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Author Topic: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!  (Read 14800 times)

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Offline DigimanTopic starter

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Right I've had enough. C=USA are clearly just scammers raping the Amiga brand sticking logos on Wintel computers in a case that has sweet FA to do with Amiga case designs so help me do what they should have done!

1. I plan to have A1200 and other cases replicated too (600 1000 or 3000 also, you choose) and a bespoke "Amiga" keyboard later on.

2. I want to fit them with 100% AROS compatible x86 hardware. I want to configure them to have AROS BIOS too.

3. I want to configure them out of the box to run dual boot AROS + Windows XP & Amiga emulator (£20 Amiga Forever OCS & AGA)

4. Nostalgic homage box + poly inserts + spiral bound user manuals

5. 9 pin joystick port interface built into the case (because USB Competition Pro is terrible!)

If you are interested please voice your support in my thread now. If enough people are interested I can start this project rolling with contacts in the industry I have.

I am sorry it is x86 not PPC but I cannot finance OS4 compatible PPC motherboard development. But if you want an x86 system like this please show support. A few members talked about donations to help (100% of your donations would be subtracted from purchase price of course).
 

Offline magnetic

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #1 on: April 27, 2012, 06:16:15 AM »
Quote
5. 9 pin joystick port interface built into the case (because USB Competition Pro is terrible!)
Where can I get one of these? I'd love to use amiga joysticks on my peg2. tia
bPlan Pegasos2 G4@1ghz
Quad Boot:Reg. MorphOS | OS4.1 U4 |Ubuntu GNU-Linux | MacOS X

Amiga 2000 Rom Switcher w/ 3.1 + 1.3 | HardFrame SCSI | CBM Ram board| A Squared LIVE! 2000 | Vlab Motion | Firecracker 24 gfx

Commodore CDTV: 68010 | ECS | 9mb Ram | SCSI -TV | 3.9 Rom | Developer EPROMs
 

Offline Darrin

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #2 on: April 27, 2012, 06:37:52 AM »
I'd like an "Amiga" theme case for my FPGA Arcade.  I don't mind if it is an all-in-one, or something that resembles an A1000.

If the X1000 didn't already come in a tower case then I'd be up for an A2000 or A4000 style case for that.
A2000, A3000, 2 x A1200T, A1200, A4000Tower & Mediator, CD32, VIC-20, C64, C128, C128D, PET 8032, Minimig & ARM, C-One, FPGA Arcade... and AmigaOne X1000.
 

Offline Kesa

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2012, 07:17:51 AM »
Part 1 has already been done with the x500. But to be honest i hate the idea of using AROS. I think we should concentrate on FPGA. Or simply just a barebones case unit.

http://loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/a_few_example_of_how_to_customis.htm

« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 07:21:52 AM by Kesa »
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Offline spirantho

Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2012, 07:32:36 AM »
I can't help with cash, but if you can get Jens to do you a Catweasel run, you can leave the drivers to me.Including the joystick driver.
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Offline DigimanTopic starter

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2012, 07:59:33 AM »
Quote from: spirantho;690634
I can't help with cash, but if you can get Jens to do you a Catweasel run, you can leave the drivers to me.Including the joystick driver.

I don't understand this comment? Catweasel = FDD controller no?

Not asking for any cash at this stage btw, just gauging interest in my idea.

Even if nobody was interested I will commission 1 unit just to show C=USA what is possible with some effort :)
« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 08:14:37 AM by Digiman »
 

Offline DigimanTopic starter

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2012, 08:02:22 AM »
Quote from: Darrin;690631
I'd like an "Amiga" theme case for my FPGA Arcade.  I don't mind if it is an all-in-one, or something that resembles an A1000.

If the X1000 didn't already come in a tower case then I'd be up for an A2000 or A4000 style case for that.

There is a very nice A1000ish case out there. I am working on that and will post my results for a much more off the shelf A1000ish system once I've built mine using a very cool mouse (sadly discontinued) and slim keyboard design.
« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 08:21:33 AM by Digiman »
 

Offline DigimanTopic starter

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2012, 08:12:00 AM »
Quote from: Kesa;690632
Part 1 has already been done with the x500. But to be honest i hate the idea of using AROS. I think we should concentrate on FPGA. Or simply just a barebones case unit.

http://loriano.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/a_few_example_of_how_to_customis.htm


You can butcher real Amiga keyboards via keyrah + replica cases and place Minimig/Natami in them if you wish.

For x86 we have 3 choices

1. AROS (with AROS BIOS)
2. Amithlon (legally a dead end as it is only illegally obtained now)
3. Windows XP (or 7 if you really want) with Amiga Forever.

I proposed a dual boot of the only 2/3 viable x86 solutions for Wintel x86. I am not selling my home to get into PPC and OS4 work sorry :) I said this honestly up front I can't be fairer than that really.

Think of it like the Amiga version of C64x ;)

I'm not a fan of A500's case design personally and those look more like the Sinclair PC-200 but working on something like those linked images for Atari ST community. Atari ST users are lucky because they will be able to use real floppy disks within emulated environment!
« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 08:20:01 AM by Digiman »
 

Offline spirantho

Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2012, 08:54:36 AM »
The Catweasel MkIV(+) has two 9-pin joystick ports in it. Plus UAE supports the Catweasel so you can read Amiga disks from within the emulated environment... but you can't boot from them as it doesn't emulate Paula driving them.
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Offline AmigaNG

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2012, 09:06:20 AM »
I'd be interested in what you come up with. However I would advise agiest trying to sell it with Amiga written on it, as they might come after you.

