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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Software Issues and Discussion => Topic started by: rvo_nl on December 29, 2009, 01:09:09 PM
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With great interest I've read the topic on 'How to create a fast (but stable) OS3.9 AGA setup'. Good to see people putting a lot of effort in getting their AGA machines to run as efficient as possible. However, I have a graphicscard and as such many of the patches mentioned are of no use to me. The thing is, I dont know which ones!
I've therefore put together a list of patches that are often talked about on this site, and some that I've used myself many years ago. It would be great to have input from all of you to find out which of these are still useful when running OS3.9 on a kickstart 3.1 machine (with a graphicscard). Sorry for any stupid questions, I've learned a lot the last few months but I've missed even more the last 8 years or so.
- Blizkick : apart from mapping the ROM into memory, which OS3.9 already does, will it give me other big enhancements? I've read about the modules it offers and some do sound very useful, but I wonder how much benefit I'd get from something like SpeedyIDE when using IDE-Fix Express already.
- Rom2fast / Quickrom : is anyone still using them, now that Blizkick seems to be the way to go?
The following patches free up chipmem, but since I'm using a graphicscard, I wonder if they'd help me:
- fblit & ftext
- BlazeWCP
- Iconbefast + Powericons
- Systempatch : includes all 3 patches, and a lot more, but its unclear to me what other patches are made redundant by this one. I would also like to know how many people are using Systempatch, is it as 'big' as MCP used to be, for example?
The following patches provide more memory for library calls. At least thats what I think. how do I know when I should use them?
- ramlibpatch : this is probably outdated? Can't find it anywhere.
- morelibspace : can't find this on aminet either, although I know it causes another reboot, which I'd hate.
I've always prefered MCP over MultiCX, but I guess OS3.9 is full of fixes for things that MCP is patching, so..
- MCP : is it still safe to use MCP with OS3.9? Does it patch anything that can't be patched seperately?
- Patchcontrol : is this still needed with the latest version of MCP?
The following patches are probably no longer needed since OS3.9 has fixed those issues, but please confirm:
- Fastiprefs : the 'new' iprefs is just as good, and it wouldnt be compatible with OS3.9 anyway?
- Newicons : icon.library takes care of this now?
Some patches for high-end CPU and RTG users:
- gfxroute : Control fscreen and CGFX memory allocs
- tlsfmem : A cleaner way of handling memory
- copymem : useful for 040/060 users, but what about 060+rtg users?
- patch060 : What's this, and where to get it from?
- oxypatcher / cyberpatcher : and now that I've mentioned it, what about these two? Still useful?
Last 2 questions:
- can I use KingCON, the shell replacement/enhancement, under OS3.9?
- And should I still use Setmemmode, now that I can set the speed of my memory in the PPC bootmenu?
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- tlsfmem : A cleaner way of handling memory
- copymem : useful for 040/060 users, but what about 060+rtg users?
2 of the best patches ever! You should always run them whether you have RTG or not.
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blizkick makes it possible to apply setpatch patches and reboot just once.
stackattack is probably one of the most important patches. It should be made standard.
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- can I use KingCON, the shell replacement/enhancement, under OS3.9?
Yes, ofcourse - but it isn't a shell replacement/enhancement, it's a console device replacement.
OS3.9 comes with another one that's called ViNCEd (v3.91, copyrighted Amiga Inc - v3.73 http://aminet.net/package/util/shell/ViNCEd is not) and also comes with a new shell (45.7) for which there is an update (45.27) on aminet: http://aminet.net/package/util/boot/ShellUpdate
Personally I use both, ViNCEd is overfeatured most of the time (and I can make it crash regularly on UAE), but does have its uses when a more compatible terminal console is needed. KingCON on the other hand is tiny, does most of what you want, romable and nice.
If you really want a nice shell "replacement" (doesn't replace it, but gives you another one), then ZShell is it - http://aminet.net/package/util/shell/ZShell - it can install menus, close the console window it is running on and reopen a new on a different screen, iconify without holding up screenmode updates, and much more. And it comes with source code... 68k asm.
Also there's WShell by William Hawes who alse made ARexx, but WShell is commercial and pretty rare these days.
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@kolla: thanks, have to admit that I hadnt even spotted ViNCEd in my os3.9 install, but will check it out. I'll have a look at your other suggestions aswell.
@fallenone: I forgot about stackattack! thanks!
@all: I expected more replies, to be honest. Now I still have no clue on what patches are essential and used by everyone. This goes especially for blizkick, cyber/oxypatcher, patch060 and setmemmode. the others are a matter of trying out, I guess.
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I would say "env-handler" is one that you wouldn't want to be without.
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, cyber/oxypatcher,
mandatory at least if running 060 Quake.