#A3000 Upgrade
5 messages in this thread
Advice needed!
I've got an A3000/25 with softkick 37.175 and OS 37.67
As far as I know the Buster chip in my machine is one of the first series
which does not support Zorro III DMA. Is it worth upgrading, or are there
only a few boards around which actually rely on this feature?
Is it possible to upgrade to a later WB and Kickstart, I was thinking of
using WB3.0 from my A1200, would this work? The system disks which came
with the 1200 don't contain the hd-installation program, could I use the
one from 2.04?
Where would I find the necessary chips etc., and what else would be needed
to bring the machine up to the latest version? I hope it's not too late
considering things are turning sour at CBM.
Michael Schumacher
Formula 1 on Autopilot
MS >>I've got an A3000/25 with softkick 37.175 and OS 37.67. As far as I
know the Buster chip in my machine is one of the first series which does
not support Zorro III DMA.<<
The A3000 series used the "Level-1" SuperBuster, with the A4000 using the
full featured "Level-2" SuperBuster.
Both Busters are pin compatible, so you can purchase the socketed version
of the SuperBuster (rev -11), and it will upgrade your A3000's Zorro-III
sub-set to full Zorro-III slots.
Some of the features of the Level-2 Buster are:
– Support of Multiple Transfer Cycles
– support of ZorroIII style bus arbitration
– support of Quick Interrupts
More and more Zorro-III boards appear to need the new features.
—
MS >>Is it possible to upgrade to a later WB and Kickstart, I was thinking
of using WB3.0 from my A1200, would this work?<<
I believe, the 3.0-Workbench needs the 3.0-KickStart. Until you acquire
the newer KickStart, you can't use 3.0-WB. You will also need a version
of the KickStart that is aware of the A3000's hardware.
The last I heard, the 3.1 KickStart (for all Amigas), is still in beta
testing.
Ron.
– ap'ing with AP. (Eagles may fly, but weasels aren't sucked
into jet engines.)
Hi Ron,
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Is the Superbuster available from
dealers, or do I have to contact Commodore? It is really difficult to get
through to them these days.
Michael Schumacher
Formula 1 on Autopilot
MS >>Is the Superbuster available from dealers, or do I have to contact
Commodore?<<
I have seen the socketed vesion of the SuperBuster, advertised mail-order
by dealers that supply Amiga parts & chips. Acquiring the socketed
version shouldn't be too hard, but make sure you get revision #11.
Ron.
– ap'ing with AP. (Eagles may fly, but weasels aren't sucked
into jet engines.)
Many thanks!
Michael Schumacher
Formula 1 on Autopilot