Does your Vectra support EPP mode on the parallel port? You could use an external parallel port CD-ROM drive. You could also convert an IDE channel and feed it out via eSATA.

Do you really need the Ethernet card? SCSI card with external drive would be your best option if you need the network adapter there are external adapters that convert from serial COM port. External drives and modems where popular in the early 90s because of cases like yours, or like in some Packard Bells they had miniature internal modem that connected through a COM interface and attached to the motherboard by plastic clips

There is a third option, get a SB16 SCSI CT1770, or perhaps they all have bugged (non v4.05 DSP) Waveblaster headers?

I'd never buy a SB16 without asking the seller to check its DSP version (if I was after a non bugged one). It seems the same card was produced with more than one revision of the DSP.

Skyscraper wrote:

There is a third option, get a SB16 SCSI CT1770, or perhaps they all have bugged (non v4.05 DSP) Waveblaster headers?

Yes. I happened to found on EBAY a CT1770 with 4.05. It is expensive (49.99+10 shipping) but I managed to buy one.

stuvize wrote:

Do you really need the Ethernet card? SCSI card with external drive would be your best option if you need the network adapter there are external adapters that convert from serial COM port. External drives and modems where popular in the early 90s because of cases like yours, or like in some Packard Bells they had miniature internal modem that connected through a COM interface and attached to the motherboard by plastic clips

I got a CT1770. Ready for returning or selling the CT1740 once it arrived. A loss of $$$ though.

Any advice on where to put the cd rom? Just hate it when I see no 5.25 inch bay is available.

If you're not afraid to go modern, I'd recommend trying a PATA to SATA converter fed into an external DVD-ROM via eSATA. If you want to stay vintage, you're going to have to go SCSI or parallel port.

dehavilland wrote:

stuvize wrote:

Do you really need the Ethernet card? SCSI card with external drive would be your best option if you need the network adapter there are external adapters that convert from serial COM port. External drives and modems where popular in the early 90s because of cases like yours, or like in some Packard Bells they had miniature internal modem that connected through a COM interface and attached to the motherboard by plastic clips

I got a CT1770. Ready for returning or selling the CT1740 once it arrived. A loss of $$$ though.

Any advice on where to put the cd rom? Just hate it when I see no 5.25 inch bay is available.

Nice!

I would just let the cables out through the back of the case and connect the drive when needed (I do not like to make permanent damage to old cases) but otherwise just hack away at the case where ever it will fit! 😀

You can use an external SCSI enclosure with the SB16 SCSI CT1770, you just need a SCSI adaper so the cables will fit.

gdjacobs wrote:

If you're not afraid to go modern, I'd recommend trying a PATA to SATA converter fed into an external DVD-ROM via eSATA. If you want to stay vintage, you're going to have to go SCSI or parallel port.

If you would have read the whole thread you would have known he already has bought a SB 16 SCSI CT1770 so I think everything is more or less solved! 😉

Wow, that totally didn't click!

Like Carlin said:
"You ever look at your watch and you don't know what time it is?"

Skyscraper wrote:

Nice! […]
Show full quote

dehavilland wrote:

stuvize wrote:

Do you really need the Ethernet card? SCSI card with external drive would be your best option if you need the network adapter there are external adapters that convert from serial COM port. External drives and modems where popular in the early 90s because of cases like yours, or like in some Packard Bells they had miniature internal modem that connected through a COM interface and attached to the motherboard by plastic clips

I got a CT1770. Ready for returning or selling the CT1740 once it arrived. A loss of $$$ though.

Any advice on where to put the cd rom? Just hate it when I see no 5.25 inch bay is available.

Nice!

I would just let the cables out through the back of the case and connect the drive when needed (I do not like to make permanent damage to old cases) but otherwise just hack away at the case where ever it will fit! 😀

You can use an external SCSI enclosure with the SB16 SCSI CT1770, you just need a SCSI adaper so the cables will fit.

gdjacobs wrote:

If you're not afraid to go modern, I'd recommend trying a PATA to SATA converter fed into an external DVD-ROM via eSATA. If you want to stay vintage, you're going to have to go SCSI or parallel port.

If you would have read the whole thread you would have known he already has bought a SB 16 SCSI CT1770 so I think everything is more or less solved! 😉

Thank you! Now having something new:

a 1988 Music Quest MSC-4 MIDI Switcher. Seems different from PC MIDI Cards. Don't know whether it is compatible with MPU401 intelligent.

a NEC Multispin 6X external SCSI cd rom and a bracket to transform internal scsi to external.

So how to connect the external SCSI cd rom to the sound blaster card? Is it ok to connect the Audio Output L/R to LINE-IN of sound blaster?

The Sound Blaster CT1770 has a standard 50 pin SCSI-2 interface and if you have bought a bracket that transforms the internal 50 pin SCSI to external then all you need is an internal 50 pin SCSI cable if you already have the external cable?

You can connect the audio outputs from the external SCSI CD box to the line in on your sound card or build your own cable that connects directly to the sound cards CD-IN.

Skyscraper wrote:

You can connect the audio outputs from the external SCSI CD box to the line in on your sound card or build your own cable that connects directly to the sound cards CD-IN.

If you want to connect to the CD-IN, perhaps you can install RCA or 1/8" feed through jacks on an existing bracket for a slightly cleaner look.

"Any advice on where to put the cd rom? Just hate it when I see no 5.25 inch bay is available."

I worked with a ton of HP Vectras back in the 90's, if I remember right most of the the Vectra Chassis were all the same. You just need the next generation faceplate from a Vectra VE or VL series 4 or newer and it will have the 5.25 and 3.5 openings.

Might be able to find just the faceplate by itself. It will fit your chassis.

I used to have one of these. We actually had to use an SB16 with an IDE interface and leave the 2x cd-rom drive sitting on top of the case.

IT-Escapee wrote:

"Any advice on where to put the cd rom? Just hate it when I see no 5.25 inch bay is available."

I worked with a ton of HP Vectras back in the 90's, if I remember right most of the the Vectra Chassis were all the same. You just need the next generation faceplate from a Vectra VE or VL series 4 or newer and it will have the 5.25 and 3.5 openings.

Might be able to find just the faceplate by itself. It will fit your chassis.

Well if it was the case i would have been very lucky.

Problem is, 486/33n is so compact that not enough internal space for a CD ROM is available (I opened the case to measure after seeing your post). The power supply only have one 4PIN 12V output and it is merely 79.5W. I can split the 4pin power supply, but I doubt the power is enough to hold an internal CD ROM.

dehavilland wrote:

Problem is, 486/33n is so compact that not enough internal space for a CD ROM is available

What about a laptop-style slim CD drive along with one of these adapters? You'd still have to modify the case and faceplate to mount one, but otherwise a slim optical drive takes up significantly less space, and also less power AFAIK, so it possibly would work if you can find a way to mount it.

Quick update:

The sound blaster 16 ct1770 is not working! The seller said it is 4.05 but when it arrived it is a buggy 4.12 && the card is noisy in my case. Luckily I can return it. Now I have a bug free CT1740, two Aztech NX PRO cards, a NEC XR385 and a Roland SC55ST. Because I am a fan of Princess Maker series and a bunch of Chinese games that use intelligent midi, I need an intelligent interface for the Roland SC55ST or Softmpu with IRQ2/9 compatible card. After research on VOGONS, it seems that only ALS100 card can fulfill my need...But ALS100 is somewhat too "new" for the build 😀

Bought a scsi adapter for the CD ROM.

I didn't use the line-in for CD Music. Instead I bought a mixer to mix all the sound source together.