Upgrading KS/WB on an A500 - pros and cons?

AB Positive · 14 May 2009, 14:39

From what little I've been able to glean from research - upgrading a KS on an A500 can cause compatibility problems (mainly with games) but allow it to have better I/O functionality and would definitely help with Amiga Explorer (I could format from AE rather than the 1.3/target disk swapping fun)

Also - if I upgrade to 2.04 can't I softkick to 1.3 for games? Or is that not 100% reliable (well, it's software so I guess there's no way it could be 100% right?)

Sorry for the noobish question but I've only been able to get the peripheral info and aren't quite sure whether I want to do this.

musashi5150 · 14 May 2009, 14:46

My preferred route would be to buy a piece of hardware called a kickstart swapper. You install both 1.3 and 2.xx/3.xx chips on it and then you could flick between them with a switch.

It's very easy to fit, won't use up any of your precious memory, won't need any crazy softkicking disk and will be very reliable. There are usually a couple on eBay

Like this one for example: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=150343847616

davideo · 14 May 2009, 15:09

I had a kickstart switcher in my 2000HD. It allowed me to swap from 1.3 to 2.04 without any problems and allowed full compatability with my software.

A nice easy solution to the problem

Dave G

alexh · 14 May 2009, 15:27

Ditch AmigaExplorer and floppy disks they are way too slow.

Get KS3.1 and CFIDE68k.

You'll be able to play games directly from compact flash using WHDload and upload them to the compact flash using a PC in seconds.

AB Positive · 14 May 2009, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

Ditch AmigaExplorer and floppy disks they are way too slow.

Get KS3.1 and CFIDE68k.

You'll be able to play games directly from compact flash using WHDload and upload them to the compact flash using a PC in seconds.

A500 - 1MB Ram - no HDD. Not an option

I'll look into the kickstart switchers though - all I'd need would be a set of 2.0x compatible roms, right?

musashi5150 · 14 May 2009, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB Positive

I'll look into the kickstart switchers though - all I'd need would be a set of 2.0x compatible roms, right?

Yup, that's all. You might be able to find a bargain 2.04 ROM from someone that's upgraded to 3.1. Best of luck

14 May 2009, 14:39	#1
AB Positive kachou ON! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Hampshire, US Posts: 192	Upgrading KS/WB on an A500 - pros and cons? From what little I've been able to glean from research - upgrading a KS on an A500 can cause compatibility problems (mainly with games) but allow it to have better I/O functionality and would definitely help with Amiga Explorer (I could format from AE rather than the 1.3/target disk swapping fun) Also - if I upgrade to 2.04 can't I softkick to 1.3 for games? Or is that not 100% reliable (well, it's software so I guess there's no way it could be 100% right?) Sorry for the noobish question but I've only been able to get the peripheral info and aren't quite sure whether I want to do this.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A500+ Upgrading help	amiga1	support.Hardware	28	26 April 2011 03:34
Upgrading A500+ MB to 2MB ChipRam	TheCorfiot	support.Hardware	11	07 April 2008 17:34
Upgrading an A500 to an A500+ tech questions	Merlin	support.Hardware	28	02 May 2007 00:49
Upgrading A500(+)	Syko	support.Hardware	0	30 July 2003 16:48
TinyMeter pros: help!	Mojo2000	New to Emulation or Amiga scene	0	02 February 2003 00:37

14 May 2009, 14:46	#2
musashi5150 move.w #$4489,$dff07e Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Norfolk, UK Age: 42 Posts: 2,351	My preferred route would be to buy a piece of hardware called a kickstart swapper. You install both 1.3 and 2.xx/3.xx chips on it and then you could flick between them with a switch. It's very easy to fit, won't use up any of your precious memory, won't need any crazy softkicking disk and will be very reliable. There are usually a couple on eBay Like this one for example: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=150343847616

14 May 2009, 15:09	#3
davideo Amiga Tomcat Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Lincs Posts: 1,500	I had a kickstart switcher in my 2000HD. It allowed me to swap from 1.3 to 2.04 without any problems and allowed full compatability with my software. A nice easy solution to the problem Dave G

14 May 2009, 15:27	#4
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,354	Ditch AmigaExplorer and floppy disks they are way too slow. Get KS3.1 and CFIDE68k. You'll be able to play games directly from compact flash using WHDload and upload them to the compact flash using a PC in seconds.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)