**Need Setup HELP** with Classic Amiga 2000 HARD DISK (Bridgeboard)

[wbrejnia]

68010. They're like $5 bucks on eBay. But your choice, lol. :lol:

I will eventually.
I was originally worried that some RARE bug might be introduced (which would drive me crazy), but from this write up it appears upgrade to 68010 is 100% harmless. http://www.amigareport.com/ar402/feature1.html

Is this the one I need (just to be sure)  MC68010P10

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MOTOROLA-MC68010P10-CDIP-64-Microcontroller-Microprocessor-Chip-/272601508612?hash=item3f7850eb04:g:J7AAAOSwHMJYDknf

or even cheaper https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MC68010P10/32428831542.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.9.TfBqsq&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10130_10068_10139_10136_10137_10138_10060_10062_10141_10056_10055_10054_10059_10099_129_10103_10102_10096_10148_10052_10053_10050_10107_10142_10051_10143_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10037_10032_10078_10079_10077_10073_10070_10123_10124,searchweb201603_6,afswitch_1,ppcSwitch_5,single_sort_0_default&btsid=023d2a15-0fad-4c79-94dc-0925b14d28a7&algo_expid=281f2954-64ec-432d-a240-10f8e71b72c0-1&algo_pvid=281f2954-64ec-432d-a240-10f8e71b72c0

[wbrejnia]

It's not harmless, there is software that fails on anything other than a 68000. However using WHDLoad should fix it anyway.

Well if that is the case, then I'll will be putting in the 68010 at the very end.

(ie, Get everything working that I want working. Then see what breaks, if anything).
 For the two Kickstart ROMs I'll be playing with (I will have the ROM switcher, so easy flip-Check).

This whole thread would have been only a few posts, if it were not quirky bugs, adapters, Controller Cards, Library version mistmatches, so I'm sensitive to straying from the norm.

Especially since I'm not even close to finishing all SW/OS setups for the various things I wish running.

[wbrejnia]

Edit: Look at this funny thread I just googled up:  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/net.micro.amiga/g05c2-5Fumc/cbCDhoMv_xUJ

Dave Haynie posts from 1986, lol.

Funny discussion on Copy Protection that makes floppies go bad  Clever thinking (modifying source disk).  Must have been fun to crack.

[wbrejnia]

I'd get the one with the picture.  Maybe it's just a "feel good" thing, but if they send the wrong item at least I can point back to the picture as an obvious "you sent the wrong thing!" moment.  Also, from the item description, you're more likely to get it a little faster.

I ordered the cheap one.  
Hopefully it never arrives for a long, Long Time

(Funny story about a China Order from Oct 2016.  The part never arrived.  I complained a few weeks ago.  They send an express-ship replacement.  Both arrived a week apart).

[wbrejnia]

Ahead of Schedule (Installed GVP-A4000 HC+8 SCSI Controller HD)

I decided to Install the GVP SCSI Controller to make sure my purchase is in working order.

Swapped the Kickstart to OS3.1

I've never seen an Amiga Boot off a Hard Drive Ever before (Always been Floppy boots, or GOTEK)

Wow!  Super Fast.

All working on preliminary checks. (Hard drive and Extra Memory)



Should I be doing any performance tests?  

I know nothing aboutthe On Board FastMem vs the GVP DMA memory.  But all appears to be there.  I think?

[wbrejnia]

Imho Indivision is the best route. Pop it in, use almost any modern-ish (VGA-style) monitor, OS-independent. They usually run around $90-$95 new.

Mike,

I have to say a BIG THANKS for your advice/push to go with Indivision.
Couldn't be more Happier.

That SCART Adapter hasn't arrived, and it will go back in sealed box.

I was fooling around and peeked into Preferences.  Switched Video mode to Interlace.  WOW!

I certainly didn't expect the extra resolution without an additional Graphics card.

Amazing!!!  
I guess it's so good since I'm using a LCD monitor with Indivision.
I figure if I hooked up my Amiga Monitor I wouldn't get this, or I would see annoying flicker.



Thanks again.

What else haven't I yet discovered?

[wbrejnia]

Now it's OS3.1 (After getting good at WB1.2/WB1.3)

So for last couple of months, I learned WB1.2 Inside out (With Bridgeboard/Janus).

I got a feeling about WB1.3 and basically understand most of the differences.

Now with OS3.1 (I'm totally lost)

-> Where do I begin learning OS3.1?  (Trace STARTUP-SEQUENCE? and peek around?)

Only book I found is a German OS3.1 Manual.

--> Should I be getting Amiga Forever Plus Edition (Will that have Manual/Information?)

I'm terrified trying my Bridgeboard installs on this OS3.1 that came with GVP-SCSI drive (I may ruin things.  There is no un-install)

For now I'll just setup a Gotek WB1.2 Boot to get to bridgeboard.

