**Need Setup HELP** with Classic Amiga 2000 HARD DISK (Bridgeboard)

[Raffaele]

Wondering what the Computer Box thing is that I found in my Dad's Garage.

I posted a picture on the Vintage Computer forum and someone replied.

Appears I have the NGEN computer  Graphics Modules, Hard Drive Modules, and Floppy module

(not quite the same, but very similar as shown in Link Below)
http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/2964/Convergent-Technologies-AWS-NGEN-Workstation/

How bad it is consumed by rust.

[Raffaele]

I was thinking of Selling this Amiga.

I am getting Emotionally Attached (after all this discovery and hard work), and can't imagine doing that.

I don't even think I will sell the RLL drive/WD controller, it's special.

Still thinking of doing the Donation to High School (if they want it).  
At least I can visit, and load up more Raffaelle information on the SD card LIBRARY BANK.

I can find another way of making money for my Fish Tank dreams.

After I copy all the floppies onto GOTEK, and some USB drives.

I can sell the floppies like this. (To make $$) : )
https://www.amazon.ca/PHT-Silicone-Blanked-Inches-coasters/dp/B00R87RPX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488419604&sr=8-1&keywords=3.5%22+floppy+disk+labels

There is also the formula not donating the Computer but leave it in concession for free use...

(When you want it for yourself, you can get it back)

But if someone want donating or concessing something interesting nowadays, I will leave in concession to the School an A4000 a least with 68060 Expansion, VGA Card, 32 MB of memory and a Ethernet card, else they could not going to internet.

[Raffaele]

One more purchase for my A2000.

Local seller 10 minutes drive from my house.
Free pickup.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/272539818475?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

He is selling all keycaps from a broken A2000 keboard.  Just what I needed.

If you look at the picture of my A2000 at the top of this thread, it has been missing the LEFT-SHIFT-KEY.  

Pain to type on.  Looks bad.
This is small price for big improvement.

Discontinued Wireless Keyboard + Wireless Mouse PS+2USB Logitech Desktop Navigator were perfect for Amiga as it sports PS2 connectors too and double WINDOWS keys (Not just one on the left as modern keyboards ones) that could be used as RightAmiga LeftAmiga.

In the years I bought 3 sets of them (last is used from Ebay) for using it on my Amigas and have some replaces.

If you find some good offers on Ebay, purchase it! It worths its price.

[Raffaele]

Do you mean something like this?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/EXTERNAL-KEYBOARD-INTERFACE-for-AMIGA-2000-3000-/172166297482?hash=item2815e9378a:g:lsoAAOSw7KJXDhmx
Bit pricey.  (I already have a keyboard, just need to make it work properly)

Plus I still haven't figured out my Keyboard mapping on the PC side (I love that ALT+ASCI-Code trick.  I played with some settings KEYB, USA etc. That made things worse.

I am going to look for a DOS keyboard code DUMP program something like this
http://delphiforfun.org/programs/utilities/KeyCodes.htm

If I can just click on the keys.  Find keycodes and then customize the keyboard map properly that would be easiest.

I mean THIS one...

http://www.5x86.ru/pic/big/1045943.jpg

(System in photo is cyrillic/russian keyboard)

Product info

http://support.logitech.com/en_ch/product/cordless-freedom-navigator

Radio 2.4GHz receiver has both Keyboard + Mouse PS2 connectors (green, violet). If you put the USB dongle (supplied with the system) on keyboard PS2 connector, it transforms itself into USB system.

I paid 17 euro for full functioning used system on Ebay.

[Raffaele]

Just because the Amiga is old doesn't make it a fire hazard.  Samsung an Apple phones are more of a fire hazard

Also Amiga have REAL on/off mechanical switch. My MorphOS MacMini is more dangerous as it features only electronic on/off switch.

[Raffaele]

User Athlas on Amigapage.it seems he had problems with Janus.Library.

He found some infos online that Janus.Library has serious problems on systems with more than 7,5 Megabyte of RAM installed.

When he disinstall his GVP expansion memory modules the Janus 2088 loads with no problems.

I wonder if this is also another of the common problems that affect Wbrejnia hardware configuration.

http://www.amigapage.it/index.php?op=v&pl=forum&id=F122014-2-35&page=0

[Raffaele]

Computer Museum needs Amigans:

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=72143

[Raffaele]

INTERESTING Article from 1988 INFOWORLD (Useful to me for new Segate Hard Drive Controller)

So according to Tracking the new Seagate RLL controller will arrive in tomorrow.  It should allow me to end the mystery of the BB DOS boot.

But when I was digging around on the Convergent NGEN computer, I was looking through old Newspaper clippings and came across this.

