CompuServe Messages

1200 IDE ?

    08-Sep-93 20:25:33
Sb: #113282-1200 IDE ?
Fm: Joe Buckley 76703,4032
To: Mark Kelley 75140,1210
Mark, A 3.5" drive can be used inside an A1200, but there are several catches that might make you think twice about trying: Once you shoehorn it in, the whole she-bang is awfully tight. getting the case closed again is not for the weak hearted. You'll need a bigger power supply. Even if you don't have any expansion on the machine, you'll need a bigger ps. The 5V section should be able to shoulder the load, but the 12V section doesn't cut it. A typical drive would probably need a full amp peak at 12V, while the A600 supply shipped with many A1200s is only rated at .5A @ 12V. There are no data cables supplied commercially (that I know of) that go from the small form-factor connector on the motherboard to the 3.5" connector (or realistically, the connector on the 3.5" drive – not the full width of the drive). There are several hack files available for creating a custom data cable for the drive, but it is not a job for the electronically inexperienced. It can be done, but it is a hassle. Joe (A guy with a 213MB Maxtor 3.5" HD in his A1200!)