Problem fitting kickstart 3.1 rom's in A3000

[dnelsonfl]

@drbytes,

What version were the original ROMs on the A3000?

Try reading some of the archived newsgroup messages about rom problems. Some of the solutions might work out for you. (link).

I vaguely remember reading about occasional compatibility problems with rom towers and 3.1 roms. The solution was to try a different set of 3.1 roms. I'm on my way out right now and I couldn't find the original links regarding this issue. Perhaps I've jolted somebody else's memory and they can step up?

Edit: From reading, it looks like there might have been two different versions of the 3.1 ROM out there. One set was for systems without a rom tower (such as rev 9 motherboard). You could also use it with a rom tower on an older motherboard, if it worked for you. If it did not work, then you had to get the special version that was for systems with a rom tower. Except, you didn't use the rom tower. The roms were programmed differently to compensate for what the rom tower did. I also read some issues with getting them to work with 16mhz, and some issues getting them to work at 25mhz.

At this point, your best bet is to contact a reliable Amiga vendor such as AmigaKit or SoftHut (or others, but those are the only two I remember). Explain to them your problem, and see what rom kit they recommend. That way you are sure to get what you need, and some assistance if you run into further problems.

Good luck!

-David

[dnelsonfl]

@drbytes,

Interesting that your other Amigas show some kind of reaction to the 3.1 roms you're having trouble with. It would not be a good idea to use roms meant for another Amiga in your 3000. There are differences, for a reason, and it may go beyond just SCSI not working right. If anybody in your area has a 3000 and is willing to help, maybe he or she could try your roms in their machine and see if it works and you could try theirs. Also, if anybody near you can loan you some older roms, such as 2.04 roms, to try those out and see what happens. If it works with those, then suspect a compatibility problem with your 3.1 roms.

I do recall instances where for whatever reason, a zorro card or upgrade chip would work okay on one Amiga but not on another that was apparently identical right down to the motherboard revisions.

Having the old bootroms that load kickstart from disk can cause lots of problems, as you probably already read. You tried disconnecting the harddrive and booting from a disk? The A3000 will sit there for a VERY long time with a blank screen while the harddrive times out. On mine, this sometimes takes up to two full minutes.


-David