raps@homxc.UUCP (R.SIMPRINI) (12/17/87)
As an owner of an A1000, I have long been interested in purchasing
a hard disk system for my computer, but I have been hesitant
because of the cost. However, I saw an ad in Amigaworld for the
MAX (tm) - Hard Disk Hacker's Package and decided that this was an
inexpensive way to get what I wanted. If you are willing to spend
some time gathering a few parts, and soldering and wiring your
own perf board, I think this system is a good way to add a hard disk
to your system at a minimum cost.
This package consists of a diskette with driver and utility software,
documentation on how to construct the - MAX - Hard Disk System interface,
and how to install the hardware and software on the Amiga(tm) A500, A1000,
and A2000 personal computers.
Included in the package are: drivers; configurator; extensive hard
disk fast formatter/verifier and exerciser with sector/track level data
manipulation and bad track replacement; a utility program that includes
filecheck, diskcheck, and archive bit functions; interface schematics,
assembly and installation instructions; a list of parts and component
vendors; and Electronic Horizons' comprehensive full and incremental backup
and restore utility. No hardware is supplied as this is a construction
project, not a kit.
Previous hardware and circuit construction experience is recommended to
complete this project. However, it really isn't all that difficult to do if
you read the instructions CAREFULLY and take your time.
The documentation states that ....
"This system is GREATER than FOUR TIMES FASTER than the floppy disks (7+
times faster with the upcoming FastFileSystem). There is NO MORE painful
waiting for icons to come up on the Workbench screen or large programs to
load. And DiskCopy time is just 7 minutes (34 mb each) or 10 minutes (50mb
each) with a 2 or more drive system. The driver (written in assembly)
incorporates track buffering and uses long word data movement.
It is compatible with a large selection of sizes and types of ST506/412
drives. Configurable for one or two controllers with one or two
drives/controller, it supports hundreds of megabytes/drive, multiple
partitions. And it is configurable for, and can pass the 86 pin expansion
bus for A500 and A1000, or configure for ZORRO I or A2000/ZORRO II 100 pin
bus."
CMOS devices are specified for low bus loading. Hardware/software
installation for V1.2 AmigaDos went without a flaw, and the 'mount' command
is used for flexibility in the control of disk drive parameters. Configuring
the hard drive for the system is done via a simple ASCII text file.
Again, from the documentation...
"The nonauto-configure design of this system was implemented to allow
simple construction of a stable, extremely flexible and reasonably fast
interface that any hacker could build for considerably less cost than
anything currently on the market. The - MAX - system has been operating on
all of the Amiga computer systems with many types of memory expansion, video
digitizers, and other expansion bus devices."
Typical system cost starts at less than $380.00 for a 16+ megabyte, one
drive system:
- MAX - Hackers Package $169.00
16mb drive (used) (RLL) $100.00
RLL hard disk controller (OMTI 5527) $ 60.00
Power supply (not req for A2000) $ 20.00
Connectors, I.C.'s $ 10.00
misc $ 20.00
-------
$379.00
If you wish to inquire about - MAX - Hackers Package, please contact:
Jack Koehler
PALOMAX, INC.
424 Moreboro Rd.
Hatboro, PA 19040
215-672-6815
- MAX - is a trademark of Palomax, Inc.
Amiga is a trademark of Commodore-Amiga, Inc.
I have no affiliation with the above company...I posted this because
it worked for me, and thought others might like to know about it.