Vintage Amiga 500 - brand new case from A1200.net!

Veronica Explains
7 Dec 202214:13

TLDRVeronica Explains shares her experience with a Vintage Amiga 500, discussing a recent case transfer from A1200.net. She appreciates the retro aesthetic and the convenience of the new black case, which is a significant upgrade from the modified original. Veronica details the process of removing the GoTek USB drive and restoring the Amiga to its original specifications. She also highlights the case's improved design features, such as threaded inserts and a modified trapdoor for better cooling and expansion options. Despite minor setbacks with missing standoffs and RF shielding, Veronica successfully completes the transfer, excited for future mods and learning more about the Amiga's capabilities.

Takeaways

  • 📺 The video discusses the restoration and case replacement of a vintage Amiga 500 computer.
  • 🎵 The Amiga 500 is a subject of nostalgia, with the video starting with SID chip intro music.
  • 💻 The original case was damaged, having been modified with a Dremel tool to accommodate a GoTek USB drive.
  • 🛍️ Veronica purchased a new black case from A1200.net to replace the damaged one.
  • 🔩 The video outlines the process of transferring the Amiga's components from the old case to the new one.
  • 🔩 The new case has improvements like threaded inserts and a modified trapdoor for better ventilation and I/O slots.
  • 🛠️ The process involved removing the GoTek, the original floppy drive, and the RF shielding.
  • 💾 The original floppy drive was reinstalled, and a new eject button was fitted.
  • 🛠️ Standoffs for the floppy drive were missing, and custom 3D printed ones were temporarily used until the correct ones were acquired.
  • 📀 The video creator encountered issues with the RF shield and the floppy drive mechanism but resolved them.
  • 🏎️ The end goal was to have an Amiga 500 as close to 'stock' as possible, with plans for future modifications and upgrades.

Q & A

  • What was the subject of the video that received attention before the Amiga 500 discussion?

    -The subject of the video that received attention before the Amiga 500 discussion was the Commodore 64.

  • Why did Veronica decide to replace the case of her Amiga 500?

    -Veronica decided to replace the case of her Amiga 500 because the original case had been modified with a Dremel tool around the floppy drive area when someone replaced it with a GoTek USB drive.

  • What is a GoTek USB drive, and how does it function with vintage electronics like the Amiga?

    -A GoTek USB drive is a modern modification used in vintage electronics like the Amiga to replace the floppy drive. It allows users to boot an image of a floppy disk, providing convenience and eliminating the need for physical media.

  • Why did Veronica choose to go with a black case for her Amiga 500 from A1200.net?

    -Veronica chose a black case because she found it aesthetically pleasing and believed it would complement the slightly yellowed keys of her Amiga 500. At the time of purchase, the only options available were crystal clear and black.

  • What were some of the improvements Veronica noticed in the new black case compared to the original case?

    -The new black case had threaded inserts for easier assembly, a modified trapdoor with slots for better cooling, and additional I/O slots for expansions. It also had a more robust feel and looked cleaner.

  • What was the issue Veronica encountered with the RF shielding during the case transfer?

    -Veronica had trouble fitting the RF shielding into the new case, particularly the grippy bit near the expansion port. She eventually decided to remove the RF shielding entirely due to the difficulty and her plans for future upgrades.

  • How did Veronica manage the absence of the necessary standoffs for the floppy drive?

    -Initially, Veronica used nylon spacers as a temporary solution. However, when the proper M3 standoffs arrived, she replaced the nylon spacers and made adjustments with washers to ensure the floppy drive was correctly aligned.

  • What was the most challenging part of the Amiga 500 setup process for Veronica?

    -The most challenging part of the setup process was swapping out the eject button on the floppy drive, which required removing the shield and carefully maneuvering the tightly fitted old button out and the new one in.

  • What is Veronica's plan for the future regarding her Amiga 500?

    -Veronica plans to perform more modifications and expansions on her Amiga 500, including potentially installing a Terrible Fire expansion card and possibly setting up a ROM switcher. She also wants to learn more about how the Amiga 500 works before proceeding with these upgrades.

  • How did Veronica create a workbench diskette for testing the Amiga 500?

    -Veronica created a workbench diskette on her Linux computer, which she then used to test the functionality of the Amiga 500 after reassembling it in the new case.

  • What was the packaging of the new case like, and what additional items were included in the package?

    -The new case was packaged in a retro-Amiga-inspired box. The package included some extra goodies such as breakout cables, Ethernet adapters, and an SD-card-mover device for loading files from an SD card.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Introduction to Amiga 500 Restoration and Case Upgrade

The video script begins with the host expressing gratitude for the positive response to a previous video on the Commodore 64. They announce a continuation of the retro theme with a focus on the Amiga 500, specifically the process of cleaning it up and replacing its case. The host, Veronica, introduces the new black case sourced from A1200.net and clarifies that the video will not delve deep into the Amiga's history but will focus on the case transfer process. The decision to purchase a new case is justified by the previous case's modification, which the host was not fond of. The video promises future content on the Amiga's usage, history, and potential mods and expansions, but for now, the focus is on restoring the Amiga to its original specifications and enhancing its aesthetic appeal with a new case.

