Looking for answers to using a cdrom with A1200

scrappysphinx · 19 April 2008, 17:53

Hi all, i have myself an A1200 with a 2.5" cf adaptor and 2gb cf card and have just acquired slim CDRW taken from a no longer working Toshiba laptop and am wanting to install it into my Amiga.
I have ordered the Slim IDE adaptor to connect to standard 3.5" IDE off ebay for £2.
My questions are as follows:

Can i just get a 2.5" to 3.5" cable and run both the hdd and CDRW off the A1200 internal IDE and If this is possible what is the easiest way to get this working (what cables/software is required)?

I have been reading a few posts and have noted that a lot of people say i will need a buffered IDE device to run the CDRW.
I have been looking at this buffered device on amigakit.com, it states that i will need to install idefix software to use the secondary port. Does this mean i will not be able to run the CDRW from this device without this other software and if so where do i get the software from or is it supplied with the device? I know there are more expensive and probably better buffered devices but this is just about my budget.

So to sum it all up, what is the cheapest and easiest way to setup a slim IDE CDRW with my A1200?

Thanks for any info anyone can provide

Mike

Zetr0 · 19 April 2008, 18:15

@scrappysphinx

hello there,

interesting I love hardware modding

linkie to an over view that you might find helpfull

also i have been playing with some ideas using SATA converters / adapters and esata devices / ports and cables.

i will keep you posted on the later

scrappysphinx · 19 April 2008, 19:18

Hi Zetro, Thanks for the reply and the very interesting guide, well done by the way, but is the buffered ide device i linked at amigakit gonna be ok for this project as it does not come with the idefix software or would you just recommend leaving out the buffered device and connecting the cf hdd and cdrw direct to the a1200 internal ide?

Thanks again

Mike

Magno Boots · 19 April 2008, 21:54

Dont worry fella.. It's not as difficult or as expensive as it may seem.

The interface you mention will work fine. It doesn't come with any software, but that's not a problem as an unregistered version is free to download off Aminet (IDEFIX97).

Here's a couple of pics of what's required..

Attachment 16390

Attachment 16391

There's plenty of help available here, so keep asking if you're not sure.

alexh · 20 April 2008, 01:40

If you have a 2Gig CF card... why do you want a CD-ROM? If you need more room, get a bigger card?

scrappysphinx · 20 April 2008, 01:49

i am not looking for more room, i am looking to see what i can do.
I am interested in learning and pushing the boundaries to see what i can get out of the actual computer. I have always had an interest in computer hardware and pushing them to see just what they are capable of and i know this has been done on many occasions but i personally have never modded an amiga and would like to try my hand at it.

Mike

Zetr0 · 20 April 2008, 01:57

To mod .... is to live...

Give us this day, Our Daily Hackery....
Hallowed be thy Filename.....

i could go on.... but its late...

laser · 20 April 2008, 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

If you have a 2Gig CF card... why do you want a CD-ROM? If you need more room, get a bigger card?

for ex to play cd32 games
you can't play cd32 titles without a cdrom on the A1200

alexh · 20 April 2008, 09:48

WHDLoad

laser · 20 April 2008, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

WHDLoad

no cdda tracks using whdload

scrappysphinx · 22 April 2008, 13:33

Hi again guys, i now have all the pieces required to install the drive and test before cutting the case. However when i connect the 4 device buffered interface and switch the amiga on all i get is a dark grey screen which never boots the cf hdd. I have taken the cf hdd off and just left the buffered device with nothing connected but still doesnt boot. If i remove the buffered device and connect just the cf hdd and amiga boots and functions as normal. if i remove the cf hdd and the buffered device i got the usual insert floppy screen.
Any ideas?

Mike

Fingerlickin_B · 22 April 2008, 16:39

I've found that some (read: every one I've tried to date) CF adapters won't allow another IDE device to run on the same "channel"...what is the word? I've had too many beers!

Either way, plug the CF adapter onto "0" and the CD drive onto "1" on the IDE interface.

Now, use the HD Tools/HD Setup to partition the drive as per a regular HDD then format, install OS, install IDEfix, etc.

Oh...make sure everything is plugged in the right way around or it might not boot at all!

There should be (if you are using the interface I think you are) a diagonal stripe next to the most outward IDE connector pin on the interface...this denotes pin 1.

PZ.

scrappysphinx · 22 April 2008, 16:52

i fingerlickin_b, CF boots fine connected direct to the a1200 ide but when i introduce the buffered device, no matter what configuration nothing works. I have correctly installed all cables and tried booting but just get dark grey screen whenever the buffered device is connected. even if i connect the buffered device with no hd or cdrom attached and just switch machine on i dont even get the purple insert floppy screen.

