Closed System w/A2090 ST506 controller or equivalent

[jradoff]

I am interested in acquiring an Amiga system of any type, but the main requirement is that it must include an ST-506/MFM hard disk controller. It is my understanding that the A2090 controller would be suitable for this.

If possible, it would also be nice to include an ethernet interface so that I can transfer files to and from the Amiga over my LAN.

I am open to acquiring all the pieces separately (i.e., the hard disk controller separately from the Amiga system), so if anyone has the controller and can tell me which Amigas it would work with, that would be fine.

(My reasons for this setup is that I have an old Maxtor RD54-A hard disk, which is MFM/ST506, and I once had it connected to an Amiga 2000. The Amiga is long-gone, but I want to access the contents of the hard disk and see if I can get at the files. The hard disk hasn't been used in 18 years, so it's a bit of a gamble--but I'm hoping I can get to it! It's an external drive, and it seems to power-up fine...Anyone here ever attempt something like this before?)

Please PM me if you have any of the parts I need for the system I have in mind.

 

[AndyLandy]

The A2090 is a Zorro II card, so should work in any big-box Amiga. 2000, 3000 or 4000. A 2000 is probably going to be your cheapest option.

I've never seen an A2090 for sale, and it looks like the more-common A2091 is SCSI only.

 

[jradoff]

Indeed. The A2091 won't work.

It doesn't *have* to be an A2090 -- if there's a third-party product that supports ST-506/MFM drives, that should be fine as well.

A quick search of AmiBay shows that people have sold 2090's in the last year, so I'm optimistic that others are still out there.

 

[AndyLandy]

Your eyes are better than mine I'd missed those.

Good luck with your search!

 

[jradoff]

I've learned that I will need the same controller as I originally used to access the hard disk. And I'm pretty sure that was an A2090. So it'll need to be an A2090!

Jon

 

[dreadwin]

I'm sure I've got a spare 2090 that I could sell you.

 

[dreadwin]

I knew I had one laying around. I'm asking $20 plus shipping for the card.