Another A4000 project!

fitzsteve · 23 October 2010, 15:38

Well I was lucky enough to get an A4000 Motherboard complete with Elbox Power Tower last week, it needs a little work (retr0bright) and I'll need to save for upgrades, maybe after xmas it can see its full potential.

CSMkIII maybe

However for now, using spares from my boxes of bits I've built a fully working Amiga albeit in a basic setup, crying out for RTG and a faster CPU though.

A4000D Motherboard with 030 CPU, 8mb Motherboard Ram & 48mb on Z3Fastlane which is driving the SCSI CDROM. Have also installed my X-Surf which is hooked up to a wireless gaming adapter, and yep - this gets online through my WiFi Network!

The other CDRoms/FDD's are PC drives just to fill the gaps as I have no blanking plates

DF0 is via the External FDD (assume that's what the Jumper on the Mother sets!)

As always I've taken some pics, however don't expect to make any further progress on this for a while

As I say this is work in progress, I'll get the front off and try my hand a Retr0brighting at some point.

Steve.

ck1200 · 23 October 2010, 21:24

looking great Steve and already some nice upgrades, good luck with it and keep us posted on the retrobright and progress!!!

chris

prowler · 24 October 2010, 00:04

Well, Steve, it seems like you've landed another bargain.

I must say that's got all the makings of another monster machine!

It's a rare gift you've got for collecting tip top Amiga hardware.

fitzsteve · 24 October 2010, 00:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by prowler

Well, Steve, it seems like you've landed another bargain.

I must say that's got all the makings of another monster machine!

It's a rare gift you've got for collecting tip top Amiga hardware.

Thanks mate! It keeps me out of trouble

Trying to find a nice corner office desk now so I can setup another Miggy downstairs, Mrs Fitz has given up and embraces them now

cosmicfrog · 25 October 2010, 09:34

hehehehehhe

fitzsteve · 25 October 2010, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicfrog

hehehehehhe

@Cosmic, I removed the mixed set of simms in bank 3 and the Z3 Fastlane is running fine now

Ram Memtest from Aminet, everything checks out. So I'm down to 32mb (+8mb Motherboard Ram) but thats ok for now as this is only a lowly 030

Steve.

Peter · 25 October 2010, 10:41

I remember reading the review of the A4K Power Tower in AF - they were pretty impressed with it as far a s I recall - I never had had one but I had an A1200 Power Tower some time ago - it was very well built and a real quality Tower.

Steve, I'm really pleased to see you bringing this Tower back to life - it's a really excellent project - although I must admit I did breath a sigh of relief as for one minute I thought you might be taking the mother board out of your A4K Desktop!! (No way!)

Just think, that Tower could have easily ended up in one of those horrible computer grave yard cages you see at the local tip - what a horrific end for an Amiga!

As you say, it will take some time but I will be watching this thread with huge interest...

Shame that Amigakit don't do those carved AMIGA blanking plates any more - do you know the ones I mean - they were excellent...

fitzsteve · 25 October 2010, 10:52

Hi Peter!

Thanks for the comments.

You are right, when I first saw the Tower I wasn't too impressed visually and thought about modding an ATX but once I stripped it down I was really impressed with the build quality, everything fits in perfectly. I love the detachable back plate for the A4000 Motherboard, its a superb idea - hats off to Elbox...

There is plenty of space for upgrades, I tried my PicassoIV and Tocatta in the machine yesterday and everything worked, even the PIV in Zorro III mode which was nice.

No way I'd pull apart my A4000D, that is one to preserve

It will take a while to make progress on this one, but so far very pleased with it indeed.

To see such an old machine hooked up via the X-Surf to a WiFi Network via the Gaming adapter was also pretty surreal

Steve.

fitzsteve · 30 October 2010, 00:03

My latest acquisition for this little project, a PicassoII.

Just wanted a basic RTG for this system without all the frills and I must say, very impressed

The pass through is simple but works a treat on my system. As you've come to expect there are some pics

Next planned upgrade basic 040 Accelerator, then a bad boy CS 060 when one comes up

prowler · 30 October 2010, 00:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

As you've come to expect there are some pics

Pics? Now there's a surprise!

Seriously mate, another nice add-on!

Hey, I thought you said you wouldn't be making much progress on this project for a while?

fitzsteve · 30 October 2010, 00:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by prowler

Pics? Now there's a surprise!

Seriously mate, another nice add-on!

Hey, I thought you said you wouldn't be making much progress on this project for a while?

I'm just a lucky guy I guess, I've come to a trade deal for the PicassoII

Have been offered two A3640 on Amibay, just waiting for info on the 2nd and have sweat talked Mrs Fitz into letting me have one

Oh and there will be a super secret awesome addition to this project but I don't want to say what it is until the bits get here

Then we can move onto the cosmectics...

Peter · 30 October 2010, 02:19

Your a credit to Amigaland Steve!
Be interested in seeing some more screen shots there when you get some time.

AmigaFriend · 30 October 2010, 03:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

Oh and there will be a super secret awesome addition to this project but I don't want to say what it is until the bits get here

Hehe

An A4000 without at least a 040 is not really a full A4000, so really nice you could find an affordable A3640.

That PII can be very underperformant compared to your PIV, but really is a boost you give to Workbench compared to AGA, and does a really great job on that department.

BTW you tend to use 8 bit or 16 bit colour on your RTG setups?

fitzsteve · 30 October 2010, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpect

Hehe

An A4000 without at least a 040 is not really a full A4000, so really nice you could find an affordable A3640.

That PII can be very underperformant compared to your PIV, but really is a boost you give to Workbench compared to AGA, and does a really great job on that department.

BTW you tend to use 8 bit or 16 bit colour on your RTG setups?