With Proper Reference since Copyright INFOWORLD

https://books.google.ca/books?id=bz0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=ngen+convergent+workstation&source=bl&ots=PrGROucX2O&sig=ZKKu8Ie8EY_7rUYrDm9cNSsfzU4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitkuulzeXSAhVl3IMKHackDZIQ6AEIODAG#v=onepage&q=ngen%20convergent%20workstation&f=false



What I highlight above but didn't know 100% is when I change controller from Western Digital to Segate, the RLL HARD drive format will not be recognized by Seagate HD Controller.

Good thing the new controller has the same BIOS Low Level Format tool.

At least I know and won't be struggling with another head scratcher.

Yes. Many of first hard disk controllers were pratically coupled in factory with only their bundled device model and only barely seldom you could change with another model or bigger storage models.

It was known fact in the early age of home computers in the end of the Eighties. Companies and power users did buy expensive SCSI drives, and SCSI really gave high chances of replacing hard drives mechanics without many hassle issues...
SOHO enterprises and common users were stuck with RLL and ST506 interfaces that were considered as "cheap" or at least reasonably cheap in those times, and presented many issues when you had need of changing drive mechanics. Incoming of IDE standard was a bless for PC users and opened the route to install hard disks in any computer.

[Raffaele]

WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY to get LICENSED/LEGIT copy of Workbench 1.3 or OS2.x 3.x?

Everything on this Amiga legit (Freewarem or Abandonware). I have Kickstarts Original 1.2 ROM and bought AmiKit OS3x.

I have workbench 1.2 Original Floppies, Bridgeboard Floppies.

But beyond that Workbench 1.3 was a download a long time ago.

I read that you only need ROM to be WB licensed. Is that correct?

Or do I need to buy Amiga Forever to get proper copies of all workbenches.
 Also where do I download these workbenches/OS if not thru Amiga Forever.

I don't mid spending to be legit, but won't waste money if not needed.

Amiga Forever is the only way to have modern copies of legal workbench...

Else you can buy original disks from privates on internet at very cheap price, even defective ones, and use a functioning copy of pirated disks...

It will work and none will hassle you if you own any real original disks then...

If someone asks you, then you can candidly affirm pirated copies are legit copies of your defective original disks before they broke.

[Raffaele]

An Amigan in Italy just bought Monitor ASUS 27" 1920x1080 model VN279QLB on Amazon and he managed to make it see standard Amiga 2000 resolutions thru DB23 Amiga Video Standard connector using cheap VGA standard adapter DB23-DB15.

He made no any modifications and/or buying any scandoubler.

It seems the "Asus Boy" has 15KHz resolution capabilities, even if not documented, then it is capable to see A2000 PAL/NTSC resolutions.

http://www.amigapage.it/index.php?op=v&pl=forum&id=F032017-2-1&page=0


If you need other solutions, on Aliexpress China I saw Monitor Screens adapted for Raspberry PI, starting from dimensions 5" 320x240 PSI Connector 65535 Colors, at a price starting from 10 Euros.

[Raffaele]

ROM SWITCHER (Do I need Kickstart 1.3?)

So I've been playing with AmigaOS3.1 and the Kickstart 3.1 ROM.

However, Workbench 1.2 won't load, and that's the only Workbench I have working perfectly with Bridgeboard/Janus/RLL drive.

Which means I need to put back the 1.2 ROM to figure things out.
->Or I get Bridgeboard working the same on OS3.1 (Which could take some work. So easier to just Boot off Gotek for the demo).

When the ROM switcher arrives, I will have a choice of ONLY TWO ROMS to put into it.  ( may mod it for 3, but not sure)

At this point my only two choices are KS1.2 and OS3.1 ROM.

If I got a KS1.3 ROM would it work for Workbench1.2?  (At least WB1.3 would work and I feel more confident getting Bridgeboard working on it)
->or would it be the same problem as OS3.1 ROM, including not being able to run WB1.2 and some of the Floppy Bootable GAMES (that will go on the GOTEK).

Yes, WHload is another consideration, but I still will always want for Demo purpose ABILITY to run Workbench 1.2, Working-Bridgeboard and the OLD games.

You can also mount Kickstart files in RAM, Cold-Reboot surviving if you have programs like KickBack or Degrader.
They load your kickstart file in RAM (1.2, 2.0, 2.1 etc.) if you have enough memory installed in your system and allow you using your Amiga with previous AOS Operating System versions in their full extent.

[Raffaele]

The early startup menu is built into the ROM. Hold down  both mouse buttons on power-on to access it. Allows you to select boot partition, switch between PAL & NTSC mode (if you have the appropriate Angus) and a few other options.

Other few but useful options like choosing booting without Startup-Sequence and a checklist of all Expansion Cards installed on the system with informations if they are active. This for ages was way better than any Hardware Configuration page and/or HW utility featured in an any other Operating System.

P.S. Kickstart since 2.1Allow your booting from any Floppy, not only DF0:.