Subject: Re: hard drive for Laser
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Date: 19 Oct 1999 04:36:33 GMT
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Corey SN Walker <walkerc@unbc.ca> wrote:

>Can a person get a small hard drive for the Laser 128 EX/2, or did they
>not come out until the IIGS?  What would I need to fully and safely
>install such a drive on my machine if one exists?

Take a look at the Focus drive from http://www.allelec.com/
Alltech Electronics.  500MB for $79.  It is a "hardcard" that
plugs into an Apple II expansion slot.  Since the Laser has
an expansion slot on its left side, you can run this hard
off of it.  As mentioned before, the slot must be activated
by making sure the switch behind the metal ROM door
on the bottom of the Laser is set to External Slot 5.

There IS however a problem.  First, an exposed card
hanging off the side of the Laser is kind of electrically
dangerous for both the Laser and the hard drive.  A little
push and everything can short circuit!

I am trying to make an extension cable to extend the
slot back inside the Laser's case.  If successful, I plan
to remove my internal disk drive and put the hard drive
there.  I would gladly trade the internal floppy drive for a
hard drive.  Floppy drives can be plugged into the floppy
port as needed.

I'm also investigating the possibility of fabricating a
case and support for the hard drive hanging off the
side slot.  I'm thinking of something that wraps around
and supports the Focus card and screws tightly onto
the Laser's existing case making a sealed enclosure
and sturdy protective support.  This second method
would make the Laser bigger, though.