Reinstalling from scratch - any recommendations on OS version etc?

[chiark]

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for community recommendations on what software to use on my 4000/40 with WarpEngine, currently running KS 3.0

I have a Piccolo SD64 card, warpengine with SCSI, SCSI drive, IDE drive and a Plextor 1610 CD writer.  I also have an Ariadne II on the way.

My current setup is OS 3.0 running EGS, which is the original software provided with the Piccolo card.  I'm also using AmiFileSafe as my filesystem, which might well need updating to PFS.

I think it's time for a refresh, given that it's been about 8 years since I updated anything on the system.

I have ordered OS 3.5, and will order 3.9 if people recommend it.  As soon as I can find a decent supplier of Kickstart 3.1, I'll shove that in too - for the moment I'll softkick 3.1 and faithfully promise to buy the real thing when I find it!

I used to class myself as an "expert" on these things, but have been out of touch for an embarassing amount of time.

What would people recommend to use as my OS (3.0,3.1,3.5 or 3.9), graphics driver (I'm thinking Picasso 96...) and what essential utilities should I look for nowadays.

I realise that this could turn into a huge thread, so I promise that I'll create an article for a FAQ at the end of it.

Thanks for any help,
Nick.

[adonay]

dont know much about os 3,5 but 3,9 comes with a good deal whith uppgraded tools probb.. newer than what ships with 3.5. Picasso 96 is a good choise seems to give better support in some applications that havily require gfx ..and is (if i am not to mistaken) one driver to bind them all easier support for multipple cards etc .and i think you will also need kick 3.1 for the 3,5 the last place i can reamember were i could see a 3.1 rom was amigakit.com




 

[chiark]

Thanks for that.  I forgot to mention that I can softkick 3.1 (yes, I know!) so I've edited the post.

Amigakit.com don't have 3.1 roms for the 4000 :-( .  I'll keep searching.

[PMC]

I use OS3.9.  It's supposed to be more stable than OS3.5, and has a full version of a TCP/IP stack to get you permanently connected to the net.  

Picasso96 id pretty much the standard and is distributed with the OS3.9 CD, along with an avi player, mp3 player and some other useful toys.  

Depending on how much you want to customise your OS, I'd download VisualPrefs and FullPalette from the Aminet as these will allow you to customise the look of your Workbench to a fine degree.  MUI might help too.

[adonay]

sorry i was wrong about the rom only place i can find it is on norwegian webshop they ship worldwide but bad translated and perhapps a bit expensive ..lol  .http://www.datakompaniet.no or perhapps ebay

[chiark]

As if by magic, they've appeared on the site

[amigakit]

We sell a range of Kickstart ROMs including for the A4000 (just added) :-) Takes time to add stuff to the online catalog!

Oh and also if you want Workbench 3.9 we stock the CDROM too.

For the full information about AmigaOS 3.9, see the official webpage, listed under the product description.

[sundown]

@chiark

Forget OS3.5, do it right & get OS3.9. I've been using PFS3 for the last 3 yrs without problems & it's so much quicker then FFS. See my sig for my 4000 setup.

[chiark]

@amigakit - I'll be ordering the 3.1 ROM set from you when I've sold something on ebay.  If it goes well, I'll go for 3.9 too

Thanks for the recommendations all, it looks like 3.9 is the way to go!

[amigakit]

Thanks :-)

I'll put the ROMs aside for you now then...

[chiark]

Please do :-)

I've just managed to get OS 3.9, so it looks like I really need the ROM.

Any discount for amiga.org members ;-) ?