A500Flash Kickstart switcher - Page 2

demolition · 06 April 2016, 08:50

Yes, if you want to play non-AGA floppy-based games, it is best to just stick with KS 1.3. Even 2.0 have many compatibility issues. Also, your Amiga should be configured with 512kB chip + 512 kB ranger memory as some old games are hard coded for this and that is probably the most compatible configuration. KS 3.1+ and more memory/CPU is only really if you want to use Workbench.

LocoSombrero · 10 April 2016, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by demolition

Yes, if you want to play non-AGA floppy-based games, it is best to just stick with KS 1.3. Even 2.0 have many compatibility issues. Also, your Amiga should be configured with 512kB chip + 512 kB ranger memory as some old games are hard coded for this and that is probably the most compatible configuration. KS 3.1+ and more memory/CPU is only really if you want to use Workbench.

Good point - I only did install the KickROM 3.x as I was thinking of getting a HDD-card reader adapter/accelerator board, i.e. the ACA500(plus) for my A500 (I've understood that Kickstart 3.x is needed for this), however the ACA500 boards are all long sold out and ACA500plus is due to be available ("maybe") later this year.

demolition · 10 April 2016, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by LocoSombrero

Good point - I only did install the KickROM 3.x as I was thinking of getting a HDD-card reader adapter/accelerator board, i.e. the ACA500(plus) for my A500 (I've understood that Kickstart 3.x is needed for this), however the ACA500 boards are all long sold out and ACA500plus is due to be available ("maybe") later this year.

ACA500 comes with both KS 1.3 and 3.1 included which can be chosen in the boot menu so it does not care which physical ROM is installed. Its KS is also fixed to support larger drives than the standard KS 3.1 can handle which would otherwise be the reason to choose 3.x over 3.1.

dirkies · 27 April 2016, 17:17

Hey Spidi, I noticed it is now for sale in France (Amedia, see http://amiga.amedia-computer.com/ind.../1/GA-A500FL1M ) but some questions arise:

does a combination KS1.3/3.1 work? As I noticed a jumper is available to choose between 2x256KB rom and 2x512KB ROM for the 1M model, but what about a 256KB+512KB rom??).
what happens with the original ROM? still available? (e.g. KS2.05 rom + flashed KS1.3+KS3.1)
will there be an english version of the flasher tool? My polish isn't that good
will future upgrades allow more images to be crammed into 1M flash? (e.g. KS1.2+KS1.3+KS3.1)
will there be a ribbon cable adapter available for those with an A508IDE or a future V500 vampire, as this will certainly block the install of those?

spidi · 27 April 2016, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirkies

Hey Spidi, I noticed it is now for sale in France (Amedia, see http://amiga.amedia-computer.com/ind.../1/GA-A500FL1M ) but some questions arise:

does a combination KS1.3/3.1 work? As I noticed a jumper is available to choose between 2x256KB rom and 2x512KB ROM for the 1M model, but what about a 256KB+512KB rom??).
what happens with the original ROM? still available? (e.g. KS2.05 rom + flashed KS1.3+KS3.1)
will there be an english version of the flasher tool? My polish isn't that good
will future upgrades allow more images to be crammed into 1M flash? (e.g. KS1.2+KS1.3+KS3.1)
will there be a ribbon cable adapter available for those with an A508IDE or a future V500 vampire, as this will certainly block the install of those?

I added the English versions of the flasher tool (Polish is a beautiful language

).
Work combinations for 1M version:
- original ROM 1.3 and flashed Kickstart (only one) 1.2 (256kB) or 1.3(256kB) or 2.x(512kB) or 3.x(512kB) or 3.5/3.9(1MB - two files 512kB) or AROS ROM (1MB - two files 512kB),
- original ROM 2.x and flashed Kickstart (only one) 1.2 (256kB) or 1.3(256kB) or 2.x(512kB) or 3.x(512kB) or 3.5/3.9(1MB - two files 512kB) or AROS ROM (1MB - two files 512kB),
- switching between available Kickstart images by holding down CTRL+A+A keys for about 3 seconds.

