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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: tone007 on August 09, 2009, 10:34:01 PM

Title: A3000 1.4 (softkick,) setpatch/3.9 bb rom updates, GO!
Post by: tone007 on August 09, 2009, 10:34:01 PM

I've got an A3000 here, with 16mb of ZIP ram and a 500mb hard drive, but it's only got 2.0 ROMs and I'd rather get 3.9 going on it.

I also have an A3000UX (not working) with a set of 1.4 ROMs and a super-kickstart image for KS 3.1.

Before I go pulling things apart, does anyone have firsthand experience running 3.9 on a 3000 with softkick ROMs?  Mostly I'm concerned about things like setpatch and OS 3.9 boing bag ROM updates and how they might work/fail with the 1.4 ROMs.  It might also be worth mentioning these 3000s have some early chips (Ramsey, DMAC, Buster.)

I'm aware 3.1 ROMs are readily available, but figure I'd use what I have lying around if possible.

Slightly different topic, I noticed the 3000 has a set of jumpers you can set for 2000 ROM compatibility.  Does this mean you can set those and just pop the single A2000/A500 ROM chip into one of the sockets? (leading to another question, would 3.1 ROMs for A2000 support the SCSI in the 3000?)

Title: Re: A3000 1.4 (softkick,) setpatch/3.9 bb rom updates, GO!
Post by: Failure on August 10, 2009, 04:02:13 AM

It seems to work ok for me.  Version shows the 3.9 updates are going in as well although I don't know if there's any issues with it.  I had to keep the WB_1.3 and WB_2.x partition names or the system didn't load the kickstart from HD, but other than that nothing special.

Title: Re: A3000 1.4 (softkick,) setpatch/3.9 bb rom updates, GO!
Post by: Crumb on August 10, 2009, 03:14:20 PM

IIRC if you use a 040 or 060 you may need a real 3.1 rom, but using 030 it shouldn't be a problem.

Title: Re: A3000 1.4 (softkick,) setpatch/3.9 bb rom updates, GO!
Post by: tone007 on August 10, 2009, 05:31:08 PM

Well, since no one's coming out with "It won't work!," I guess I'll get out the screwdriver.

I think the 3000D is my least favorite machine to disassemble.  All the good stuff is hidden under the drives/power supply.

Title: Re: A3000 1.4 (softkick,) setpatch/3.9 bb rom updates, GO!
Post by: tone007 on August 10, 2009, 11:32:24 PM

Well, after fighting with odd behavior for a couple of hours, I took a look at all that ZIP ram and realized the first bank had static column chips in it while the rest were FPM.  Swapped the first SC chip for an FPM, and everything is fine now, 3.9, boing bags and all.

Thanks for the encouragement, I might not have found out about this funny RAM otherwise.