigaksi

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2010, 01:30:56 AM »
I see some mice on ebay or you can go for a trackball:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170470831373

I have a couple of extra mice as well if you need one and the CX40 Atari type joystick if you want to avoid ebay.  Just pmail me.  I'm assuming you are USA; otherwise you may be better off buying in your country to reduce shipping costs.

I have some Commodore 128 Power Supplies which seem to work although one one pin is labeled 9v instead of 12v.
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Use PC peripherals with your amiga: http://www.mpdos.com
 

Offline Jope

Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2010, 07:34:17 AM »
Quote from: amigaksi;553593
I have some Commodore 128 Power Supplies which seem to work although one one pin is labeled 9v instead of 12v.


Don't use them with an Amiga, please don't even hint that they could be used with the Amiga.

9VAC is not 12VDC. Perhaps nothing will break, but since the correct PSU is really easy to find, there's no point.
 

Offline meega

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #10 on: April 15, 2010, 07:34:27 AM »
Quote from: amigaksi;553593
... I'm assuming you are USA; ...

Quote from: Shep1978;553458
... (i'm in the UK) ...

;)
:)
 

Offline dougal

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #11 on: April 15, 2010, 09:14:16 AM »
Quote from: Shep1978;553494

It is an A500 plus


Open it up

Remove that battery (Carefully) - Even if it hasn't leaked!!!

If the battery has leaked, make sure you clean around the removed battery gently using circuit board cleaner and an old tooth brush.

**Warning** You are responsible for any damage you may cause the Amiga doing this. I give you this advice because i had 2 A500 Plus which went bad because of badly leaked batteries.


I would suggest the Amiga (23pin) to SCART cable. (Make sure it has audio leads) They can be found for around 10 pounds on ebay and are usually brand new. With this you can connect your Amiga to any TV, even LCD screens which have a SCART input and you will get a MUCH BETTER picture and sound then you would using the TV Modulator.

Power Supply, just go for an Amiga 500 one. They are easy to find and don't cost much and are very reliable.
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Offline dougal

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #12 on: April 15, 2010, 09:22:52 AM »
Dont let this happen to your PLUS.  This is mine before i fixed it
A1200HD- Blizzard 1230IV / 64Mb / Kick 3.1 / OS 3.9 / 20GB HD
A4000 040 @33Mhz -Kick 3.1 / 16MB
A2000 Rev4.4 - \'030 @25Mhz / 8MB / Kick 3.1 / ClassicWB
CD32 -     Stock (W/ 2 CD32 Controllers]
A500 Plus - 68000 / 2MB Chip / 2Mb Fast / 2.04/1.3 / A590 / A570
A600HD - 2MB Chip / 8MB Fast / 2GB CF HD / Kick 3.1
CDTV

PowerMac G4 1Ghz (MorphOS / Leopard)

[url]http://amigamap.com/us
 

Offline scuzzb494

Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #13 on: April 15, 2010, 01:44:38 PM »

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Re: Amigas in the attic...
« Reply #14 on: April 15, 2010, 02:10:10 PM »
That's why you've gotta keep the trapdoor cover on. Let 2 of those little furry green creatures onto the motherboard and whoomph! they multiply...