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

[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.

[wbrejnia]

One more Indivision VS SCART-Converter COMPARISION

So I did the paperwork to return the SCART converted.

Since the order was supplied via China, they don't want it back (return shipping too expensive).  So since I'm a Regular/Loyal Customer I got a full refund and get to keep it.

Thus I gave the SCART-Coverter another Whirl (HDMI-Direct) using the Extra Long DB23-SCART-AmiKit cable I thought would be handy.



This time on the Home Theater Projector with a 100 Inch Diagonal image.

Pretty impressive. (No fine tuning (Color/Contrast) done on Projector).
Maybe I can get the kids to touch the Amiga after all. (If I can get some Good Retro Classics) "Like Dragon's Lair".

[wbrejnia]

ROM SWITCHER (Do I need Kickstart 1.3?)

So I've been playing with AmigaOS3.1 and the Kickstart 3.1 ROM.

However, Workbench 1.2 won't load, and that's the only Workbench I have working perfectly with Bridgeboard/Janus/RLL drive.

Which means I need to put back the 1.2 ROM to figure things out.
->Or I get Bridgeboard working the same on OS3.1 (Which could take some work. So easier to just Boot off Gotek for the demo).

When the ROM switcher arrives, I will have a choice of ONLY TWO ROMS to put into it.  ( may mod it for 3, but not sure)

At this point my only two choices are KS1.2 and OS3.1 ROM.

If I got a KS1.3 ROM would it work for Workbench1.2?  (At least WB1.3 would work and I feel more confident getting Bridgeboard working on it)
->or would it be the same problem as OS3.1 ROM, including not being able to run WB1.2 and some of the Floppy Bootable GAMES (that will go on the GOTEK).

Yes, WHload is another consideration, but I still will always want for Demo purpose ABILITY to run Workbench 1.2, Working-Bridgeboard and the OLD games.

[wbrejnia]

NO NEED for KICKSTART 1.3ROM.

I found my copy of Workbench 1.3 and it boots with the OS3.1 ROM.

And now I can see my GVP Hard drive with OS3.1 (but I can't run some of the OS.31 SW).

I'll be able to create WB1.3 Sub-Directories within the GVP drive and mount WB1.3 files with appropriate ASSIGN commands.

I have more confidence I can get Bridgeboard working now.
Which is good enough.

[wbrejnia]

You can also mount Kickstart files in RAM, Cold-Reboot surviving if you have programs like KickBack or Degrader.
They load your kickstart file in RAM (1.2, 2.0, 2.1 etc.) if you have enough memory installed in your system and allow you using your Amiga with previous OAOS perating System versions in their full extent.

Thanks Raffaele,

You at least solve one mystery for me.

The GOTEK I purchase came with a USB stick and the Selector program.

But on the USB stick was a DIRECTORY that had some software that I had no idea what it was for.



Now I know.

Since I will have the Rom Switcher, I'll use Kickstart 1.2 and OS3.1 ROMS.

I still am interested in looking into WHDloader.
All this stuff is starting to get complicated on the SW side (for Rookies like me) so will take time for me to learn.

[wbrejnia]

Your BEST bet is the 1.3 rom and 3.1 rom!

1.3 gives you auto boot on that amiga hard drive and still lets older software work.

3.1 was more compatible then 2.04 for older stuff and lets you use newer 3.1 only stuff.

The real issue with older software is memory...

1.3 and 3.1 was my original thinking.  Till I got Workbench 1.3 booting off of 3.1 ROM.

But here is my dilemma since I don't know till I try (how things will behave).

--> Right now my Gotek HXC is wired as DF1:
--> Right now my Amiga 3.5" Floppy is DF0:
------> So if I don't put in a bootable Floppy into DF0: the Hard Drive Boots OS3.1 (which is  on the Hard drive)
------------> This happens since I currently don't have a ROM switcher (and Kickstart 3.1 is in the Motherboard)

But my final planned configuration will be:  (A ROM SWITCHER...)
---> Gotek will be DF0: (So I can boot Game images, and Lower WB1.2,etc booting off the selectable Gotek Floppy images on the USB)
---> The Amiga Floppy will be DF1: as a Utility Floppy. (Little purpose (Copy to Floppy), and will look nice in the case)

So if I have Kickstart ROMS (KS1.3 and OS3.1).
---> What will happen with AutoBoot (when OS on Hard drive is OS3.1) and I enable KS1.3 ROM on the ROM Switcher.
--------> Will the Amiga Crash with KS1.3 ROM and OS3.1 Autoboot on HD?
--------> OR.....Can I also have Workbench 1.3 on the Hard drive? (both?)

