CompuServe Thread

#A570 CD-ROM/SCSI HD?

5 messages in this thread
#154337From: HarlequinJun 28, 1994 3:58 PM
Erik, I tried (not sure if I managed) to send a message in the Tech section, but you likely wouldn't see it there. Anyway, I might be able to get a A570 too. Did you find out about a SCSI interface? Can you just use plug and play the A570 as if it was a hard drive? Can it read PC, etc CD-ROMs? I've forgotten all the details in the wait.
#154482From: Ron LegroJun 29, 1994 9:31 AM
PMJI, but there is a SCSI interface for the A570 and CDTV made by Amitrix Development. It's about $150. Call Safe Harbor mail order in Waukesha, WI. That's where I got mine. — RON LEGRO / Milwaukee via Autopilot 1.73 "Accept nothing less than a high standard of standardness."
#154651From: HarlequinJun 30, 1994 11:29 AM
Ron, Thanks again for being a fount of CD information! I shall definitely keep that info on file. Even better than my other message to you in Amiga Tech (if you haven't got it yet). Can you boot from the SCSI HD? Is there any way to get power for it, or does it need to be an "external" self-powered drive, like the (old?) Mac drives? Thanks Grant Ebel
#154807From: Ron LegroJul 1, 1994 12:28 PM
Sure, I can boot up with the HD. If there's a CD-ROM in place, the system defaults to booting that, instead. Plus I can still use an external diskette drive. There's a disable switch on the back panel of the SCSI module to turn off the hard drive if anything is incompatible. So far everything works fine, except: I have one CDTV disc that doesn't even respond when I hit the disable switch — "Chaos in Andromeda". It will only run if I unplug the SCSI controller. Therefore, I haven't screwed down the controller; it fits into its receptacle tightly enough so that isn't a problem. I just pull it back on its tracks far enough to disengage it, only with the power off. Probably not the wisest procedure; you could short out the unit if you weren't careful. The CDTV version of SCSI-TV is *completely* internal and takes power from the CDTV itself. I didn't even have to open up the case — just unscrewed the expansion port plate on the back of the unit and plopped in the controller. The 2.5" drive fits on the controller card inside the expansion slot, and there's only a 1" or so thick cube sticking out the back of the CDTV at the expansion slot. Very tidy! Any external SCSI devices you add to the system must be externally powered, of course. I have no idea if the A570 unit is similar in this regard; I'd imagine it would require external power. By the way, I wouldn't tarry if you're serious. Obviously, the CDTV/A570 market is limited and who knows how long AmiTrix will offer these products. — RON LEGRO / Milwaukee via Autopilot 1.73 "Accept nothing less than a high standard of standardness."
#155158From: HarlequinJul 4, 1994 9:09 AM
Thanks Ron. I don't know if I can push this pass the "Budgetary Approval Person" (my wife naturally) but as long as I have enough after throwing a flurry of XTs & Lotus for DOS at the used computer salesman, I'm gonna try! Thanks, Grant Ebel