Amiga advice needed!

Macca · 03 June 2007, 19:40

Hi,

I've just acquired another Amiga with one of the old Phillps monitor. It all works perfectly (apart from the LED's).

I'd still like to use the Phillips monitor but I'd ideally like to convert it to a tower. I've seen some bits on eBay and a few other sites but wondered if anyone had any recommendations.

I've added a 030 with 8MB accelerator which again I'd like to continue to use along with the monitor. I also have a second floppy drive which works perfectly and ideally I'd like to use it but not sure how it would fit into a tower?

At the moment I know I need:

2.5" to 2.5" cable & hard-drive
3.1 ROMS

Can anyone spec me some kit please?

Cheers,

M.

keropi · 03 June 2007, 20:01

first of all, why u want to tower it?
and what kind of amiga do u have? either 600 or 1200 judging from the 2,5" cable u need...
if you don't plan to add a zorro/pci expansion board, I don't see any reason to tower it as it will only offer little...

amigakit.com · 03 June 2007, 20:51

@Macca

We are located in Cardiff so if you need any advice, please call us on 02920 564676 / 029 2000 6344

Check out our UK site for the parts you need: http://uk.amigakit.com

Macca · 03 June 2007, 21:47

You are?

Do you have a shop I can visit? And if so what are the opening hours / where are you based?

Basically the reason I want to tower it is because the casing is all yellow and looks a bit poor and also a space issue. I then think it will be a lot easier to get a PS2 keyboard for it (and if that breaks who cares)

I'm not bothered about adding graphics / sound cards to it yet. I would like to add a CDROM / DVD ROM to it though.

M.

Ninja edit: Amiga 1200 I have with 8MB 030 Expansion.

Samurai edit: Another reason I have for towering it is that I have to open up the Amiga to upgrade the hard-drive and ROMs so I may as well move it all over.

Karate edit: Has anyone used the IDE to Compact Flash adapter? Is it hard to install? Does it perform as well as a hard-drive? Can you partition it?

amigakit.com · 03 June 2007, 22:18

We dont have a shop- just offices/industrial unit: http://www.leamancomputing.com/contactdetails.php

You can order/pay for goods on the webstore and pickup at an arranged time. Contact us for a coupon code to remove shipping charges if you pick up from our Cardiff Office.

A popular tower system that we stock is the D-Box 1200:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=307

Macca · 03 June 2007, 22:29

Thanks for that.

It seems rather expensive for a case though (as it doesn't seem any different than a standard case).

Do you get any extras? Can I order it without the PSU as I have a ton of AT and ATX PSU's around here.

M.

amigakit.com · 03 June 2007, 23:20

Unfortunately, a standard ATX PC case will not accomodate an A1200 motherboard. The cut-out holes are completely different- also the PCI cards will not align (closely look at pictures on the product description).

The D-Box 1200 tower system has special A1200 motherboard cut outs on the rear and the PCI slots are located for the Mediator 1200 PCI busboard. It is mounted on a custom back plate for the A1200 to screw into.

It is supplied with the PC keyboard adapter.

We can arrange to supply without PSU if you wish (£5.99 discount)

Macca · 03 June 2007, 23:33

Hmm going to be more expensive than I originally thought.

Has anyone used the Compact Flash PCMCIA adaptors or the IDE to Compact Flash (or anything similar) are they good? Can you partition them, etc. and how fast do they run in comparison to the IDE hard-drives.

Ideally I'd like a PCMCIA version if they're fast enough as I can get memory cards really cheap and it saves opening up the Amiga until I can get a case.

M.

amigakit.com · 03 June 2007, 23:39

We also have a limited amount of Eyetech Z4 towers that with the correct cut-outs etc for £59. You would need a keyboard adapter as well which we can supply.

We also supply the PCMCIA CF Adapters complete with our own EasyADF software for transferring files from PC to Amiga.

DDNI · 03 June 2007, 23:41

Yup the Amiga hobby bug is expensive...

Macca · 03 June 2007, 23:41

That sounds much more like it.

Do you have them in stock so I could collect tomorrow? Would also want a 2.5" cable for a hard drive (or whatever you recommend perhaps 2.5 to 3.5 cable would be better to mount it in the case but would also need something to connect to the CD drive as well (again recommendations would be cool).

