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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: rossi46 on January 21, 2012, 01:11:00 PM

Title: Upgrading A1200 WB
Post by: rossi46 on January 21, 2012, 01:11:00 PM
Can I go ahead and purchase and install WB 3.1 on my A1200 even though it only has 3.0 roms?

Sorry for the n00b query, but I'd like to make sure it's okay before I commit to the outlay.

Incidentally, if I also purchased 3.1 roms: are they literally just plug and play, or do they involve a complicated installation?

cheers

Pauly
Title: Re: Upgrading A1200 WB
Post by: runequester on January 21, 2012, 01:29:01 PM
I ran 3.1 with 3.0 ROMs for a while and it worked fine.

The installation of new ROMs is easy, just put in and it's good. Just be really carefull, as the chips has approximately 30000 tiny little legs
Title: Re: Upgrading A1200 WB
Post by: rossi46 on January 21, 2012, 01:45:27 PM
Thanks! I'll give the WB 3.1 a go first.
Title: Re: Upgrading A1200 WB
Post by: Tenacious on January 21, 2012, 02:06:39 PM
IIRC, OS3.1 runs fine with KS3.0.  OSes 3.5 and 3.9 must have KS3.1.

There are 2 roms and 2 sockets, you must match each rom to the correct socket (there should be instructions).  You must also match the ends with the notches to the silkscreen notches.

Finally, the rom chips are in the form of dual in-line packages (dip).  Often, when new, the 2 rows of pins are not parallel to each other.  Instead, they are splayed, when viewed from an end.  If they are pushed into a socket this way, sometimes 1 or more pins will bend.  To prevent this, first lay the chip on each side on a flat surface and gently bend the whole row perpendicular to the chip body.  If all the pins are pointed straight down, they won't bend when pushed into the socket.  

Oops, while typing this long answer, someone answered you already.  This is probably well known, anyway.