Proposed A2000 Updates...

[DiskChris]

Hey everyone, I've got an Amiga 2000 toaster system with an Octagon 2000 scsi card I'm thinking about upgrading.  I want to get upgrade the kickstarts to 3.1 and install OS 3.9.  But, I've got a couple questions:
1. Will I still be able to use my toaster hardware  (VT2000) and assorted software?
2. Will I loose much application compatibility? (I currently have 2.04 roms)
3. Is 4 MB fast ram and a 68030 enough for 3.9?
4. Lastly, do these  50 to 68 pin scsi converters work?

[Matt_H]

Toaster works fine under 3.1. You shouldn't see any compatibility problems.

4MB and 030 is just barely enough for 3.9. With the Toaster, though, you're probably better off staying with 3.1. 4MB is barely enough for the Toaster.

Those SCSI adapters are for connecting 50pin devices to a 68pin cable. As far as I know, no peripheral for the 2000 uses 68pin connectors, so you probably don't want those. I bought some from AmigaKit (for much less) for my CSPPC but haven't installed them yet so I can't speak to their effectiveness.

[DiskChris]

Man 3.9 looked so cool...Oh well.  I was going to use the 68 pin adapter for a cdrom drive and a new hard drive, but I probably won't go for those if I am not going for 3.9.

[motrucker]

I use an A2000  with 16Mb fast RAM on a GVP 030. 3.9 is a real memory pig. I ended up going with 3.5 OS which seems to work quite well. I don't have a Toaster though.
I still use 50 pin SCSI hard drives, one 4Gb and one 2Gb - also a SCSI CD-ROM drive (internal).
The best thing you do is add as much 32 bit RAM as your machine will hold - no matter what OS you use...

[Ral-Clan]

Yeah, I think that's the wrong SCSI converter if you're looking to connect a 68 pin drive to an Amiga 50 pin controller.  It's the wrong gender.  You need a 68 pin male to 50 pin female adapter.

But even so, $20 is waaaay to much.  You can get these on DealExtreme.com for about $2 to $3 each with free shipping.

[k4lmp]

I have an A2000 (See signature for details) and have used 3.9 on mine.  It works fine, but isn't really fast.  You might try one of the ClassicWB versions like ADVSP.  I have used them all, and they are great, all the software you need is already on there.  I have tried them all.  On my machine, the 68K version is like lightning, but lacks some of the features of the higher versions.  I think ADVSP would be OK for you.  I would add some more fast ram.

[bbond007]

Maybe go with 3.1 and ClassicWB
http://classicwb.abime.net/

[RobertB]

The best thing you do is add as much 32 bit RAM as your machine will hold...

I agree.  Load it up with as much RAM as possible.  Foundation Imaging, the special effects company for seasons 1-3 of Babylon 5, used Video Toasters with 32 megs of RAM.  So, you should match, if not surpass, what Foundation Imaging used.  

That should help with OS 3.1 to 3.9,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug

[RobertB]

I want to get upgrade the kickstarts to 3.1 and install OS 3.9.

(snip)

3. Is 4 MB fast ram and a 68030 enough for 3.9?

This Vesalia webpage has the requirements --

http://www.vesalia.de/e_os39.htm

Truly,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug