delvis

My intention when starting this was to just say "Best Electronics" is alive and well in 2013. I have purchased a few more things from him in the past month. HDDriver software Empty Megafile case (Future project) Marpet Xtra 8+ RAM upgrade board I have also added some toys from Alan H in the UK IDE / TOS 2.06 Board upgrade Eiffel 3 - PS2 keyboard adapter EtherNEC card (Still on it's way) So I have plenty of fun ahead of me and just glad "Best" and others out there still support Atari in 2013 and beyond....

Installed the IDE /TOS 2.06 upgrade with no problems. I followed the on-line instructions from Alan H. Attached the 62GB mSATA via the IDE interface card. Loaded the HDDRIVER 8.43 and it seems to be working. I need to learn more about the software. More to come as I see what all I can do with it.

Got the package yesterday from Alan with the Eiffel 3 and the IDE / TOS 2.06 boards. Hooked Eiffel 3 up with no problem. Opened Mega ST 4 but did not attempt to connect the IDE with mSATA SSD yet. If time permits will attempt it tonight. Looks very cool. The Eiffel 3 board worked without hitch and I used an HP keyboard and a MS USB mouse with PS2 adapter. Also have the EtherNec card coming from Alan. I will post pics when done. Still plan to order the Marpet +8 MB Ram board from Best Elec.

Once I get everything attached and working I will shoot a few photos with the mSATA SSD.

It is funny you say that about the box because I thought the same thing. Inside it was filled with green packing peanuts.

Actually that was the original plan. Move it and the ICD interface into one case. Since then I am thinking about the Eiffel 3 and the EtherNEC I bought from Alan H going inside there too. Depends how much room I have when I am done. Another idea is that I will have the IDE SSD installed inside the Mega 4, so I might just sell the 45MB SCSII HDD and ICD interface.

Also don't forget Alan H has the IDE / TOS 2.06 upgrade card. http://atariage.com/forums/topic/207223-project-advanced-internal-ide-adapter-with-opt-tos-upgradeswitch/

Speak of the little devil (Megafile case) and it arrived today... Complete in an Atari box from Best Electronics. https://plus.google....638015191636769

Well the empty Megafile case has been shipped from "Best" and once it arrives the project begins. Still thinking of several ways to use it.

Adding to my Atari memories with new ones. Current up coming projects: Alan H: IDE / TOS 2.06 Card installations. Adding IDE to mSATA SSD Eiffel 3 PS2 Keyboard and mouse installation Modified Megafile case. Moving old Mac HDD and ICD controller into case This will get me caught back up before I do anything else.

My last post was answered already on another forum. It would be easier to try a different MB. Makes sense.

Sorry I know the description is an eye chart.

This is the one I ordered. It was $15.00. I saw the ones for the 1.8" SSD but they said do not use with 2.5" so I got this one. GOODS DESCRIPTION: PA6008B mini pci-e Msata SSD to 44pin IDE adapter as 2.5" IDE HDD FEATURES 100% Brand NEW and High Quality PA6008B sintech mSATA SSD to 44pin IDE adapter convert mini pci-e Msata SSD as 2.5" IDE SSD . · Fully compliant with 44pin IDE specification · 3.3 Volt Mini PCI-e SSD (mSATA Module) Support · Mini PCI-e 52 pin Connector · power supply: 5V · Mini PCIe SSD full size dimension Support: · Form Factor: 50.95 mm (L) x 30 mm (W) x 3.8 mm (H) · PA6008 sintech mSATA SSD to 44pin IDE adapter connects mini pci-e Msata SSD as 2.5" IDE HDD It may be used in any application where 2.5" IDE SSD drive may be used 1. Notebook, except some IBM laptop. 2. MID Tablet PC 3. Internet Appliances 4. Kiosks 5. Industrial Computers Worked with USB adapter on a Windows PC. Hopefully it works correctly with this IDE interface.

