A500 (+) Kickstart switch with roms

[FatterAgnus]

Hi,

I have six Kickstart switches for the Amiga 500 Plus. They are as new i.e. they are still sealed in the original packaging but because they are sealed they are untested.

This model of switch is not listed on the big book of amiga hardware. The packaging states - 'Kiststart 2.0/1.3 Amiga 500 Plus' . Some are labeled VCS Import.

The one board I have opened has instructions for installing on a A500 / A500+ and an A2000 - but they are in Italian.

The boards have 2 rom chips (I'm assuming the 1.3 and 2.0) and an empty socket.

Anybody have any ideas what they are worth? (and does anybody have a Commodore 128D they want to swap )

[alexh]

Perhaps 30 quid tops?

Can you change Kickstart with the keyboard or is there a switch? (There is usually a clip to connect to the Gary chip if it's mouse / keyboard switched).

[whiteb]

Originally Posted by alexh

Perhaps 30 quid tops?

Can you change Kickstart with the keyboard or is there a switch? (There is usually a clip to connect to the Gary chip if it's mouse / keyboard switched).

My kick switcher is a Keyboard switcher (Three finger salute), and its a clip to the (RST) pin on the CPU

[FatterAgnus]

It looks like all but one of the boards has a switch. Does anybody have any idea what the additional 40 pin socket is for?

Also, what happens with the switch type is the Amiga is powered up and you accidentally flick the switch? Does it kill the roms?

Thanks,

TF.

[alexh]

The additional socket might be for an extra kickstart chip? 3 way switcher?

Add a photo and perhaps I'll work it out.

[FatterAgnus]

I've attached a picture. Hope you can see it!

[Doc Mindie]

Certainly looks like you could add a third kickstart to it...... though.... if you have say, 3.1 and 1.3, would you ever need the KS2.1 for anything?

[alexh]

The socket is where the original 2.04 kickstart ROM from inside the A500+ goes.

The boards have 2 rom chips (I'm assuming the 1.3 and 2.0) and an empty socket

That is not true, the 2 rom chips on the photo above combine to make 1 kickstart (1.3) The designers used two 1/2 capacity EPROM's probably because they were cheaper at the time.

It's quite unusual as most KS switchers used 27c400 EPROMs because they have identical pinout to the Amiga ROM, this switcher requires a more complicated PCB to remap the pinouts.

Being unusual doesnt make them rare i.e. worth much. The fact that they are switch controlled, rather than keyboard or mouse controlled makes them less sought after. Perhaps 5 - 10 quid each.