CompuServe Thread – CompuServe test bed

Amiga User Forum · Bridgeboard/AMAX

Buying a 386/486 emu

22 messages in this thread

#84789From: Jerry DelVecchioJan 12, 1993 9:55 AM

I'm considering buying a 386 or 486 PC emulator and I'm wondering whether to go with Commodore, (and possible soup it up with Elite) or whether to go with Vortex. Compatibility is most important to me, and the board should be able to run Windows 3.1 enhanced at a reasonable speed. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Jerry DelVecchio

#84854From: Dave CinegeJan 13, 1993 12:57 AM

The vortex has problems formating floppy disks under MS-DOS 4.01 and 5.0. 'nough said? Dave Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!

#84963From: Marion J DelandJan 13, 1993 9:11 PM

Dave… FYI, the problem seems to be if you use Commodore's DOS. I finally got a generic DOS 5 installed today and all is well. Marion CROSSINGS Newsletter for AMiga/PC compatibility

#85032From: Dave CinegeJan 14, 1993 12:27 PM

Commodores DOS is a generic version…it's command.com is NO different then standard DOS….so you will most likely have problems with other 'versions' of DOS besides C='s. Dave Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!

#85217From: Brian CowanJan 15, 1993 8:19 PM

NOTHING from C= is the same as a generic version. I'll bet the C= dos was from one of their PC-10's or a C= BB. If so, the loaded BIOS (IBMBIO.SYS) was probably different. It's amazing what a few platform-specific tweaks can do. Just ask ANY Zenith or Compaq MS-DOS 3.3x user. These MS-DOS versions tend to screw up on machines not made by the vendor who sold the DOS for _their_ computers…. // Brian — Cruising on AutoPilot….. \X/

#85610From: Marion J DelandJan 18, 1993 8:42 PM

Dave… All I know is that it didn't work with Commodore Dos 5 and did with the generic DOS. And the COMMAND.COM was a different size. Marion CROSSINGS Newsletter for the Bridgeboard, etc.

#84906From: Michael GerardJan 13, 1993 2:08 PM

Jerry: Get your hands on the last few issues of the CROSSINGS newsletter (published by Marion Deland). All of the high end emulators have been discussed in some detail (and the unit from Elite fared quite well!)

#84918From: Michael SheaJan 13, 1993 3:06 PM

Michael, I wonder when Marion Deland will get around to sending me subscription info. I want to see discussion of the BB's. I talked to him a couple of weeks ago (via email) but I am still waiting.

#84954From: Dave CinegeJan 13, 1993 8:28 PM

You can reach Marion Deland at 212-369-8131 Dave Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!

#84965From: Marion J DelandJan 13, 1993 9:14 PM

Michael… Again, "he" is a "her", and your info went out at the end of last week, right after your last note to me. Marion CROSSINGS

#85060From: Michael SheaJan 14, 1993 2:24 PM

Marion, Sorry for the gender confusion. I look forward to recieving the information.

#85019From: Michael GerardJan 14, 1993 11:05 AM

Keep referring to her as 'him' and it might be awhile. <g>

#85061From: Michael SheaJan 14, 1993 2:24 PM

Ah for a gender neutral pronoun about now. 8^)….

#84920From: Dave CinegeJan 13, 1993 3:10 PM

I would have used the phrase "Kicked the competitions butt!", but then thats me :> Dave Elite MicroComputers – via Whap!

#84964From: Marion J DelandJan 13, 1993 9:12 PM

Jerry… See my note to Jim Saklad–#84961 Marion CROSSINGS Newsletter for Amiga/PC compatibility

#85013From: Jerry DelVecchioJan 14, 1993 9:50 AM

Thanks for all the advice! I went with the Commodore 2386 board. The Vortex board seemed to promise more, but I'd rather have something that Commodore will try to remain compatible with in the future. Thanks again. Jerry

#85580From: Peter JonesJan 18, 1993 2:17 PM

Jerry, I know its a bit late for you, but I have just been testing the Vortex Golden Gate 80486 card on an Amiga 4000 with high density floppy drive and had no trouble at all in formatting 1.4mb disks. Pete Jones in Brussels flying on AutoPilot

#85613From: Marion J DelandJan 18, 1993 9:00 PM

Peter… Just to test my theory…are you using Commodore's DOS 5 or a generic DOS 5? And do you have a VGA board (to test another theory)? Marion CROSSINGS Newsletter for Amiga/PC compatibility

#85716From: Peter JonesJan 19, 1993 1:59 PM

Marion, I used an Olivetti DOS 5.0, and yes, I do have a VGA card, one of Commodore's own. I am also outputting the VGA to the same 1950 monitor as the Amiga using a neat software switchable box called Monitor Master, also from Vortex. You can toggle between MSDOS and AMIGADOS screens with a key press. I recently wrote a review for a Belgian magazine on the Golden Gate 386 board and am presently working on the 486 in the 4000 for another magazine. Would you like a piece on it for your newsletter. Pete Jones, freelance journalist Brussels, Belgium learning to fly with AutoPilot

#85903From: Ben A LottJan 20, 1993 6:20 PM

You got it working on an A4000 ?? I haven't, what rev of the software are you using 1.19 or 1.21.22? BEN:Leigh's Computer's

#85995From: Peter JonesJan 21, 1993 3:05 PM

1.19. The A4000 was on loan from Commodore Belgium and has now gone back (sniff). It didn't have the high density drive fitted as standard. I had to use the one I had previously fitted to my A2500. Pete Jones on AutoPilot

#86130From: Ben A LottJan 22, 1993 6:39 PM

That's what I thought, whatever the bug was in pre 1.19 software seems to have resurfaced in 1.21.22… My machine would stay up for 5 minutes after running Digger (at most). BEN:Leigh's Computer's