--> What is good way to backup my current Hard Drive OS install?

Any pointers to links, resources, books would be appreciated.
I did a lot of googling and didn't find anything good yet.

[wbrejnia]

Yes, all there.  Looks good!  

I would still really recommend performing the mod to give yourself 1MB of chip ram, however.  (would leave you with 1MB chip and 8MB fast, which is about the most an unaccelerated, non-2MB Agnus-having, A2000 can support)

->Is this the MOD where you replace the on board Memory Chips (removing the current ones and replacing with Double capacity).  Basically upgrade from 512K to 1 MB onboard.
-> Plus a little bit of jumper work.

Get's me closer to a Rev 6 board without the    [[[[  ECS chips which would allow up to 2MB. (Wouldn't consider this ever)  ]]]

I read this somewhere during my googling.
Something like this http://www.nightfallcrew.com/30/09/2010/amiga-2000-pal-rev4-5-battery-1mb-chipram-upgrade/

Let me look into this.  (ie If chips easy to get).

[wbrejnia]

Memory chips on the board (1MB) remain the same, it's how they're addressed that changes.

I think I get it. (maybe not)
The 1MB of memory I currently have on board (which currently is Address split) 512kB Chip and 512kB Fast, becomes 1MB Chip with the simple 8372 Agnus Chip Upgrade.
And the reason I would consider this is my GVP+8 board has 8MB of Fast Ram, so this would balance things up.
But if I pulled the GVP out, it would mess things up.  Correct?

[wbrejnia]

SCART to HDMI converter Arrived

So the converter Arrived, but I already love the Indivision Solution.


I'm stuck with the AmiKit Cable, but can return the Converter for Full Refund.

Thinking of trying it before I do.  Just to compare.

[wbrejnia]

then tomorrow...... Stuff it, I'll buy a A4000!  

Yeah, I know.  A2000 is limited.

But for me this is nothing to do with the A2000 in some ways.
I really haven't figured out a purpose other than a Retro Demo Box.

I scratch my head thinking when I'm done, what SW will I use.
I'll try Deluxe Paint, but just to see what it was like.  
Few Games to see them again.

I do have a copy of "The Lost Treasures OF INFOCOM".
 Playing a couple of those Episodes will be Special.  I played quite a few Titles ages ago (drawing maps and Clues on Paper).

I've been looking into Programming Languages/Compilers to write some useful programs.  (not much out there except for Basic).

What I'm enjoying is the process of building Up he Amiga.  Nothing more YET!

[wbrejnia]

A bit of Modernization for the A2000 (Which is my Project Box)

So I've been getting concerned when I pack this Amiga with all the boards, how warm will things get during use.

When I was fooling around with the RLL drive and doing Low Level Format, the Drive got so Hot I could barely touch it.

So here is a future Project I'm planning.

I have a couple of Temp. Sensors that are for PI and Aurdino Projects.

I have spare I/O on the Ardiuno Board that currently drives the Spared LED DISPLAY on the Gotek. (After Adding the LCD Display)

If I get these working together, I can have a pulse on the heat inside the Chassis (a few places, eg Power Supply, HD, CPU)

That DS18B20 Smart Sensor is really cool if you look up the spec.
http://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/DS18B20.pdf
It a computer with logs and alarms, on a 3 pin device.



So for me, this kind of stuff is what the Amiga is for me.

[wbrejnia]

 Attach another hard drive in the chain, format it, copy the files over.

Good idea.  I was thinking something like that.

-> What I want to try, is make a AMIGA Partition on the Lo-Tech ISA/IDE-SD card. (Thru the Bridgeboard)

->Then dump to the SD card Partition (unlimited space, removable).

-------> It will be slow, but it's just a backup once in a while.
--> I already got One Partition working on the RLL drive (Remember I got it to show up DH0: on Amiga, before I installed the GVP-SCSI)
--> Bridgeboard Manual says make one Partition at a time.  
--> Will it work on a 2nd Drive (the SD card, not the RLL). That would be great!!

[wbrejnia]

Pat,

Thanks for the tip that the A2000 and Power Supply was built to run Hot (I still worry a bit about Heat Stress on Old Caps, etc).

However my plan is to leave the Amiga Case (outside) looking un-hacked.
It will look just like the picture at the beginning of this thread. (With the Cap Key glued in, that I got recently).

The A2000 is kind of pleasant looking (at least to me).  
A Computer Architecture symbol of it's time.

When I see people selling an Amiga with a Black Gotek, or Zip drive hanging half out, it turns me off.

That is where my Amiga Side-Kick will come in (Eventually).

A simple (possibly beige) case like the A1010 External Drive.

