CompuServe Thread

Spencer: I've replied to your comments elsewhere, but I find I need to add more… What hardware glitches? (I've encountered none). What limit on ram (16 meg directly autoconfig'ed on the motherboard). Bridgecards? (The 286 bridgeboard -repotedly- works fine in the 3000, you just have to give up a drive slot or move one drive to an external configuration… and the ATOnce is due out with a 3000 board "RSN"). I don't pay many games and therefore have had NO software incompatibilites (with the exception of some PD utilities which will be updated or replaced soon enough). I'm not really sure what your finding fault in. Is the 3000 a different computer than the 2000? Sure it is. Otherwise you and I would both be screaming that all we got for our $$ was a prettier 2000! – Whapping from the North Coast Michael

Spencer, You don't need a bigger power supply, it has a smaller case, because it has less slots…but you don't need as many slots (supposedly) since much more is build in. The Bridgecards DO work in an A3000, but you need to buy a 3.5" drive for them or put the 5.25" drive external to the 3000. Limits on RAM…surely you jest, you can have 18 Meg of RAM inside the 3000. Hardware glitches…not sure there are any major ones….exactly what hardware glitches have you seen? Don

Spencer: Hang in there! The latest version of Kickstart (the version that'll be in the 2.0 ROMs is alot more compatible that the version that came with your 3000. Most (if not all) of your software incompatibilities should go away. What hardware glitches are you refering to? Same with RAM, what limitations are there? Don't forget that you can always pop a 2000 style memory card into the 3000 if you feel that the chips that go on the motherboard are too expensive. You won't have the same performance, but then you won't be paying as much (possibly). As far as the smaller power supply goes, unless you're going to be using LOTS of harddrives, and/or older memory card that draw lots of power, the smaller power supply should be fine for anything you'd want to put in the 3000. Do you currently own a Bridgeboard? If not, do you want to get one real soon? If not, then wait, they'll probably have a BB out for the 3000 soon enough. So in other words, Unless you're REAL unhappy with the 3000, I'd stick it out, as in the long run you'll have a better machine. -Mike Schiller In sunny Fort Lauderdale

Spencer, Now that I think about it, our beta tester has Dos 5.0 running on his BB installed in his 3000. I'm _clueless_ as to your perceived problems.

Spencer, Hmmm…. Well, for me the smaller case is a plus–more room on my desk for other things. The power supply is appropriately matched to the expansion capabilities of the machine. Bridgecards work fine; I had my friend Jeff's 2286 running here a few days ago. The 3000 doesn't have a 5.25" drive bay, but Jeff had a 3.5" drive so that was no problem. Limits on RAM?! Well, if a potential 2 gigs (with 18 megs on the motherboard) qualifies as "limits", then…<spluttering>…I guess so. 8^) What hardware glitches are you referring to? I've experienced none. Software incompatabilities. I know some games don't like AmigaOS 2.0 and/or the 68030. Ports Of Call is the only game I own that doesn't run on my 3000. I'm not sure if the OS or the '030 is the problem (well, actually Ports Of Call is the problem) since I refuse to ever run 1.3 again in my life. 8^) My version of WordPerfect (a rev back from the "latest & greatest") wouldn't run, but that just gave me yet another reason to toss it. All my important software (ADpro, IP, JRcomm, ProPage, DPaintIII, TxEd+) works just fine. All my little utilities (TaskX, NewZAP, Sectorama, Mostra, etc.) work just fine. 2.0 itself makes 1.3 look pathetic. -Dave-

You must be kidding? WHAT LIMIT on RAM???? you call 18 megs on the motherboard and the ability to have 2 gigs via a Zerro III card a limit?? Sheesh! Hardware glitches?? Huh? I have none. I use the A2286 BB with a VGA card, A-Max II a lazer printer (HPIII) and connected with the 1950 and another external 3 1/2 amiga floppie. 9600 baud supramodem etc. etc. Power supply problem, Mine has no problems running all of the above all at the same time. Hell I even have it send output to a 25 in. color T.V. that happens to be next to it in my basement. Don't forget, the A3000 is still breaking in as far as hardware products for it go. Most people are waiting on 2.0 in Rom etc. Also, there are the Zerro III slots, the A2500 030 does NOT and never will have them and they are SEVERAL times faster then the Zerro II's. As for software I run tons of games, and while I do have to switch to 1.3 (Horrid) to get some of them to run. I get at least a 90% software compatablity rating on my A3000 25/50 Wait for the Rom version, it will get even better! All in all, slow down and give the machine a chance! If you are a power monger (no pun intended) then trad-up to the A3000T and toss in Unix That baby makes a 2500 look like a tinker toy! Tim