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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Super TWiT on August 26, 2009, 10:28:00 PM

Title: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: Super TWiT on August 26, 2009, 10:28:00 PM

My A500 came in the mail today, and it seems to be working great but has a few oddities. The biggest of these is a strange switch that is installed on the front of the computer above the keyboard. It seems to have no purpose. Also, when plugging it into the TV, there is a loud humming noise coming from it. To top it all off, the trapdoor cover is missing. Mainly my confusion comes from the switch. Any ideas?

Title: Re: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: odin on August 26, 2009, 10:36:34 PM

Open up the case and find out. Is it marked magic/more magic? =) Most likely a ROM switcher er..switch.

Title: Re: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: save2600 on August 27, 2009, 12:18:50 AM

Quote from: odin;521025

Open up the case and find out. Is it marked magic/more magic? =) Most likely a ROM switcher er..switch.

Magic/more Magic... LOL!  

Probably a ROM switcher, but maybe a sound filter switch? Does the power light dim or
go out when you flick the switch?

If its a Kickstart ROM switcher, you need to turn the machine off and boot again in order
to notice a difference (after you've flicked). You might have 1.3 and 2.04 in there. Unlikely
it was upgraded to 3.1 without the seller mentioning it.

Title: Re: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: orange on August 27, 2009, 01:05:15 AM

you shouldn't use it while Amiga is powered on, it might damage something. it could be 512K RAM on/off, if there is such expansion.
the only other thing that comes to mind is PAL/NTSC switch..

Title: Re: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: Super TWiT on August 27, 2009, 03:48:36 AM

I thought it might be a rom switcher too, but after starting it, flicking it, and starting it again it still displays ver. 1.3. Are these things hard to take apart. Maybe I should just get in there and see if its wired.

Title: Re: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: bm07 on August 27, 2009, 04:10:04 AM

Did you get this from ebay?  I saw one recently that had a weird switch and an "ICD" sticker on it... if you got this one it maybe it is an ICD flicker fixer or accelerator?

Title: Re: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: Super TWiT on August 27, 2009, 04:16:03 AM

I did infact get this from ebay, and it does say ICD on it. So you think the switch may be to a flicker fixer? I noticed the trap door cover was ripped off, so I think if it had one of these it was probably removed and sold sold separately.

Title: Re: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: bm07 on August 27, 2009, 05:26:46 AM

Quote from: Super TWiT;521045

I did infact get this from ebay, and it does say ICD on it. So you think the switch may be to a flicker fixer? I noticed the trap door cover was ripped off, so I think if it had one of these it was probably removed and sold sold separately.

Might be an AdSpeed:
http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=73

Title: Re: A500 Weird Switch
Post by: Super TWiT on August 27, 2009, 09:44:41 PM

bm07 I congratulate you. After opening up the Amiga it turns out it was in fact an adspeed cpu upgrade. They must have literally drilled a hole in the top of the case to put that switch in! Thats what I call talent.