Amiga OS 3.9 - Low Chipmem - with Indi AGA Mk2

Amicol · 13 March 2014, 23:00

I've had the Indivision AGA Mk2 for a couple of weeks now and I'm gradually getting to grips with setting up screen modes etc

I like HighGFX:Super-High Res Laced (1024x768) the best by far
So I'm using it in my current WB setup

The problem I have is that, with a backdrop loaded, I only have 850k chipmem free. That's in 64 colour mode. I only get 650k in 128 colour mode.

It's just about usable with 850k chipmem but it's tight. 650k is a no go, lots of crashes due to not enough chipmem....

I'm using RemApollo to load modules, and all the usual patches installed with ClassicWB (inc FBlit)

I never noticed any chipmem issues before using these screen modes (via Indi), is it just the price you pay for 'nice' screens, or is there a way to load backdrops ect to fastmem?

Mrs Beanbag · 13 March 2014, 23:05

presumably the backdrop needs to be in chip RAM in order to blit it onto the actual screen when required (to redraw it when windows move over it). It could be stored in fast RAM in theory if the CPU were used to do the copying, so maybe there is a patch for this. Or there could be.

hmm, if only Workbench could be "tricked" into reserving fast RAM for the image, presumably FBlit would have no problems copying it, should be an easy hack if you know where to put it.

Amicol · 13 March 2014, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs Beanbag

presumably the backdrop needs to be in chip RAM in order to blit it onto the actual screen when required (to redraw it when windows move over it). It could be stored in fast RAM in theory if the CPU were used to do the copying, so maybe there is a patch for this. Or there could be.

I'm hoping there is a patch, I'm sure I've heard of people using these hi res modes in 128 colours with in excess of 1200k of free Chipmem. God knows how they achieved it....

I can get this with no backdrop. But that just looks crap

Retrofan · 13 March 2014, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amicol

I'm hoping there is a patch, I'm sure I've heard of people using these hi res modes in 128 colours with in excess of 1200k of free Chipmem. God knows how they achieved it....

I can get this with no backdrop. But that just looks crap

I've got 1322k with 128 colors and HighGFX, backdrop, AmiDock, Start Menu and Birdie. Just install AmiKit Real.

Amicol · 13 March 2014, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrofan

I've got 1322k with 128 colors and HighGFX, backdrop, AmiDock, Start Menu and Birdie. Just install AmiKit Real.

I've just had a look at this, looks amazing!
Thanks for the tip mate

I might just give it a test drive.....

NovaCoder · 14 March 2014, 00:15

With my old Mrk1 Indy I used to run HighGFX 1024x768 in 64 colors...that's a good compromise for speed & chip-ram

If you've got about 1.4MB free you can run just about anything, that's all you really need. Some demos need more so I just use a boot disk to run those suckers.

My Mrk2 really doesn't like running HighGFX so I just stick to PAL (640x512).

Amicol · 14 March 2014, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaCoder

With my old Mrk1 Indy I used to run HighGFX 1024x768 in 64 colors...that's a good compromise for speed & chip-ram

If you've got about 1.4MB free you can run just about anything, that's all you really need. Some demos need more so I just use a boot disk to run those suckers.

My Mrk2 really doesn't like running HighGFX so I just stick to PAL (640x512).

I love the HighGFX mode, ultra clear, and fast, even at 128 colours!
It's the chipmem that's my only problem.
Tried the lower screen resolutions, but don't really like em...

fitzsteve · 14 March 2014, 00:45

Hi!

Is your backdrop a .jpg? Large file?

Try converting it to a 64 col .iff @1024x768 and see if that helps

Retrofan · 14 March 2014, 00:47

What accelerator do you have?

I also preffer smaller screens with less colors (800x600, 64 colors). Even my old Pc complains about HighGFX with WinUAE...

You should try SuperPlus.

Amicol · 14 March 2014, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitzsteve

Hi!

Is your backdrop a .jpg? Large file?

Try converting it to a 64 col .iff @1024x768 and see if that helps

It is a JPEG, one of mfilos, from his 1024x768 RTG collection.
Wouldn't have a clue how to convert it

Amicol · 14 March 2014, 00:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrofan

What accelerator do you have?

I also preffer smaller screens with less colors (800x600, 64 colors). Even my old Pc complains about HighGFX with WinUAE...

You should try SuperPlus.

I'm using an Apollo 1260, I can't get SuperPlus to work with Indi AGA for some reason....

Retrofan · 14 March 2014, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amicol

I'm using an Apollo 1260, I can't get SuperPlus to work with Indi AGA for some reason....

Have you tried my config? http://eab.abime.net/showpost.php?p=920520&postcount=97

fitzsteve · 14 March 2014, 01:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amicol

It is a JPEG, one of mfilos, from his 1024x768 RTG collection.
Wouldn't have a clue how to convert it

This is your problem then, have a look here:

http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=50823

Amicol · 14 March 2014, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrofan

Have you tried my config? http://eab.abime.net/showpost.php?p=920520&postcount=97

I downloaded your configuration mate, SuperPlus doesn't work (left side of the Workbench is off screen). Super72 works though..

Retrofan · 14 March 2014, 01:54

PM sent

Amicol · 14 March 2014, 02:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrofan

PM sent

Managed to get it working! Thank you my friend

Now I need to turn off DVI, which Amiga mode in Indi prefs do I change?

