Recent Purchase Issue

[Madshib]

Well, I suppose it happens when you purchase used, vintage hardware. There is the general wear that may not translate in the photo posted, specific conditions of the interior that couldn't be made out, etc. I made a gross error and was just plain 'ol unprepared for  the situation I now find myself.

I recently purchased a second(third, fourth, whatever) hand Amiga 1200 from a very accommodating individual who is very far away. Being just generally excited about the prospect of owning one of the few Amiga models I didn't have the chance to own ~20 years ago, I didn't think with my head when I read the post and made the purchase. Coming to some of my senses prior to it being shipped, the person threw in some extras so that I could use it.

The problem is this: The computer is setup to run A flavor of AmiKit 3.9 and was originally sold with an 060 accelerator. The accelerator put it out of my budget, but the sale was split and I just purchased the 1200 with HDD and 3.9 installed. The seller provided five (5) WB 3.1 disks so that I could use the computer. Which one was missing you ask? The Install disk.

Before realizing this, I purchased a CF adapter, PCMCIA transfer kit, and 2 4 gig Sandisk CFs. Once I got everything together, I installed the new CF hard disk in the puter and loaded WB3.1. Discovering the missing puzzle piece after loading and not finding HD Toolbox, I contacted the seller and no dice. I searched the internet for OS 3.1 kits without much luck either. I have adf files of WB 3.1, but no disk drive on my Linux machine.

I tried installing the OS on the CF through the PCMCIA adapter in UAE, but the Amiga still doesn't recognize it. I also tried retyping the startup sequence (as it is on the fresh UAE CF install through Ed in CLI) into the original HDD with 3.9 installed hoping to dodge the out of memory errors and Apollo 68060 prompt. I also renamed the User Sequence to avoid the startup programs(Mui, Miami, Roadshow, etc.) but the machine just hangs. I also attempted to use the PCMCIA CF tooltypes and data to utilize after booting from 3.1 disk, but that doesn't work either. I'm afraid to install it directly to the 3.1 disk as I don't think it'll work, let alone the only way to access Workbench successfully now.

I used this computer exclusively 15 years ago but it seems that it's not as familiar as I thought it would be jumping back into it. I'm not an idiot, just a bit off the path with the solution evading me.

I was really hoping that someone here would be able to provide some alternative as original 3.1 disks seem to be an elusive sort. ANY advice is welcome, just be gentle.

[Madshib]

If I were you I would just grab one of the low cost CF IDE kits from eBay that have WB 3.1 already installed and tested on the CF for the A1200.

I was afraid of that option, but seems the most straightforward. I purchased the IDE -> CF kit off of ebay from a good seller. Maybe he'll extend a courtesy since I bought the adapter from him. If there are any other suggestions, I'm all ears. Thanks

[Madshib]

@ Madshib

You might try using a USB to CF (I assume you have more than one CF card) adapter and copying your 3.1 WB ADFs to it from your Linux machine. Also copy ADF Blitzer to the CF Card. Then insert the CF card into your PCMCIA adapter - insert PCMCIA adapter into A1200 PCMCIA slot. Transfer (and install?) ADF Blitzer to the working 3.9 and then create the 3.1 WB disks using the A1200 floppy disk...  just a thought.

Rog....

PS...even though I have USB in my A1200, there are times when a USB to CF Card Reader comes in real handy! Pop the CF card in the USB Card Reader, copy your stuff, and then pop the CF card into the PCMCIA adapter!

The HDD is recognized when I boot from the 3.1 workbench disk hence why I can modify the S: files with Ed, but I can't load into 3.9 as all attempts have been unsuccessful.

What I had just recently tried this fine evening is to extract my 3.1Install.lha file onto the CF and put it into the PCMCIA adapter and into the 1200. The 1200 says it's not a DOS disk. I also tried preparing the CF for file transfer from UAE with a card prep utility on the HDD in the 1200, but it says that it is write protected....
I like your idea though...the Subway is a nice piece of hardware and makes things flexible.

I think the guy I bought th CF from also sells the 3.1 disks. It is probably a good purchase just in the event that I screw something up down the road. I can't find the advert for this sale, but it is indicated in the description of his other posts. I hope he still has them. That is probably the best avenue.

[Madshib]

If you remember how to change the boot settings... Is it hold down the mouse buttons on startup?

Boot from the Workbench 3.1 disk. If the hard drive has come up:
Open Amigashell. CD into dh0:
ed startup-sequence
edit the startup-sequence so it is the same as the one on you workbench 3.1 disk. (you can back it up first)
it will probably be a command like cpu fastrom which is causing it to hang. for the 020 you can do CPU instcache only.
Also check that the addbuffers command isn't too high.

Can I just rename the Startup sequence on the HDD and copy the one from the 3.1 disk over?

[Madshib]

New Jersey. I'll pay for shipping.

[Madshib]

I knew there would be a plethora of options, thank you all. I will start working on it again starting tomorrow.

@panterz

I had no idea that these were things to even look for, I will start loking into this. GREAT input! Thank you

@gizmo

I don't have any floppies atm either as I am waiting for the chance to order some. I didn't want to get overly premature, even though I seem to be almost there, Thank you

@novacoder
I have an accelerator on order with 32mb of ram coming in about a month so I can explore more options then(including upgrading the accelerator to 256mb, SCSI, and FPU). In the meantime, BetterWB and the host page has been bookmarked for awhile as I have been monitoring the BB updates, but I wanted to do a fresh install and build up. I will be checking out EAB and hopefully come to some resolution.

@ O_Mike
I'm sorry about your work schedule. I was at the Baltimore Aquarium a week ago and it took about 2 hours to drive there from the Trenton area. I'd imagine Washington is about 2.5 to 3 in lesser traffic. I'll keep this in mind if all else fails.

@spirantho
I just paid postage for the other upgrades from UK so, why not? Maybe I purchased them from you....? PM Sent

[Madshib]

Hello all!

I thought I would just let everyone know who provided advice that I was able to setup my 4 gb CF drive. I wanted to thank everyone for their direction and input as it was invaluable. I still need to setup the 20gb drive, but I haven't had too much time the past week so I have been content with getting stuff going on the little drive.

It seems that there are a lot(!) of forums and websites out there dedicating themselves to this particular topic, but it took a combined approach to make it really happen. In fact, I thought it would be nice to post something to let the next guy/gal know what to do without  the excessive hunting.

Will post when I get a second, but I just wanted to extend a great thanks to the Amiga community. It is nice to be back!