By JVC
Sat May 08, 2010 9:28 pm
Adding CF card reader (and internal SCSI port) in AKAI MPC-2000 classic. a little manual.
(See viewtopic.php?f=1&t=67154&start=75 for the background history.)
So, I finally finished the internal CF card mod for MPC-2000 Classic. (Those who has MPC-2000XL, this mod is not necessary, as XL model has an internal IDE port already.)
I bought a internal SCSI mod kit from djjonnyjams;
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=125262&start=0
(the kit had been sold out)
When I received the kits and seeing SCSI 25pin to 50pin converter/adapter, I realized that it could be used as a internal SCSI port. I saw some of MPC forum members succeeded to install internal CF reader by soldering 50pin ribbon cable to 25 pin SCSI port.
The way I did is less likely to make mistake, since there is no need to map 50pin to 25pin. I believe that this mod is easier than MPC forum member "destruktiv" did.
However, please note that this mod requires a lot of soldering. If you are not familiar with soldering and electronics, do not try this! Try at your own risk.
Parts list: (most of them can be found on ebay)
* Internal to external 50pin to 25pin SCSI adapter
* 50pin SCSI to IDE converter
* IDE/ATAPI CF reader
* 6-inch long IDE ribbon cable (connecting IDE CF reader to SCSI to IDE converter)
* SCSI 50 pin ribbon cable (should be long enough to reach to SCSI to IDE converter)
* Teflon 26 gauge stranded hook up wire (more on this later)
* extra MOLEX connecter cable for SCSI to IDE converter and CF reader (I salvaged it from old PC power supply.)
* something to mount CF card reader (I used a broken floppy drive)
* cable ties (to secure 6-inch long IDE ribbon cable and SCSI to IDE converter)
I highly recommend using the teflon hook up wire (in fact, I would not use PVC hook up wire for this mod.) Teflon hook up wire does not melt with soldering iron. You won't have to worry about wire's outer jacket melting during soldering. (I ran out of teflon wire, and I used wire taken from Ethernet cable. see the photo.) Teflon 26 gauge stranded hook up wire was perfect for this mod. I recommend ordering the wire in a few different color, about 20 feet total. (I ordered 10 feet wire and ran out a few feet short.) I ordered mine at allelectronics.com.
I think gathering all the parts would cost around 100 dollars, since you will have to order the items from various venders.
As you can see, the SCSI to IDE converter is very wide. I used a few cable ties to prevent the 50pin SCSI to IDE converter to move around in the unit.
I put PVC insulating tape inside the unit near SCSI port and where the 50pin to 25pin SCSI adapter will be located. Make sure the soldering points will not touch the metal case. By the way, I tried to relocate the green wire from primary, but it is glued! So I decided not to bother with it, I covered it with tape.
(I want to get case for 3.5" drive bay for the CF reader. I considered buying Addonics' 3.5" Bay Bracket for IDE - CF Adapter ( http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_ ... didecf.asp ), but it does not have screw holes on the bottom, so it cannot be used with MPC-2000. Please let me, and the forum members, know if you found 3.5" bay bracket for CF reader that has holes on the bottom, like floppy drive.)
The hardest part of this mod is soldering wires that connect to the SCSI port on the motherboard to 50pin to 25pin SCSI adapter. make sure each wire is connected to the correct pin. It should be easy, (just connecting pin 1 to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2, and so on) but toward end, it will become a bit confusing as there are a lot of wires soldered on the board.
This is where the internal SCSI port would be located:
before:
After (photoshopped image):
As you can see, the 25 pin SCSI port would face left. place the adapter like that in the photo, when tape the adapter and motherboard together before taking out the motherboard from the case.
After the soldering:
This is how the mod look:
8 output board is not installed on this unit, but I think there is still enough room for it. Th SCSI ribbon cable is a bit too long, but it works.
Put back the console board:
Turn on the unit before putting the uppercase:
It boots from the CF reader!
This is how it boot up:
(See viewtopic.php?f=1&t=67154&start=75 for the background history.)
So, I finally finished the internal CF card mod for MPC-2000 Classic. (Those who has MPC-2000XL, this mod is not necessary, as XL model has an internal IDE port already.)
I bought a internal SCSI mod kit from djjonnyjams;
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=125262&start=0
(the kit had been sold out)
When I received the kits and seeing SCSI 25pin to 50pin converter/adapter, I realized that it could be used as a internal SCSI port. I saw some of MPC forum members succeeded to install internal CF reader by soldering 50pin ribbon cable to 25 pin SCSI port.
The way I did is less likely to make mistake, since there is no need to map 50pin to 25pin. I believe that this mod is easier than MPC forum member "destruktiv" did.
However, please note that this mod requires a lot of soldering. If you are not familiar with soldering and electronics, do not try this! Try at your own risk.
Parts list: (most of them can be found on ebay)
* Internal to external 50pin to 25pin SCSI adapter
* 50pin SCSI to IDE converter
* IDE/ATAPI CF reader
* 6-inch long IDE ribbon cable (connecting IDE CF reader to SCSI to IDE converter)
* SCSI 50 pin ribbon cable (should be long enough to reach to SCSI to IDE converter)
* Teflon 26 gauge stranded hook up wire (more on this later)
* extra MOLEX connecter cable for SCSI to IDE converter and CF reader (I salvaged it from old PC power supply.)
* something to mount CF card reader (I used a broken floppy drive)
* cable ties (to secure 6-inch long IDE ribbon cable and SCSI to IDE converter)
I highly recommend using the teflon hook up wire (in fact, I would not use PVC hook up wire for this mod.) Teflon hook up wire does not melt with soldering iron. You won't have to worry about wire's outer jacket melting during soldering. (I ran out of teflon wire, and I used wire taken from Ethernet cable. see the photo.) Teflon 26 gauge stranded hook up wire was perfect for this mod. I recommend ordering the wire in a few different color, about 20 feet total. (I ordered 10 feet wire and ran out a few feet short.) I ordered mine at allelectronics.com.
I think gathering all the parts would cost around 100 dollars, since you will have to order the items from various venders.
As you can see, the SCSI to IDE converter is very wide. I used a few cable ties to prevent the 50pin SCSI to IDE converter to move around in the unit.
I put PVC insulating tape inside the unit near SCSI port and where the 50pin to 25pin SCSI adapter will be located. Make sure the soldering points will not touch the metal case. By the way, I tried to relocate the green wire from primary, but it is glued! So I decided not to bother with it, I covered it with tape.
(I want to get case for 3.5" drive bay for the CF reader. I considered buying Addonics' 3.5" Bay Bracket for IDE - CF Adapter ( http://www.addonics.com/products/flash_ ... didecf.asp ), but it does not have screw holes on the bottom, so it cannot be used with MPC-2000. Please let me, and the forum members, know if you found 3.5" bay bracket for CF reader that has holes on the bottom, like floppy drive.)
The hardest part of this mod is soldering wires that connect to the SCSI port on the motherboard to 50pin to 25pin SCSI adapter. make sure each wire is connected to the correct pin. It should be easy, (just connecting pin 1 to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2, and so on) but toward end, it will become a bit confusing as there are a lot of wires soldered on the board.
This is where the internal SCSI port would be located:
before:
After (photoshopped image):
As you can see, the 25 pin SCSI port would face left. place the adapter like that in the photo, when tape the adapter and motherboard together before taking out the motherboard from the case.
After the soldering:
This is how the mod look:
8 output board is not installed on this unit, but I think there is still enough room for it. Th SCSI ribbon cable is a bit too long, but it works.
Put back the console board:
Turn on the unit before putting the uppercase:
It boots from the CF reader!
This is how it boot up: