20 Oct
2007
20 Oct
'07
10:32 a.m.
Chuck Guzis wrote:
An old PC with some ISA slots (free, usually) and a few ISA prototype
boards (about $20 or so the each) would seem to satisfy the basic
need pretty handily, wouldn't it? Easy to program, free tools, etc.
Or am I missing something important here?
"small"? :)
I recently picked up a 386-based ISA SBC and a 3-slot backplane to do
exactly this. The whole thing, less actual floppy drives, should run on
the PSU from an external hard drive enclosure, and just about fit in a
standard 2-bay 3.5" drive enclosure.
The big win, which is doubtful, will be if the SBC's FDC can do
single-density. If that turns out true, I don't even need the backplane.
Alas, that "free time" thing has been a problem lately, so I haven't
touched this in a month, or even tested the 386 yet.
Doc