Altair 8800 Clone Micro ATX (mATX) Backplate
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:19173583 |
This is listing #2, the second batch I have ordered.
This is a replacement backplate for the Altair 8800 Clone computer. (*Just* the backplate, pictures of an assembled model are included to show what it looks like). The Altair 8800 Clone's case is pre-drilled for a micro-ATX motherboard. This plate will allow for the installation of a motherboard in those pre-drilled holes while keeping the clone's functionality. The clone may need modification in places. Read on for more... ...
For the Altair Clone:
The backplate is provisioned for three DB-25 serial ports. Two come stock with the Altair Clone. The stock wiring for COM1 and COM2 reaches the DB-25 cutouts, but it is recommended to extend the wiring to keep it out of the way of installed equipment (will need a DB-25, 5-pin 3.96mm VH connector, and ribbon cable). The 3rd DB-25 cutout is for the cassette interface (if installed).
Depending on the motherboard and standoffs used, the cassette interface circuit board may need trimmed. Where it needs cut there is no circuitry, and the cassette interface has been tested working after cutting off this piece of its circuit board. There's a photo of a trimmed cassette interface in this listing.
Like COM1 and COM2, the ribbon cable for the cassette interface reaches where it needs to go, but it is recommended to extend it.
There is NO provision for the stock power supply for the clone. Either arrangements have to be made to use it (drill some holes) - or - modify the clone circuitry to run off of 5V instead of 12V (a single wire needs to be soldered on the clone's board) and use a 5V supply from an ATX power supply (if the standby voltage is used, the Clone power can stay independent of the Micro ATX power).
There's enough room beside each 3.5mm audio jack for the "TAPE PLAY IN" and "TAPE RECORD OUT" stickers, and enough room under the PCI cutouts for the Altair Clone's serial number sticker. The serial number sticker is known to lose its text during transfer, so be careful.
For the Micro ATX Motherboard:
20mm motherboard standoffs MUST be used. This allows room for cable management and leaves room for the Altair cassette interface. It is recommended to use female-on-both-ends standoffs to gain wiggle room during installation.
The ATX power supply is very close to the plate mounting holes on that side. Standard 1/4" #6-32 case screws will fit without touching a power supply.
There are cutouts for two 92mm cooling fans. It was designed to allow installation of an Asetek 645LT AIO liquid cooler in the cooling fan cutout closest to the ATX power supply. A photo is attached with the AIO installed (well, that one's a discontinued 545LC, they have the same footprint though). A Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis 92mm radiator WILL FIT.... if you leave it and the power supply loose and tighten them both down at the same time. They WILL BE TOUCHING. There's one of them installed in one of the photos.
The PCI cutouts are designed to use the edge of the motherboard as the bottom PCI anchors. So before tightening the motherboard down, ensure there's enough room for the bottom of PCI cards to slide between the plate and the motherboard.
If using a screwdriver, the PCI mounting screws are hard to get to with the DB-25 serial ports in place.
These aren't perfect. They were designed with a throwaway motherboard, the micro-ATX standard literature, a pair of calipers, a ruler, and a pen and paper. So be patient when screwing everything together. It will fit, I promise. But it does get frustrating trying to anchor everything down. There is a thread at the Altair Clone Forums discussing the finer points of the backplate, and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thanks!
This is a replacement backplate for the Altair 8800 Clone computer. (*Just* the backplate, pictures of an assembled model are included to show what it looks like). The Altair 8800 Clone's case is pre-drilled for a micro-ATX motherboard. This plate will allow for the installation of a motherboard in those pre-drilled holes while keeping the clone's functionality. The clone may need modification in places. Read on for more... ...
For the Altair Clone:
The backplate is provisioned for three DB-25 serial ports. Two come stock with the Altair Clone. The stock wiring for COM1 and COM2 reaches the DB-25 cutouts, but it is recommended to extend the wiring to keep it out of the way of installed equipment (will need a DB-25, 5-pin 3.96mm VH connector, and ribbon cable). The 3rd DB-25 cutout is for the cassette interface (if installed).
Depending on the motherboard and standoffs used, the cassette interface circuit board may need trimmed. Where it needs cut there is no circuitry, and the cassette interface has been tested working after cutting off this piece of its circuit board. There's a photo of a trimmed cassette interface in this listing.
Like COM1 and COM2, the ribbon cable for the cassette interface reaches where it needs to go, but it is recommended to extend it.
There is NO provision for the stock power supply for the clone. Either arrangements have to be made to use it (drill some holes) - or - modify the clone circuitry to run off of 5V instead of 12V (a single wire needs to be soldered on the clone's board) and use a 5V supply from an ATX power supply (if the standby voltage is used, the Clone power can stay independent of the Micro ATX power).
There's enough room beside each 3.5mm audio jack for the "TAPE PLAY IN" and "TAPE RECORD OUT" stickers, and enough room under the PCI cutouts for the Altair Clone's serial number sticker. The serial number sticker is known to lose its text during transfer, so be careful.
For the Micro ATX Motherboard:
20mm motherboard standoffs MUST be used. This allows room for cable management and leaves room for the Altair cassette interface. It is recommended to use female-on-both-ends standoffs to gain wiggle room during installation.
The ATX power supply is very close to the plate mounting holes on that side. Standard 1/4" #6-32 case screws will fit without touching a power supply.
There are cutouts for two 92mm cooling fans. It was designed to allow installation of an Asetek 645LT AIO liquid cooler in the cooling fan cutout closest to the ATX power supply. A photo is attached with the AIO installed (well, that one's a discontinued 545LC, they have the same footprint though). A Hardware Labs Black Ice Nemesis 92mm radiator WILL FIT.... if you leave it and the power supply loose and tighten them both down at the same time. They WILL BE TOUCHING. There's one of them installed in one of the photos.
The PCI cutouts are designed to use the edge of the motherboard as the bottom PCI anchors. So before tightening the motherboard down, ensure there's enough room for the bottom of PCI cards to slide between the plate and the motherboard.
If using a screwdriver, the PCI mounting screws are hard to get to with the DB-25 serial ports in place.
These aren't perfect. They were designed with a throwaway motherboard, the micro-ATX standard literature, a pair of calipers, a ruler, and a pen and paper. So be patient when screwing everything together. It will fit, I promise. But it does get frustrating trying to anchor everything down. There is a thread at the Altair Clone Forums discussing the finer points of the backplate, and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thanks!