If I have Kickstart ROMS (KS1.2 and OS3.1)
-> With KS1.2 ROM (Autoboot won't kick in), and I'll be prompted for a Gotek Image (DF0: )
-> With KS1.3 ROM (Autoboot will kick in) and I'll boot OS3.1 off Hard drive.

Maybe someone knows the answer to above, but I won't till I get a KS 1.3 and try it.
(I wonder is it worth the Investment in a KS1.3 ROM if things won't work?)

Not sure if I can pre-test this on WinUAE. Before buying an KS1.3 ROm.

[wbrejnia]

And since 3.1 lets you choose booting from the early startup menu, etc.

More to learn...

hmm.  
So there is suppose to be a Early Startup Menu in 3.1.
I got the Hard Drive pre-loaded with 3.1 (and it just boots straight to 3.1 without any CHOICE [ie. NO Early-startup-menu]

Lots to learn indeed.

Easiest way I figure is [KICKSTART 3.1]:
-> just boot (OS3.1) autoboot from HardDisk as standard choice (DEFAULT)

-> [KICKSTART 1.2/3.1] Boot other OS W1.2,W1.3, MagiWorkbench, etc (Starting from Gotek Floppy DF0: choice [S/Startup-Sequence]) and have the appropriate (directories ASSIGNED from Hard disk. (ie [C] [libs] [devs] [Expansion] ...)
-----> This is possible since when there is a BOOT DISK in DF0: (Autoboot doesn't go to Hard drive).  [Kind of like a A: Floppy on a Windows PC with Hard disk[

I will still have DF1: as a 2nd REAL Floppy drive.

[wbrejnia]

The early startup menu is built into the ROM. Hold down  both mouse buttons on power-on to access it. Allows you to select boot partition, switch between PAL & NTSC mode (if you have the appropriate Angus) and a few other options.

Now that is SUPER COOL!!!

I must be the only person in the AMIGA Universe that didn't know that.

So when did Early-Start-UP BIOS-screen get enabled?  Kickstart 1.3 (Part of AutoBoot, or as Rafaelle mentions OS2.x)?

This is great, since I assume I can make multiple Partitions on my GVP-SCSI HD and pick which one I wish to boot from.

[wbrejnia]

I may need a Kickstart 1.3 ROM after all.

I did some testing and attempted to Install Bridgeboard Janus using Install disk for Workbench 1.3 (with OS3.1 ROM).

WB1.3 booted fine from OS3.1 ROM, but bridgeboard was not recognized at all by JANUS install SW.  (not sure why, but it could be OS3.1ROM)

That same JANUS install disk (the latest version out there) worked fine with Workbench 1.2 and Kickstart1.2ROM.

And what's weird (is if I take off the AUTOBOOT jumper on the GVP-SCSI Controller the Hard Disk is not picked up my WB1.3)
---> So I'm learning that Autoboot must load the device Driver for HD.
---> I'm thinking HD can still be picked up/recognized, but then I need to install HD-Device Driver thru Workbench.

THERE IS A LOT OF MIX and MATCHING to Figure out, for a Multi-Amiga/OS-HD-Autoboot-Bridgeboard-CdriveBooting SYSTEM. (Kind of Fun).

[wbrejnia]

With softkicking 1.3, I use this:
http://m68k.aminet.net/package/util/boot/skick346

Paul,

Thanks.  More Tools for my SW Toolbox.

I peeked at Sidekick.  Sound like it's for ROM2.0 (which I don't have).
I not getting any more ROMs at this point. I'll have (1.2,1.3,3.1).
Also I looked at the SideKick Package and No A2000 on the list.

Since I will have a ROM switcher, I'll be able to craft something together.

I had a peek at the Tools that came with my GVP-SCSI-Controller.

One of them will allow me to pre-partitions (with the Various OS for the Kickstarts).  Probably similar to HDtools (which I noticed on WB1.3)


Paritions, should give me some choices with the the EARLY-START-BootMenu.

The GVP-SSCI drive came with 2nd Partition MaxedOut.
So I need to break it up after I copy off the Software on there.

Personally I use it in my startup-sequences so that holding down a mouse  button when booting brings the Kickstart selection screen. You could  select 1.3 from there, where it will then reboot with KS1.3. Holding no  mouse button upon booting will continue to load Workbench 3.1 or  whatever your startup-sequence does.
It detects left mouse button, right, or both and the other port too, so  there's no shortage of options. There's plenty of these mouse input-read  commands on aminet. Off the top of my head I don't know which one I  use...but it's normally the one with the least bytes providing  functionality is there.

Sound interesting.  I may need a SoftSwitch/Prompter like that.
I'm sure the Mouse Buttons are in a Address Register somewhere.

I have been looking around if there are some 68000 Compilers out there for Amiga (for some mini tool coding).
There is also Amiga Basic (but probably slow).  I haven't even explorer much with basic scripting like in "Startup-Sequence"
In the Old Commodore Pet day's the good old PEEK() and POKE() would have done the job, to figure out when Mouse button is pressed.

