Zorro II on A1000
3 messages in this thread
I'd like to expand my A1000 using Zorro II cards in case I can upgrade the
system to a 2000 some day. I keep seeing the Subsystem 1000 in various dealer's
ads, but I see it's no longer in Pacific Peripheral's own ads. I have my doubts
about the thing ever showing up. The Bill's Boards expander is more than what I
want- I really don't need the PC (ugh) slots. One of the local dealers showed
my a flyer for a 2 slot box from Phoenix Electronics.
Looking at the picture on the flyer, it appears the box is unbuffered. That
worries me a bit. Will this box have the same kinds of problems that plague
multiple SOTS users?
Thanks in advance for your comments,
Jim Steele
Jim,
As a dealer, I to am monitoring the progress of the Pheonix Box… matter
of fact, we have a couple of the A500 versions sans PS at one of our stores.
Is there something I can 'look' for re- the buffering? 'fraid I don't know
what that would be so if you can enlighten me, I'll be happy to check it out
and post.
In answer to your original question, I can't imagine these guys putting
out a box that gives us as much problems as multiple SOTS devices for the
simple reason that if they do it right, h*ll, there going to sell tons of them.
-John
John,
Thanks for the comments. It's good to hear the Phoenix Box is actually out
there. I was kind of surprised to see they made an unpowered A500 box. From all
the messages here, I gathered that the 500's power supply was barely up to
powering itself much less a couple of expansion cards 😉 I guess one could
power the cards from the hard drive's power supply. For the buffering, the
thing to look for is 4 maybe 5 identical chips between the computer and the
expansion slots. Probably 74LS245 type chips. From comparing the A1000/500 bus
to the Zorro II bus I'd have to say there must be some active circuitry in the
box. It doesn't appear sK9 the picture I have.
I certainly hope the box won't have any problems, perhaps that's why they
limited it to 2 slots. I'd rather have the 3 slots that the Subsystem 1000 is
supposed to have, but I'm getting frustrated waiting for it. 512k is a real
pain!
Jim