CompuServe Thread

#Workbench 3.1/GVP Combo

9 messages in this thread
#87989From: Jim BelantAug 13, 1994 5:30 PM
Do you know of any compatibility problems with GVP combo boards and Workbench 3.1? I have a 25 MHz combo board w/o MMU, 9 Meg of 32 bit RAM and '882. I was running system 2.04. I tried installing my Kickstart 3.1 ROM, and the system would no longer boot from the on-board controller. I can boot from floppy under sys 3.1 if I diable autoboot. However, I had no success mounting the hard drive. I reinstalled my original ROM, and everything operated normally. Please let me know if you have any ideas. Jim Cruising on AutoPilot
#88070From: GVP TechAug 15, 1994 1:18 PM
Mr. Belant, There should be no problems whatsoever when upgrading to Kickstart 3.1. GVP has not yet received a ROM and disk set for test, however, so we have no tips to offer anyone who is upgrading, at least at this time. GVP TECH
#88100From: Jim BelantAug 15, 1994 9:24 PM
GVP Tech I cured the problem. I needed to change the hard drive's SCSI address from 6 to 0. Autoboot worked perfectly after the change. My old setup had no problem booting from the drive with address 6, so I never changed it. Jim Cruising on AutoPilot
#88121From: Hank DuckmanAug 16, 1994 9:50 AM
PMFJI but considering the status of Commodore at present, it's not very likely that they will be sending you the upgrade. The other groups handling and selling same are mainly distributers and other third party groups, such as Expert Services. It would seem to me that if you are going to continue to support the Amiga, it would not be unreasonable to expect that you would make it your business to obtain the upgrade even if you have to pay for it. If it represents a financial burden, perhaps we GVP product users could take up a collection! Hank
#88135From: Wayne ColeAug 16, 1994 3:32 PM
Oooooo – Slap your wrist!! ;^} I believe the situation is that GVP is in a WordPerfect type pull-out operation. That is, they will continue to offer tech support on a non-interfence basis with the support of their PC products, and there will be no new software updates or hardware updates. The portion of the above that is from GVP itself is the "no more software updates" to things like gvpscsi.device, Faaastprep and gvpcpuctrl even for incompatibilities with later versions of the OS (which possibley explains their lack of interest in 3.1 and means you will most likely receive no assistance with 3.1 vs. GVP hard/firm/software related problems, either). The rest is my guess based on their handover (back?) of ImageFX marketting and support to Nova Designs, the general reduction in support (it takes about a week or two to get a response to a tech support FAX and you cannot call tech support and get a live body, no way, no how), the disappearance of GVP accelerator ads from Amiga mags and the lack of rumor/leaks regarding a GVP '060 accelerator or other new Amiga products. This is not a flame or a complaint against GVP, but an attempt let you know that if you are staying with the Amiga, and you want acceleration products that are going to be supported for the long haul, you might want to consider other products. As I recall, GVP is or was talking about going public. In that circimstance, dedicating resources to the Amiga that get such small returns would not make shareholders happy (except Amiga owners, perhaps). In any event, they want to grow their company so departure from Amiga products and support is inevitable. The up side is that they care enough about us to let us down gently….
#88148From: Hank DuckmanAug 16, 1994 7:52 PM
Being "killed" softly is little consolation. I'd personally prefer a concise surgical amputation, after which I could focus my energies on planning future upgrades with another company. Your analysis seems to be "right on".
#88171From: Leslie T. BartiromoAug 17, 1994 7:45 AM
I think the thing that jarred me the most is the dropping of IV-24. This is a fantastic product but it could use a software and hardware updates. There is so much packed in that one card that it is a fantastic buy! I hope whoever buys the Amiga sparks enough interest to catch GVP on fire again. Remember when they were coming out with a different accelerator every other month? Those were the days.
#88219From: Wayne ColeAug 18, 1994 1:46 AM
I share your dream of the gvp "George Rapp days", but "Public" and "PC Proceeds" are indicators that there will be little interest in putting high talent/high cost effort in a limited niche market, even if its base machine is alive and well.
#88480From: Friso GosligaAug 22, 1994 8:52 AM
I think (or rather – I am sorry to admit) that your analyisis seems to be right, except for the tech support faxes. I sent them a couple of faxes about a week ago and all of them were responded to in less than 24 hours… How's that for a strange thingy? (-> Spitting Image)