Amiga 500 Build for a Sorta Newbie

[jasenr]

Hello all, I am not new to Amigas, but I have never done more than play floppy games with original hardware. I am wanting to build up a killer Amiga 500 (within reason) I don't really care about playing anything more than old floppy games, but I would like to build out a good machine that I could use for WHDLoad. I have an 500 (well, 2 500's and 2 1000's) and a 590 drive. The old XT drive is going out though. I was looking at a SCSI to memory card reader I saw people talking about if I can find one. Any thoughts on what I should do? Thanks! I was also thinking about putting in a scan doubler I think it was called, so I can use modern LCDs...

[Matt_H]

Although historically there were a ton of expansion options for the A500, most of them are really hard to find now, and expensive. An A1200 will be easier to turn into a WHDLoad rig, but if you want to stick with the 500 you'll probably need:

Indivision ECS, to use modern monitors
MegAChip, to get 2MB of Chip RAM instead of 1MB
Kickstart 3.1
Hard drive. You can either get a cheap old SCSI drive for your 590 online, or get a SCSI-to-IDE (or SATA) converter and then a Compact Flash adapter.
RAM. I think the 590 has sockets for 2MB of Fast RAM. You'll definitely want that for WHDLoad.

I think there are also some more recent boards available that give you some RAM and a Compact Flash slot that plug into the 68000 socket. Could make things a little easier. You'll probably also want to replace the 68000 with a 68010 (or another accelerator) to get the most out of WHDLoad.

So, bottom line, what you're asking to do can be done, but it can probably be done much more cheaply with a 1200 (and the 1200 also gives you the option of playing AGA games).

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Hi, great project!  It sounds like you've got the building blocks for a good system, there.  Am sure everyone will jump in with suggestions, here's just a few from me:

- Keep the A590, max out it's memory (2MB) and upgrade it to the latest ROM.  Also there's a hack you can perform to improve it's speed, here:  http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=14706
- Upgrade to 3.1 (ROM less than $20 on ebay or AmigaKit)
- Replace your 68000 with a 68010 processor (good for about a 5% speed increase, also allows you to use the quit key in WHDLoad games, usually less than $10 on ebay)
- If you don't already have it, do the motherboard hack to make your 512K trapdoor memory into chip memory, instructions here:  http://aminet.net/package/docs/hard/a500chip  This varies slightly depending on what version Agnus and motherboard you have, if you have a 6A board it's pretty straightforward.  If you're realllly lucky you have an 8A A500+, in which case disregard this entire process.  
- The Mechware card readers are fast, easily allow you transfer files to your PC, and unfortunately sold out.  You can fish for anyone who's willing to sell one on Amibay, or buy one on ebay (people are still selling them for samplers, unfortunately more expensive than what Mechy was selling the same hardware for)
- Get yourself an Indivision ECS.  These can be had for a little over $100 from AmigaKit, here:  http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=918¤cy=USD  This allows you to hook up to any modern TV or LCD display.  If you'd like a longer VGA cord, have one made by Kipper2K (he did mine, so I could dremel a small hole in my case and fit the VGA output right underneath the floppy drive).  His contact info is here:  http://kipper2k.com/amigaforsale/

Let me know if you have any questions at all, I started right where you are with a plain A500 earlier this year, and turned it into the machine I have in my sig now, LOL.  

[Tenacious]

I have a soft spot for expanded A500s, though I have never used WHDload.  All of the above are good options.  Here are some other possibilities.  

+1 to upgrade to KS3.1.  Install OS3.1 and BetterWB on the HD.

I like lots of Fast ram.  Supra's 500RX can go between the A590 & A500, might look clunky.  There are memory expansions that mount beneath the 68000 (or 68010).  I don't know if they are compat. with the A590.  

The A590 resells because it was made by Commodore.  If you can find them, Supra, GVP and others made more capable sidecars.  You might consider moving up.  Supra made a SCSI interface, 28 Mhz accelerator, and Fast ram expansion.  Sadly, all 3 don't come in the same case.  

[jasenr]

Thanks for the input! I think one of my motherboards is a 6A, but I'll have to open it to check. My 590 is a beautiful yellow (I'm gonna retrobrite it someday), but at least it has 2 MB already. I had a thought, could I use an old internal SCSI zip or jaz drive as a hd, or would it be too slow? I am mad I missed a deal on a Supra (I think) 020 accelerator for a 500 a while back. It was only $150. I am also looking for an NTSC 1200, but I want a loaded up 500 anyway. Would love to find a 500+ board, I missed a 500+ NTSC board a long time ago for $100. I was not sure if these prices where good, so I let them go. As for the 68010, are there any compatibility problems with old games booting from floppy or is the bigger incompatibility going to be the 3.1 rom? Sorry for the rambling response, I am really pumped about getting this going! :-D

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Thanks for the input! I think one of my motherboards is a 6A, but I'll have to open it to check. My 590 is a beautiful yellow (I'm gonna retrobrite it someday), but at least it has 2 MB already. I had a thought, could I use an old internal SCSI zip or jaz drive as a hd, or would it be too slow? I am mad I missed a deal on a Supra (I think) 020 accelerator for a 500 a while back. It was only $150. I am also looking for an NTSC 1200, but I want a loaded up 500 anyway. Would love to find a 500+ board, I missed a 500+ NTSC board a long time ago for $100. I was not sure if these prices where good, so I let them go. As for the 68010, are there any compatibility problems with old games booting from floppy or is the bigger incompatibility going to be the 3.1 rom? Sorry for the rambling response, I am really pumped about getting this going! :-D

I used a 68010 for months and didn't see a single compatability problem.  Other people have used them successfully for years.  For the cost it's a no-brainer, of course there's always going to be "that one guy who had an issue", LOL.  

