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!

[roguebeck]

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

[patrik]

@lymang:

There is a demo of AmiTCP 4.0 which only limitation I think is that you have to ok a requester at startup (confirmation anyone?).

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

[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

[patrik]

@lymang:

Forgot to say that if you get hold of a A2065 you will most likely either need an AUI 10BaseT transceiver or a hub with a coaxial connection as the A2065 doesnt have a 10BaseT Twisted Pair connector.


/Patrik

[melott]

The adaptors are available for the 2065 card.
I have a "CentreCOM 210T" on my card.
It adapts the 15 pin connector to the standard
phone jack type connector (I forget the correct number)
They run about $10.00

[amigadave]

@lymang,

Yes, Amiga ethernet cards are obscenely expensive compared to PC ones, but you have one other option on the A2000.  It has ISA slots which can be accessed via a card called the Golden Gate.  The Golden Gate is a rare card itself, but if you can find one at a reasonable price, it will act as a bridge to allow the use of cheap ISA ethernet cards in the A2000.

Just another option I thought I would offer for consideration.  I have not personally tried this option but have read of others using it.

[Jeff]

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

[koaftder]

heres a net card on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Amiga-A2065-Ethernet-Card-and-Transceiver_W0QQitemZ8716349794QQcategoryZ4598QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[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. :-)

[Dr_Righteous]

Find a source for used PC parts... Get a SCSI ZIP100 for the A2000, and of course any ZIP drive for the PC. Sneakernet.

[dnelsonfl]

@Lymang,

What you spend on the Golden Gate might end up running you as much as if you had obtained a true Amiga ethernet card. The XSurf can still be found from some dealers, and should run about $120-$140. Or you can try to find an ethernet card on Ebay, such as the A2065, Ariadne, Ariadne II, Hydra, and more. Look at www.amiga-hardware.com under network cards for an idea of what cards might be found. If I recall, I paid about $100 for an Araidne II two years ago on Ebay, and just recently I paid $65 for an A2065 with a hub with the coax to 10baseT on it.

-David