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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: krakonos on May 21, 2008, 08:08:12 PM

Title: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: krakonos on May 21, 2008, 08:08:12 PM
Hi@all,
I have an A2000 (rev.4.1) and I would like to upgrade from 512KB chipram to 1MB. I have an Agnus 8375. Can I use it without any adapter (like DKB megachip)? I don't need 2MB chip, just 1MB. Or have I to buy 8372 Agnus?
And can I simply replace the old Agnus with a new one?
Or are there some special instructions?
Thanks much.  
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Xamiche on May 21, 2008, 08:31:36 PM
I added 512KB RAM to my a500 motherboard, made some jumper changes and enabled 1MB chip RAM all with Agnus 8372A. I'm not sure if that would translate to an Amiga 2000 though.
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: krakonos on May 22, 2008, 01:21:39 AM
Thanks Xamiche for your reply,
still need to know if you can use 8375 instead of 8372 :)
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Damion on May 22, 2008, 01:56:54 AM
Quote

krakonos wrote:
Thanks Xamiche for your reply,
still need to know if you can use 8375 instead of 8372 :)


Yes, it should work fine.

-edit- 8375 will work in place of 8372 for addressing 1 MB chip, but as Xamiche says you'll have to modify the board. (Trying to find those docs ATM...)





Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: rkauer on May 22, 2008, 02:05:23 AM
Quote

krakonos wrote:
Thanks Xamiche for your reply,
still need to know if you can use 8375 instead of 8372 :)


 They are not pin-compatible.

 Short answer: No.
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Damion on May 22, 2008, 02:29:03 AM
Quote

rkauer wrote:
Quote

krakonos wrote:
Thanks Xamiche for your reply,
still need to know if you can use 8375 instead of 8372 :)


 They are not pin-compatible.

 Short answer: No.


Yeah, I missed the part about his board being Rev. 4.1. I know 8375 will work in place of 8372 (for addressing 1 MB), but there seems to be some confusion on whether 8375/8372 is compatible with 8370. (As you say, perhaps not?) Anyhow, I believe he'd have to change J101 and cut a trace (looking at the MegaCHIP docs)... and I'm assuming the system would then see an additional 512k of (autoconfig) expansion RAM as CHIPRAM? :shrug:

 
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: countzero on May 22, 2008, 04:00:50 AM
the rev4 a2000 mobo I have doesn't have any empty ram slots. the ram is also organised as 4 rows of 8 (1x128k) chips so it seems mission impossible my friend.

http://amiga-hardware.com/download_photos/a2000rev43mb.jpg
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Matt_H on May 22, 2008, 05:31:29 AM
Quote
Anyhow, I believe he'd have to change J101 and cut a trace (looking at the MegaCHIP docs)... and I'm assuming the system would then see an additional 512k of (autoconfig) expansion RAM as CHIPRAM?

I believe that's correct. I feel like guides for this change used to be all over the place but I can't find any now...
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Gilloo on May 22, 2008, 08:52:09 AM
Quote

krakonos wrote:
Hi@all,
I have an A2000 (rev.4.1) and I would like to upgrade from 512KB chipram to 1MB.

No Impossible with rev4.1.
You need at least rev4.3 or rev4.4 to manage 1 Mo chip by cutting jumper J101 (unsoldering this track).
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Zac67 on May 22, 2008, 08:54:54 AM
As long as it's square PLCC Agnus, you can very easily upgrade the chip RAM to 1 MB. See this (http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35082) thread for compatibility info of the various 8375 models. Only the very early German A2000(A) Rev 4.0 can't be upgraded.

Once you got the 1 MB Agnus in place, switch J101 to 2-3 and open J500.
J101 remaps the $C00000 'ranger' mem to its original position at $080000 (just behind the first 512KB of chip RAM) and J500 open disables the (now mirrored) RAM at $C00000.
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: krakonos on May 22, 2008, 10:45:09 AM
Thanks guys for all your help,

so I'll try to switch the J101 to 2-3 position
and cut the J500 trace and we will see...

Btw, the old Agnus is 8371 (318071-01)
and the new one is 8375 (390544-01).
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Zac67 on May 22, 2008, 10:54:53 AM
According to BBoAH, 390544-01 is an A500+/A600 PAL Agnus for 2 MB - probably won't work in a 2000.  :-(
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: krakonos on May 22, 2008, 11:24:11 AM
Thx Zac67,
so there is nothing like 2MB 8375 PAL for A2000?
I see only A2000 2MB 8375 NTSC there :-(
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Matt_H on May 22, 2008, 04:26:45 PM
8375 definitely won't work. You need an 8372(A) - ECS 1MB Agnus.
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Zac67 on May 22, 2008, 05:10:53 PM
Quote
Matt_H wrote:
8375 definitely won't work. You need an 8372(A) - ECS 1MB Agnus.


Not true, mate. Some 8375 are compatible with A500/2000s. In 1993 I got a bunch of them as spare parts directly from C=:
318069-16 PAL
318069-17 NTSC
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: countzero on May 22, 2008, 05:16:35 PM
can somebody tell me where he's supposed to solder the extra 512k ? this is not a rev6a a500 mobo. there are no empty ram sockets. there is no expansion ram port.
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: Zac67 on May 22, 2008, 05:24:21 PM
All 4.1+ boards have a full MB onboard.
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: countzero on May 22, 2008, 05:45:54 PM
doh somewhat that 512k fast was etched in my memory as zorro memory ...  :getmad:
Title: Re: A2000 chipram upgrade
Post by: CLS2086 on May 22, 2008, 10:35:24 PM
yeps countzero.
I had the inverse joke, when i put all chips from a REV6.3 on a REV 4.3...  512 kb + 512 kb fast..