Which Amiga OS to install

[Cammy]

Unfortunately picture.datatype in OS3.9 is just much slower than the 3.1 version, no matter what bitdepth the images being used are. I have pre-remapped every image I use in all of my programs to a special, locked 16 colour palette. In a program like YAM, which needs to load many of these images on startup, the difference in load times between 3.1 and 3.9 is very noticable. It takes less than a minute to load in 3.1, but over a minute to load in 3.9, and all the images it's loading are 4bit 16 colour iffs.

[Matt_H]

@ Cammy

Interesting point on YAM. I'm going to look into this further.

[scuzzb494]

Get the CD and start with 3.1 and see if the machine is running fine, then step up to the OS3.9. If she falls over then go back to 3.1. Shame not to have the later OS given the kit you have. The thing about OS3.0 and OS3.1 they are so compact and efficient they could pretty well run on any set up.

By the way.. Before you start over may be sensible to keep a copy of the OLD OS.

scuzz

[AmigaPixel]

@cammy
"3.9 is slow because of Picture Datatype, among other things. On an AGA machine, it is very slow remapping all images internally from 24bit to your palette-mapped Workbench screen. "

Hmm, this is only true if someone uses 24 - 32Bit stuff all the time (WB backgrounds, icons etc.). This will be slow on a 3.1 system (with appropiate patches) as well. A 3.9 system can look and feel speedwise like a 3.1 system incl. all nice stuff you gain from the 3.9 update (AmiDock, AsyncWB, semi-kernel patches from BB2 et al.). It is always depending on how you configure/tweak your system. Due to a CRT problem I used my 030/OS3.9 for some time even with a A2024 (!) - 4 colours on Workbench (!) - without any real (speed) problem.

In that case I'll try OS 3.9 in 4 colors, I can always downgrade to 3.1. Isn't there unofficial BB3 and has anyone has tried it?

[Cammy]

Reducing your onscreen colours isn't going to solve the problem, it will still take much longer to load all images, they'll just look worse and your screen will refresh quicker.

[tone007]

I should add that I am using a 030 at 50mhz and 68882 At 50mhz. Not the fast cpu but  I was hoping it could be optimized.

I've got this same processor setup in my A500+ and I run 3.9 on it (just to do it.)  It's sluggish, 3.1 performed much better (and used less memory.)

4 color 3.9 is pretty ridiculous as well, all the fancy icons look like crap.

[illy5603]

I would recommend a fresh install of "ClassicWB" by Bloodwych. Basically a workbench 3.1 setup that works right out of the gate.

[AmigaPixel]

Thanks for the feedback, I was hoping to play with the features in OS 3.9 even if I really don't need them. Darn never should of sold my A1200/060 Doh! I know seen 3.1 on CF/IDE adapters but otherwise  is OS 3.1 still only on floppies?

[tone007]

The 3.1 install media is on floppy, but if you have the full set including the Install disk you can install it to your hard drive by running the install program.

[SamuraiCrow]

I seem to recall that AmigaOS 3.5 had to install itself over a 3.1 install that was also on the came CD.  If you used an older revision of 3.1 it wouldn't work.