CompuServe Thread

#2.0 and Amiga Users

11 messages in this thread
#65265From: Bill EastburnAug 10, 1992 12:05 PM
It has been over two years ago since I purchased this Amiga 2000, my second Amiga. At the time of purchase, the A3000 was just being introduced and C-A was selling 2000s with the promise of OS 2.xx for the 2000 whenever it was firmed up and put into ROM. 2.04 was made available around the first of this year. Commodore never bothered to inform me that 2.04 was available, and I learned how to get the certificate for the upgrade on this forum. I got the certificate and headed to my local Amiga dealer. He claimed 2.xx was on backorder, and still claims the same as late as an hour ago when I stopped into the store. (This has been 3 or 4 months now.) It appears the only way to get the 2.xx operating system here in Orlando is to be a developer or be luck enough to be Gould's brother in law. In the past few months, a number of developers have gone to a policy of 2.xx only for their software. ImageMaster (Black Belt Systems) is hopelessly crippled without 2.xx. The new AutoPilot will not run without 2.xx. Dozens of other PD and commercial software products either will not run or are seriously degraded without 2.xx. Yet 2.xx is not available. The time has come to speak out. I can't get 2.xx, and the vendors/authors keep telling me (and everyone else) to get it or not use their software. Amigaland has become segregated into two groups, of HAVEs and HAVE NOTs, through no fault of the users (commercial vendors can read this as potential customers.) I know my message will not affect the HAVEs, and C-A is unlikely, based on their current track record, to make 2.xx available to the HAVE NOTs. So, I can see what the MS-DOS world has been getting at all along. Amiga is a niche machine, and the niche is getting even more restricted daily. Unless something changes very soon, Amiga *IS* dead. I know I will consider purchasing a new Amiga for my next computer less and less as each day passes by. Bill, K3OZM
#65283From: Betty Clay/SYSOPAug 10, 1992 4:38 PM
Bill, I'm especially sorry to know that you are having such problems, and that they would even make you think of giving up your Amiga!! There is no reason for 2.04 to be on backorder so far as I can find out. My dealer has had stacks of the packages sitting around here for months. I would think that if she can get them, any other dealer can get them. Have you tried posting a message about this in CBMSER forum?
#65294From: Bill EastburnAug 10, 1992 6:11 PM
Betty, I called Commodore twice today and they confirmed they were still on backorder. I keep forgetting about the CBM area on CompuServe. It has been supported and unsupported by Commodore so often, I really don't spend much time there. My local dealer claims a 50 unit backorder at the present time. I have been trying to get a kit since they came out. Bill, K3OZM
#65327From: Betty Clay/SYSOPAug 10, 1992 9:08 PM
Bill, I'll call my dealer tomorrow and see if they still have any. If so, I'll ask if they could ship one to you, if you'd like. They send things to me via UPS. It takes over an hour to drive each way to get there, so I've found UPS the best way to get things when I know what I want.
#65343From: Michael GerardAug 10, 1992 10:44 PM
Bill: Tell you r dealer that you want them to get you a 2.04 from another dealer, and if they aren't willing to do so, pick up the phone and call a few dealers outside of your area and order it by mail. TO ANY REGISTERED DEVELOPERS: I don't expect anyone to break a non-disclosure, but is it possible that CBM has stopped producing 2.04 roms because they plan to release 2.1 in the near future? Michael
#65386From: Steve AhlstromAug 11, 1992 12:47 PM
Michael, An answer to your question, whether a confirmation or a denial, would be to reveal information that C= themselves have not revealed publically, and therefore would be a breach of the NDA. Now, THAT being said — a local representative of C='s Gold Service contractor told my dealer, a month or so ago, that they would begin supplying something called 2.1 to their Gold Service clients. If that is true (and I can't confirm or deny) I have no idea how that may affect the general availability of 2.04. -sja
#65311From: Harry CallesisAug 10, 1992 7:58 PM
Bill – If your local dealer can't for some reason get 2.04, try mail-order. I believe Grapevine Group sells the 2.04 upgrade either as a complete package or ROM only (I assume for those with more than one Amiga in the same room …). Also, folks like Creative or Briwall may also carry it. And it _might_ just be cheaper. And don't feel like you're not supporting your local dealer by going mail-order in this case. He's had plenty of time to get the product in. – Harry
#65443From: Wayne SteeleAug 11, 1992 10:34 PM
Bill: I upgraded to 2.04 about four months ago. For me, it was a simple phone call to a friend of mine who works at a software store in Ogden, UT. The upgrade kit showed up about ten days later. Just for your information, he had to order it from Commodore. It was not in stock. This all happened after several months of "it's on backorder" excuses from another dealer in Idaho Falls, ID. Needless to say, I will not go back to the dealer in IF for anything in the future. I often wonder if "authorized dealers" aren't to blame for a lot of the guff Commodore gets. If so, Commodore needs to start a "de-authorization" program for useless and non-responsive dealers. Wayne
#65447From: Dominick J. FontanaAug 11, 1992 11:14 PM
Bill, Change your Amiga dealer. 2.04 is available in abundance in New York and many other places. It's a very simple matter to get it. Buy it through mail order. Dom Fontana
#66175From: WES ROBBINSAug 16, 1992 10:32 PM
Hi Dominick……….Would you happen to know who I should ask here about the 1.3 to 2.0 upgrade that Comodore offered at one time to 2000/3000 owners who puchased thier machines just prior to the release of 2.0. I believe it included some hardware upgrades for the 2000. This probably happened a year ago. ………..Wes Via Amiga A2000 and Whap! navigation program
#66216From: Steve AhlstromAug 17, 1992 9:37 AM
Wes, You need to follow the instructions included in that notice. However, I believe the deadline for that offer is long passed. -sja