M.

Macca · 03 June 2007, 23:42

Oh and do you have a link to them on the website or can I pay in cash on collect?

amigakit.com · 03 June 2007, 23:50

They look like this:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...tower-case.jpg

However they have the backplane already modified for the A1200.

We only have a few old stock left- hence cheap price. You can pickup Tuesday afternoon.

I would recommend buffered IDE interface for CD and Hard Disks in an A1200:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=532

Macca · 03 June 2007, 23:56

Cool thanks.

Forgot to ask if the case comes with a PSU?

How many spaces for floppy drivers does it have and can I somehow modify it to add the external floppy drive for it?

Sorry for all the questions.

Tuesday pickup is fine - is cash okay? Would need the adapters and such like then as well.

Thanks,

M.

amigakit.com · 04 June 2007, 00:03

It comes with a 250W ATX PSU, 3x 5.25 inch drive bays, 3x internal 3.5 inch drive bays.

However there is only one floppy drive facia on the front (see picture).

You may also require a PCMCIA Right Angled Adapter:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=690

All A1200 towers require this to make the PCMCIA slot usable.

Cash OK.

Peter · 04 June 2007, 00:28

Can you use the Mediator boards in these Z4 Towers?

DDNI · 04 June 2007, 00:36

yes i use a Z4 tower

Macca · 04 June 2007, 08:31

At the moment I don't need access to the PCMCIA slot (not until I get a NIC anyway) which will be with next months pay - lol

Just one last question (I promise)

Obviously the composite connectors on the back of the PC will need to be connected - does the box Eyetech box have the same connectors as the DBOX?

Thats my last question - honest!

M.

amigakit.com · 05 June 2007, 11:15

It has exactly the same cut-outs as the D-Box to allow the original A1200 motherboard connectors through at the rear

Peter · 05 June 2007, 11:32

So the mediator, Grex boards etc all fit?

Do the Z4 towers come with all fixing screws etc... ?

How much are the keyboard adapters?

Do they work with A4000/A3000 keyboards?

03 June 2007, 19:40	#1
Macca Zone Friend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester Posts: 697	Amiga advice needed! Hi, I've just acquired another Amiga with one of the old Phillps monitor. It all works perfectly (apart from the LED's). I'd still like to use the Phillips monitor but I'd ideally like to convert it to a tower. I've seen some bits on eBay and a few other sites but wondered if anyone had any recommendations. I've added a 030 with 8MB accelerator which again I'd like to continue to use along with the monitor. I also have a second floppy drive which works perfectly and ideally I'd like to use it but not sure how it would fit into a tower? At the moment I know I need: 2.5" to 2.5" cable & hard-drive 3.1 ROMS Can anyone spec me some kit please? Cheers, M.

03 June 2007, 20:51	#3
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	@Macca We are located in Cardiff so if you need any advice, please call us on 02920 564676 / 029 2000 6344 Check out our UK site for the parts you need: http://uk.amigakit.com Last edited by amigakit.com; 05 June 2007 at 11:16.

03 June 2007, 21:47	#4
Macca Zone Friend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester Posts: 697	You are? Do you have a shop I can visit? And if so what are the opening hours / where are you based? Basically the reason I want to tower it is because the casing is all yellow and looks a bit poor and also a space issue. I then think it will be a lot easier to get a PS2 keyboard for it (and if that breaks who cares) I'm not bothered about adding graphics / sound cards to it yet. I would like to add a CDROM / DVD ROM to it though. M. Ninja edit: Amiga 1200 I have with 8MB 030 Expansion. Samurai edit: Another reason I have for towering it is that I have to open up the Amiga to upgrade the hard-drive and ROMs so I may as well move it all over. Karate edit: Has anyone used the IDE to Compact Flash adapter? Is it hard to install? Does it perform as well as a hard-drive? Can you partition it? Last edited by Macca; 03 June 2007 at 22:19.

03 June 2007, 22:18	#5
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	We dont have a shop- just offices/industrial unit: http://www.leamancomputing.com/contactdetails.php You can order/pay for goods on the webstore and pickup at an arranged time. Contact us for a coupon code to remove shipping charges if you pick up from our Cardiff Office. A popular tower system that we stock is the D-Box 1200: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=307 Last edited by amigakit.com; 27 September 2007 at 16:35.

