A.J. wrote:
I am interesting in picking up a MicroDrive IDE controller from ///SHH Systeme. Has anyone used this card? How well does it perform, and is it still available?
I have one I got from Bill Garber where he mounted a HD on it and sold as a plug and play solution on a card. I also got a Turbo Microdrive controller from ///SHH (were in stock last time I checked) and added a drive myself. It was a pain to make a mounting bracket, but certainly not too much work.
The cards support up to two IDE hard drives which normally would be external to the Apple II as there is not much room inside most Apple IIgs computers. I've seen IIe's with a HD mounted over the power supply. This is assuming of course you use 3.5" drive mechanisms.
If you use a 2.5" drive mechanism, then it may fit within the confines of a single slot and you may be relegated to a single hard drive. If you use a 2.5" mechanism then you'll need to make a mounting bracket from some long flat material to attach the drive to the card. (aluminum, Plexiglass, popsicle sticks) You'll also need a compact adapter to hook the drive to the 'normal' 40 pin IDE connector on the card as well as tap power to spin the drive.
I can post pics of some adapters and some rails, of course I think Bill has some pics on his web site... Yep, and here's a link or two for mass storage options for your Apple II that are currently available.
MicroDrive American reseller: http://garberstreet.netfirms.com CFFA card: (IDE or Compact Flash) http://dreher.net/?s=projects/CFforAppleII&c=projects/CFforAppleII/main.php Microdrive/ Turbo Microdrive from ///SHH, German source: http://www.wbwip.com/shh/index.htmlAs I have all of the above cards (and a few more) and can attest to the reputable service of the above vendors.
Thankx, Ed