Plus I'm surprised I haven't seen more mod attempts at making a Amiga fantasy like case, specially if  your just into aros or Amiga emulation scene and it just a pc your after, after all pc parts are fairly cheap and you can get some really small computers that would easily fit inside an A1200.

I wanted a htpc and decided been that it will never get made I would make myself the AmigaMcc case, turned out pretty good so glad I at least tried to have a go and it only cost me about £70 for the case and a few weekends to work on it.
http://www.vincentperkins.com/AmigaNG/build.php
More fun and more interesting project than I thought it would be.

Offline TheDaddy

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2012, 09:45:12 AM »
OK...I know I said I was burnt out and it's taken me years and years (7?)...anyway.

After announcing this:

http://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=35607&forum=33

But I have received many emails of support (let me come up with a number wait.....running my random number generating software on my C64....result = 3000...no actually, 3001. :)  )

Yes "3001 people" have asked me to carry on as it seems stupid to have spent all that money and time on a project so complex and so dear to me (us?).

Anyway, it's nearly complete, it needs a couple of adjustments here and there but it's ready for production.

Keep your eyes peeled this week end.

A minimum number of orders will be needed of course. Delivery from the end of May/mid June.

Coming as an A500 shape kind of thing or Sinclair PC-200, or whatever. It's really inspired by the computers of the '80s and '90s but to me it's the A500 (as it was my first machine and it's close to my heart).

Specs:

Allows the use of a mini-itx or flex-atx boards, space for a DVD-RW, space for a 3.5" drive (card reader really although a floppy disk drive fits but compromises space for other stuff) space for 2 to 3 SSDs or 2.5" HDDs.

Sorry more I can't offer! :)

Tested with:

Gigabyte motherboard with 8 and 16GB DDR3 (I had to try it, the force was too strong for "only" 8GB) with USB3 and 2.0, Intel i3 2.5GHz cpu (none of that crappy, slow, AMD and Atom stuff), I have got this feeling an i5/i7 might work too (NOT TESTED though). The board I am using has onboard HD Intel 2000/3000 graphics, HDMI eSATA etc... but me being a pedantic type I have also made space for a low profile graphics card expansion slot.

What does this mean?
Running an ATI Radeon HD 6570 2GB right now. :D
I am testing it win Win7 running from a 120GB SSD and for storage Western Digital 320GB HDD.

It's now on my desk running along my big tower box.
Keyboard is a nice one, a good compromise and generally available, it's not a cherry as I don't like them and those are expensive, so it makes sense to use "cheaper" stuff.

See it as a blank canvas, you get the kit (the case) and you make it what you want.

You can run AROS, you can fit a NATAMI, a FPGAArcade, put funky stickers on etc...etc...

Also tested with a SAM440ep (the mini), SAM440 and 460 (flex) with OS4.

You can even put a cluster of raspberries in there ;)

What does it look like? You'll see it this week end.

How big? Slightly thinner than the A500 (57.5 mm without rubber feet), same width and slightly shorter.

So a massive thanks to all, see you this week end.

:D
« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 09:58:47 AM by TheDaddy »
 

Offline Kesa

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2012, 09:58:56 AM »
@The daddy.

I liked the existing wedge cases except the fact they are made of cheap plastic. How hard would it be to make a wedge case using the same dimensions only swapping the plastic for aluminium? It shoudn't be too hard to find and use original keyboards should it? Maybe you are trying too hard to re-design the wheel?
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Offline DigimanTopic starter

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2012, 10:09:19 AM »
Quote from: AmigaNG;690640
I'd be interested in what you come up with. However I would advise agiest trying to sell it with Amiga written on it, as they might come after you.

Plus I'm surprised I haven't seen more mod attempts at making a Amiga fantasy like case, specially if  your just into aros or Amiga emulation scene and it just a pc your after, after all pc parts are fairly cheap and you can get some really small computers that would easily fit inside an A1200.

I wanted a htpc and decided been that it will never get made I would make myself the AmigaMcc case, turned out pretty good so glad I at least tried to have a go and it only cost me about £70 for the case and a few weekends to work on it.
http://www.vincentperkins.com/AmigaNG/build.php
More fun and more interesting project than I thought it would be.


I wouldn't be using the Amiga logo ;) The only way I could is if I sourced existing A1200 cases say (that avoids legal issue as they are legal) but this is bad for classic Amiga parts scene for repairing real Amigas.

Micro ATX is the way to for use with A500/600/1200 case + keyrah.

There is a very Mac Mini case for around €40.
 

Offline TheDaddy

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2012, 10:09:20 AM »
Hi Kesa,

The Commodore plastic was ok I thought (although every time I unscrewed it bits would fall off) :) but it's all down to cash. Seven years ago I had a tiny little bit of money to use...had I known how much it would have cost I wouldn't have done it or I would have saved enough to go straight into either using aluminium or injection moulding but I am happy with the result. It's good fun to assemble it and build your own retro looking but modern and powerful pc. I have it connected to my 24" gaming monitor and in white it looks good.

There will also be a version in black which is more menacing...

It feels good to use in the sense that I am happy when I look at it and use it (it must be a child thing) from the past, can't explain it or I am just talking b*llocks... :)

Original keyboards...to be honest I prefer the new ones but it's all down to taste of course. ;)
 

Offline DigimanTopic starter

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Re: Let me help fix this C=USA disaster...but you must help me too!
« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2012, 10:17:49 AM »
Quote from: spirantho;690639
The Catweasel MkIV(+) has two 9-pin joystick ports in it. Plus UAE supports the Catweasel so you can read Amiga disks from within the emulated environment... but you can't boot from them as it doesn't emulate Paula driving them.


I was reluctant to use Catweasel because you can't boot real Amiga games on the PC but didn't know it had Keyrah style built in joysticks.