05:01

📦 Unboxing and Evaluating the New Amiga 500 Case

The host details the unboxing experience of the new Amiga 500 case, expressing satisfaction with the black color and its potential to complement the vintage yellowed keys. They mention plans to replace the keycaps and the possibility of a mechanical keyboard upgrade. The case's quality is praised, noting the minor plastic imperfections are not significant. The host appreciates the case's threaded inserts for easier assembly and the modified trapdoor for better cooling and expansion options. The transfer process of the Amiga components from the old case to the new one is described, including the removal of the GoTek USB drive, the original RF shielding, and the challenges faced with the missing standoffs for the floppy drive. The host also discusses the process of replacing the eject button on the floppy drive and the temporary use of nylon spacers due to the unavailability of the required standoffs in local stores.

10:03

🔩 Assembly and Functional Testing of the Amiga 500

The host describes the process of reassembling the Amiga 500 with the new case, including the installation of the original floppy drive and the challenges encountered with the RF shield and the eject mechanism. They mention the decision to forgo the RF shield due to difficulties and the eventual resolution with the floppy drive's eject issue using nylon spacers and later, M3 standoffs. The video concludes with the successful assembly of the Amiga 500 in the new case, the installation of a badge provided by A1200.net, and the host's enthusiasm for having a close-to-stock Amiga 500. They also express their intention to perform personal modifications and discuss potential future upgrades, including a Terrible Fire expansion card and a ROM switcher.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Amiga 500

The Amiga 500 is a personal computer that was introduced by Commodore International in 1987. It was part of the Amiga series and became one of the best-selling models. In the video, the Amiga 500 is the central object being restored and upgraded, with the focus on returning it to a 'stock' condition and exploring its original capabilities.

💡Commodore 64

The Commodore 64, often referred to as the C64, is an 8-bit home computer that was very popular in the 1980s. It is mentioned in the video as a previous subject of a video by the same creator, which garnered significant attention and appreciation from the audience.

💡GoTek USB drive

A GoTek USB drive is a modern replacement for the traditional floppy drive used in vintage computers like the Amiga. It allows users to boot images of floppy disks, providing a more convenient way to use and store software for these older systems. In the video, the creator discusses removing the GoTek to restore the Amiga 500 to its original configuration.

💡RF shielding

RF shielding refers to the conductive material used to encase electronic components in order to reduce radio frequency interference. In the context of the video, the Amiga 500 originally had RF shielding covering it, which the creator found cumbersome and ultimately decided to remove during the restoration process.

💡Keycaps

Keycaps are the plastic covers on the keys of a computer keyboard. The video mentions the current keycaps on the Amiga 500 are slightly yellowed, and the creator expresses a desire to replace them with either green or red ones to achieve a vintage aesthetic that complements the black case.

💡A1200.net

A1200.net is the website from which the creator purchased a new case for the Amiga 500. The website is mentioned as a source for vintage computer parts and is highlighted for its offering of a new black case, which is a central part of the video's narrative.

💡Modding

Modding refers to the act of modifying a system or device, often to enhance its capabilities or change its appearance. In the video, the term is used to describe the alterations made to the Amiga 500, such as the installation of a GoTek USB drive and the replacement of the original floppy drive. The creator aims to reverse these mods to understand the Amiga as it was originally intended to be used.

💡3D printing

3D printing is a process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital file. The video's creator used 3D printing to create approximations of M3 standoffs when the correct size was not available in stores. This technique allowed the creator to continue the restoration process despite the absence of specific parts.

💡Standoffs

Standoffs are spacers used to elevate and secure electronic components, providing clearance for wiring and airflow. In the video, the creator encounters a problem when the standoffs for the floppy drive are missing, leading to a temporary solution with nylon spacers and eventually a网上订购 (online order) for the correct metal standoffs.

💡Floppy drive

A floppy drive is an older data storage device that reads data from removable floppy disks. The video involves the removal of a GoTek USB drive and the reinstallation of the original floppy drive into the Amiga 500. The process of reinstalling the drive and troubleshooting its functionality is a significant part of the video's content.

💡Vintage electronics

Vintage electronics refers to older electronic devices that are no longer in production but are often sought after for their retro appeal or for their use in restoration projects. The Amiga 500 is an example of vintage electronics, and the video script discusses the restoration of this particular model, emphasizing the care required when handling such items.

Highlights

Video discusses the restoration of a vintage Amiga 500 with a new case from A1200.net.

The Amiga 500's case had been modified with a Dremel tool, which the author did not prefer.

The original floppy drive was replaced with a GoTek USB drive, a common modification for vintage systems.

The author expresses a desire to use the Amiga in a period-appropriate way, including learning how to use it as it was originally intended.

Plans for future modifications, including potentially reinserting the GoTek at a later date.

The new black case was chosen for aesthetic reasons, complementing the slightly yellowed keys.

The case arrived in a retro-Amiga-inspired box, which was appreciated by the author.

The package from a1200.net included extra goodies such as breakout cables and an SD-card-mover.

The new case features threaded inserts for easier assembly and disassembly.

The trapdoor on the new case has been modified to allow better airflow for cooling.

The author had to 3D print their own standoffs due to the missing ones for the floppy drive.

The RF shielding was removed due to difficulties and the author's future upgrade plans.

The author experienced issues with the floppy drive ejection mechanism but resolved it with the arrival of the correct standoffs.

The final product is an Amiga 500 as close to 'stock' as possible, with all mods being the author's own.

The author has plans to add a Terrible Fire expansion card and explore ROM switching with an accelerator card.

The video concludes with the successful restoration and setup of the Amiga 500 in its new case.