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Building a Micro-AmigaOne - By Lyle Hazelwood

Page 3


Beginners Corner

So you're new to building your own computer, and want to make sure everything works right? Here are a few tips that might help you to make fewer beginner errors.

Static Control.

Yes, it's not just a rumor. You need to be careful to avoid static damage whenever you are inside your computer. The "correct" method is with a static strap. It's a wristband with a wire attached.You wear the strap snugly around your wrist, in direct contact with your skin. You attach the other end to an earth ground. The case of your PC should be grounded when the power
cord is connected. There are now "wireless" ground straps on the market. Forget
them, they are worse than useless. They will only give you a false sense of security while you go on damaging your equipment. Some people skip the static strap and clip a jumper wire from ground directly to their metal watchband.

Yes, this will dissipate static, but it will also be EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS if you come in contact with line voltages while you are in the case. Don't ask me how I know that. Some other static-safe practices include touching bare case metal every time you approach the case, avoid working in low humidity areas. Avoid walking around or shuffling your feet while working, and avoiding varnished or shellacked work surfaces.

So, you ignore my warnings, and the computer works fine anyway. Does that mean you didn't damage it? Nope. Static damage most often appears weeks or months after the damage was done. I'll skip the details, please stay static-free.

Do not.. DO NOT connect or disconnect anything while the power is on. Turn the power off at the switch behind your computer before doing any work. Leaving that switch on means the power supply is still providing standby voltage to parts of the system. There are exception to this.. USB cables may be hot-plugged, as can MIDI cables, and SATA cables. These are the only exceptions that come to mind right now.


Opportunity Knocking...

It seems the next question is obvious..

Who will order the necessary parts and offer a uAOne owners kit?

1 serial breakout cable on a PCI slot cover, thin enough to not block the
audio pins.(Or dual serial for micro-I)
1 IDE 44 to 40 pin adapter, with keying pin clipped.
1 8 pin female to 10 pin male USB Header adapter.
1 custom ATX I/O Shield
6 threaded nuts for VGA, Gameport, and Parport connectors.
1 Amiga case badge
1 inexpensive static strap.
A decent S/PDIF IO on a PCI slot cover wouldn't hurt, either.

None of the above parts are expensive, though some could really be improved
upon, like making an IDE adapter that can't be plugged in off center or
backwards.

Seems like a real opportunity to make money and help the Amiga to be more
"accessible" to the public.

 


What's next?

Ask for what you want to see added here. I'll kick it in if I can.
I'll also add whatever I experience as I build my box.

One proposal is "how to read Classic Amiga hard drives on your new AOne"

 


Standard Disclaimer

I have no association with any of the companies listed here. I will make no proceeds from their sales. I provide this information freely, but assume no responsibility for it's accuracy or for your interpretation or mis-interpretation of the information provided.

I'll probably help anyone who asks nicely, but I reserve the right to ignore anyone for any reason or lack of reason that I see fit.

This document is copyright 2005 Lyle Hazelwood, and may be distributed freely
under the following conditions: Must be distributed in it's original form, without editing.
May not be sold for profit without prior written consent of the author. May not be used for the development or testing of nuclear or biological weapons. Use for the detection of mythical "Weapons of Mass Detruction" is permitted. ;)

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Original documenet format available here: http://www.ncscaug.us/ua1wiringwpics.txt







 

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