Fitting a Hard Disk Drive to an A3020

This page describes the fitting and configuration of a Hard Disk Drive
to an Acorn A3020 computer. The Hard disk used came from a scrap
machine, so it was already formatted and ready for use. Though this
section will show its fitting and getting the computer to recognise
the new drive using !configure.

Click any of the pictures to enlarge

	This is a 4Mb Acorn A3020 that is going to be upgraded with a Hard Disk Drive. The drive to be fitted is a 2.5" from another A3020.
	First of all, unscrew and remove the 3 securing screws in the base.
	The upper case can now be pivoted upwards and to the rear to release it.
	Pull off the keyboard ribbons one at a time. Grip each end of the ribbon and pull up carefully. Its quite a squeeze for large fingers
	The keyboard can now be lifted away, being careful to thread the ribbons through the slot in the chassis.
	Unscrew and remove the two screws at the front of the chassis.
	Turn the unit over(supporting the chassis) and remove the two socket headed screws that hold the PSU in position.
	Turning the unit right-side up again, remove any podule securing screws. If no podule fitted, ignore this step.
	GENTLY!! ease the podule from its connectors on the mainboard. Everything is really flexible and easily damaged, so take care.
	The main chassis can now be slid forward then up and out of the case.
	Remove the single cap-head screw at the centre-front, then pull the top half of the chassis forward then upwards to part it.
	Dont forget to disconnect the power lead and data cable to the Floppy Disk Drive, also with the lid upen, the lead to the speaker.
	With the new Hard Disk laid beside the chassis, it is obvious where everything goes. The HDD is secured from below by four screws and the ribbon cable connects as shown.
	A view of the Fitted HDD.
	Re-assemble in reverse of the above. Fit the keyboard ribbons "before" the podule as it will give you more room for your fingers.
	Power the system up. We now have to tell it there's a HDD present.
	Select Apps-Configuration-Discs. Then using the up/down arrows, add "1" HDD icon to the display as shown in the IDE HDD section followed by "OK"
	You will recieve this warning screen. Just click on "OK"
	When done, the new HDD will be present on the taskbar.
	Just click on its icon to boot and view its contents. Job well done.

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