-> It will have the Gotek LCD display, Gotek LED display.  
-> An extension of the USB Dongle Port-From-Gotek.  
-> The switch for the Rom Switcher.
-> The Arcade switches for flip-gotek-disks (etc)
-> I might run it an AC/Adapter to run the Ardiuno and other stuff I pack into it or the Amiga Chasis.
---> I have have some Ardino relays, that I might auto flip jumpers, or power off RLL drive)
---> The temp sensors inside the Amiga will be visual fun.  Maybe trigger an extra fan.

Whatever I hack together , it will compliment the Amiga, not ruin the look.
All extra stuff will be clean/tidy wire runs, using click/connctor-module cables (that I ordered from China few weeks ago).
The original Amiga 2000 (Internal/External) will be minimal modifications.
Any necessary holes will be at the back or thru the Card Face Plates.

The Side-Kick-Box might be a bit tacky, but retro style (on purpose).

We'll see, how much time and effort I have.

[wbrejnia]

Indivision(VGA) vs SCART-Converter(HDMI)  COMPARISION

So I call NewEgg to do RMA return on the SCART-HDMI converter, and they told me it wouldn't matter if I opened the box to try the unit.

So here is a comparison.  

Two Exact Monitors (Same Settings, Side by Side)

(LEFT) Indivision is [Indivision-VGAout] -> [Monitor-VGAinput]

(RIGHT) SCART is ( [Amiga-Db23-Video Out] ->  [AmiKit-SCART-HDMI-CABLE] -> [SCART-CONVERTER] -> [HDMI-DVIconverter]  -> [Monitor-DVIinput])




Really hard to tell the difference, but looking closely the Indivision has better Color Clarity/Separation.

In Workbench (HiRes Lace, 16 Colors) Difference is more noticeable.


Here CLOSER UP (with Camera) is Indivision.


Here is SCART


You can see that Indivision is a "tiny/bit" sharper.

However to be fair, the SCART hookup is a long 9 Foot AmiKit Cable, going thru Converter, then Adapter, into Non HDMI monitor. (So lots more conversion, and cable noise).  It might be as good with a Direct HDMI hookup.

If I wasn't comparing side by side (STILL PICTURE), I wouldn't notice any difference since both are VERY GOOD.

However when I move my mouse around on the SCART Display, I see fuzzy pixels, distorting the image behind it.

I'm not a professional Evaluator doing extension comparisions.  If I didn't see both side by side I'd be happy with either Purchase.

I can only Return the SCART Converter, so I'm keeping the Indivisions.  If I had a choice, I would have gone with Invision Anyway.

There are benefits to going SCART, since you can do both (HDMI and VGA with a cheap adapter, but not the other way around)

Plus with SCART converter box you can Upscale 720P to 1080P, and inject sound from the Amiga into an HDMI monitor/TV with sound.
Use it for a Legacy Xbox, or Gaming Console.

Either is a win/win over a bulky Amiga CRT monitor.
But I will compare the Amiga Monitor to compare Colors Rendering Accuracy.


** UPDATED after more TESTING **
Indivision is much better.  Clearer, Sharper, less distortion, flicker, noise. (again it could be my long cable, etc)

[wbrejnia]

I havent logged in for awhile, great to see this thread keep on getting bigger.

This looks like fun http://www.ebay.com/itm/ESP8266-reprogrammed-as-Hayes-serial-Wifi-Modem-Commodore-C64-Apple-Amiga-/201881095855?hash=item2f010d0eaf:g:UCIAAOSw4CFYrQ~o

at true 300 to 2400 baud speeds.

Darkage,
Welcome back.

At first when I looked at the spec, I thought "useless" even at 19,200baud.
You couldn't even load a modern web page in hours.

But then I thought.  My Fish Tank Controller.
It's status web pages are XML.  Very simple, and few characters (9600 Baud would be ok)

HERE IS A SAMPLE XML Web Pull from my Fish Tank Controller on my LAN (which has Wifi)

<hostname>ApexJRBashostname>
<serial>AC4:10556serial>
<timezone>-4.00timezone>
<record><date>04/07/2017 22:15:23date>
<probe><name>TMP-Bname><type>Temptype><value>78.1value>probe>
<probe><name>Amp_2name><type>Ampstype><value>0.25value>probe>
<probe><name>pH-Bname><type>pHtype><value>8.31value>probe>
<probe><name>Amp_4name><type>Ampstype><value>0.5value>probe>
record>

With this device, I could get my Fish Tank Stats with a Simple Amiga BASIC program.

And not have to invest in a Expensive, and Similarity Useless Zoro Ethernet Card.

Cool.  
Maybe someday.

Actually, I saw something similar when I was looking for Networking for the A2000.
THIS PLIPBOX http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?70232-Plipbox-Parallel-Port-Arduino-Ethernet-adapter

http://lallafa.de/blog/amiga-projects/plipbox/plipbox-hardware/
Kind of the same concept.  More expensive, more bulky and needs Wired-Ethernet.