External IDE controller for Amiga 500/500+.

[Beavis]

Just built a proto of this controller, which was invented ~7 years ago, and it works!
It's not autobooting, but it's also not costing the world, it supports IDE drives and also CD-rom players.
It comes in a case, which is just high enough to house the PCB, and a CF-card with adapter, there will also be a slot at the back to be able to connect the IDE cable to an external device.
it will be made of resin, because that's the easiest way to produce in-home stuff.
Will shoot some pics tomorrow.
The price will be € 45,-
Of course I'm testing the waters right now, to make it worthwhile, there must be some interest, but that goes without saying.
Ok, this is the basic idea, a slim case that ain't going to take up too much space.
This is made of metal, but it's just for imagination purposes, the final case will be cast out of resin.
And because of that, I could fancy it up with a logo, or even a picture, I milled a wax model for someone, who will have it cast in silver.
As for autobooting, I've taken that into consideration, but it would incorporate a lot of extra hardware, which would also reflect on the total cost.

 

[botialoach]

Sounds very interesting, awaiting for pictures.

 

[RighteousMan5]

interested, depends on pictures and questions...

 

[manic23]

I'd also be interested on one of these, looking forward to the pictures

 

[Robofruit]

I am interested.

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[MoRetro]

Indeed sounds very interesting.
I like to see the pictures you mentioned.

Questions: Why can't this design autoboot?
Is there a way to make it autoboot?

 

[Bluecursor]

Interested. Waiting in line.


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[manic23]

Can I ask what the auto boot thing means? Does this mean you can't boot from the device at all? So how is it used?


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[RichyV]

You wouldn't need autobooting if you were using it for a 2nd drive, or a CDROM. So why pay the extra?

 

[demolition]

Autobooting would require a ROM onboard, so such a feature would incur an additional cost.

 

[Beavis]

That's right, this works with a boot floppy, so once the driver is loaded (which takes about 10-15 seconds), the system will be taken over by the system on the harddisk.
I read that there are some interested, if that's still the case, I can start making a few coming weekend, so please let me know.
Oh, and it's or course also suited for the 1000!

 

[manic23]

Ah ok I see so you can still boot but you need a floppy also. I can live with that, I'm interested. What floppy image do I need? Will you also provide that or is it something already available?

 

[Beavis]

There you go, there are worse things in life, and as was mentioned before, a complete autoboot system would make it much more complicated, and hike the price up.
And the floppy will of course be provided by me, albeit by means of an image, but that won't spoil the fun, I guess.

 

[manic23]

Nice ok count me in


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[Robofruit]

Withdrawing only because I am bang in the middle of a three way expensive upgrade. Good luck, I hope it takes off.

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[manic23]

Would be great if you could do one with an Amiga logo, is that possible?


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[Beavis]

Would be great if you could do one with an Amiga logo, is that possible?


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That's what I was suggesting.

But now something else, there's been some commotion in another thread about this controller, the original design is from some Finnish dude, and it's been sold over here many years ago.
So if any of the interested parties would be under the impression that I'm in breach of any copyright laws, please say so.

 

[Pghulme]

Where are the original files? Am just intrigued on what the original if any licence terms were?

Would be great if you could do one with an Amiga logo, is that possible?


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That's what I was suggesting.

But now something else, there's been some commotion in another thread about this controller, the original design is from some Finnish dude, and it's been sold over here many years ago.
So if any of the interested parties would be under the impression that I'm in breach of any copyright laws, please say so.

 

[Beavis]

The original files are everywhere to be found, except on the page of the inventor, which is dead.
The issue was that the other bloke used Matthias's PCB design, and was a bit creative with the KS.
Quite coincidental BTW, that 2 days after I post this thread, someone else pops out of the woodwork, and comes with a seemingly better offer.:roll:

 

[Pghulme]

The original files are everywhere to be found, except on the page of the inventor, which is dead.
The issue was that the other bloke used Matthias's PCB design, and was a bit creative with the KS.
Quite coincidental BTW, that 2 days after I post this thread, someone else pops out of the woodwork, and comes with a seemingly better offer.:roll:

ah right, so Mattias pcb is just based on the original design/schematics?
so if someone was to use the original schematics to redesign a new pcb , all would be OK?