#Need help with hardware
4 messages in this thread
I have a problem which I hope some of you hardware guys can help me with. I
have an Amiga 1000 with a Starboard (1Meg) and a Supra SCSI interface attached
to a Seagate 277N 63 Meg hard drive. The problem is they don't seem to work
together. When they are both attached the system crashes and requires a cold
start (asks for Kickstart) to get it going again. Assuming this was the
infamous PAL problem I took the machine in and had the PALs grounded. This made
the problem a little better, but it eventually degraded to the point where I
couldn't do anything. I talked to Supra tech support and they recommended a
different method of grounding. I had that done with the same results. I'd
appreciate any advice before I sink more money into this. Has anyone had a
similar problem? What is the next step? One solution might be to get the RAM
boards which go inside the Supra interface, but they don't make them anymore.
Does anyone know where I can get one? Thanks. Bill Crabb/exit
Bill,
you've run into the major limitation of the A1000. It was only
designed for ONE add-on device. That device can be a box or a board.
My only suggestion to you is to swap the order of the add-ons if
possible…that sometimes helps.
A RAM board that goes inside the A1000 is no different that one that
goes on the outside..other than where it's mounted.
The other possibility is to get a different set of PALs. C.Ltd used to
sell them for about $60 and they helped somefolks…but no guarantees.
Don
Thanks for the input. Swapping the order hasn't helped. The RAM boards I was
thinking about was a board that went inside the Supra interface, but apparently
they made very few of them. Another possibility I've been thinking about is
replacing the Supra interface with the Starboard SCSI board which fits inside
the Starboard itself. Hopefully these will be compatible. Any experience with
this? I talked to the guys at Supra tech support (who seem pretty knowledable).
They didn't think swapping the PALs would do much and I'm reluctant to sink
more money into the PAL route. This is frustrating. I wish I ran into a
reasonable trade up offer and could just get a 2000 and be done with it! Bill
Bill,
Well…you could always discuss a trade in with your dealer…you might
be surprised. If that doesn't work, find out what they'll sell you an A2000
with HD controller for. Then figure how much you'd need for you A1000 plus
those add-ons you'd no longer need if you had an A2000.
Put an ad in your local newspaper for a bit more than that amount
(gives you some dickering room) and see if you can sell it. If you can…fine,
go pick up the A2000. If you can't…at least you now have a more realistic
idea what your equipment is really worth.
Don