Bootproblem A3000 - memory error

[McVenco]

I'm reviving an A3000 that I bought recently (semi-complete). After putting in some spare CIAs (which weren't onboard), I fired it up for the first time with a VGA monitor connected.

Now everything seems fine, I get into some Kickstart menu (the machine has 1.4 roms installed on board) where I can choose between 1.3 and 2.x, but when I insert a floppy and click on either of the 2 kickstart version buttons, a grey screen appears with orange letters saying:

"Error can't get memory! Reboot system"

On the mainboard the CHIP ram is fully populated, and there is no FAST ram (unfortunately).

Anyone know what causes this error? Do I need to set a jumper to a different position, and if so: which one(s)?


EDIT: the problem seems gone when after I plugged in the SCSI cable of the harddisk. However, the harddisk says "not a DOS disk", and when I boot from a 1.3 disk that I found, it starts booting, but halfway it returns an error "unknown command resident", and then stops. I've tried it with 2 different WB1.3 versions (1.3 and 1.3.2)

[McVenco]

Do you have an A3000 SuperKickstart disk?  The Kickstart 1.4 requires ROM files to be loaded from floppy or placed on specially named HD partitions.

Ah, didn't think of that, though I've should have known probably :-)

There's a utility on Aminet that can create a SuperKickstart disk from a ROM image.  I've never tried it (got 2.04 ROMS the week after I bought my A3000) but it's worth a shot since you have access to other Amigas to create the disk.

Can a SuperKickstart disk be made from any ROM image, or only 2.x? I only have machine with 1.3 or 3.x ROMs, so I'll have to hunt elsewhere for a 2.x....

[McVenco]

Zac67 wrote:

On a SuperKickstart machine, you must have Fast RAM

Damn, that sux. ZIP rams are expensive. :-(

Yet, a while ago I saw a few of these SIMM to ZIP boards on Ebay, I believe they were called Simmfony or something. Does anyone know if they are still available somewhere (I believe some Dutchman made them, but I can't think of his name).

Of course you can generate a 3.x Superkick disk, too, but you'd lack the license to use it.

No I don't. I've got another A3000 - WITH 3.1 roms :-)

taunusand wrote:

Would it be legal for me to mail my A3000's devs:kickstart to McVenco? I have it on my A3000D, and yes, it can not boot without it.

I don't see why it wouldn't be legal. The A3000 apparently was sold with it and it's a viable part of the package with the 1.4 roms so I should have all rights to own it - well, just my opinion :-)

[McVenco]

Amiga Digital, that was the name indeed... According to his site, the Simm-folie (fony, folie, almost the same :-)) will be on delivery soon again. Good to hear (and no need to buy way too expensive ZIPs)!

[McVenco]

taunusand wrote:

IF I can get some proof of how it is legal, PM me and I will mail it to you. If you would like it :-)

I would not like any stories about me and piracy  :roll:

Meh, piracy. I respect amiga.org's policy about not wanting to have anything to do with piracy, but behind the scenes I've helped and been helped out by quite a few a.org members with software that officially may not be thrown around freely.
So sue me  :-D

Anyway, I will need to locate some Fast RAM first anyway, so either I take 4MB ZIPs from my other A3000, or I'll hunt down some other chips somewhere.. Or maybe I'll just take out out the 1.4 ROMs and replace them by decent 3.1 ones :-)