Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Will-i-am on March 11, 2006, 06:47:30 PM
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I got an Amiga with the Amax IV (I think) and was thinking about piddling around with yet another OS, especially since my daughter now owns a Mac laptop. Then I bought a box of Amiga hardware and software (along with an A3000) and noticed an Amax thingy which seems to attach to the par port, thus blocking several ports etc... So this blocky plastic device has a nice melted point on the case about 3/4 into the side opposite the par port end.. ie not up against the Amiga. I'm wondering if anybody here knows about this device and if there is some internal reason for the case to be slightly melted? Like a resistor array that sometimes overheats... It's not extensive, more like a hot light bulb rested against it and thru the hole I can see the edge of the PCB which does not look burned or anything, so maybe the heat came from without...?
Likewise, since this looks old anyway and the Amax board in my A4000 looks like it might actually work, is it worth messing with? I mean, I also have an 8088 bridgecard and I have NO intention of trying to load DOS onto any part of my A4000's nor my A2000's. Just not worth the effort, ya know? I like fooling with arcane bits of hardware/software but since I have several Amigas in various states of repair I can skip this plaything and not feel slighted, but if it can do something cool I might give it a shot... except of course if this melted point means the whole thing is fried anyway. So if anybody knows about it and can let me know what kind of fun things a working model can do, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
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Hi...
From your description the external device sounds like the original A-Max. It needs Apple ROMS in order to function. They would be installed inside the grey box.
The A-Max card in your computer is much better, and they don't work together. The card also needs a set of Apple ROMS. I believe I've seen the software and manuals on-line for download. You can run System 7 in color using the card and proper software.
I wrote the manual for the last A-Max but haven't actually used one in about 13 years! The details are fuzzy here..but luckily there is documentation on the net!
Bob
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beller wrote:
Hi...
From your description the external device sounds like the original A-Max. It needs Apple ROMS in order to function. They would be installed inside the grey box.
The A-Max card in your computer is much better, and they don't work together. The card also needs a set of Apple ROMS. I believe I've seen the software and manuals on-line for download. You can run System 7 in color using the card and proper software.
I wrote the manual for the last A-Max but haven't actually used one in about 13 years! The details are fuzzy here..but luckily there is documentation on the net!
Bob
yup, I have the ROMS for the card, it looks like it was actively being used before it was sold. It's one of those Atlantis machines that had all kinds of goodies in it. Well, if the box thingy is the first generation I think I'll put it with the 8088 bridgecard and call it a museum. Gee, I used to have an Apple IIe but I tossed it out. Too bad, although I do have those Intergraph workstations running unix and they are kinda fun. I want to try to load linux in one if I can just for sport. Dual processors, even old ones, have to fast enough to play with. Ya know, I never actually DO much with these antiques, but I do like seeing if I can get them to boot and run the occasional game or program.