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Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion / Re: Amiga 3000 new owner
« Last post by PlatformerZ on November 13, 2025, 12:34:05 PM »Hello. I am a replete A3000D owner that has had limited experience with the machine. My particular example originated from our local University and a Professor of Astrophysics. It was quite well set up until I mistakenly erased the startup sequence script on the HDD and had to reformat it.
My A3000D also has Kickstart 3.1 roms. This is fundamental as the 3.1 version had many fixes for HDD functions. The early A3000's were capable of dual softkick booting 1.3 and 2.04 roms from disk. Having a writable rom tower on the motherboard. Later releases had v 2.04 roms.
The SCSI chip was released in a couple of versions IIRC and there are two key setups for the SCSI chain of devices. A "strata" setup, "/" originating solely from the SCSI header on the motherboard and a Y setup with the SCSI header on the motherboard in the second position in the chain. Again IIRC.
The "strata" setup requires termination resistors installed on the motherboard and no need for external termination while the "Y" setup has no termination resistors on the motherboard, has the HDD on one end of the cable, the motherboard header next and then further units up to the external SCSI port. The External SCSI port or, if external devices are connected, the farthest device; needs to be terminated for the HDD to function.
This is all off the top of my head so don't quote me. There were online topics which I have no hope of finding again.
Re the CMOS battery. As well as the RTC it holds the NVRAM memory. This stores HDD bootstrapping delays set up optionally by a tool available on Aminet. It's not normally necessary and the A3000 is reportedly fine without it.
On the rear of the machine is the VGA output 31khz from the scandoubler. If being used, you may need to adjust the trimmer pot with a non conductive tool for a stable picture. I have heard of re-capping issues affecting the doubler but haven't encountered that myself.
As for the OS, it needs the same Workbench etc version as the Kickstart or you'll get errors. Libraries were apportioned varyingly between versions.
My A3000D also has Kickstart 3.1 roms. This is fundamental as the 3.1 version had many fixes for HDD functions. The early A3000's were capable of dual softkick booting 1.3 and 2.04 roms from disk. Having a writable rom tower on the motherboard. Later releases had v 2.04 roms.
The SCSI chip was released in a couple of versions IIRC and there are two key setups for the SCSI chain of devices. A "strata" setup, "/" originating solely from the SCSI header on the motherboard and a Y setup with the SCSI header on the motherboard in the second position in the chain. Again IIRC.
The "strata" setup requires termination resistors installed on the motherboard and no need for external termination while the "Y" setup has no termination resistors on the motherboard, has the HDD on one end of the cable, the motherboard header next and then further units up to the external SCSI port. The External SCSI port or, if external devices are connected, the farthest device; needs to be terminated for the HDD to function.
This is all off the top of my head so don't quote me. There were online topics which I have no hope of finding again.
Re the CMOS battery. As well as the RTC it holds the NVRAM memory. This stores HDD bootstrapping delays set up optionally by a tool available on Aminet. It's not normally necessary and the A3000 is reportedly fine without it.
On the rear of the machine is the VGA output 31khz from the scandoubler. If being used, you may need to adjust the trimmer pot with a non conductive tool for a stable picture. I have heard of re-capping issues affecting the doubler but haven't encountered that myself.
As for the OS, it needs the same Workbench etc version as the Kickstart or you'll get errors. Libraries were apportioned varyingly between versions.
) put the A1200NG way below other offerings