Work combinations for 5k version:
- original ROM 1.3 and flashed Kickstart (only one) 1.2 (256kB) or 1.3(256kB) or 2.x(512kB) or 3.x(512kB),
- original ROM 2.x and flashed Kickstart (only one) 1.2 (256kB) or 1.3(256kB) or 2.x(512kB) or 3.x(512kB),
- switching between available Kickstart images by holding down CTRL+A+A keys for about 3 seconds.

dirkies · 28 April 2016, 10:44

So if I understand you can have THREE kickstarts present:
the original ROM chip kickstart + 2 flashed kickstarts of your choice ?

And if so, doing the CTRL+A+A trick twice in sequence will revert to the builtin original ROM? Which kickstart is active when powering off & on again ?

But ok, I just ordered one, out of pure curiosity, and will leave feedback once received and thoroughly tested!

And thanks for the English version of the tool, although I saw in the English binary still some Polish language hanging around...

demolition · 28 April 2016, 10:50

I read it as you can only keep one KS in flash and switch between the original ROM and the flashed ROM. The 1M version cannot switch between 2x512k flashed ROMs.

dirkies · 28 April 2016, 10:52

ok, so the 1M is purely for 3.5+ support then (or homebrewn 1M kickstarts) ?

demolition · 28 April 2016, 10:53

I would think so.

dirkies · 28 April 2016, 10:55

ok, it was all a bit confusing as they were referring to normal 256/512K kickstarts as "the primary ones".
Maybe with some future update they can use the 1M to support 2 kickstarts, a bit like Kipper2k has done (but since it is not for sale it is of no use to the community)

spidi · 28 April 2016, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirkies

So if I understand you can have THREE kickstarts present:
the original ROM chip kickstart + 2 flashed kickstarts of your choice ?

And if so, doing the CTRL+A+A trick twice in sequence will revert to the builtin original ROM? Which kickstart is active when powering off & on again ?

But ok, I just ordered one, out of pure curiosity, and will leave feedback once received and thoroughly tested!

And thanks for the English version of the tool, although I saw in the English binary still some Polish language hanging around...

Kickstart switching takes place between the original ROM and stored Kickstart in Flash memory. Flash memory can be written only one Kickstart 512kB or 1MB.
Custom ROM (1 MB) is also supported.

Zetr0 · 29 April 2016, 00:19

Bardzo sprytne rzeczywiście, Spidi!

My friend a very clever method using the CIA as a flash controller - quite insightful, a simple modification could see this product of yours also available for the A600/A1200 with only a little modification - in fact you could probably use the current Flash Board "as is" on the A600 with a different CIA adaptor (re 44pin PLCC socket) on U8

Very clever indeed, one could expand on this for the A1200 version again using the U8 CIA clip on designed for the A600 =)

This is a great project and one I look forward to getting =)

By the way, Tak, Polskie to piękny język!

manic23 · 13 May 2016, 13:17

Any idea when this will be available to buy? I looked on AmigaKit but it's not there yet.

dirkies · 13 May 2016, 13:19

it is already available, I have 1 here sitting in front of me!

manic23 · 13 May 2016, 13:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirkies

it is already available, I have 1 here sitting in front of me!

Where can you get them then?

dirkies · 13 May 2016, 13:20

see one of my previous posts

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirkies

Hey Spidi, I noticed it is now for sale in France (Amedia, see http://amiga.amedia-computer.com/ind.../1/GA-A500FL1M ) but some questions arise:

manic23 · 13 May 2016, 13:22

OK thanks

Ratteler · 28 May 2016, 15:38

Nice idea. But I don't like the need for a real ROM. It's going to end up blocking my Vampire 500.

demolition · 28 May 2016, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratteler

Nice idea. But I don't like the need for a real ROM. It's going to end up blocking my Vampire 500.

It has no function with the Vampire anyway since the Vampire uses an internal KS ROM.

Ratteler · 28 May 2016, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by demolition

It has no function with the Vampire anyway since the Vampire uses an internal KS ROM.

Cool. But won't I need some kind of ROM just to get the Vampire to boot?

