1.3 or 2.04?

[yock1960]

I've seen some comments on whether or not to upgrade an A500 from 1.3 to 2.04 in various places. It depends on what the machine will be used for I'm sure and I know that you can use both if you have the switchable ROM socket. But what I'd like, since I'm too new to things to know, is for a little more detail on the pros and cons. I already know that alot of software requires at least 2.04, but even at that there are usually still programs that will work for 1.3. Someone tell me why I should consider upgrading to 2.04 or why I should stay with 1.3. I really don't think I would go any further than 2.04, seems like a newer machine or a really maxed out A500 would be desired in that case.

Thanks!

[Amiduffer]

It does depend on what you do with it.

If its only games that you use on the A500, don't bother with 2.04, there won't be much of a difference.

If you plan to use paint programs, utilities, databases, wordprocessors, or any "serious" programs, get 2.04, since the better one were designed with OS2> in mind.

[SamuraiCrow]

The main reason for upgrading to 2.04 is to:
1) get rid of some annoying bugs
2) speed up some tasks due to an improved build system at Commodore before Kickstart 2.xx was created
3) most importantly, support for more than 512 Kbytes of Chip Ram when using the Enhanced ChipSet (ECS)
4) the ability to switch between PAL and NTSC modes with ECS
(Although technically you might be able to do the last one on Kickstart 1.3 with the proper utility from the Aminet as long as you have ECS.)

[Tomas]

It all depends on what game you play. For me 2.04 was a great upgrade and it only affected like less than 1% of the games i threw at it.

[AF-Domains.net]

Could get a ROM Switcher so you can switch between the two depending on what programs you run.

[Thomas]

@yock1960:

if you decide against 1.3, you should directly jump to 3.1. Compatibility-wise there is no difference if you use 2.0 or 3.1, but 3.1 offers a lot more functions and bug fixes.

Bye,
Thomas

[Paradox]

You might aswell get 3.1 roms for your a500 tis only one chip be about £10

then you have most uptodate.


but as above if use for old games dont bother but if your messing with the OS get 2.0 or 3.1 roms.

cheers