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03 June 2007, 20:01	#2
keropi . Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ioannina/Greece Posts: 5,040	first of all, why u want to tower it? and what kind of amiga do u have? either 600 or 1200 judging from the 2,5" cable u need... if you don't plan to add a zorro/pci expansion board, I don't see any reason to tower it as it will only offer little...

03 June 2007, 22:29	#6
Macca Zone Friend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester Posts: 697	Thanks for that. It seems rather expensive for a case though (as it doesn't seem any different than a standard case). Do you get any extras? Can I order it without the PSU as I have a ton of AT and ATX PSU's around here. M.

03 June 2007, 23:20	#7
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	Unfortunately, a standard ATX PC case will not accomodate an A1200 motherboard. The cut-out holes are completely different- also the PCI cards will not align (closely look at pictures on the product description). The D-Box 1200 tower system has special A1200 motherboard cut outs on the rear and the PCI slots are located for the Mediator 1200 PCI busboard. It is mounted on a custom back plate for the A1200 to screw into. It is supplied with the PC keyboard adapter. We can arrange to supply without PSU if you wish (£5.99 discount)

03 June 2007, 23:33	#8
Macca Zone Friend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester Posts: 697	Hmm going to be more expensive than I originally thought. Has anyone used the Compact Flash PCMCIA adaptors or the IDE to Compact Flash (or anything similar) are they good? Can you partition them, etc. and how fast do they run in comparison to the IDE hard-drives. Ideally I'd like a PCMCIA version if they're fast enough as I can get memory cards really cheap and it saves opening up the Amiga until I can get a case. M.

03 June 2007, 23:39	#9
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	We also have a limited amount of Eyetech Z4 towers that with the correct cut-outs etc for £59. You would need a keyboard adapter as well which we can supply. We also supply the PCMCIA CF Adapters complete with our own EasyADF software for transferring files from PC to Amiga.

03 June 2007, 23:41	#10
DDNI Targ Explorer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 5,431	Yup the Amiga hobby bug is expensive...

03 June 2007, 23:42	#12
Macca Zone Friend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester Posts: 697	Oh and do you have a link to them on the website or can I pay in cash on collect?

03 June 2007, 23:50	#13
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	They look like this: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...tower-case.jpg However they have the backplane already modified for the A1200. We only have a few old stock left- hence cheap price. You can pickup Tuesday afternoon. I would recommend buffered IDE interface for CD and Hard Disks in an A1200: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=532

03 June 2007, 23:56	#14
Macca Zone Friend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester Posts: 697	Cool thanks. Forgot to ask if the case comes with a PSU? How many spaces for floppy drivers does it have and can I somehow modify it to add the external floppy drive for it? Sorry for all the questions. Tuesday pickup is fine - is cash okay? Would need the adapters and such like then as well. Thanks, M.

04 June 2007, 00:03	#15
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	It comes with a 250W ATX PSU, 3x 5.25 inch drive bays, 3x internal 3.5 inch drive bays. However there is only one floppy drive facia on the front (see picture). You may also require a PCMCIA Right Angled Adapter: http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/...roducts_id=690 All A1200 towers require this to make the PCMCIA slot usable. Cash OK.

04 June 2007, 00:28	#16
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	Can you use the Mediator boards in these Z4 Towers?

04 June 2007, 00:36	#17
DDNI Targ Explorer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 5,431	yes i use a Z4 tower

04 June 2007, 08:31	#18
Macca Zone Friend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Gloucester Posts: 697	At the moment I don't need access to the PCMCIA slot (not until I get a NIC anyway) which will be with next months pay - lol Just one last question (I promise) Obviously the composite connectors on the back of the PC will need to be connected - does the box Eyetech box have the same connectors as the DBOX? Thats my last question - honest! M.

05 June 2007, 11:15	#19
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,015	It has exactly the same cut-outs as the D-Box to allow the original A1200 motherboard connectors through at the rear

05 June 2007, 11:32	#20
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	So the mediator, Grex boards etc all fit? Do the Z4 towers come with all fixing screws etc... ? How much are the keyboard adapters? Do they work with A4000/A3000 keyboards?

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