Hey xpect

I noticed the PicassoII is a little slower than the PicassoIV, thats ok as I just wanted a cheap RTG solution for this machine. The screen shot is 640x480 24bit but I have it now running 800x600 16bit which is nice and smooth and looks great.

On my PicassoIV and Voodoo 5 setups I run 24bit

I have two offers from Amibay for an A3640 so just waiting on update from the first offer (since I said I would wait for him prior to 2nd offer)

It shouldn't cost the earth and will be a nice upgrade

Steve.

fitzsteve · 30 October 2010, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

Your a credit to Amigaland Steve!
Be interested in seeing some more screen shots there when you get some time.

Hey Peter,

Screenshots eh? How about a Video? I can do some more pics too if you really want

Enjoy!

[ Show youtube player ]

Steve.

cosmicfrog · 30 October 2010, 14:08

that seems to run ok on the 030

fitzsteve · 13 November 2010, 21:04

Picked up my Elbox 1200 Tower today and have transplanted the front onto my A4000 Tower

Looking much better now:

Still waiting for A3640 and some 30pin Simms to arrive, damn Royal Snail

korruptor · 13 November 2010, 23:52

That's a thing of beauty

ck1200 · 14 November 2010, 17:13

Looking good there Steve

fitzsteve · 14 November 2010, 17:24

Thanks guys

23 October 2010, 15:38	#1
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Another A4000 project! Well I was lucky enough to get an A4000 Motherboard complete with Elbox Power Tower last week, it needs a little work (retr0bright) and I'll need to save for upgrades, maybe after xmas it can see its full potential. CSMkIII maybe However for now, using spares from my boxes of bits I've built a fully working Amiga albeit in a basic setup, crying out for RTG and a faster CPU though. A4000D Motherboard with 030 CPU, 8mb Motherboard Ram & 48mb on Z3Fastlane which is driving the SCSI CDROM. Have also installed my X-Surf which is hooked up to a wireless gaming adapter, and yep - this gets online through my WiFi Network! The other CDRoms/FDD's are PC drives just to fill the gaps as I have no blanking plates DF0 is via the External FDD (assume that's what the Jumper on the Mother sets!) As always I've taken some pics, however don't expect to make any further progress on this for a while As I say this is work in progress, I'll get the front off and try my hand a Retr0brighting at some point. Steve.

30 October 2010, 00:03	#9
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	PicassoII My latest acquisition for this little project, a PicassoII. Just wanted a basic RTG for this system without all the frills and I must say, very impressed The pass through is simple but works a treat on my system. As you've come to expect there are some pics Next planned upgrade basic 040 Accelerator, then a bad boy CS 060 when one comes up

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23 October 2010, 21:24	#2
ck1200 CBM & Retro Mad Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Wales/Wirral Uk Age: 42 Posts: 611	looking great Steve and already some nice upgrades, good luck with it and keep us posted on the retrobright and progress!!! chris

24 October 2010, 00:04	#3
prowler Global Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sidcup, England Posts: 10,300	Well, Steve, it seems like you've landed another bargain. I must say that's got all the makings of another monster machine! It's a rare gift you've got for collecting tip top Amiga hardware.

25 October 2010, 09:34	#5
cosmicfrog The 1 who ribbits Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: leek, Staffs, UK Age: 56 Posts: 3,557	hehehehehhe

25 October 2010, 10:41	#7
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	I remember reading the review of the A4K Power Tower in AF - they were pretty impressed with it as far a s I recall - I never had had one but I had an A1200 Power Tower some time ago - it was very well built and a real quality Tower. Steve, I'm really pleased to see you bringing this Tower back to life - it's a really excellent project - although I must admit I did breath a sigh of relief as for one minute I thought you might be taking the mother board out of your A4K Desktop!! (No way!) Just think, that Tower could have easily ended up in one of those horrible computer grave yard cages you see at the local tip - what a horrific end for an Amiga! As you say, it will take some time but I will be watching this thread with huge interest... Shame that Amigakit don't do those carved AMIGA blanking plates any more - do you know the ones I mean - they were excellent...

25 October 2010, 10:52	#8
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Hi Peter! Thanks for the comments. You are right, when I first saw the Tower I wasn't too impressed visually and thought about modding an ATX but once I stripped it down I was really impressed with the build quality, everything fits in perfectly. I love the detachable back plate for the A4000 Motherboard, its a superb idea - hats off to Elbox... There is plenty of space for upgrades, I tried my PicassoIV and Tocatta in the machine yesterday and everything worked, even the PIV in Zorro III mode which was nice. No way I'd pull apart my A4000D, that is one to preserve It will take a while to make progress on this one, but so far very pleased with it indeed. To see such an old machine hooked up via the X-Surf to a WiFi Network via the Gaming adapter was also pretty surreal Steve.

30 October 2010, 02:19	#12
Peter Still an Amiga user Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kent Age: 55 Posts: 2,715	Your a credit to Amigaland Steve! Be interested in seeing some more screen shots there when you get some time.

30 October 2010, 14:08	#16
cosmicfrog The 1 who ribbits Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: leek, Staffs, UK Age: 56 Posts: 3,557	that seems to run ok on the 030

13 November 2010, 21:04	#17
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Picked up my Elbox 1200 Tower today and have transplanted the front onto my A4000 Tower Looking much better now: Still waiting for A3640 and some 30pin Simms to arrive, damn Royal Snail

13 November 2010, 23:52	#18
korruptor TDI Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Blitter Town Posts: 124	That's a thing of beauty

14 November 2010, 17:13	#19
ck1200 CBM & Retro Mad Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: North Wales/Wirral Uk Age: 42 Posts: 611	Looking good there Steve

14 November 2010, 17:24	#20
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Thanks guys

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