Mike

Fingerlickin_B · 22 April 2008, 16:56

Doesn't sound like you are having a lot of fun Mike!

So for example, if you plug the CF adaptor (with CF card fitted) via cable into "0" on the IDE interface and leave the CD drive out of the equation, it still won't boot from a floppy...just a dead screen then too?

PZ.

*EDIT* - Too drunk and missed the last bit of what you said...I'm no expert, ask anyone here, but sounds like either your interface is busted or perhaps you have a dry solder on a motherboard IDE pin that only really matters when using the interface to emulate multiple IDE buses..that's the word I was after...BUS!

PZ.

scrappysphinx · 22 April 2008, 16:58

yeah still nothing, just a dead screen when the buffered device is connected.
For ref this is the device i'm using

Fingerlickin_B · 22 April 2008, 17:03

Yeah, I've got three like that...not visually identical, but the same thing.

Can you take a pic of the setup so we can see?

PZ.

scrappysphinx · 22 April 2008, 17:25

yeah, sorry for bad photos, only working camera i got is a 2mp samsung phone cam.

working and non working photos are pictured here

Mike

Zetr0 · 22 April 2008, 17:30

@Scrappy,

m8, your links are broken

sheeesh promises of hardware pron....

scrappysphinx · 22 April 2008, 17:32

sorry zetr0 i think i fixed them, i do have a digital camera but the batteries have died and i dont have any more in the house. will fecth some more tonight

just in case you need it my setup is:

Escom/Amiga Technologies A1200
Microbotics M1230 XA accelerator with 4mb ram
3.1 roms
Workbench classic

Mike

Zetr0 · 22 April 2008, 17:54

@Scrappy,

please stop a moment.

the cable from the motherboard to the adapter is the wrong way round. (it wont matter with a through put device but will with adapter)

the red must go at pin 1 on the motherboard and pin 1 on the adapter.

my hope is you haven't fried it.

good luck buddy.

19 April 2008, 17:53	#1
scrappysphinx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham Age: 39 Posts: 480	Looking for answers to using a cdrom with A1200 Hi all, i have myself an A1200 with a 2.5" cf adaptor and 2gb cf card and have just acquired slim CDRW taken from a no longer working Toshiba laptop and am wanting to install it into my Amiga. I have ordered the Slim IDE adaptor to connect to standard 3.5" IDE off ebay for £2. My questions are as follows: Can i just get a 2.5" to 3.5" cable and run both the hdd and CDRW off the A1200 internal IDE and If this is possible what is the easiest way to get this working (what cables/software is required)? I have been reading a few posts and have noted that a lot of people say i will need a buffered IDE device to run the CDRW. I have been looking at this buffered device on amigakit.com, it states that i will need to install idefix software to use the secondary port. Does this mean i will not be able to run the CDRW from this device without this other software and if so where do i get the software from or is it supplied with the device? I know there are more expensive and probably better buffered devices but this is just about my budget. So to sum it all up, what is the cheapest and easiest way to setup a slim IDE CDRW with my A1200? Thanks for any info anyone can provide Mike

19 April 2008, 21:54	#4
Magno Boots Zone Friend Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 688	Dont worry fella.. It's not as difficult or as expensive as it may seem. The interface you mention will work fine. It doesn't come with any software, but that's not a problem as an unregistered version is free to download off Aminet (IDEFIX97). Here's a couple of pics of what's required.. Attachment 16390 Attachment 16391 There's plenty of help available here, so keep asking if you're not sure. Last edited by Magno Boots; 17 September 2008 at 23:05.

22 April 2008, 17:25	#17
scrappysphinx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham Age: 39 Posts: 480	yeah, sorry for bad photos, only working camera i got is a 2mp samsung phone cam. working and non working photos are pictured here Mike Last edited by scrappysphinx; 22 April 2008 at 17:31.

22 April 2008, 17:32	#19
scrappysphinx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham Age: 39 Posts: 480	sorry zetr0 i think i fixed them, i do have a digital camera but the batteries have died and i dont have any more in the house. will fecth some more tonight just in case you need it my setup is: Escom/Amiga Technologies A1200 Microbotics M1230 XA accelerator with 4mb ram 3.1 roms Workbench classic Mike Last edited by scrappysphinx; 22 April 2008 at 17:37.

