How to: Quick and dirty A4000 external CF

Turran · 01 June 2013, 13:21

For my A4000 I got a simple external CF solution, ment for the the Zorro slots.

First of all, I did not like it taking up space from valuable Zorro cards.
Second of all, the IDE cable was not long enough to reach it AND the cdrom.
Third of all, the A4000 is missing its expansion plate on the back.

Hmm, I got 30 minutes before GF comes home. How to fix this quick and dirty? =)

Bend the plate so it fits the expansion bay instead. Yes, use a saw is better but this is quick and dirty, like I said:

Hold it where you want it and paint where the holes should go:

Unscrew the card from the plate and drill the holes:

Secure it with a bolt and screw. Profit!

In hindsight, mounting it upside down would have been better. Right now its hard to secure it with bolt and screw since you can not see or reach very well. If going for this approach, put it upside down from what I did so you reach everything from the top in the inside of the case.

Once I have more time, I'll saw off the bent parts and turn it around. No space to do that with it bent the way it in, on the inside.

fitzsteve · 01 June 2013, 13:23

Nice idea I like it

Jope · 01 June 2013, 21:18

Good idea. :-)

Hewitson · 09 June 2013, 16:44

What a strange mod. I like it a lot

slaapliedje · 19 June 2013, 21:33

I've been wanting to do this for my Indivision's VGA output that is taking up one of my Zorro/PCI slots. I just haven't decided what I would put in it's place... I did get my SCSI card (2940UW) working in it, but I can't use it as my only boot device

Unless someone knows some magical way to get the aic78xx.device driver to boot up for the ROM or something.

slaapliedje

mfilos · 19 June 2013, 22:08

HAHA I did that exactly mod one year ago on my A4000. Only difference is that I didn't bend the backplate but instead I cut it with a Dremel and made the holes like you did

After messing with MechWare's Multicard Reader, I removed that solution for putting Ratte's switch

Good idea and nice implementation mate. It surely works just fine

Turran · 20 June 2013, 13:51

Heheh, thanks. I've now sawed off the bent parts but I could not turn it over since it no longer fills the hole in the chassis that way. Should have done that from the start. But, looks good =)

01 June 2013, 13:21	#1
Turran Moderator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Stockholm / Sweden Age: 49 Posts: 1,575	How to: Quick and dirty A4000 external CF For my A4000 I got a simple external CF solution, ment for the the Zorro slots. First of all, I did not like it taking up space from valuable Zorro cards. Second of all, the IDE cable was not long enough to reach it AND the cdrom. Third of all, the A4000 is missing its expansion plate on the back. Hmm, I got 30 minutes before GF comes home. How to fix this quick and dirty? =) Bend the plate so it fits the expansion bay instead. Yes, use a saw is better but this is quick and dirty, like I said: Hold it where you want it and paint where the holes should go: Unscrew the card from the plate and drill the holes: Secure it with a bolt and screw. Profit! In hindsight, mounting it upside down would have been better. Right now its hard to secure it with bolt and screw since you can not see or reach very well. If going for this approach, put it upside down from what I did so you reach everything from the top in the inside of the case. Once I have more time, I'll saw off the bent parts and turn it around. No space to do that with it bent the way it in, on the inside.

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01 June 2013, 13:23	#2
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,685	Nice idea I like it

01 June 2013, 21:18	#3
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,916	Good idea. :-)

09 June 2013, 16:44	#4
Hewitson Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 41 Posts: 3,773	What a strange mod. I like it a lot

19 June 2013, 21:33	#5
slaapliedje Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Utah, USA Posts: 517	I've been wanting to do this for my Indivision's VGA output that is taking up one of my Zorro/PCI slots. I just haven't decided what I would put in it's place... I did get my SCSI card (2940UW) working in it, but I can't use it as my only boot device Unless someone knows some magical way to get the aic78xx.device driver to boot up for the ROM or something. slaapliedje

19 June 2013, 22:08	#6
mfilos Paranoid Amigoid Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Athens/Greece Age: 45 Posts: 1,978	HAHA I did that exactly mod one year ago on my A4000. Only difference is that I didn't bend the backplate but instead I cut it with a Dremel and made the holes like you did After messing with MechWare's Multicard Reader, I removed that solution for putting Ratte's switch Good idea and nice implementation mate. It surely works just fine

20 June 2013, 13:51	#7
Turran Moderator Join Date: May 2012 Location: Stockholm / Sweden Age: 49 Posts: 1,575	Heheh, thanks. I've now sawed off the bent parts but I could not turn it over since it no longer fills the hole in the chassis that way. Should have done that from the start. But, looks good =)

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