So... I recently got hold of an Amiga500, and have used a couple of weeks, just to game on that beauty. Also, I have bought a 512k upgrade from indevidual computers, and everything is fine.
Today I needed to clean the heads with some alcohol, and during the time when it was open, I took off the top shield in order to inspect everything closer. What I found was rather strange, or a surprise, depending how one is looking at it. I found the following....
- The board are branded a500+.
- The board revision is "8a.1".
- It has 512kb Chip-Ram.
- It has a kick 1.3.
- It has solderpads for more Ram chips.
- It has solderpads for battery backed clock.
Now these question lingers in my mind. What are the general perception of this board? What are the upgrade options? What are the pro's and con's regarding this board? (stability and so on). Finally... This is the last non-plus a500 machine released that this board comes from, right?
It has 1mb RAM standard. The Plus had the upgrade. Should have the 2.04 ROM for some reason someone has fitted the 1.3. If the battery is still on then remove. If already removed check for damage and possibly do some continuity checks. Also check the underside of the board. Check the pins around the Agnus for corrosion. And just test the machine running.
No great differences in truth as a Plus except the risk of the battery damage. Useful having the RAM but fitting an expansion isn't a problem. ROM could be upgraded.
http://www.scuzzscink.com/amiga/scuzzblog_october17/scuzzblogdoctober17_2303.htmProbably looks like the above. Hopefully not the below
http://www.scuzzscink.com/amiga/scuzzblog_february18/scuzzblogdfebruary18_2002.htm