Got a shipping notice the IDE interface is in the mail. Today I got this IDE to mSATA card to use with the ST. I mounted a 62GB mSATA on it and connected it to an external USB adapter. I wanted to make sure it works right before the IDE board gets here. I am doing an exFAT format in Windows right now. Link to photos. https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108120967529688951081/albums/5901000371739565073

Yes I only picked up the disk. I had also exchanged emails with Bradley about Mega ST keyboards, the Video SVGA cable, and getting an empty Megafile case. Since it was only a few days notice I was only able to pickup the HDDrive program during my visit. The Megafile empty case will be shipping to me soon. The video cable is on back order, and I held off on the Mega ST keyboard since I bought the Eiffel 3 from Alan H. I intend to use the empty case to house a mac 45MB SCSCII HDD and ICD interface. May try to squeeze in the Eiffel 3 too. This will clean up the look of my Mega system. Also have the IDE interface coming from Alan so I will add that inside the Mega ST4 case.

Alan also builds the Eiffel 3. This would save you from doing it. I also ordered one of those from him. http://www.fairlite.co.uk/FreeMiNT/eiffel/eiffel.html I plan to try a mSATA SSD via an IDE to mSATA interface. If not I will take it from there.

Off the wall question. Can this board be adapted to fit inside a PC or Mac laptop case? Near me is a "Computer Works Goodwill" that collects all the scrapped computers from everywhere. You can go in and find lots of long lost older PC and Mac stuff. (Use to carry Atari 10 years ago but not now) So my though was if the laptop case offered the space would it be very hard to adapt this MB into it. * Connect to a LCD and keep the external VGA connector * power the back lite of the LCD panel * tie into the keyboard of the laptop * support the laptop battery and the AC power supply I think this would make a heck of a cool ST laptop mainboard The scope might be too great but it might be worth looking to. If Dell Model XYZ laptop was the best match and a hack could be created to make it work in side the case...

I emailed him and he also replied as you described above.

I went ahead and ordered this one from Alan. http://www.fairlite.co.uk/FreeMiNT/ide/ide.html Also ordered the IDE to mSATA board off Ebay to use with it.

So what was the response?

When I went you ring the buzzer and Bradley opens the outer door. This is an office with desk and a table near the doorway. There was an open door leading back into the warehouse but a stack of stuff was piled there blocking the view. I know he does this by appointment and the B&C site says "Will call" by appointment. The Video 61 site looked very limited to what they had listed for ST. The Bravo Sierra site normally has stuff too. http://www.aracnet.com/~atari/ I haven't used them in years since I took a 2005-2013 break from Atari...

The location is a warehouse in a business area, not really setup to be a store front. Bradley was very friendly and spent about 15 minutes just talking about Atari stuff. I asked about a few other items that I was interested in and he quoted me some prices. However I could not pick them up while I was there since they had to get them together for me. They would ship in about a week if I wanted them. I ordered an empty Megafile case. I have a little project I am working on and it will look cool with the Mega ST4. I have read others having bad experiences with him over the years but I did not. Since I was in town anyway I went there and by the old Atari Sunnyvale location. I am registered for buying the software and can download the updates. The price was in line with the price on the HDDrive website. (Saved about $5 USD)

During my business trip to San Jose I was able to stop by and pickup an order from Best Electronics Atari warehouse. Most of you know they supply Atari parts for 29 years globally. I traded emails with Bradley and then arranged a pickup time for my item. I bought the HDDriver ST software to support my new IDE interface I ordered from Alan in the UK. They meet you in the front office and you pay and pickup your stuff. It would be cool to just walk the place and see all the stuff on pallets. It is great the places like Best, B&C, and Sierra Bravo still have and maintain Atari parts, books, and software for the rest of us.

What are your plans for the stuff? If someone came there did you want to donate it or sell it?

I guess I got lucky. I filled out the on-line form and sent a separate email.... I would like to also know the USB devices that will work on this besides the mouse. All kinds of USB stuff out there. I was watching the Atari 130XE demo using the USB port and running a USB keyboard. I was thinking on a 6502 they can do this, I am sure it can be done on the ST....