CompuServe Thread

I've got a Multistart II in my A500 and it works just fine. By adding a little startup-sequence, I can boot my hard drive in either 1.3 or 2.04 automatically. I bought one of the manually switched cards first and it didn't work at all and looked to be very cheaply made. I got my MS II from Computability for only $59 + $4 shipping. Hope this helps. BTW there was a discussion about switchers on another forum here (AmigaTech I think) and the people who responded had nothing but praise for the DKB. Best…

I have the MultiStart in my A2500, working like a champ. Have seen other messages here from happy users too. I know one person was unable to get it to work, and had to send it back; but he was the first I'd heard of with a problem. I've two pieces of DKB hardware in my machine, and am very happy with both of them. 60% failure rate? The dealer had a 60% rate, or he'd *heard* that it had a 60% failure rate? Hard to believe one dealer would have sold enough of the thing to allow them to develop an accurate failure rate…. (ie. 3 out of 5 failed for them? 6 out of 10? what?) But that's nitpicking anyway 🙂 –jp–seattle–

Ken, I'm the one person that John was talking about that had a problem with the DKB MultiStart II board. There are three ROM-switchers that I know of. They are: 1) MultiStart II by DKB 2) KickStart Board by Utilities Unlimited of Oregon 3) Switch It by Global Upgrades I originally wanted the DKB, but my delaer talked me out of it. He said to get one that has a hardware switch. I then got the KickStart Board, which uses a 3-position switch to change ROMs. I went through three boards and none worked. I got a refund and then left a message here. The DKB board got glowing reviews. I called the Grapevine Group to order one, but they were on backorder for 2-4 weeks. The guy from Grapevine suggested the Switch It board. He said it was very similar to the DKB board, but only allowed for 2 ROMs. It was software switchable and he had it in stock. I left a message here for comments on the board and a gentleman offered to sell me a DKB board which was unused. He ordered it in September before 2.0 was released because he correctly figured that the DKB board would be on backorder after 2.0's release. He then decided not to use it. When I installed the DKB board, it wouldn't switch ROMs. It would always boot from the default ROM. It turns out that my unit was one of the first ones made. Probably, the others who have endorsed the DKB got a later version that worked properly. I sent the board back to DKB and the tech had to change a couple of resistors. I just got it back with a registration card and a new manual. Apparently, they've even changed the manual since the first units were sold. I haven't installed it yet. The point is that from everything I've heard, the DKB board is the one to get. My problems were caused by an early production model of the unit. I would not recommend the KickStart board and I don't know anyone who's ever tried the Switch It board. Good luck. Dom Fontana

I'd go with the DKB. I work for the local dealer, we've had a 100% sucess rate with them. I did see one of the other available boards. It looked poorly made, although the guy who bought it hasn't complained. One thing I did note about the DKB, most of take longer than 10 seconds when you do the three-finger-salute to switch ROMS. No big deal… Jim

I also have the DKB MS II and had little difficulty in installing it, though the pins don't go 100% into the socket (more like 90%). The pins seem to be tapered. A gentle rocking motion whilst applying minimal directional torque should suffice in transplanting a new MS II. Not only is the MS II reboot-selectable, but you can even change a jumper to "permanently" select which ROM to start with (I started up with 1.3 for awhile as I was converting to 2.04). Someone had raised a concern about potential EMI/RFI with the MS II, but seemed to feel that it wouldn't amount to much. The (newer) manuals seem to be well thought out. Some of the diagrams could use a little tweeking, but they are otherwise better than most of what you would/used to find in Chilton's (gee – is that dark area there really where the carbeurator is supposed to go?). – Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois)

Ken, I also have an MSII. Having read some of the threads here about it I decided to try. I have had no problems related to the DKB board at all. It has worked exactly as advertised. My one problem is my old 1.2 ROM which will not autoboot. As I only use the alternate for old favorite games I just turn the Harddrive off and then reboot. Eventually I'll not need the board at all. I have found that most of the sofware I thought would not run under 2.04 actually will. Perhaps you don't need the switcher at all? Vic.

After 2 kickboards that refused to work, I got the MultiStartII. It works well. The only thing I had to do beyond the installation instructions was remove the Gary chip on my 2500 and reseat it to get a snug fit with the wire clip. I was getting intermittent screen tearing with my DEB/FickerFixer combo until I did this. Now if Grapevine would just refund me for the Kickboard – a whole other story!

If you can find someone who already has a V2.04 Amiga who will let you try out your programs on their machine, then you can definitively determine whether the MultiStart II is required or not. If you would like to remain "compatible" with V1.3 for whatever reason (eg; not sure about V2.04 compatibility, known software incompatibilities with V2.04, programs/scripts/DOS commands, or anything which depends on the same, which give different results under the two AmigaDOS's, programs which violated the "standard" screen definitions (putting requestors where they shouldn't have and now you can't use them under V2.04), etc.), then the MultiStart II is a reasonable investment. If you do, would like to, or are planning to do any software development for distribution, then you may want backwards compatibility to see what needs to be handled differently under V1.3 versus V2.04. If you only need one OS and you don't care about keeping or using something that either doesn't work well or work at all under V2.04, then don't bother with the MultiStart II. It really is easy to install and though it is an additional cost if you are migrating to V2.04, it may well be worth getting the MS II. – Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois)