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#External Hard Drive

16 messages in this thread

#154192From: Hilary SzymanowskiJun 27, 1994 1:26 PM

Due to the limitations of the physical capacity of the Amiga 4000, I hope to plan to have the hard disk OUTSIDE the case of the computer. Already have a GVP 4008 SCSI card which has the 25 Pin external connector. QUESTION: Where can I get the small "black box" which will house the hard drive ? Already have the drive – so only need the box with its own power supply, the flat cable interconnect inside the box, plus the 25 pin cable to and from the computer. Any idea of price on such an item ? Thanks in anticipation of any information. Hilary.

#154200From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPJun 27, 1994 2:07 PM

Amigaman and Briwall both sell scsi boxes with power supply and cabling.

#154219From: Hilary SzymanowskiJun 27, 1994 6:39 PM

Thanks for the info' Michael. It will help. Regards, Hilary

#154400From: Robert LittleJun 28, 1994 11:43 PM

Didn't Briwall go out of business? Robb

#154711From: Steve Bennett/SYSOPJun 30, 1994 10:50 PM

I think you're right… it's been a couple of years since I did any business with them. Thanks.

#154860From: Robert LittleJul 1, 1994 11:16 PM

You're welcome. Too, bad, though. Robb

#154204From: Bill ReevesJun 27, 1994 2:43 PM

Hilary, I'm not sure that if I've ever seen a black one, but external SCSI cases are readily available. I've seen them listed in Tenex's catalog. I suspect most suppliers that advertise in AW/AC would also carry them. On a local level dealers that sell Macs would also carry them. The going price is probably between $75 and $100. Bill

#154273From: John GagerJun 28, 1994 1:11 AM

I recently seen an ad in Computer Shopper from Dalco Electronics selling a 4 5.25 drive bay SCSI box for something like $149. I'm pretty sure it includes the power supply, and even has external thumbwheels for the SCSI address settings. You might check into their external SCSI box. // John (Speeding on the Information Superhighway) \X/ Mercury@ins.infonet.net

#154303From: Hilary SzymanowskiJun 28, 1994 8:33 AM

Thanks very much John for your suggested supplier. Will now follow up. All the best, Hilary.

#154280From: Erik FlomJun 28, 1994 2:07 AM

I suggest you look at an old file I did about building an external drive case from a Mini-PC tower case. (I was looking for an external case, and found this was the cheapest way to go.) I think the file is called BILDIT.TXT, and it's in the text file section of Amiga User. Have Fun, Erik Flom

#154341From: Steve SetzerJun 28, 1994 5:37 PM

Hilary, If you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty, a smarter move may be to purchase a small pc minitower case to mount your drives in and run a cable from you external scsi port to the mini tower. It will give a lot more room for additions along with an 150-200 watt power supply. Cost less to than a dedicated drive case. I just did this and it works great! I now have five more expansion bays! …Steve Cruising on Autopilot from beautiful Coastal South Carolina

#154352From: Hilary SzymanowskiJun 28, 1994 6:42 PM

Thanks for the suggestion Steve…. BUT … the computer in question is an Amiga 4000, where the screwed up designers limited the board to 4 Zorro slots and – to make matters worse – put the damn things on their side – not upright. No wonder Commadore went broke! Furthermore – the computer is rack mounted along with other video equipment in one of our editing bays. Again thanks, and best regards, Hilary.

#154517From: Steve SetzerJun 29, 1994 2:25 PM

Hilary , But this would connect to the outside of the SCSI card just as a dedicated expansion box would be, it won't take any more precious slots at all. BTW I used the text file Erik Flom uploaded as a guide to get me started. My entire mini case with cabling, active termination ect cost lesss thn $150, and I splurged and got the highest quality cables I could find. …Steve Cruising on Autopilot from beautiful Coastal South Carolina

#154532From: Hilary SzymanowskiJun 29, 1994 6:18 PM

Steve, since my original question I found that an outfit in California – named JDK Microdevices, sell an outside SCSI box… all cables and ready to go at $129.00 Thanks anyway… best regards, Hilary.

#154540From: Jim SteeleJun 29, 1994 8:13 PM

These days it's easy to get a cheap clone motherboard. I saw some for 10 bucks at the last hotel computer show. I'd recommend putting one of those in the tower. The motherboard acts as a load on the power supply – some of those clone supplies don't regulate well with only a couple drives attached. In addition, you can use the PC expansion slots on the motherboard to hold those TBC cards that only get power & ground from the slot. -Jim MOS via Autopilot & Amiga

#154568From: Steve SetzerJun 29, 1994 11:09 PM

Jim, I cannot think of a more fullfilling use for an AT motherboard! Relegated to loading a powersupply for use with Amiga Drives! How fitting! …Steve Cruising on Autopilot from beautiful Coastal South Carolina