Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

The Thor, Aurora, Q40, Q60 & Q68 etc. are discussed here.
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SinclairSociety
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Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by SinclairSociety »

Just curious as I have a nice ITX case laying around here... Do any of these QL compatible motherboards properly mount in ITX cases?

TJ


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Dave
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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by Dave »

So far, an ITX or ATX clone hasn't been released. That said, the Q68 is much smaller than an ITX case and could fit nicely inside one, if a 3.5" drive bay cover with two SD card slots in it were printed.

I'm sure someone will come up with a more modern form factor in the coming years.


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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by Derek_Stewart »

Hi,

I used to have Q60 in a Silver Shuttle case, but here is a Q60 in a Black Shuttle case.
Q60-Shuttle-01.jpg
Q60-Shuttle-02.jpg
Q60-Shuttle-03.jpg
The forum software is rotating the pictures.


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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by Dave »

Derek,

What is the SuperIO on that Q60?


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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by Derek_Stewart »

Dave wrote:Derek,

What is the SuperIO on that Q60?
Hi Dave,

The Q60 in the picture is fitted with a SD-ESIO V2.1 ISA I/O card. 2 x IDE, 2 x Serial, Parallel, Game port.

This was a standard I/O card fitted to the Q60 sold back in 2003.

Here is scanned copy of the info sheet for the card:
Q60 I/O Card
Q60 I/O Card
The highlighted SPP, was the Parallel port mode that would only work with SMSQ/E in 2003, this was coded for the ill-fated Qbranch Q40.

Which, I and friend successfully sold the Q60 and a Q40i

The I/O Card was later replaced with a 4 x IDE card.
Last edited by Derek_Stewart on Tue Mar 12, 2024 4:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.


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Derek
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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by Dave »

Excellent info, Derek. Thank you.

I have large stocks of a similar SuperIO, but it is sufficiently different to not be compatible.

http://pdf.datasheetcatalog.com/datashe ... C87307.pdf

A few years ago I did a prototype card with it on, and all the outputs hooked up. I did a best effort at hooking it to the QL bus and I could basically configure it, but I'm not a programmer, so....

But yes, SuperIOs might be a good way to get a lot of standard ports that work easily and in predictable ways... Once configured!


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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by bixio60 »

Derek_Stewart wrote:Hi,

I used to have Q60 in a Silver Shuttle case, but here is a Q60 in a Black Shuttle case.

Q60-Shuttle-01.jpg
Q60-Shuttle-02.jpg
Q60-Shuttle-03.jpg

The forum software is rotating the pictures.
Hi Derek,
I am completely restructuring my Q60 and Q40 with new case, HD etc. I am pretty sure I can use an ATX power supply instead of the original AT being the voltage equivalent (5 & 12 Volt). Am I right?

I know that I have to short-circuit pin 4&5 on the motherboard main cable to get power on the IDE Molex connector, but at the end I need only Ide Molex.

Many thanks


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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by Derek_Stewart »

bixio60 wrote:
Hi Derek,
I am completely restructuring my Q60 and Q40 with new case, HD etc. I am pretty sure I can use an ATX power supply instead of the original AT being the voltage equivalent (5 & 12 Volt). Am I right?

I know that I have to short-circuit pin 4&5 on the motherboard main cable to get power on the IDE Molex connector, but at the end I need only Ide Molex.

Many thanks
Hi,

See the diagram below, showing the ATX Power Supply connections:
ATX Power Supply 20 pin connector
ATX Power Supply 20 pin connector
Most ATX power supplies have suitable disk drive and hard drive power connectors, which will also power the Q40/60.

To switch on an ATX power supply, pin 14: /PS_ON should be connected to GND and switch off disconnect from GND.

I used short pin 14 and 15 to power the ATX power on.
ATX Power On
ATX Power On
Q40-60 atxpowera.gif (4.55 KiB) Viewed 5064 times
But a push to make switch could be fitted to power the supply on. Or a simple flip-flop circuit could used to connect the ATX switch.

I have a Q40 and Q60 in Black Shuttle cases just need the switch to complete the installation.


Regards,

Derek
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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by Dave »

Mini-ITX cases do not work for any currently available QL or clone.

The Q68 can be bodged into anything, but "bodge" is the operative word and a mini-ITX case is still massive overkill for the Q68.


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Re: Does ITX Cases work for any QL Compatible Motherboard

Post by Derek_Stewart »

Hi,

I have fitted these to an ITX Case: Q40, Q60, Aurora SGC QL Mplane (for a customer)

SQL board would need the Microdrive section cut off, which has been done. Power connections can be made at the expansion port.

The Q68 could be fitted into an ITX Case, but the size of case is too big.

No bodge required, the Q68 only needs 5v from the ATX power supply with a simple 2 wire adapter.


Regards,

Derek
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