Bit of help

[AliasXZ]

Helloooo

I just dug out my Amiga 1200 it is a standard A1200 with a 170MB HDD, 2mb chipram.

How do I get started in loading WHDLoad onto the hard drive?? I take it all I really need is a PCMCIA network adapter and just put the amiga on my network and transfer things to it? Does it need to be upgraded?

thanks for help

[Zetr0]

@AliasXZ

hello there, welcome to these fine Boards

theres plenty of mischief here at the EAB, so take some time, kick back and enjoy the honey coated retro-dom that these boards provide

okay so WHD the quick and dirty info... okay... quick....

WHDLoad really need extra ram to work properly, Although some games will work with the "Preload" option set to false, some wont.

I would recomend a Hardware upgrade of atleast a 4MB ram card.

now you can connect to a PC via null modem and use simple transferring. this you can find in the FAQ or on the wiki

you can use the PCMCIA port to a CF / SD card, but this will need to formatted to FAT, and you will need to upgrade the workbench file types.

you could use a compact flash card as a hard disk, and prep it on the PC via WinUAE, from this you can copy all the files you need from there, there is info on the wiki on how to setup a workbench install via WinUAE just have a lookie at the FAQ

there is a thread on CF cards, and their related interfaces and how they best work with an Amiga, have a search for CF threads.

anyway i hope that all helps.

[AliasXZ]

thanks for reply. Sorry I am a total n00b.

where do i buy amiga hardware from? ebay?

unfortunatly i dont have a compact flash / sd card reader for my pc, looks like im gona have to get one!

I take it in the FAQ it tells you how to obtain WHDLoad? lol

[DamienD]

Hello AliasXZ,

Here's some quick answers:

Originally Posted by AliasXZ

where do i buy amiga hardware from? ebay?

Yes eBay or AmigaKit (though a bit more expensive but you get warranty and great service).

Originally Posted by AliasXZ

I take it in the FAQ it tells you how to obtain WHDLoad? lol

These are the >> Amiga FAQ << Zetro is talking about. There's loads of useful information there

Specifically for you though WHDLoad FAQ by CodyJarrett...

[AliasXZ]

cheers guys, ill have a mess around! Hopefully all will be well

[Zetr0]

Originally Posted by DamienD

Hello AliasXZ,

Here's some quick answers:


Yes eBay or AmigaKit (though a bit more expensive but you get warranty and great service).


These are the >> Amiga FAQ << Zetro is talking about. There's loads of useful information there

Specifically for you though WHDLoad FAQ by CodyJarrett...

No double d delicious, you don't get you tenner back

[AliasXZ]

eeek!

ok it has been a long day, i download whdload_usr.lha to my normal pc, extract it and put it onto the amiga? How do i extract lha files? sorry guys.... feel free to flame me

[Hewitson]

Originally Posted by AliasXZ

eeek!

ok it has been a long day, i download whdload_usr.lha to my normal pc, extract it and put it onto the amiga? How do i extract lha files? sorry guys.... feel free to flame me

You'll want to extract it ON the amiga. Download LhA from Aminet. http://aminet.net

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by Braddo

You'll want to extract it ON the amiga. Download LhA from Aminet. http://aminet.net

Yep,
The next trick is how do you get those files on your miggy..?
(PCs won't read Amiga floppies & Amiga won't read Dos without software)
Depends on how far you intend taking the upgrades...
There are a few options:
-With the hardware you've got @ present you may be best downloading the wonderful WinUAE & setting that up as a 'clone' of your current hardware on the PC. Then pull the HDD from your miggy & mount if from UAE - you can then use UAE for file transfer from the PC... ...plug the HDD back in your miggy... ...most A1200s have a 2.5" HDD which may need an adapter for your PC (USB or IDE)
-Compact Flash? Replace the IDE drive in your miggy with an IDE-CF adapter... ...buy a CF adapter for your PC, then much as above. (a bit more convenient)
-Catweazle? Hardware adpter to allow a PC to read Amiga floppies... ...do you really want to be transferring large amounts of data via FD..?
-Network? Needs at least a serial cable + software - not so bad... ...'proper' TCP connection will need at least more memory + 16bit PCMCIA card + software... ...how do you get the software on the miggy..? See above.

It's one of those 'how far do you want to take it' situations...
Standard A1200 + HDD - Keep to any floppy games you have (+some 2mb WHDLoad games)
+4mb Upgrade - More WHDLoad games will work from your HDD.
(most 8mb ram upgrades will stop PCMCIA port from working)
+'Proper accelerator' 68030 with some ram - WHDLoad nivana.
(most '030 accelerators won't disable PCMCIA with >4mb RAM, some WILL)
+Compact Flash adapter - quieter, faster..? More convenient file transfer.
+Network - Much more convenient file transfer. Can be a bugger to set up.
(Proper TCP network will need more ram and a faster processor. 16BIT PCMCIA card NOT 32BIT/Cardbus)
+Faster accelerator, more memory, USB, GFX card (RTG) - The sky's the limit if your bank balance can stand it. Unnecessary if your A1200 is a games machine.

Have fun! Welcome to the EAB.
(we were all n00bs once upon a time - ask questions)

[AliasXZ]

cheers charlie

ill have a mess around and let you know how i get on