Help needed on reinstalling from scratch

[djkoelkast]

At least I now have a good Emergency disk, so reformatting is no problem.

I'll try this but I guess doing this every time will cost a lot of time. First MaxTransfer, reformat, reinstall, if it fails the next thing..

So I guess I can do the three things in once?

Thanks!

[Thomas]

Do one at a time. Only the block size change needs reformatting, the other changes are non-destructive. The MaxTransfer change should already cure the problem. The buffers change should be done anyway, because it increases speed and stability (but also memory consumption).

When talking about formatting, quick is sufficient, you don't need a full format. So it shouldn't take such a long time. I just wanted to warn that all files are lost, so you should make a backup before this last change (or be prepared to reinstall).

Doubling the block size will increase the speed again, but it also increases wasted disk space and it dramatically increases memory consumption by buffers. (Memory needed is number of buffers * block size.)

Bye,
Thomas

[djkoelkast]

When I change anything it doesn't accept the new settings.

For example:

I go into HDToolBox, change the MaxTransfer, click Ok, click Ok, Save changes to drive is grayed out. Same when I try to add the buffers.
As the partition is 4096 MB I calculated 1024 buffers (4096 / 100) * 25 and again, when I do this Save changes to drive is grayed out.

I removed all partitions and made new ones: the same happens. Everytime I click on Partition drive the values are set back to what they were before.

So I can't seem to make the changes?

[Thomas]

Unlike Windows, on AmigaOS you have to press Return or Tab whenever you enter something into a text field.

Why do you still use the OS 3.1 HDToolbox ? You should boot from the emergency disk and use the new HDToolbox. It will take your input without pressing enter.

Bye,
Thomas

[djkoelkast]

Because HDToolBox from the Emergency disk crashes (suspend/reboot).

I haven't worked for a while with my Amiga so I forget this stuff Thanks, I'll try again and learn

[djkoelkast]

Ok, it worked! No write errors anymore and it boots into 3.9 right away now, however (you knew this was gonna come ) f.e. Amidock crashes at boot:

Program Failed (errpr #80000004)
Wait for disk activity to finish.

Suspend - Reboot

I also get this on other tools like format. Others just refuse to start at all, like HDToolBox.

I have the drivers for my videocard installed, I have the 68060.library (and got rid of the 68040.library) from the website you told me.

I don't know what could be wrong now...again

[JetRacer]

By the sound of that errorcode it can be anything between poor RAM connection (give them a little wiggle), semi-attached HDD cables (give them a push), to overheating the 68060 (ouch!). Or redundant/bum driver software (possibly Amithlon drivers). Instability with random gurus is often caused by hardware problems.

So take some time to check out the usual suspects. That bundle of expansion cards does not exactly help your situation since each and every one can cause the havoc. Remove everything you don't need to boot + get visual and see if it works (Amiga+arrow keys get you basic mouse control). Also, the order of driver activation may be significant so try shuffle those around.

If AmiDock prevents you from doing anything then use ctrl-c to abort the startup. Then move AmiDock from the autostart directory. At command line: rename "sys:autostart/AmiDock" "sys:storage/AmiDock" or whatever path applies (memory fails me).

Also, if you only have one large 80GB WB partition - or the WB partition isn't <2GB and first in line - then the answer to your problems is simple.

-- edit --

And, oh, I forgot to mention one major culprit: stack. Some stuff needs a big load of stack or else the Amiga will guru at any given point. It's a nightmare to sort out a stack problem though. Try booting without anything in the autostart and not running any apps. Run around like a squirrel in the shell and see if it remains stable or not. If it does remain stable then it's probably a stack related issue.

[djkoelkast]

WB partition is 4GB as that was what HDTB suggested.
I got rid of the Amithlon stuff, just did a full format.

So you suggest I make my 1st partition about 1GB? I'll try it tomorrow. No problems with formatting 100 times, as long as the outcome is good.

BTW: Thomas I love your avatar, as I'm a big fan of Clever & Smart (which are called Paling & Ko here ;-))

[JetRacer]

4GB is probably ok if it's the suggested size. One half of the users claims 2GB is the safe limit and the other that 4GB should work - in theory. I havn't bothered getting hands-on experience in the subject for obvius reasons.

Personally I'm using 256MB - wize from prior experience with lack of storage capasity. In essence: don't put yourself in the spot where you need to shuffle stuff to the WB partitions free 3.9GB.

[zipper]

 f.e. Amidock crashes at boot:

Program Failed (errpr #80000004)
Wait for disk activity to finish.

Suspend - Reboot

I also get this on other tools like format. Others just refuse to start at all, like HDToolBox.

Sometimes it means your install misses something in Classes:Gadgets. Make a comparison between your install and the OS 3.9 CD. I did have that problem.

[djkoelkast]

Hmmm deleted the partitions and made 1 partition of 1GB (1019mb) and set the values as said by Thomas, but the write errors are back, I'll try it again, but it's strange. Also HDToolBox from the Emergency Toolbox crashes with the 80000004 error...

[Thomas]

Perhaps you should try the older versions of 68060.library from amiga.resource.cx.

Bye,
Thomas

[Framiga]

AmigaOS 3.9 FAQ

[djkoelkast]

Well well, reinstalling is a LOT less easy than I thought. Now with the new settings and 1GB the write errors are gone but my Install 3.1 disk gives an error (c:version failed) and still AmiDock crashes and I can't use a lot of stuff because it simply does never start.

I really think these are driver related issues but it seems like it's going to take a lot of effort to get it all right...

[djkoelkast]

So I reinstalled 3.1 *again* with the 68060 and 68040 libraries and made a new Emergency disk. Now everything worked fine, also stuff from the OS 3.9 CD that didn't work before.

So I went on to install the Cybergraphics drivers, fine too (nice sharp image at 800x600) but when I boot from the Emegency disk, double click on the Amiga OS 3.9 CD, double click on the folder which contains the installer and then it crashes: everything hangs. Even the mouse doesn't respond.

Maybe the video drivers?