Update: I just turned em' all off

Now running with SuperPlus, lightning fast!
1,160,856 Chipmem, and that's with the RTG backdrop & 256 colours.
Getting there, thanks chaps!!

BTW: installed Ken's icon's as inspired by NovaCoder, look great!

Retrofan · 14 March 2014, 09:55

Wonderful

. Yes, my config was off centered in the past, but not now.
You can also use HighGFX 800x600 with my config following the instructions.

Listen if you are using images made for RTG they are surely using some million colors, and you only need 256 if you don't have a graphic card.

Send me the image you want to use and I will convert it to png or iff 256 colors. Anyway you only have to use a program like Image Studio.

Amicol · 14 March 2014, 11:43

@Retrofan
Thanks for the offer, and your help!
I have loads of images, so really need to try myself. I'm trying to follow the thread fitzsteve pointed me towards. I'll let you know how I get on, also do a vid of the end result

Retrofan · 14 March 2014, 11:50

Yep, I was also reading FitzSteve's link. That's the right one.

You will also need this for png images: http://aminet.net/package/gfx/conv/ImageStudioPNG

And the keyfile:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cammy

Here's the ImageStudio keyfile:
Keyfile

fitzsteve · 14 March 2014, 12:12

Nice one, sounds good. Lookin' forward to seeing the Video

13 March 2014, 23:00	#1
Amicol Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Hartlepool / England Posts: 389	Amiga OS 3.9 - Low Chipmem - with Indi AGA Mk2 I've had the Indivision AGA Mk2 for a couple of weeks now and I'm gradually getting to grips with setting up screen modes etc I like HighGFX:Super-High Res Laced (1024x768) the best by far So I'm using it in my current WB setup The problem I have is that, with a backdrop loaded, I only have 850k chipmem free. That's in 64 colour mode. I only get 650k in 128 colour mode. It's just about usable with 850k chipmem but it's tight. 650k is a no go, lots of crashes due to not enough chipmem.... I'm using RemApollo to load modules, and all the usual patches installed with ClassicWB (inc FBlit) I never noticed any chipmem issues before using these screen modes (via Indi), is it just the price you pay for 'nice' screens, or is there a way to load backdrops ect to fastmem?

13 March 2014, 23:05	#2
Mrs Beanbag Glastonbridge Software Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Edinburgh/Scotland Posts: 2,243	presumably the backdrop needs to be in chip RAM in order to blit it onto the actual screen when required (to redraw it when windows move over it). It could be stored in fast RAM in theory if the CPU were used to do the copying, so maybe there is a patch for this. Or there could be. hmm, if only Workbench could be "tricked" into reserving fast RAM for the image, presumably FBlit would have no problems copying it, should be an easy hack if you know where to put it. Last edited by Mrs Beanbag; 13 March 2014 at 23:10.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Indivision AGA Mk2 CR	Loedown	Amiga scene	91	05 December 2016 22:06
Where to put the grounding cable on indi mk2?	Snowwie	support.Hardware	5	15 March 2014 00:06
My A1200 with ACA1232/33 & Indi AGA MkII	fitzsteve	Hardware pics	10	12 May 2013 12:43
Indivision AGA MK2 Wanted	Seblington	MarketPlace	5	22 August 2011 11:52
Problem with very low Chipmem... (Startup-Sequence?!)	Ebster	support.Apps	15	25 February 2010 21:41

14 March 2014, 00:15	#6
NovaCoder Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne/Australia Posts: 4,400	With my old Mrk1 Indy I used to run HighGFX 1024x768 in 64 colors...that's a good compromise for speed & chip-ram If you've got about 1.4MB free you can run just about anything, that's all you really need. Some demos need more so I just use a boot disk to run those suckers. My Mrk2 really doesn't like running HighGFX so I just stick to PAL (640x512).

14 March 2014, 00:45	#8
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Hi! Is your backdrop a .jpg? Large file? Try converting it to a 64 col .iff @1024x768 and see if that helps

14 March 2014, 00:47	#9
Retrofan Ruler of the Universe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lanzarote/Spain Posts: 6,185	What accelerator do you have? I also preffer smaller screens with less colors (800x600, 64 colors). Even my old Pc complains about HighGFX with WinUAE... You should try SuperPlus.

14 March 2014, 01:54	#15
Retrofan Ruler of the Universe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lanzarote/Spain Posts: 6,185	PM sent

14 March 2014, 09:55	#17
Retrofan Ruler of the Universe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lanzarote/Spain Posts: 6,185	Wonderful . Yes, my config was off centered in the past, but not now. You can also use HighGFX 800x600 with my config following the instructions. Listen if you are using images made for RTG they are surely using some million colors, and you only need 256 if you don't have a graphic card. Send me the image you want to use and I will convert it to png or iff 256 colors. Anyway you only have to use a program like Image Studio.

14 March 2014, 11:43	#18
Amicol Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Hartlepool / England Posts: 389	@Retrofan Thanks for the offer, and your help! I have loads of images, so really need to try myself. I'm trying to follow the thread fitzsteve pointed me towards. I'll let you know how I get on, also do a vid of the end result

14 March 2014, 12:12	#20
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	Nice one, sounds good. Lookin' forward to seeing the Video

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