Re: Internal Hard Disk Drive for Laser 128

["DelfsAtApple2.Com" <delfsNO@SPAMapple2.com>]

I used to own a Laser 128, Rom 5.  It had a very large area
inside the case where the 5.25" drive went.  My unit managed
to suffer a terminal case of drive problems and away it went
4+ years ago.  I think this is a great idea though and now I
wish I hadn't thrown that computer out.  I think a focus
would have fit with room to spare.  (Of course I have since
learned what chips had blown and could have repaired it
<sniff>.)

You could make the extender yourself if you can use a
soldering iron.  'Extend the slot' using a slot connector,
an old apple card and a 50 pin SCSI cable.  Remove the the
slot edge connector with solder wick or desoldering bulb,
and solder it to the cable.  I'd suggest you take an edge
connector from an old unit and not the laser.  Solder the
other end of the cable to the Laser motherboard where the
slot hooks up or cannibalize the old Apple II card's edge
connector.  Either way, you may have to 'shred' or separate
sections of the ribbon cable to make it flexible enough to
route into the unit where you want.  Viola! all done. 
(It'll take more time than than I allude to.)

Insulate the components well using thick cardboard and/or
plastic. (I like thick 'zip lock' freezer bags, electrical
tape and hot glue.)

Make sure you label Pin1 correctly as the edge connector
itself is not keyed and allows cards to be  inserted
backwards.  This would apply power to the wrong wires and
possible damage the computer and/or card.  Note that on most
Apple IIs, card will not fit in backwards due to the shape
of the card and positioning of the case.

As I recall, the laser 128 had the option of switching the
external slot between slots 5 and 7 using a switch on the
bottom.  The optional external expansion box allowed you to
uses both slots, so you should be able to wire the 'internal
slot' to either and leave the external slot for the other,
assuming you wire to the motherboard and bypass the switch.  

You will find the Apple II slot pin outs in the FAQs or in a
Apple II book.  You may need to wire the 'slot' specific
pin(s) accordingly.  (I don't remember if the slot pin out
was in the Laser book, but you should look if you have one.)

I'd be willing to assist you with this if you like.  (I can
solder and have built a few projects in my day.)  Correct
the obvious in my address and reply via e-mail if interested
in my suggestion and offer.

Thankx,
Ed

Supertimer wrote:
> 
> I opened up my Laser 128EX/2 and noticed that if I removed
> my internal floppy drive, I have enough space for a notebook
> hard drive.  I'm thinking of maybe a Focus drive.  The main
> problem is to reroute the slot from the side back into the
> case.