#out of sync
12 messages in this thread
Dear Bob,
I'm a bit out of touch with the developments in Amiga hardware/ software
and am seriously considering upgrading my A2000 system. I'm still on
release 1.3 of the o/s and have 3 mb of ram and a 20 mb hard drive. I use
the system mostly for desk top publishing word processing and educational
games for my family. I'm using professional page, professional draw,
wordperfect 4.1 and a few other utilities and such. My interest is in
upgrading with an accelerator, such as 25/33 mhz 680030 and adding a 100 mb
disk.
I'm concerned about migrating my old software to version 2.xx of the o/s
and what your recommendations might be for a cost effective hardware
upgrade… we can have an ongoing dialog on this topic, as it might be of
interest to many users.
I look forward to hearing from you… best regards… tim b.
Tim,
I have a Commodore 2630 in my system, and have had no problems or
complaints with it. I've also been running Version 2.0x (or later) of the
OS since before 2.04 was released (I'm a registered developer), and have
not had any software failures that were OS-related. Of course, my
software arsenal tends to be relatively limited and "up-to-date". I also
don't run many Euro-games <grin>.
My recommendation is that you definitely upgrade your system software
— version 2.xx is so far superior and more stable than 1.3, and the
little software that might "break" is already broken – it's just not
telling you.
That's my $.02 worth….
– BobR
dear bob,
thanks for the advice… tell me though, do i have to purchase a 2.xx ROM
chip or any other hardware to complete the o/s upgrade?
can you give me any further details on your accelerator board?
thanks again… tim b.
Tim,
The 2.04 upgrade Enhancer Kit includes a new ROM. It's a fairly simple
installation, although you may feel more comfortable having your dealer's
service tech install it.
My accelerator board is the Commodore 2630 – has a 25 MHz 68030 and 4
megs of 32-bit memory. Because the memory on the accelerator is "standard
autoconfig" memory, it is available for use by my DMA hard disk
controller. While there is no additional room on the board for more
memory, there is a daughter-board available from DKB Software to allow for
more memory expansion.
Hope this helps…
– BobR
dear bob,
thanks again… it does help a lot! i have just a couple more questions…
if i add a 2630 board, will the system still recognize my 2 mb expansion
already installed? i have a commodore disk controller, model 2092 or
something… will i have to reformat my hard disk to accept o/s 2.04?
finally, i've seen a 396sx bridgeboard available… do you know anyone
using it… how's its performance??
again thanks for your caluable assistance!
regards… tim b.
Tim,
There should be no problem with the system's accessing your 2-meg
expansion board with a 2630 installed. I have a 2 meg 16-bit ram board in
my system also. The 16-bit memory is slower, but the system is smart
enough to use the 32-bit memory first.
While you won't have to reformat your hard disk when you install 2.04,
it is the recommended procedure. I know that I had to reformat mine, but
that was because I had been using some interim beta releases of the OS,
and the reformat was definitely necessary due to problems in them.
(Aren't developers lucky? <grin>)
I've no experience with the 386sx bridgeboard. I would "guess" that
it's pretty comparable to a separate 386sx, except that the only graphics
mode available unless you add a separate video board is CGA <ugh>. My own
personal opinion is that, unless you really only need MS-DOS capability
very occasionally or you have a very limited amount of space available,
buying a separate Klone makes more sense – they've gotten cheap enough
that you're really not saving much (if any) by going the bridgeboard
route.
Hope this helps….
– BobR
dear bob,
you've been a great help and i appreciate it… will let you know how it
all turns out!
best regards… tim b.
Don't buy the 2.04 enhancer, the 2.1 Enhancer should be available by now.
If your dealer says he doesn't have it, wait. It should be available
anytime now in your area. I just got the 2.1 version tonight.
Chris
thanks chris… will have to check with my dealer and will definitley hold
out for 2.1… thanks again… tim b.
Chris,
You need the 2.04 enhancer package (with the 2.04 ROM) for the 2.1
package to be of any value.
Don
Don,
Yes, I realize that you need the new ROM, but the dealer had the 2.1
enhancers with ROM for $99 or without for $45, your choice.
Chris
Don,
No — 2.04 is not needed for the "2.1 package to be of any value". You
can purchase the 2.1 Enhancer Kit with or without ROM. Obviously, if you
don't have the 2.04 ROM you'd need to purchase it. The 2.1 Enhancer Kit
comes in 2 flavors, (MSRP) $49.95 with manual and disks and $99.95 with
manual, disks, and ROM.
-sja