KICKSTART "alternate" versions: How is it Possible?

[c0dehunter]

Hello all,

According to this Wikipedia article, "With third-party software, it is possible to use an alternate Kickstart to the version stored in the embedded ROM chip. Such software allows a Kickstart version to be loaded from file into RAM - for example Kickstart 1.3 may be loaded in order to run old software incompatible with Kickstart 2.0 or later."

Questions:

1) Would you let me know what is this software?

I am thinking about using it on my A600HD or A1200, since most .ADF games/demos that I convert to real Amiga floppy diskettes do not work on them. (work perfectly on my newly acquired A500 though)

2) Can I "downgrade" my A600HD, by physically removing its current 2.0 Kickstart ROM chips, and insert 1.3 Kickstart chips instead? (Although I prefer the software method, if it is available according to Wikipedia)

Your comments, insights and posts are appreciated.

[TCD]

Have a look here : http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=3511
(yes it's old, but the mentioned programs still apply)

[c0dehunter]

Thanks. I searched for this program with no luck. What is the difference between this one and TUDE?

A link to either of programs is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

UPDATE: I have found a link for relokick 1.4 here:
http://cd.textfiles.com/zoom2/utilities/wb/relokick/

How do I run it? Do I first let my A600HD or A1200 boot into Workbench and then run this small file?

Thanks.

UPDATE2:
I found this, but I am not sure if this is the origianl or the "hacked" version:

http://www.pictureinthesky.net/appinfo.php?id=46

Does anyone have a link to 1.3 and 1.4/1.4a in ADF format?

[Leffmann]

Check out WHDLoad instead. Your plain A1200 will be able to run most of the game installs fine right off the hard drive.

Also, if you're looking for Kickstart and Workbench images, just Google and you'll find plenty of free and legal downloads of them.

[c0dehunter]

Thanks, but I really like to run my games off of real floppies. I never liked the WHDLoad idea, since I can easily load games off of WinUAE. (its not the real thing feeling, if you know what I mean)

[Leffmann]

Yeah I understand. Anyway to make software-loading of a new Kickstart fully transparent to the software you will need an MMU.

Have you tried selecting original chipset and disabling the CPU caches before booting the game disk? Hold both mouse buttons while rebooting your A1200 to get into the early startup menu where you can do this, it will make some of the troublesome games run better.

[Retro1234]

http://amr.abime.net/issue_443_coverdisks

SKick is good
http://aminet.net/package/util/boot/skick346

[Djay]

Originally Posted by c0dehunter

Thanks, but I really like to run my games off of real floppies. I never liked the WHDLoad idea, since I can easily load games off of WinUAE. (its not the real thing feeling, if you know what I mean)

I know what you mean, my original Amigas didn't have HDs so installing games in some way feels alien to me...

But getting new dsdd disks is getting difficult (I don't trust second hand ones), so whdload is now becoming the only alternative...

I registered about a year ago, now I don't really ever use disks!

If I do need to downgrade then I use relokick 1.4

[c0dehunter]

Originally Posted by Djay

I know what you mean, my original Amigas didn't have HDs so installing games in some way feels alien to me...

But getting new dsdd disks is getting difficult (I don't trust second hand ones), so whdload is now becoming the only alternative...

I registered about a year ago, now I don't really ever use disks!

If I do need to downgrade then I use relokick 1.4

Can you please provide a link then? Thanks!

[TCD]

Originally Posted by c0dehunter

Can you please provide a link then? Thanks!

Have a look here : http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=58986