#OS V1.4
17 messages in this thread
I missed the beginning of the thread on V1.4 of the OS. Does anyone know
when it will be available for purchase. Will it be bootable under the 1.2
KickStart ROM? And finally, is the new graphics chip set necessary to use
V1.4?
Andrew
Andrew,
The official word from Commodore is that it'll be available when it's
ready. In other words, NO dates have been given nor will they speculate on it.
The best guess we have is that not until at least 1st quarter of next
year (Jan to Mar of '90).
NO, v1.4 will require a new ROM and for full functionality, yes, it
will require the new graphics chip set.
Don
Don,
One change to that statement. 1.4 will NOT require the new chipset! At
least that is the info that I got from DevCon. The system will be capable of
detecting the presence of either of the new chips, and adjust it's operation
accordingly. This also means that (unless something changes) 1.4 will work fine
on A1000's, just not giving access to the capabilities of the ECS. (which the
A1000 (probably) won't have)
-Dean
PS. This is not official information, but I have good reason to believe it's
true!
Dean,
Right…but that's why I said "full functionality" since I consider the
new video modes one of the new "functions" of v1.4.
But you're right…I probably should have made that clearer.
Don
NO it will NOT require the new chips.
Martin,
Please read the message, I said for FULL functionality, it will require
the new chips. I consider the new video modes part of full functionality.
But yes, to clarify the issue…to simply run v1.4, will not require
the new chips, but to get all the new features, you will need the new chips.
Don
Your confusing people! "to get all the new features, you will need the new
chips" is misleading. You will get EVERY feature of 1.4 EXCEPT the new graphics
modes provided by the ECS. I think that's a more accurate way of saying it.
Martin,
Well…I guess this breaks down into the "is the glass half full or
half empty" situation.
In any event…yes, you can run v1.4, and all it's features *except*
the new video modes without getting the new chip set; however, since I
personally consider the new video modes to be a major feature, then I
personally feel that without the new chip set—you lose some functionality by
not getting them (ECS).
Ok?
Don
Don, are those graphic chips socketed? It's been a while since I pried my
A2000 open for a look-see. I replaced the 1.2 ROM with the 1.3 ROM myself, but
I'm not willing to take a soldering iron to my Amy!
Geo
Geo,
My memory says absolutely yes, they are socketed….but it has been a
while since I had the machine open…so my memory may be faulty.
Don
Don, today I had an excuse to pry open my A2000 (to install a brand spanking
new 8-UP! board purchased at AmiExpo).
I peeked beneath the hard drive bracket and power supply and saw several
socketed chips. (Oh joy!) I couldn't identify them from that angle, but I
remember seeing Agnus and Denise while I was installing my hard disk several
months ago.
Since I have three megs of RAM, I guess the wise move would be to purchase an
Obese Agnus. Then I'll worry about the graphics chips.
How many chips need to be replaced to be ready to take advantage of the
advanced features of 1.4?
Geo
George,
Besides the Fat Lady (Agnus), you'll also have to replace Denise when
it become available. Right now, you can't get one unless you're one of the few
folks who have talked CBM into a beta version of Denise due to a program
they're working on.
Don
George,
Yes, the custom chips are all socketed.
-larry
This release is going to be a MAJOR change. Its going to be very
different. Get the latest Amiga Sentry as they review it and even show pictures
of it. They got their hands on an Alpha release of 1.4 and a Beta release of
the new Denise.
If there is an upgrade you should replace your chip for, this is it!
— Ethan
They did that? That's irresponsible journalism. Magazines were asked NOT to
talk about 1.4 explicitly.
As I was told, Sentry got specific permission from Commodore, but the
person might have been wrong. They did show two WorkBench screen shots though,
and I thought that that was really pushing it.
— Ethan
The problem is that what they showed is an early Alpha version of the software.
Regardless of any disclaimers they may have put in their article, it will still
give the impression to folks that 1.4 is almost here, which it is not. In a few
months, people will start complaining that C= is slow to come out with 1.4,
that they said it would be ready before, and stuff like that. All of which is
false. Well it's done, so no sense in crying over the situation…