CompuServe Thread

#FAT AGNUS w/fast mem?

3 messages in this thread
#98791From: John Van SickleApr 17, 1990 8:36 PM
I have a question. I was recently told by someone on this Forum, that if I upgraded my A2000 (with the standard AGNUS chip) up to the new FAT AGNUS chip, I would be increasing mu CHIP memory to 1 Meg while still retaining access to the 1/2 Meg of FAST memory. After deciding that this sounded great to me, I went and had the work done. When I received my machine back, I typed AVAIL at the shell and Voila, I had 0 FAST mem but 1 MEG of CHIP mem. What is the story? Was I told incorrectly that the FAST mem would still be accessible or is my service person giving me the run around for inferior service. Please reply quickly if you know the problem, I need to talk to the service person quickly before my service warranty runs out. I also will hardcopy any reply's as 'proof' if the service was simply sub-standard. – John D. Van Sickle –
#98812From: Brian BartlettApr 17, 1990 9:31 PM
John, I don't know who told you that you would have 1/2 MB of fast ram still available, but it wasn't true. You can't get something for nothing (TANSTAAFL), so 1/2 MB of fast ram was shifted over to become chip ram. Since your machine had only 1 MB total ram, now you have no fast ram. The solution, of course, is to buy some expansion ram if you need fast ram. Heck, it's wise just to buy some anyway, since the amiga works better with a couple of meg or so of ram. I'm sorry that it happened this way. Brian J. Bartlett
#98845From: Don Curtis/SYSOPApr 18, 1990 12:55 AM
John, The service was not sub-standard. Your A2000 has 1 Meg of RAM in it. Changing the AGNUS doesn't add or subtrace from that 1 Meg….it only "reorganizes" it so that it can all be accessed as CHIP RAM. Whoever told you that changing the AGNUS chip would also give you an additional 1/2 Meg of RAM was wrong. Don