Commodore 128D Vertical orientation? Is it safe?

[rpiguy9907]

I have a very shallow desk and cannot even fit the C128D keyboard on the desktop because the C128D is so deep.

 

Is it safe to rest the C128D on its side like a tower? Will this ruin my disks?

[carlsson]

Won't it be just as deep, or did you plan to place it 90 degrees sideways on the side, with the floppy drive pointing to the left instead of forward? I don't know if the drive will work in that orientation, but the case seems a bit too tapered to support standing on the side unless you add some kind of support.

[CRTGAMER]

I have my 128D set on the desk with the floppy drive to the left, keyboard cable to the front and easy access to 3rd party expansion 4 slot cart connector to the right. Even without the expander, the cart bay to the right front allows for easy swap out of game carts.

 

As far as a tower staging, the only "mechanical" item affected by gravity would by the internal floppy drive. Since it clamps down and the floppy is in a sleeve, seems the disk itself in vertical actually a better position. Though gravity no longer assisting on the drive head, it is pressed against the floppy by the swing arm

 

I do not think heat would be an issue either as long as you leave room around the 128D, throw a couple braces to keep from tipping. You do lose out on the length of the keyboard cable hanging up in the air. Ideally best to keep the unit flat as designed, try my idea of spinning the 128D with the floppy to the left.

 

EDIT

Oh wait, my 128D buried under the monitor shelf does appear wider then deep had it been set the other way. The cart bay with cables in the back could be an issue if staged as a tower though.

 

Edited November 16, 2017 by CRTGAMER

[+OLD CS1]

Yes.

[+save2600]

I thought maybe the drive wouldn't particularly like being in the vertical position, but then remembered the TI PEB and how their drives are oriented. Can't say I remember seeing (m)any other 5-1/4" drives positioned that way on other computers though. Obviously okay to do so, just saying.

[carlsson]

It is not super hard to find examples of vertically mounted 5.25" drives, but those also were certified to be used in that orientation.

 

ABC-802:

 

Compaq Portable:

 

Kaypro:

[motrucker]

I couldn't find a photo, but I believe the MSD drives were made with this orientation too.

 

 

[+OLD CS1]

I couldn't find a photo, but I believe the MSD drives were made with this orientation too.

 

 

I have two MSD-2s and the drives are indeed mounted vertically. While Commodore assemblies are quite different, they still hold the disks firmly and have spring-loaded heads like all other drives.

[carlsson]

I suppose an extensive case mod project to take a regular PC tower case, mount the C128D motherboard with proper holes in the case or rerouting things with internal cables, is out of the question? I've read online about some people who have tried to do that, though it isn't an automatic conversion by any means. Also I suppose the metal C128DCR (?? I never understand the difference between C128D and C128DCR, ordered per geographical region) might be a bit more suitable for standing on the side, as it is taller with straight sides.

[motrucker]

I suppose an extensive case mod project to take a regular PC tower case, mount the C128D motherboard with proper holes in the case or rerouting things with internal cables, is out of the question? I've read online about some people who have tried to do that, though it isn't an automatic conversion by any means. Also I suppose the metal C128DCR (?? I never understand the difference between C128D and C128DCR, ordered per geographical region) might be a bit more suitable for standing on the side, as it is taller with straight sides.

There have been more than a few projects putting a C-128D(cr) into a PC tower case. "redrumloa" (from amiga.org and lemon64.com) made at least one of these, that even included a Super CPU:

 

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35343

 

Interesting project. There might be another, newer idea in the works as we speak.

[carlsson]

Yes, I've seen that Vanessa E has made some C128 towers too, so the idea isn't entirely novel, just not snap your fingers easy.

[rpiguy9907]

The enormous keyboard connector and thick cable prove to be troublesome when standing the machine on its side. The keyboard connector comes out of the top. I need an extension or perhaps just throw in the towel on this idea.

[+OLD CS1]

A 25-conductor ribbon cable of no more than 12 inches (the longest with which I would feel comfortable for no particular reason) with flat DB25 connectors on each end should satisfy your need.