27 April 2016, 17:17	#24
dirkies Zone Friend Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Belgium Age: 51 Posts: 1,296	Hey Spidi, I noticed it is now for sale in France (Amedia, see http://amiga.amedia-computer.com/ind.../1/GA-A500FL1M ) but some questions arise: does a combination KS1.3/3.1 work? As I noticed a jumper is available to choose between 2x256KB rom and 2x512KB ROM for the 1M model, but what about a 256KB+512KB rom??). what happens with the original ROM? still available? (e.g. KS2.05 rom + flashed KS1.3+KS3.1) will there be an english version of the flasher tool? My polish isn't that good will future upgrades allow more images to be crammed into 1M flash? (e.g. KS1.2+KS1.3+KS3.1) will there be a ribbon cable adapter available for those with an A508IDE or a future V500 vampire, as this will certainly block the install of those? Last edited by dirkies; 27 April 2016 at 17:24.

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06 April 2016, 08:50	#21
demolition Unregistered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Copenhagen / DK Age: 43 Posts: 4,190	Yes, if you want to play non-AGA floppy-based games, it is best to just stick with KS 1.3. Even 2.0 have many compatibility issues. Also, your Amiga should be configured with 512kB chip + 512 kB ranger memory as some old games are hard coded for this and that is probably the most compatible configuration. KS 3.1+ and more memory/CPU is only really if you want to use Workbench.

28 April 2016, 10:44	#26
dirkies Zone Friend Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Belgium Age: 51 Posts: 1,296	So if I understand you can have THREE kickstarts present: the original ROM chip kickstart + 2 flashed kickstarts of your choice ? And if so, doing the CTRL+A+A trick twice in sequence will revert to the builtin original ROM? Which kickstart is active when powering off & on again ? But ok, I just ordered one, out of pure curiosity, and will leave feedback once received and thoroughly tested! And thanks for the English version of the tool, although I saw in the English binary still some Polish language hanging around...

28 April 2016, 10:50	#27
demolition Unregistered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Copenhagen / DK Age: 43 Posts: 4,190	I read it as you can only keep one KS in flash and switch between the original ROM and the flashed ROM. The 1M version cannot switch between 2x512k flashed ROMs.

28 April 2016, 10:52	#28
dirkies Zone Friend Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Belgium Age: 51 Posts: 1,296	ok, so the 1M is purely for 3.5+ support then (or homebrewn 1M kickstarts) ?

28 April 2016, 10:53	#29
demolition Unregistered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Copenhagen / DK Age: 43 Posts: 4,190	I would think so.

28 April 2016, 10:55	#30
dirkies Zone Friend Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Belgium Age: 51 Posts: 1,296	ok, it was all a bit confusing as they were referring to normal 256/512K kickstarts as "the primary ones". Maybe with some future update they can use the 1M to support 2 kickstarts, a bit like Kipper2k has done (but since it is not for sale it is of no use to the community)

29 April 2016, 00:19	#32
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	Bardzo sprytne rzeczywiście, Spidi! My friend a very clever method using the CIA as a flash controller - quite insightful, a simple modification could see this product of yours also available for the A600/A1200 with only a little modification - in fact you could probably use the current Flash Board "as is" on the A600 with a different CIA adaptor (re 44pin PLCC socket) on U8 Very clever indeed, one could expand on this for the A1200 version again using the U8 CIA clip on designed for the A600 =) This is a great project and one I look forward to getting =) By the way, Tak, Polskie to piękny język!

13 May 2016, 13:17	#33
manic23 Only Amiga! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: London / UK Age: 53 Posts: 512	Any idea when this will be available to buy? I looked on AmigaKit but it's not there yet.

13 May 2016, 13:19	#34
dirkies Zone Friend Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Belgium Age: 51 Posts: 1,296	it is already available, I have 1 here sitting in front of me!

13 May 2016, 13:22	#37
manic23 Only Amiga! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: London / UK Age: 53 Posts: 512	OK thanks

28 May 2016, 15:38	#38
Ratteler Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bronx Posts: 167	Nice idea. But I don't like the need for a real ROM. It's going to end up blocking my Vampire 500.

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