Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!hemuli.tik.vtt.fi!fuug!news.funet.fi!uta!f1sami
From: f1sami@uta.fi (Samu Mielonen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc
Subject: QUESTIONS?
Message-ID: <2483@kielo.uta.fi>
Date: 1 Apr 91 22:34:23 GMT
Reply-To: f1sami@uta.fi (Samu Mielonen)
Organization: University of Tampere, Finland
Lines: 30

I am a novice Amiga 500 user (I got my machine a week ago) planning to upgrade
my system with a harddisk drive and extended memory (or whatever it is called).
My problem is however, that I face a jungle of hardware and I do not posses
the right tools to cut my way to the open. So, if any of you remembers how it
was to be a novice, please help me with these questions:

THE HD

What kind of controller/disk is considered to be fast/reliable? Can these 
attributes be tested with a program (a PD such?). Where can I get one (FTP-
site?). My friend is offering me a 65 MB ALF 2 drive/controller which does
not have room for additional memory circuits, but has a "pass through". 
What does this mean? Has anyone had experience with the mentioned model?
If I want to boot the HD without an additional boot floppy should I change
my Kikstart to 1.3? How does this affect software compatibility?

MEMORY

My current configuration is A500 (Kikstart 1.2, 68000 CPU) and A501 memory
expansion cartridge. I would like to upgrade the memory to 3 MB. What
kind of memory should I buy? Is the 1.8 MB expansion cartridge reliable or
should I just go for an expansion board (attached to my upcoming HD) with
2 MB chips. What is the use of getting a new Agnus, with which - according
to my friend - I could upgrade my chip ram to 1 MB. What is the use of
getting a faster 68000 or a 68010 CPU? What about compatibility?

I know these are probably quite tiresome questions, so I would be happy to
receive information on an accessible source for data on the subject. 

Samu Z. Mielonen, f1sami@uta.fi