Convert your LS120

Convert a Parallel LS120 to an internal Superfloppy!

Project: Remove an external (parallel) Imation LS-120 mechanism from its case and install it as an internal (IDE) floppy drive.
Pros: Better compatibility, no need for external power supply, cables or case. Frees up parallel port.
Cons: May void warranty. Slightly crude looking front-panel on the internal mechanism. Some leftover parts. (HmMMmm!)

It seemed like a good idea -- an external LS120 drive, connected via our system's parallel port. But good grief! We tried it on two different computers with no success. It didn't work on one, because we had a Hewlett-Packard CD-Writer connected to our parallel port. On the other system, it failed, apparently because we had a tape backup and a printer connected to the parallel port. What to do?

We suspected that, lurking inside the case of the parallel SuperDisk was a pretty standard IDE drive, with some sort of IDE-to-parallel converter. And sure enough, that's exactly what we found. Assuming you understand what potentially voiding your SuperDisk's warranty means (no modifications are required, and we didn't have to break any seals or peel any stickers, so it might not void your warranty), here's how we did it, in case you want to try it.

Before beginning, we should point out that a maximum of four IDE devices can be added to a PC. Thus, if you have less than four IDE hard disks and/or CD/DVD-ROM drives connected to your PC, this technique is highly likely to succeed.

1. Step #1: remove the two screws from the back panel. This requires a flat-head screwdriver.
2. Remove the back panel to reveal a metal plate with four hex nuts.
3. With a small wrench or a pair of medium-tip pliers, loosen and remove the four hex nuts.
4. Now, carefully slide the internal mechanism of the unit toward the front. It should come apart easily, and there are no connecting wires or loose pieces to break.
5. Inside, you'll find a mounting bracket with the front bezel attached, and four more flat-head screws. Remove them.
6. The drive should separate easily from the bezel/bracket assembly. Set the bezel and bracket aside.
7. Now, carefully remove the rear circuit card by pulling straight back. Note the power wire that conects it to the drive mechanism. This connector comes off easily by lifting it up gently and pulling it straight back until it comes off. You may need to use a flathead screwdriver to depress the black tabs visible under the power connector while you lift the white power connector up (gently!) in order to remove it without undue strain.
8. You're almost done. Now, just determine whether you want it to be a master or a slave IDE device. If, for example, you already had an IDE hard drive and an IDE CD-ROM, these would be Master and Slave, respectively. The LS-120 could therefore be configured as your Secondary Master. Once you've decided, set the jumper on the back of the LS-120 to "M" (Master) or "S" (Slave).
9. Remove the power plug from your computer, then open the case and locate a floppy drive bay. (probably right above or below your A: drive.) Remove any plastic or metal covers that may impede the placement of the new drive.
10. Mount the drive with three or four suitable bolts. Use an IDE cable (there is probably already one or two with at least one spare connector inside your computer) and press an available connector onto the pins on the rear of the LS120 so that, when you are looking at it from the back, the red stripe is facing right, when the silver side of the drive is facing up. (IDE cables have 40 pin-holes, in case you are confused by floppy-drive ribbon cables and/or other similar-looking cables inside your PC.)
11. Connect a floppy power connector to the back of the LS120 in a fashion similar to the way the same type of small white connector is attached to your floppy drive.
12. Double-check your connections, reconnect the power cable and boot your system. With luck, you should now have a drive "B" capable of reading and writing 720K and 1.44MB floppies and 120MB Superdisks! On our system running Windows 98, we didn't have to load any special drivers or change any settings. We can even eject disks by simply right-clicking and selecting the word "Eject." Out it pops... shades of Macintosh!
13. It's worth mentioning that a similar procedure can be applied to the external CDRW drives from Hewlett-Packard, the external SparQ drive from SyQuest (see below), and most other similar "parallel" units.

A page of detailed instructions and clear photos depicting this procedure is available at http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/2516/ls120/Hacking_LS120.htm
Be sure to visit Tang Tung Yan's Hacking LS-120 page!

SparQ modification caveat
Note: Despite the fact that Syquest definitely produced some SparQ drives based on an EIDE mechanism, it seems that some external units are SCSI-based, with the parallel port adapter permanently affixed.

Writes Kyle Roher: You say that a similar procedure works on the Syquest SparQ external parallel-port drive.  Well, I opened up my SparQ this evening to quite a surprise.  It indeed uses a parallel port converter by Shuttle, but it is integrated onto the logic board of the drive and it's a parallel-to-SCSI interface, not parallel-to-IDE.  Major bummer about the parallel interface being integrated, but native SCSI would be fine.  I don't doubt that some of the parallel-port SparQs did have a non-integrated converter, but I wasn't one of the lucky ones.

See the Storage section for more info on removable storage options.

For more LS-120 info:

• http://www.usaent.com/ls120faq.html
• Or try an Altavista search for LS-120 installation tips and driver details.
• Setting Drive Letters: How to assign your SuperDisk as Drive "A:"