A1000 and A590 compatibility.

gary_nz · 12 May 2022, 04:22

Hi,

I was wondering if it's possible to connect an A590 to an A1000 without any modifications? Some suggestions point towards installing the A590 upside down and backwards, which I know is not overly practical but I'm just curious as to whether it will work.
If there was any risk I could damage either device I would not attempt this.

I also have a Supra RAM 500RX (1Mb) and am curious as to its compatibility as well.

Thanks in advance.
Gary.

alexh · 12 May 2022, 09:32

Unless you can get them free I wouldn't bother.

The A590 needs to have the metal plate at the bottom removed or cut. It has to go backwards making it a very awkward mechanical fit.

It really isn't worth it. You could sell both and buy an A1000/A500 compatible device like the internal IDE + RAM or an ACA500 which is ok upside down and back to front.

[ Show youtube player ]

Jope · 12 May 2022, 12:37

Backwards, but not upside down. In any case, it is not a good fit. Upside down will be destructive.

The port is electrically compatible otherwise.

The supraram might be a better fit in the mechanical sense, but you'll still be staring at its rear end when plugged in.

Jope · 12 May 2022, 12:43

It just occurred to me, that this would be a great cottage industry for 3d printed boxes for people to install their decased A500 expansions into. :-D Perhaps with mouse/joy passthroughs.

gary_nz · 14 May 2022, 04:06

Thank you for your answers.
It looks to me like there are only two options as far as orientation is concerned.

1. Right way up with rear of unit facing the user. (correct?)
2. Upside down with front of unit facing the user. (incorrect and may be damaging?)

Obviously because the edge connector is not keyed there is room for error here.

I'm quite keen to try the SupraRAM module on the A1000 just to see if it works.
I'll take a look at the manuals to see if there are any edge connector diagrams.

r.cade · 14 May 2022, 05:18

It works, most things work fine, but they may block the mouse/joystick ports.

The slot is NOT upside down, it's only on the reverse side. If you plug in something upside down, you will likely destroy the device or the computer, or both.

gary_nz · 15 May 2022, 22:53

Thanks. That confirms it for me now. I see what you mean about blocking the mouse/joystick ports. Both of my devices will block the ports.

johna · 05 August 2022, 23:08

Back in the 1990s I installed an A590 circuit board and hard drive internally in an A1000.

I did this by removing the edge connector on A590 and soldering ribbon cable between the two boards.

It was a bit of a project and amazingly it worked first go, and I had no problems with the power supply.

I also added a Kickstart ROM kit that came from a company in South Australia.

12 May 2022, 04:22	#1
gary_nz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Motueka, New Zealand Posts: 13	A1000 and A590 compatibility. Hi, I was wondering if it's possible to connect an A590 to an A1000 without any modifications? Some suggestions point towards installing the A590 upside down and backwards, which I know is not overly practical but I'm just curious as to whether it will work. If there was any risk I could damage either device I would not attempt this. I also have a Supra RAM 500RX (1Mb) and am curious as to its compatibility as well. Thanks in advance. Gary.

12 May 2022, 09:32	#2
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,331	Unless you can get them free I wouldn't bother. The A590 needs to have the metal plate at the bottom removed or cut. It has to go backwards making it a very awkward mechanical fit. It really isn't worth it. You could sell both and buy an A1000/A500 compatible device like the internal IDE + RAM or an ACA500 which is ok upside down and back to front. [ Show youtube player ] Last edited by alexh; 14 May 2022 at 08:06.

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12 May 2022, 12:37	#3
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	Backwards, but not upside down. In any case, it is not a good fit. Upside down will be destructive. The port is electrically compatible otherwise. The supraram might be a better fit in the mechanical sense, but you'll still be staring at its rear end when plugged in.

12 May 2022, 12:43	#4
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	It just occurred to me, that this would be a great cottage industry for 3d printed boxes for people to install their decased A500 expansions into. :-D Perhaps with mouse/joy passthroughs.

14 May 2022, 04:06	#5
gary_nz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Motueka, New Zealand Posts: 13	Thank you for your answers. It looks to me like there are only two options as far as orientation is concerned. 1. Right way up with rear of unit facing the user. (correct?) 2. Upside down with front of unit facing the user. (incorrect and may be damaging?) Obviously because the edge connector is not keyed there is room for error here. I'm quite keen to try the SupraRAM module on the A1000 just to see if it works. I'll take a look at the manuals to see if there are any edge connector diagrams.

14 May 2022, 05:18	#6
r.cade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Augusta, Georgia, USA Posts: 548	It works, most things work fine, but they may block the mouse/joystick ports. The slot is NOT upside down, it's only on the reverse side. If you plug in something upside down, you will likely destroy the device or the computer, or both.

15 May 2022, 22:53	#7
gary_nz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Motueka, New Zealand Posts: 13	Thanks. That confirms it for me now. I see what you mean about blocking the mouse/joystick ports. Both of my devices will block the ports.

05 August 2022, 23:08	#8
johna Registered User Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Australia Posts: 1	Back in the 1990s I installed an A590 circuit board and hard drive internally in an A1000. I did this by removing the edge connector on A590 and soldering ribbon cable between the two boards. It was a bit of a project and amazingly it worked first go, and I had no problems with the power supply. I also added a Kickstart ROM kit that came from a company in South Australia.

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