If you use WHDLoad you shouldn't have any compatability issues, with either the 68010 or the 3.1 ROM.  It takes care of all that stuff for you.    If you intend to still load games off floppy you might want to get a ROM switcher.

A zip or jaz drive is probably going to be too slow.  It depends on what you can live with.  I think an internal zip drive would fit inside the A590.

[jasenr]

Is this a correct 68010?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MC68010L10-MOTOROLA-PROCESSOR-QTY-1-NEW-US-SELLER-/190882264768?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c717836c0

They seem to have slightly different numbers...

I found 68010P10's, P12's and L10's so far...

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

The number after the processor number is the clock speed.  10MHz, 12MHz, etc.  Since you're not actually overclocking anything it will run at your normal 7.16MHz system speed, that's just saying what the processor is max capable of.  Any of the MC68010P12's from China or Hong Kong should do, looks like they run $6-$10.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-MC68010P12-MOTOROLA-DIP-64-/181033430596

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Also don't forget these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commodore-Amiga-590-2091-2620-2630-ROM-500-2000-3000-/130984290792

GVP sidecar is of course faster than the A590 and can hold 8MB of memory, but it was a right-royal pain to cram a card reader inside.  If you're planning on putting in a card reader, zip drive, or something crazy like that, the A590 will probably be easier to work with.  

...I will vouch for the "Retro Music CD" included with that auction to be pretty good, too.  Got one from him from a purchase of something else, LOL.  

[jasenr]

Ok, I just bought the P12 and started bidding on the 590 Roms. Next up, a 3.1 Kick. I see that some of them say a certain MB version. Does that matter? Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated! I wouldn't have known where to start! I am thinking about trying the Zip drive since I am not looking for blazing speed... Either way, I have one in my old components bin that I have collected over the years in IT. That or I may just find a good old scsi drive. I have heard that some 590's had the scsi intercace disabled on the XT models. I hope not since mine came with an XT drive.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Ok, I just bought the P12 and started bidding on the 590 Roms. Next up, a 3.1 Kick. I see that some of them say a certain MB version. Does that matter? Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated! I wouldn't have known where to start! I am thinking about trying the Zip drive since I am not looking for blazing speed... Either way, I have one in my old components bin that I have collected over the years in IT. That or I may just find a good old scsi drive. I have heard that some 590's had the scsi intercace disabled on the XT models. I hope not since mine came with an XT drive.

This should do you for the 3.1 ROM:

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=157

Last one I bought was off Ebay and even though it works fine it didn't have any kind of label on it.  The ones from AmigaKit cost exactly the same, you're supporting a good dealer, and from the pic it looks like they have a nice label on them, LOL.  

Also it looks like you'll need to flip jumper JP3 to change the LED activity from XT to SCSI:

http://www.bboah.com/index.php?action=artikel&cat=71&id=3260&artlang=en

[curtis]

Another thing I'd look at is a kipper2 memory expansion.  Fits under the cpu very nicely.  From what I've been able to tell, they're pretty compatible with just about anything as long as you don't bump into the same memory address.

Almost forgot kipper's URL:  http://www.kipper2k.com/amigaforsale/index.html

Oh, a minimeg would be nice to add also for more chip memory.

Curtis

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

You'd need to either get the 4MB model (to not conflict with your A590) or disable the A590 memory and get the 8MB board.  If you email Kipper he should be able to tell you if anyone's reported any compatibility issues with the A590.  

[jasenr]

I realized I never sent back a thank you for ya'll's advice! Just to let y'all know, I finally got some time to install the cpu/rom and A590 firmware tonight. Everything works great as far as I can tell! I just loaded WB3.1 on my A590. I haven't gotten any of the 590 mods done apart from the firmware upgrade. My 590 is a disaster! I'll probably need to strip it down and dip the plastic in retrobrite and get some more fastening hardware, but it works! I am wondering what I should do next. I have an AdRam board, but it doesn't have the little cable that goes to the motherboard. My motherboard is a 6A. I plan on getting an Indivision Scandoubler. Can I use a Zip drive on the 25 pin scsi port so I can move files between my PC and Amiga?

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Can I use a Zip drive on the 25 pin scsi port so I can move files between my PC and Amiga?

Hi!  Sounds like your plans are moving right along.  We've all got a few "works in progress", LOL.  To answer your question, yes, you should be able to use a SCSI ZIP drive to transfer files between your PC and Amiga.  You'll need to format the disk as FAT or FAT32, and install the FAT95 file system on your Amiga to be able to read it.  I do basically the same thing with FAT32-formatted SD cards.  I believe the FAT95 file system comes pre-configured with the correct parameters for zip drives (it was more confusing doing it for an SD card, LOL).  You can download the latest version here:

http://aminet.net/package/disk/misc/fat95

Good luck!