A1200 - Hardware upgrading

[Niding]

So, been thinking about doing some small upgrades of the Amiga 1200 that has been sitting idle for a good while. I use it at times as a Jukebox and looking at my old code Im now unable to understand

But after watching Kookytech (techguruuk) and Epsilon treating their Amiga hardware with the respect it deserves Ive decided to get at the very least a CF and internet connection.
I do have Amiga Forever+Amikit, so I can get my Classic kicks from there, but there aint a substitute for the real thing.

Once I get my A1200 updated Im seriously considering installing Amikit Real 1.0.

The details;

A1200 No. 530311
Blizzard 1230/50
FPU 68882
Kickstart 39.106
Memory 2+16 megabyte
Workbench 3.0 Floppies (hopefully still in working order)
Monitor Amiga M1438s

What I would like is,

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=883

There is an option of a cable 30 cm with 3 connectors. Can I connect CDrom and my old harddrive on those remaining connections?
If I cant connect a CDrom to this cable, how would I be able to get around this?
Details on my old harddrive is; Western Digital 2340 (340 megs), and it contains a fair bit of things I would like to perserve for nostalgica etc.


Then, for getting on the internet with the old lady;

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=121

As for memory; I got 16 megabyte, but I would love to get some more if possible, and within reasonable price. Anyone know what is the max memory these Blizzard 1230 boards would accomodate and where to get hold of these ram chips?

I do have a old Samsung 920 Syncmaster Ive been pondering If I would try to get connected to the A1200, but I assume that would require Indivision. So for now Im holding off on that.

The Amiga has gotten somewhat yellowish color on its exterior. Im sure I could search the net to quickly get tons of info regarding this. But if someone here got good expirience maintaining the A1200 exterior, then I would love to hear it.

[Niding]

Thanks for the reply!

I will read the retr0bright blog and sort my A1200 out.

One question that kinda dawned upon me;

With Workbench being 3.0 and on floppies, how best get a upgrade?

CD rom or just download file images from the net and upgrade that way?

Also, whats the highest version of Workbench 3.x recommended for my current hardware?

From what I can see WB 3.9 requres ks 3.1

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=153

Tho reading this indicates that 3.1 seems to be the prefered version;

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49293

[Niding]

Went ahead and ordered Wireless card and the CF card/cable.

Once I get it online and familiar with Workbench again, Im sure ill get the inspiration to "waste" more money on it.

Hooked the A1200 up to the stereo for the first time in ages. Not quite sure what it is, but it feels much more natural and inspiring to use the real hardware than emulation.
Tho not overly fond of this clunky monitor. Got this feeling I might end up taking your advice and go with a Indivision eventually.

[Niding]

Thanks for the replies so far

Went ahead and ordered Indivision AND Kickstart 3.1 roms.
It will be a nice upgrade together with the wireless adapter and CF card.

I was quite certain I would be happy enough with the M1438S monitor, but its a eyesore on my desk. These days Im into minimalistic design, so the CRT doesnt quite fit that picture.

Once I get the hardware installed Im certainly going to harass you about software upgrades.

[Niding]

I appriciate all the info I can get regarding my options, so i defintly welcome your insight Leffman

[Niding]

Im curious about what is the file manager alternatives on Classic?

I know of Dir Master and Dopus, but havent used either for years.
Back in the days I prefered Dir Master over Dopus, but I do like the look
of http://glames.free.fr/products/dirmeup/dirmeup_2.png Dirmeup for OS4.

Any recommodations?

[Niding]

Thanks for all the links and suggestions!

Will try them out once I get my new hardware from Amigakit ^^

[Niding]

Got my gear. Sadly the harddrive I had installed doesnt fit the cable.
It feels like its the first time Ive used Amiga, all over again; reading my Workbench book first time since early 90s

Got the indivision and CF drive working. Indivision cable seems a bit short for reaching the port next to floppy, but will mess around a bit to get it working perfectly.

The wireless card works, but I do not have any programs to surf with yet. Takes some getting used to.

[Niding]

So I got the new hardware (except the kickstart roms) installed yesterday, and everything seems to work fine.

The CF card had a MASSIVE impact on system loading times, so well worth the investment.
Indivision worked from first startup and I really enjoy seeing workbench on a LCD screen.
Supersmooth and overall very positive first impressions.

The Wireless card seems to work nicely too, getting myself online (indicated by Easynet installed from Floppy), but it was quite late yesterday when I got it all up and working, so I never got around to actually find any FTP or browsers for Workbench 3.0.
I do not have any USB or direct connection to my Windows PC vs Amiga, no CDROM (so couldnt use the Easynet CD provided by Amigakit) or any programs on the new CF Workbench beyond Dopus 4 that came presinstalled on the CF from Amigakit.

Back in the 90s I never used the Amiga on the internet (beyond BBS using modems), so my knowledge related to getting connected has always been just about nil.
As I type this I am browsing the internet about what programs to use and where to find it etc, but if anyone browsing this forum have any direct tips and links as to what to install on the Amiga Workbench 3.0 to get ftp and browsing working then Id love to hear it

For example; how to get Dopus 4 working with FTP would be one thing Id love to hear, or alternative FTP programs you might consider superior.
Im planning to use a floppy, copy files from the PC and transfer them to the Amiga using cross-dos, until I get the Amiga working towards the internet or network in general).
Tho it would be nice if the Wireless card came with programs that could give you access to FTP/browsers without availability of CDrom or secondary PCs (basically assuming barebone A1200 as the only hardware available with a clean install of Workbench)
Unless Im missing something obvious (which is likely) I think I need either additional hardware for my A1200, or a new floppy for my PC.

If you come with advice, assume Im a complete newbie/idiot to these things, cause I am (for now)
Seems like I have to fix my PC floppy first. Havent used it for years, and its not working as it should. Always something.

EDIT;

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=24565

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=19843

Found this just now http://amitradecenter.net/download.html

Ill see where this leads me.

[Niding]

Got the Lyra 2 Keyboard Adapter, Micromys V4 Mouse Adapter, AmigaOne keyboard, Boing ball Mouse and EasyADF PCMCIA CF Transferkit.
Im impressed how easy it was to install and use. Virtually Plug and Play
The A1200 is starting to feel very much usable, so looking forward to when I get my CDrom and OS3.9 CD.

The "few" upgrades Ive done so far has made the machine feel much more alive.

Tho, if there are more upgrades arriving for the A1200, I might be "forced" to tower it.

[Niding]

Ive been using the EasyADF PCMCIA CF Transferkit today and its a brilliant way to transfer files to the A1200.

One thing I miss from the old days is a quick access method to my most used programs.
I used to have a pull down menu, but its been years so I have no idea what that application was called, nor if its the best method.

Ive seen some other users youtube displaying "docking" of frequently used software on Amiga
in the lower part of the screen/Desktop.
Anyone know what its called?

While Im at it; any "must have" software/application you recommend for me to install? I just downloaded Dopus 5.90 and Hippoplayer, but other than that Im still just doing the google

[Niding]

Thanks for the replies

I did hit a lil snag tho, installing IDEfix97 to use the CDROM I just recived I put in the infomation given on the Disk (name, company and serial nr). After rebooting as requested by the install script, the machine loads the starting workbench screen with a "Thank you for using an Eloberate Bytes Product" popup/requester, not loading futher.

Considering doing a reinstall of Workbench, but hoping to avoid that.

[Niding]

Well, the Plug and Play part stopped aruptly with the CD Rom. I cant seem to get the install working. The "FindDevice" program finds my CD Rom, but it doesnt seem to be mounted/No icon on Desktop (with CD in the drive).

When Startup Sequence contains;

IF EXISTS SYS:C/IDEFIX
    C:IDEFIX
ENDIF

the startup fails/freezes. When I ; it out I get to workbench like normal, but no CD Rom mounted...
Im re-learning the OS atleast, but somewhat annoying.

[Niding]

So how would that look in the startup sequence?

This being the original;

IF EXISTS SYS:C/IDEFIX
C:IDEFIX
ENDIF

Remember, I havent used Amiga for many many years, and these commands are basically alien to me

The setup I got is;

Blizzard 1230/50
FPU 68882
Kickstart Rom 3.1 (provided by Amigakit)
Memory 2+16 megabyte
Workbench 3.0

I bought the Compact Flashcard Harddisk from Amigakit. Additionally Indivision Mk 2 and Lyra 2 keyboard adapter.

So basically my Workbench is a clean Workbench 3.0 (version 39.29) install with kickstart 40.68 with the IDEFIX install in startup sequence that freezes the startup.
The CDROM is;

http://www.vesalia.de/e_amigaslimcddrive%5B8470%5D.htm

Slimline CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combi Drive/CF Bundle A600/1200: CF IDE Adapter (int.) and Slimline CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive, 3x2.5" cable 30 cm, external case (incl. IDE-max '97, CF card not included)

[Niding]

I installed NewIcon V4, and it looks nice.

One snag tho; one of my partitions decided to not work from Workbench anymore. When I click ADH2: in Dopus I can browse the partition like normal, so I guess the HDD2.info file is messed up. How to fix this?