Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!kuhub.cc.ukans.edu!markv
From: markv@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: Amiga 500, ECS, Chip Ram and 2.0
Message-ID: <1991May2.145629.30320@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu>
Date: 2 May 91 14:56:29 CDT
References: <1991May2.004708.15705@tplrd.tpl.oz.au>
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services
Lines: 75

In article <1991May2.004708.15705@tplrd.tpl.oz.au>, paulg@tplrd.tpl.oz.au (Paul Gittings) writes:
> With all the new hardware and OS that are out or coming RSN, I'm getting
> a tad confused.  The following points are statements that I take to be
> TRUE,  could somebody take the time to check them out and tell me if I'm 
> right or wrong.  If I'm wrong could you please tell me what is correct.
> NOTE: I don't expect anybody to break any non-disclosure agreements.
> 
> 1)  A500's produced prior to the release of the ECS can be upgraded (see 2) 
>     to use the ECS (both Agnus and Denise).

Yes, that's true.

> 2)  Commodore only "approves" the use of 512K Chip RAM in the A500 even
>     if the ECS is installed.  Yes, there are modifications that can be made 
>     to get 1MEG chip RAM but Commodore does not support or approve of such 
>     modification.

Funny, the instruction sheets Commodore is shipping with the ECS
Denise/Agnus to developers show what to do for both memory, and
PAL/NTSC flexibility on the 500 and 2000.  Note the two issues.  One
is enabling the 2nd 512K of CHIP, which on the 2000 is a simple jumper
change.  The second is enabling the PAL modes in NTSC machines and
vice versa which involves cutting a trace on the 2000.

PS, here's a gripe to Commodore.  The trace pad on my 2000 was poorly
formed and impossible to cut, *plus* its tiny and smack in the middle
of tons of other tiny traces.  I had to have a friend with special
solder gun/sucker remove the pad solder from the board completely.
Most *dealers* dont have that kind of equipment.

> 3)  AmigaDOS 2.0 is not yet generally available.

True, A3000 owners and registered developers still, sigh...

> 4)  When AmigaDOS 2.0 is generally available it will run on an A500 but will
>     require a 2.0 KickStart ROM.

Yes.

> 5)  The 2.0 KickStart ROM will be bigger than previous (memory size not
>     physical size) KickStart ROMs but will still work in an unmodified
>     A500.

Yes.  The 2.0 ROM image is 512K, 1.3 is 256K.  The 2000/500 sockets
support 512K ROMs.  The 3000 sockets support both the 2000/500 (8 bit) ROMs,
plus 16 bit ROMs so the 3000 could have seperate ROMs that give a 32
bit wide ROM image.

> 6)  AmigaDOS 2.0 does not require the ECS.
 
Correct.  ECS *does* require 2.0 *if* you want the new modes.  It will
work fine under 1.3 and the old modes.
     
> OPINION: It is my feeling that Commodore will be using the Chip memory
>          to differentiate between the different models. i.e.
>              A500  - .5MEG
>              A2000 -  1MEG  (but there is a 3rd party product to get 2MEG)
>              A3000 -  2MEG

I haven't seen anything that says Commodore says 1MB CHIP 500s are
verboten.  I would think that $500+ price and the prescence of slots
and drive bays would be more than enough to differentiate the 2000 and
500.

> Cheers,
> Paul Gittings
-- 
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