#Vortex boards
5 messages in this thread
I have been running a A2286 BridgeBoard inside an Amiga 3000. It has two big
defects besides general slowness, (1) the bug that won't let Windows run and
(2) it occupies 2 slot spaces (major problem with only 4 slots in the A3000.) I
have a SCSI disk controller in the other bridge slot, but I'd much rather have
a nice SVGA board there.
I just got some flyers about the Vortex bridgeboards (486SLC and 386SX), with a
price list for direct ordering. I have a few questions.
I'm not at all sure if I should get a better bridgeboard, or just a whole PC
and a monitor switch. At the listed prices, the Vortex boards don't compete
very well with comparable PCs without monitors. It looks like they have to be
ordered direct, so there are no lower prices elsewhere (tell me if I'm wrong).
Right now I have a HD 3.5" floppy connected to my 2286. From the Vortex flyers,
I get the impression that I could use this as an Amiga HD floppy as well, if I
have the HD floppy controller on the Vortex.
How wide are the Vortex boards? Do they really take 2 slot spaces? In the
pictures they look like single boards, but the 486 has a big heat sink, and
both have SIMM slots, which will be wider when they are filled.
If you make a MS-DOS partition on an Amiga hard drive, do they provide a way to
mount it under AmigaDOS and share the files?
From reading the other messages, I get the impression that CBM is offering a
A2286 -> A2386 upgrade. Somebody tell me about this. I have had the BB and
Janus software since 1990, and have never heard a word about upgrades, or even
who to ask.
I asked my dealer about an upgrade and he didn't think there was anything.
However, you can upgrade to Janus 2.1 for about $50.
Andrew
Michael, That "upgrade" is the current very low price on 386 BBs (but
most places are back-ordered). The vortex boards have gone into
distribution and are available from several mail-order sources. As to
"where to find information", I'm your source. CROSSINGS is a
newsletter about PC (and some Mac) emulation, and has been in
business since 1989. I've done a number of articles comparing the
vortex and Commodore boards. Leave me your name and address by
3-mail and I'll send you a sample issue and subscription information,
etc. Marion CROSSINGS Newsletter for Amiga/PC compatibility
Vortex, last I heard was dropped from MicroPace…..dealer price was $870
and Vortex was selling them direct for $900.
MP got a little "peeved" over this.
Dave
Elite MicroComputers – Flying high on AutoPilot