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19 April 2008, 18:15	#2
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@scrappysphinx hello there, interesting I love hardware modding linkie to an over view that you might find helpfull also i have been playing with some ideas using SATA converters / adapters and esata devices / ports and cables. i will keep you posted on the later

19 April 2008, 19:18	#3
scrappysphinx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham Age: 39 Posts: 480	Hi Zetro, Thanks for the reply and the very interesting guide, well done by the way, but is the buffered ide device i linked at amigakit gonna be ok for this project as it does not come with the idefix software or would you just recommend leaving out the buffered device and connecting the cf hdd and cdrw direct to the a1200 internal ide? Thanks again Mike

20 April 2008, 01:40	#5
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,397	If you have a 2Gig CF card... why do you want a CD-ROM? If you need more room, get a bigger card?

20 April 2008, 01:49	#6
scrappysphinx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham Age: 39 Posts: 480	i am not looking for more room, i am looking to see what i can do. I am interested in learning and pushing the boundaries to see what i can get out of the actual computer. I have always had an interest in computer hardware and pushing them to see just what they are capable of and i know this has been done on many occasions but i personally have never modded an amiga and would like to try my hand at it. Mike

20 April 2008, 01:57	#7
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	To mod .... is to live... Give us this day, Our Daily Hackery.... Hallowed be thy Filename..... i could go on.... but its late...

20 April 2008, 09:48	#9
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,397	WHDLoad

22 April 2008, 13:33	#11
scrappysphinx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham Age: 39 Posts: 480	Hi again guys, i now have all the pieces required to install the drive and test before cutting the case. However when i connect the 4 device buffered interface and switch the amiga on all i get is a dark grey screen which never boots the cf hdd. I have taken the cf hdd off and just left the buffered device with nothing connected but still doesnt boot. If i remove the buffered device and connect just the cf hdd and amiga boots and functions as normal. if i remove the cf hdd and the buffered device i got the usual insert floppy screen. Any ideas? Mike

22 April 2008, 16:39	#12
Fingerlickin_B Amiga Nut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belco, Australia Posts: 2,242	I've found that some (read: every one I've tried to date) CF adapters won't allow another IDE device to run on the same "channel"...what is the word? I've had too many beers! Either way, plug the CF adapter onto "0" and the CD drive onto "1" on the IDE interface. Now, use the HD Tools/HD Setup to partition the drive as per a regular HDD then format, install OS, install IDEfix, etc. Oh...make sure everything is plugged in the right way around or it might not boot at all! There should be (if you are using the interface I think you are) a diagonal stripe next to the most outward IDE connector pin on the interface...this denotes pin 1. PZ.

22 April 2008, 16:52	#13
scrappysphinx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham Age: 39 Posts: 480	i fingerlickin_b, CF boots fine connected direct to the a1200 ide but when i introduce the buffered device, no matter what configuration nothing works. I have correctly installed all cables and tried booting but just get dark grey screen whenever the buffered device is connected. even if i connect the buffered device with no hd or cdrom attached and just switch machine on i dont even get the purple insert floppy screen. Mike

22 April 2008, 16:56	#14
Fingerlickin_B Amiga Nut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belco, Australia Posts: 2,242	Doesn't sound like you are having a lot of fun Mike! So for example, if you plug the CF adaptor (with CF card fitted) via cable into "0" on the IDE interface and leave the CD drive out of the equation, it still won't boot from a floppy...just a dead screen then too? PZ. EDIT - Too drunk and missed the last bit of what you said...I'm no expert, ask anyone here, but sounds like either your interface is busted or perhaps you have a dry solder on a motherboard IDE pin that only really matters when using the interface to emulate multiple IDE buses..that's the word I was after...BUS! PZ.

22 April 2008, 16:58	#15
scrappysphinx Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nottingham Age: 39 Posts: 480	yeah still nothing, just a dead screen when the buffered device is connected. For ref this is the device i'm using

22 April 2008, 17:03	#16
Fingerlickin_B Amiga Nut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belco, Australia Posts: 2,242	Yeah, I've got three like that...not visually identical, but the same thing. Can you take a pic of the setup so we can see? PZ.

22 April 2008, 17:30	#18
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Scrappy, m8, your links are broken sheeesh promises of hardware pron....

22 April 2008, 17:54	#20
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Scrappy, please stop a moment. the cable from the motherboard to the adapter is the wrong way round. (it wont matter with a through put device but will with adapter) the red must go at pin 1 on the motherboard and pin 1 on the adapter. my hope is you haven't fried it. good luck buddy.

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