Getting restarted with an A2000

[lymang]

OK, so I recently was given an A2000.  I would like to get it up and running and play some of my favorite old games.  I will start with the basics.  Let's assume the A2000 is functional.  I will be checking that this weekend but have no reason to believe it will not be functional.  I think my first priority is to do one or both of the following:

1.  Get an ethernet card in the A2000 so that I can download software from the Internet for it.

2.  Get it connected to my PC if I cannot get an ethernet card so I can transfer files from my PC to the Amiga.

Those two goals put up front, here's a few questions to go along with them....

What would be my best direction for the ethernet card goal?  I have read that the TCP/IP stacks for the Amiga are not exactly easy to use, but I'm fairly advanced with my TCP/IP knowledge.  I'd actually be more concerned with availability!  Is there a freely available and functional TCP/IP stack for the Amiga?  And I guess thrown in here is what ethernet card would folks recommend, and where would you suggest I look for one? I have been checking Ebay for ethernet cards but I don't know what I'm looking at.  Prices seem to float in the 75-125 dollar price range for an ethernet card, which is of course obscenely expensive when compared to the PC, but I understand the scarcity of compenents in this day and age drive the price there.

OK, second set of questions.. I have seen on a variety of UK Amiga sites that there is this "Ami-PC" linkup software and hardware.  That is not my ideal choice but it looks a lot cheaper than an ethernet card and probably easier to configure.  Will it work with my US Amiga?  I remember running games from the UK back in the 80's and only occasionally do I remember having problems, I assume that this kind of accessory would work without any problems since it doesn't involve the video (which might be a hassle since I know the different video standards in the UK might interfere).

So rather than saturate this post with more questions I'll start simple and just leave it at the above mess. :-)  I would like to thank in advance anyone who offers me assistance or aid!

[lymang]

roguebeck wrote:
To copy files to and from the amiga, get Amiga Explorer from Cloanto. You'll need a null modem cable also. Easy as Pie.

Yeah you know I have felt for years I should buy Amiga Forever, and this pushed me over the edge.  I just ordered for overnight delivery (so I have it to mess with over the weekend) Amiga Forever Premium Edition which includes Amiga Explorer.  I'll drop by CompUSA or Best Buy after work and look for a null modem cable.

I will probably continue to pursue the Ethernet card idea but this gives me something to get started with right quick!

[lymang]

patrik wrote:
@lymang:

If you get a good old A2065 or similar network card for your A2000, the AmiTCP installation is very straightforward.

When you have a TCP/IP stack working, you can use smbfs to mount samba volumes shared by your pc.

There is also the free AmiTCP 3.0b2 (GNU licence). But that one is a bit trickier to install as the install-script does not do everything right. It is mentioned how to fix it the notes in the archive though.


/Patrik

Thanks Patrik.  I'll look out for an A2065 card and see what I can find!

Lyman

[lymang]

Jeff wrote:
The Golden Gate/Ethernet combination works well, I have one installed. I have also read that you can use a 286 or 386 bridgeboard for the same thing but I have not tried it.

Jeff

Can you be more specific about model numbers and such so I know what to look for when I'm looking? I don't know what you're referring to specifically as I'm new to this stuff again. :-)