ggibeau@ucqais.uc.edu (AMOEBOID) (01/18/90)
Since we are on the subject of hardware hacks (grin), we have
yet another hack that we have done for our user group.
We have designed an interface card, based upon the design included
with the Palomax hard disk drivers. What this card will do is allow you
to run inexpensive IBM MFM or RLL hard drives on either your
Amiga 1000 or Amiga 500. The card is about 6" x 6" and fits on the
86 pin buss expansion slot. We have designed it to work with
either machine as far as form factor and height of completed kit.
This card is NOT autobooting, and will only handle PC/XT 8-bit
controller cards, the author of the device drivers, Mr. Jack
Koehler, is in the process of designing a 16-bit card.
We are currently working out a deal with the author of the
drivers and should be able to provide you with the NEW version
of the Palomax drivers and a professionally done bare card for
about $120. All you would need then is about $20 is parts, a
ST-506 controller (MFM/RLL), hard drive and case. We have been
able in the past to put together 40 meg system for our club
members for about $400 (if you happen to have the hard drive
laying around, then you are half-way there :-)).
Current speed on a 28ms drive is about 247 Kbytes/sec read and
304 Kbytes/sec writes with 524K buffers, however your mileage
may vary (grin). This design will handle 2 hard drives (I currently
have 2 32 meg RLL drives on my A1000 and have no problems
whatsoever). It also works with the Hurricane, Spirit IN1000,
and best of all it has pass through (it will work with the
microbotics side expansion devices, etc..).
If interested, respond via e-mail.
We have been doing hacks for our club and it was pointed that
others may also be interested. We have a few other hacks in the
works (we have been able to modify IBM 3.5" drives to
work as Amiga drives - internally with no additions, externally
with a small card we designes - we found a supply of 3.5" drives for $50
and have them working as amiga drives - our club is very happy and if
we find some more at that price, we will post the info for
that - (doesn't this guy ever shut up? - grin)).
Regards,
George (do we ever sleep) Gibeau
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