[wbrejnia]

gcc 2.95.3, you can get it here:

http://aminet.net/package/dev/gcc/ADE-repack

Perfect!! This compiler may come in very handy (After I first get A2000  built)
Thanks.

[wbrejnia]

I
EDIT: I forgot to mention MKick to you. MKick works under Kickstart 1.3, and people us it to softkick 3.1 on 1.3 systems. I haven't used it myself yet, but I plan to do so later this year when I get around to finishing my A500 project. So you could use your 1.3 ROM chip if you wanted to and then softkick 3.1. Perhaps you can softkick 1.3 from your 3.1 system too.

MKick:
http://aminet.net/package/util/boot/MKick19

Excellent.  Now I'm up to my ears in things to try.

Can't wait for the ROM switcher to arrive.  
I hate taking apart the A2000 to switch ROMs (for Bridgeboard, and OS trials).

I did contact the seller of the Kickstart 1.3 ROM, and since he didn't ship my package yet, I paid ($4 more) and got a Kickstart V2.04 ROM at the same shipping cost.

So my ROM collection will be:

2x) Kickstart 1.2  [315093-01]
1x) Kickstart 1.3  [315093-02]
1x) Kickstart 2.04 [390979-01]
1x) Kickstart 3.1   (V40.63)

Few weeks ago I ordered one of these 40 pin ZIF ZIP sockets ($3 Aliexpress) that I plan to MOD the ROM Switcher with, for a easy SWAP on one of the ROM.



It will be extended out from underneath the A2000 Drive Carriage with a Ribbon Cable/PC-board, so I can easily change ROMs if I wish.

With that setup I'll be able to play enough, to arrive at my favourite 2 Permanent ROMs when I close the AMIGA Case.

[wbrejnia]

Amiga 2000 Keyboard (Cleaning/Fix-Up) Can I remove Bottom COVER?

Some of my A2000 keyboard keys were not the most reliable.

So I cleaned all the contacts on my Amiga Keyboard, and all keys are working like NEW.

I did it by pulling off each keycap and lightly cleaning the gold contacts with Contact Cleaner. Then putting cap back.

Now I want to install that SHIFT CAP key which I lost years ago, and got a replacement CAP/TOP.

Since it's not the same kind of mount, I need to glue it on top of my Keybutton. So I want to remove the whole key to glue it nicely.

I can't find any pictures or YouTube Videos about the Amiga 2000 Keyboard.

Is it safe to remove the bottom cover of the A2000 keyboard (removing screws)?

Or will all the springs fall out and it will be a nightmare to put back together.

[wbrejnia]

One more Indivision Comparison (CRT VGA) VS (Amiga RGB)

I found a DB15 Female-to-Female adapter which allowed me to hook up to that IBM CRT Monitor.



Hard to tell from a Photo, but both are pretty Good.  Slightly better on the IBM CRT since it has more controls for Video (ie Contrast, and other levels)

But looking closely at the RGB original Source to the Amiga Monitor there is a tiny bit of better sharpness/clarity (which isn't justified on Photo.  Camera Focused on the larger Monitor)
The color match is perfect between the two.

I was reading on the Indivision AD that the Indivision has it's own Video Memory, so possible to display a Separate Screen if you have two Indivisions. (This requires some software)

I wonder if you can take advantage of the Video Memory to display two screens even with One Indivsion.  

MOST LIKELY NOT, but I will look into it.
And even if it did work, I get a feeling it would use up precious Chip-RAM.

The CRT's are better than the LCD on Font Clarity, and pixelization cleaness.
Regardless, the smaller Footprint on the LCD-vga setup beats both CRTs hands down.

The SCART/Converter is my least favorite, except when hooked up to the Large Screen Projector.

[wbrejnia]

There's a jumper on the board to support this functionality. Unfortunately the driver/software was never made publicly available / finished.

Yup, I quickly found that out when I downloaded whatever SW there was.
 No big deal.  I love the Indivision, even with the basics.

[wbrejnia]

thought you might be interested in this, depending if price stays low ?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Kipper2-8MB-Ram-expansion-for-Amiga-500-or-2000-/192161132915?hash=item2cbdb23173:g:zuEAAOSwmCVY9KFP

Thanks Darkage,

I can count on you to support my A2000 Over spending habits

I think I don't really need this, since I got a GVP A2000-HC+8
http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/impact2000hc8

It already gives me 8MB or RAM so I think I should be souped up enough for now.

(Not sure if it's the SAME kind of RAM since the GVP say's it's RAM is not ZORO RAM, but DMA'ed RAM).  Not sure what is the difference (other than Speed).