CompuServe Thread

#2.1 Upgrade???

12 messages in this thread
#39784From: Mike BarnesFeb 27, 1994 12:43 PM
Can anyone explain to me why upgrading my 2500 to 2.1 has become impossible because no one seems to have access to the ROM's and software? I have called retailers all over the country, and everywhere it is the same story: "Sorry, we are back ordered." And no idea when they will be available. This is particularly galling because my upgrade to AMAX II will not work until I havve 2.1. And such things as HD floppy upgrades, CDROM drivers, etc., all seem to want the 2.1 OS. What is the story? Anyone got a line on where I can upgrade my system? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks. –Mike
#39791From: Jim ButterfieldFeb 27, 1994 8:39 PM
(carefully avoiding a direct answer to your question…) Don't know when 2.0 upgrades will become available again (others may know of sources and post here), but: A reliable source (Commodore Canada) says that the imminent 3.1 release WILL FIT virtually the whole product line, and it's coming down the pipe very soon. You may try being philosophical, being happy you avoided the expense of 2.0 ROMs when they would have to be thrown out for 3.1 almost immediately. Or you can take the thrifty route, posting "when you throw out your 2.0 ROMs, would you throw them my way?". My source is a good one, but since Commodore appear to work on hexadecimal calendars, one has to apply a correction factor to "real soon now" dates. –Jim
#39820From: Duane J. FleerMar 1, 1994 12:09 AM
If getting 2.1 is too important to pass up on (waiting for 3.1 could quickly turn one into Rip van Winkle given C= ability to provide 2.1), you might try calling Grapevine in New York. I got a 2.05 ROM from them back in about September (I think). The problem I had was that I ordered the entire 2.1 upgrade (ROM and software), and they couldn't deliver because of a lack of manuals. What they finally did was send the 2.1 disks, sans manual. For an old 1.3 jockey, that's like giving a 16 year old the keys to the new F-16, and expecting his driver's ed class to carry over to piloting the damn thing…..:^). Subsequent calls to Grapevine finally revealed that if I wanted the manual, I'd have to purchase the whole 2.1 upgrade software kit again – another $44 or so. I'm not too wild about paying for the system software twice! I've taken the attitude that I'll limp along trying to pick up what I can about the 2.1 enhancements over the nets and through the journals (to grandmothers house we go…), and wait for something like 3.1 to show up before I really learn how to tweak the system. Hope that helps… Duane.
#39825From: Robert LittleMar 1, 1994 2:11 AM
Just for the record…I got a 2.1 upgrade with all manuals, diskettes, and 2.05 ROM, about a year (???) ago from Grapevine. They were back-ordered then for 2 months (???). Perhaps that is due to the supplier (and perhaps Duane implied that in his message I am responding to). Waiting for 3.1, 'til I see that A5000… Robb
#39831From: Mike BarnesMar 1, 1994 12:54 PM
Thanks, Jim. This is good to know, and I guess I can wait a little while (I hope!). I keep going round and round with myself about moving to a new AGA system, but I really do everything I need to with my trusty 2500. Still… –Mike
#39877From: Gary Vander MeiMar 4, 1994 1:42 AM
My local dealer has four of the 2.1 upgrade kits, with Rom's, he can't seem to unload… Any Takers? // Gary Vander Mei on Auto-Pilot \X/
#39901From: Brian BartlettMar 5, 1994 3:56 AM
you might want to post that in Classifieds (AmigaUser section 17, but you probably knew that ;-).
#39916From: Charles BlaquiereMar 5, 1994 5:59 PM
Jim, do you know if the upcoming 3.1 upgrade will be available on disk, or only in ROM? I have a 3000, and have read on this Forum that offloading Kickstart to 512K of RAM makes my machine run faster. If 3.1 is only available in ROM, could I set my machine so that the software is still downloaded to RAM? Blaq!
#39926From: Jim ButterfieldMar 6, 1994 2:40 PM
The only reference that I got from the Commodore Canada presentation was that 3.1 would consist of ROM and the usual (Workbench) disk set. I suspect that a loadable-RAM-equivalent-to-ROM will be available one way or another, but no details were given on this kind of thing. –Jim
#39933From: Brian BartlettMar 6, 1994 5:11 PM
Charles, you could do what I do, which is to use the FastROM option of the CPU command. That loads an image of the ROM into RAM and then sets the MMU to point all references to the ROM at the copy in RAM. The cost is the same, i.e. 512K, and it does a nice job of speeding things up. "You do trust me, don't you? Of course you do." — "To Play the King" (BBC)
#39811From: Soft-Logik Tech SupportFeb 28, 1994 4:39 PM
Try calling Grapevine for a 2.1 upgrade. (They advertise in AmigaWorld.) I have been told they have it in stock. If you can't find it there, give us a call at 1-800-829-8608. We are special ordering single copies from Canada for our customers. It'll take a few days, so GrapeVine would be better if they have it. Michael @ Soft-Logik Publishing Corp.
#39832From: Mike BarnesMar 1, 1994 12:56 PM
I did call Grapevine and got the same answer. I may take Jim B's advice and wait for the next upgrade. But if I loose patience, I may take you up on your offer. Incidentally, I am a customer in good standing and waiting breathlessly for 3.0 of my favorite DTP! –Mike