Commodore Amiga 4000

Configuration

• Built: Second half of 1993 (case QA stamp is dated December 21, 1992)
• Mainboard: Revision B
• CPU: 68060/50 (Phase5 CyberStorm MKII)
• OS: AmigaOS 3.2
• Chipset: AGA
  • Alice: 8374 (date code 1293)
  • Lisa: 1204R0 (CBM, date code 2893)
  • Paula: 8364R7 (date code 0993)
  • Gary: 390540-02 (date code 2093)
  • Buster: 390539-11 (rev 11, date code 2593)
• RAM: 2 MB Chip RAM, 128 MB CyberStorm RAM, 256 MB Zorro-III RAM
• SCSI: CyberSCSI MKII, SCSI2SD v6
• Extensions: MNT ZZ9000, AmiGUS, MacroSystem Toccata, MacroSystem MaestroPro

Trivia

• At its prime, this Amiga was housed in a RBM Towerhawk Big Tower, with multiple harddrives, CD burner, and a lot of extensions.
• This is not the original case. I sold my case when the Amiga was inside the Towerhawk, and had to buy a case when I had to move the Amiga back for space reasons.
• I also sold the original CPU board, which was modified to have a real 68030 (with MMU) and 68882 FPU. Today I regret that I sold the CPU board.
• Although this machine is equipped with a ZZ9000, I still own the original CyberVision64, Ariadne II, and BSC Multiface card.
• Only 11,300 Amiga 4000 have ever been sold in Germany.

Restauration Works

• Restauration was carried out from January thru August 2021.
• Whitened the keyboard and the heavily yellowed front.
• Top cover got a new professional paint in the original color (RAL 7044 “silk grey”).
• Thoroughly repaired the damage caused by the leaked battery. All affected parts were generously replaced, all traces checked (some repaired), all vias thoroughly cleaned. Battery lye was neutralized and washed off.
• Replaced all electrolytic capacitors with Panasonic ones (with up to 10,000h lifetime). Damage of leaked capacitors around keyboard connector and CIA was cleaned. All affected components around these leaks were generously replaced.
• Replaced all four SIMM sockets with modern ones having metal holding brackets.
• Updated RAM to maximum possible configuration, with a total of 384 MB Fast RAM.
• Replaced harddisk with a SCSI2SDv6 that is connected to the CyberSCSI board, and used in synchronous mode.
• Replaced the original Skynet PSU with a modern BeQuiet BN238 PSU. It sits on a 3D printed frame. The system is almost silent now, but still actively cooled.
• Added a MNT ZZ9000 for HDMI RTG, Ethernet, and USB. Later extended it with an MNT ZZ9000AX for audio DSP.
• New replica “A4000/060” badge.
• MaestroPro and Toccata: Recapped, replaced all GALs with new ones.

Known Issues

• Despite the whitening, the front plate is still a bit yellowed. There is no solution at the moment, except of maybe painting the plate or 3D printing a new one. Maybe someone will produce a batch of new front plates some day?

History

• 2025-09-15: Added AmiGUS sound board (replaces MNT ZZ9000AX)
• 2023-08-27: Found the original keyboard lock keys (Nr 102)
• 2022-12-26
  • Assembled a replica A4000 cardboard box for storage.
• 2022-11-01
  • Ordered a replica cardboard box
• 2022-07-04: Added MNT ZZ9000AX
• 2021-12-28
  • Removed all Fast RAM
  • Upgraded CyberStorm RAM to maximum configuration (4x 32MB 60ns DoubleSided EDO DIMM = 128MB)
• 2021-08-29
  • MaestroPro GALs had thermal issues. Replaced MaestroPro and Toccata GALs with new ones.
• 2021-08-08: New replica badge, looking much more like an original one
• 2021-07-24: Added MNT ZZ9000
• 2021-06-21: Case cover back from paintshop
• 2021-05-30: Refurbishment completed
  • Add SCSI2SD card as harddisk
  • New wiring of SCSI and floppy drive
  • Mounted CyberStorm, CyberSCSI, MaestroPro, Toccata, Scandoubler
  • Inserted AmigaOS 3.X ROMs
• 2021-05-24
  • Recapped MaestroPro
  • Recapped Toccata
• 2021-05-15
  • RTC is now powered by a button cell
  • Reassembly of the machine
  • Power rewiring using a self-made power adapter
  • New rectangle front LEDs in blue and orange
  • New replica badge (“A4000/060”) in silver
  • First successful test run!
• 2021-05-02
  • Fixed damage of leaked cap around CIA/parallel port
  • Soldered in new DIMM sockets with metal brackets
  • Replaced all electrolytic caps
  • Cleaned PCB with IPA
  • Board is now ready for a test, pending a final check
• 2021-05-01
  • Removed DIMM sockets, fixed traces
  • Fixed damage of leaked cap around keyboard connector
• 2021-04-11 ~ 2021-04-18
  • Removed all components around the battery damage
  • Removed solder mask, neutralized lye
  • Checked traces, fixed broken traces
  • Soldered in fresh components
• 2021-03-29: Front and keyboard returned from whitening
• 2021-03-13: Replaced SkyNet PSU by self printed frame and Seasonic PSU
• 2021-02-07: Started repair and refurbishment
  • Removed main board
  • Assessment of the leaked battery damage
• 2021-01-30: Front and keyboard sent in for cleaning and whitening
• 2013-??-??
  • Cut leaked backup battery from PCB
  • Washed the area with IPA
• 2005-05-20: Sold the RBM Towerhawk (had no space for it anymore)
• 2005-02-05: Moved my expansions to the A4000D, but never used the system since
• 2005-01-21: Sold my broken mainboard to another good friend
• 2004-09-10: Bought an A4000D from a good friend
• 2004-??-??: Floppy does not work anymore, probably broken CIA or Paula
• 2000-08-20
  • R176 & R177 burnt, probably by a short circuit on the -5V line.
  • Replaced the SMD resistors.
  • Removed 7905 and used the -5V line of the Tower’s PSU instead.
• 1999-??-??: Sold my original case and the 68030 CPU board
• 1996-12-02: Got the daughterboard delivered
• 1996-11-??: Sold the Fastlane Z3
• 1996-11-16: Bought a “RBM Towerhawk” Big Tower on an Amiga fair, but the daughterboard was missing
• 1996-11-15: Added a Cyberstorm 060/50 MK2 + SCSI Kit
• 1995-??-??: CPU board reworked to have an 68030 (with MMU) and 68882
• 1995-09-11: Fastlane Z3 Rework from 2.2 to 2.31
• 1995-07-03: Added a CyberVision 64
• 1995-02-17: ScanDoubler sent in for repair (warranty)
• 1994-09-12: Added an ArXoN ScanDoubler for connection to VGA monitor
• 1994-03-28: Added a Fastlane Z3
• 1994-03-28: Date of purchase (A4000/EC030)