New A2000

[k4lmp]

Hello, all.  I have been into Commodore for years, and just now took the plunge and bought an A2000.  I know this is probably a stupid question, but remember, I am new to Amiga.  The unit has a hard drive, but when I turn it on, it is asking for a floppy, and will not boot off of the HD.  Is there something I need to do, or do you still need the floppy to boot.  Here is the info:

Commodore Amiga A2000 computer..  Works great.. Has the following: Standard floppy drive, commodore 2630  accelerator running at 030 by 25, with 2 megs of ram onboard, 2091  controller card with 2 megs of ram and 6.6 roms.  100 mb Quantum hard  drive.. 2.1 operating system.. REV 6.3 motherboard.. 1 meg chip ram  suppra sup ram card with 6 megs on card but only using 4 megs.. Total 1  meg chip, 8 megs other.. Battery was taken out by previous owner.. Comes with CPU, Keyboard and Mouse.. Everything  works good.

Do I need a Workbench floppy?  Thanks to all in advance.

Jeff

[spirantho]

Hi - and Welcome!

That sounds like a pretty nice starter system there! Upgraded A2000s like that give some of the best value for money in the Amiga range; they're not expensive but they're very expandable!

First, a recommendation: Get Kickstart 3.1 ROMs fitted, and upgrade to OS3.1 or OS3.9 depending on which you prefer. Personally, I run 3.9 on my A2000. Next thing is a graphics card - a Picasso II is a good basic card for an A2000.

As for your particular problem, the answer is no, you don't need a floppy disk. That set up should boot up from the hard disk just fine.
What kind of hard disk is it exactly? You say it's a Quantum 100MB - is it the Quantum 105S? That's a half-height drive (i.e. it's big!). They're good reliable workhorses but when they've not been used for a while, the lubricant in them seizes up. Check yours is actually spinning up - you'll hear it and feel it! If it's not starting, don't worry - you just need to give them a few sharp raps with your hand or something to loosen them.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on with your new toy.

[bbond007]

The computer should able to boot off the HD. I would just double check that everything is connected.

If not, then you'll need workbench disks further diagnose the HD.

See if you have those. I think you should be able to use the one labeled "Install" to run the application "HD Toolbox" to see if the computer can even see the HD.

You can also try and press both mouse buttons before the system boots to get into the "Early Boot Menu" and from there you would be able to at least see the HD is listed. I'm not 100% sure 2.x has that menu but its worth a shot.

I agree with 3.1 ROMS as a future upgrade but for 3.1 not 3.9 because of only having 8MB RAM and a 25mhz 030. For that same reason a graphics card would also be sort of useless. Maybe look at ClassicWB. http://classicwb.abime.net/

I would suggest the Indivision ECS to connect it to modern monitor.

good luck!

[k4lmp]

Got it...I was investigating the HD to make sure it was spinning, which it was.  I thought I would reseat the SCSI card, and noticed the screw was stripped that holds the board down.  The board wasn't seated at all.  Must have come loose in shipping.  Booted up fine.  Only problem is the only thing I have to hook it to is an old 1702 monitor, which is in BW due to the monochrome output on the back.  I have an A500 on the way, that has an A520 with it, so hopefully I can use that interim, and at least have color.  I have a 1902A that I use on my C128, but don't know if it would work, as I know the RGB is different on the C128.  Also, no cables for the A2000.  So now I'm going to investigate CrossDos a little and see if I can get some software on there to play with.  Thanks for the help, and any more suggestions for my new to me system would be appreciated.  I looked at the Indivision ECS, but they are out of stock on them and didn't have a date on when they would have more.

Jeff

[Darrin]

@ K4lmp

Keep an eye out on ebay for a SDFF.  I managed to pick up one of the old Commodore models that uses the same Amber ship that is in the A3000 and works a treat.

I'm not sure if any of the Indivision ECS models work in the A2000, but I have one of those in my A4000 and that's the bee's knees.  

