91_BICKI%UNION.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu (04/12/89)
Hello. I have a very important question to ask. Someone who has
access to comp.sys.amiga directly please forward this there...
I have, for the first time, seen that getting a hard drive is within my
grasp (and a real good one at that). My problem is that I would be buying it
second-handed without any inherent equipment for the amiga. It is a bare-bones
Quantum 80Q drive, nothing else. Further, I am using an amiga 500, and would
like to upgrade to an amiga 2000 or 2500 RSN and I do *not* want to spend 200+
dollars for an A500 expansion chasis.
Does anyone know where I could get a chasis that will let me drop A2000
card in it (and connect to the A500) for a low price, like $50 to $75 dollars.
(A piece of metal with an adaptor shouldn't cost over $100. This way, I don't
lose mega bucks when I upgrade to a 2000/2500/3000 etc. NOTE: I only need
space for the hardcard w/drive.
Also, I need to know where I can get a good hard-card that will allow
me to use the 80Q drive to it's maximum (19ms DMA). I don't need to have room
to add 7 other scsi devices. I need something simple, but effective (yeah, I
know, doesn't everybody?). I've been compiling a list of message
postings last few months about various hard-cards, but further insights from
fellow amigites would still make me feel better.
This is very important to me, since my monetary situation is that of a
student at a private College ($$$$$$) and I *need* the best for my money (not
just want).
Since (hopefully) someone will forward this to comp.sys.amiga, I have
another question directed to commodore people: I read a posting about a
speech by Max Toy (for FAUG?, don't quote me, I haven't got the posting with me
now). There was some vague hinting that C-A might start a student discount
program. Being a student who would LOVE to get an Amiga 2500, I am curious if
I read this right. Is there talk about starting such a program? If so, when,
how can I get involved, and what kind of discount would it be? If not, WHY
NOT?
(I'm a sophomore, I only have two more years of student status, I'm getting
desperate!!!!) :)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-
#DEFINE std.disclaimers
"A.N.A.R.C.H.Y. : it isn't a belief, it's a way of life!"
\ / Single-Tasking?????
Dave Bicking * (0 o) * Just
Union College Box 152 | say
Schenectady, NY 12308 |-@-| NO!!! //
91_bickingd@union (BITNET) \X/ Amiga
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-wacfeick@rose.waterloo.edu (Wayne Feick) (04/13/89)
You may want to try what I have on my A500. If you get a 2090A, the signals it requires are all available on the A500 expansion connector. What you do is wire an 86 pin edge connector to a 100 pin edge connector and add some power since there is not enough available from the A500's power supply. You'll need a new power supply to drive the hard disk and the 2090A but you'll have to tie it's ground to the ground on the 86 pin edge connector. I've been running my hard disk like this for around 5 months now without any problems. I also got a new ROM for my machine so that I could autoboot of the hard disk. I can give you a list of the appropriate connections between the two edge connectors if you don't have the "A500/A2000 Technical Reference Manual" or something else which gives you the pin outs. Just examine the 2090A to figure out which signals it requires. The signals run straight through except for /RST which goes from pin 53 on the 86 pin connector to pin 94 on the 100 pin connector. The connectors cost me around $15 and the power supply cost $75 (Canadian dollars, eh!) One of these days I'll even get around to putting the thing in a box. If and when you get an A2000, you can just pick up your 2090A and your hard disk and drop them into the new machine. DISCLAIMER: If you try this and blow up your machine, don't come crying to me. It works for me and it will probably work for you if you do it right. Wayne.