Take a look at these for some alternative options:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=amiga+scan+doubler&_sacat=0&_odkw=amiga+sdff&_osacat=0&_from=R40

[bbond007]

Got it...I was investigating the HD to make sure it was spinning, which it was.  I thought I would reseat the SCSI card, and noticed the screw was stripped that holds the board down.  The board wasn't seated at all.  Must have come loose in shipping.  Booted up fine.  Only problem is the only thing I have to hook it to is an old 1702 monitor, which is in BW due to the monochrome output on the back.  I have an A500 on the way, that has an A520 with it, so hopefully I can use that interim, and at least have color.  I have a 1902A that I use on my C128, but don't know if it would work, as I know the RGB is different on the C128.  Also, no cables for the A2000.  So now I'm going to investigate CrossDos a little and see if I can get some software on there to play with.  Thanks for the help, and any more suggestions for my new to me system would be appreciated.  I looked at the Indivision ECS, but they are out of stock on them and didn't have a date on when they would have more.

Jeff

Bummer about the indivision ECS being sold out...

you could get one of these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330605923350?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2576wt_816

i have never used one but i'd try it over paying those ebay microway FF prices.

[k4lmp]

Well, I wouldn't mind having everything internal, but, according to the seller of the Microway boards, they don't really cut it on LCD monitors.  I have several VGA CRT monitors, but those are slowly going away.  The one from England http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amiga-Flickerfixer-Scandoubler-A500-A600-A1200-A1000-A2000-A3000-A4000-/200740994672?pt=UK_VintageComputing_RL&hash=item2ebd187e70 is nice, as it comes with a cable and is powered internally, however, big price, considering it is the same as the $32 one, without the fancy case.

[spirantho]

I still say get a graphics card.
Sure you don't need one - and the Indivision is great - but nothing like having a proper graphics card IMHO. Do make sure it's supported by Picasso96 or Cybergraphics though (the two graphics standards for running high resolutions in AmigaOS). Even if you only run it in 640x480 it'll still be much faster than AGA, and won't take up huge amounts of RAM.
I think 3.1 with a graphics card could be the sweet spot....

[k4lmp]

Any suggestions or links I can look at?  I am new, so don't know anything, but do read a lot.  Also, how hard is the upgrade to 3.1?

Jeff

[bbond007]

Any suggestions or links I can look at?  I am new, so don't know anything, but do read a lot.  Also, how hard is the upgrade to 3.1?

Jeff

just this...

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58860&highlight=2320+dell

i think it might be better to get monitor that can sync to your amiga.

the FF boards may work OK in NTSC but not at all in PAL or just be crappy on LCD in general.

the upgrade to 3.1 is simple. you'll carefully remove 2 ROM chips and replace them with 3.1 chips. Workbench is just as easy as loading 5 disks into the drive consecutively.

you might also want this. you could get rid of spinning mechanical SCSI HDs all together and possibly prep the entire HD on your PC with UAE.

http://a4000t.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68&products_id=184&zenid=03abb52d8ee234d9e1a0f16e346857a7

good luck...

[motrucker]

just this...

http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58860&highlight=2320+dell

i think it might be better to get monitor that can sync to your amiga.

the FF boards may work OK in NTSC but not at all in PAL or just be crappy on LCD in general.

the upgrade to 3.1 is simple. you'll carefully remove 2 ROM chips and replace them with 3.1 chips. Workbench is just as easy as loading 5 disks into the drive consecutively.....



good luck...

Huh? I'm sure you really meant the one ROM chip....

[k4lmp]

Where can you buy the Workbench disks?  Seems like I saw them on ebay, maybe.  Does it matter, say, if the 3.1 disks are for an A1200, or does that matter?

[k4lmp]

So, I've been looking at Classic WB.  That page totally confuses me.  Do you have to download and install with WinUAE on a drive?  All of the versions listed are for different target machines.  I am sorry to ask so many questions, I try to read up all I can.

[k4lmp]

Well, I bought one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/330605923350?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 and one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/290696088135?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649  Cheaper than a monitor, and gives me something to mess around with.  I'll let you know how it works for me.  Thanks.

[magnetic]

the upgrade to 3.1 is simple. you'll carefully remove 2 ROM chips and replace them with 3.1 chips. Workbench is just as easy as loading 5 disks into the drive consecutively.
.

Actually for A2000 its only 1 rom chip to change..