A600 dual kickstart, dual boot drive

TreacleWench · 24 April 2012, 18:01

Hey all,

I have recently acquired an A600 in pretty good condition, mostly for the purposes of having a 'near' 100% A500 compatible machine to supplement my A1200.

I already changed the kickstart chip to a 1.3 one and at a later date I plan to get a patched version allowing the computer to boot to Workbench 1.3 from the IDE HDD.

Now what I would like to do is add a kickstart switcher and 3.1 rom so I can use it as a portable version of my A1200 (and link the two up for some serial gaming!). I want to have an install of Workbench 1.3 and Workbench 3.1 and be able to switch which one the Amiga boots to when turned on.

Anyone has any ideas on the best way to accomplish this?

Thanks in advance!

Arnie · 24 April 2012, 19:49

What I did was create 3 partitions.

1. Boot partition, small size.

2. Workbench 1.3 (non bootable)

3. Workbench 3.1 (non-bootable)

There are 2 ways to switch partitions using a custom Startup-sequence,

1. Use 'Requestchoice' to ask for user input.

2. Use 'Version' to check the kickstart version and boot the appropriate partition.

I can send you a Startup-Sequence and files that I use for my set-up if you need them.

TreacleWench · 25 April 2012, 09:49

Thanks Arnie. That was exactly the kind of thing I was after. I think I would use the version command to automatically select the right partition.

Would you be able to send me a copy of your files? I would very much appreciate it, it would serve as a good starting point for me.

I will PM you my email address.

Also, can I ask, how did you acquire your patched kickstart 1.3 chip?

Thanks

Arnie · 25 April 2012, 19:43

Hi TreacleWench,

I'll look at my Cf card and assemble the files into a zip for you.

I made my own patched kickstart 1.3.

Arnie.

mfilos · 25 April 2012, 22:17

Arnie mate I wouldn't mind the zip file as well to get some ideas about something

Arnie · 25 April 2012, 22:21

No problem mfilos, I'm just working out the essential files needed to boot 1.3/3.1.

I'll attach then here tomorrow after work.

Arnie.

TreacleWench · 25 April 2012, 23:00

So do you have an EEPROM programmer Arnie?

Arnie · 25 April 2012, 23:04

I do indeed. What gave it away?

TreacleWench · 25 April 2012, 23:20

Heh heh, well see if you can guess what's coming next?!

Do you think you can burn me a patched kickstart? I am prepared to pay you for it.

And if it's a question of legality I can post photos of my 1.3 and 3.1 chips to prove I own the necessary ROMs.

Thanks

Arnie · 26 April 2012, 23:03

As promised, here are the files for dual booting 1.3/3.1 partitions.

My setup:

BH0: Boot: 7mb bootable partition (FastFileSystem)

DH0: System1.3: non bootable partition (FastFileSystem)

HD0: System3.1: non bootable partition (FastFileSystem)

Work: Work: non bootable partition (FastFileSystem)

You will need to modify the mountlist for the high and low cylinder values.
If you don't use BH0:/BOOT:/DH0:/HD0: you will need to alter the mountlist and the Startup-Sequence to the one's you intend to use.

@treaclewench

Do you want a dual 1.3/3.1 kickstart or single patched 1.3 kickstart?

mfilos · 26 April 2012, 23:16

Cheers mate \o/

TreacleWench · 26 April 2012, 23:39

Thanks mate. I will take a look at this.

Actually I would rather like a dual chip if that is at all possible?

Ta!

Arnie · 27 April 2012, 02:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreacleWench

Actually I would rather like a dual chip if that is at all possible?

Ta!

I'll have to source some 27c800's and switches. I'll PM you when it's done.

Arnie.

TreacleWench · 27 April 2012, 10:46

Thanks!

I guess the switch will be wired up like in kipper2k's guide here?

Arnie · 27 April 2012, 20:46

Not quite, mine will be a standalone, plug in and go. All you have to do is decide where you want the switch and drill a hole.

TreacleWench · 27 April 2012, 23:52

Sounds good. Thanks!

Arnie · 01 May 2012, 20:17

Been messing around with the mountlists and I have discovered that you can mount any partition as DH0:.

I made 3 mountlists and named them WB1, 2 & 3. Each mountlist is labelled DH0: and is called from the Startup-Sequence, e.g.. "Mount DH0: from Devs:WB1".

TreacleWench · 02 May 2012, 11:37

That's good news. I much prefer that to having to give my partitions different names.

I'm actually getting my hard drive setup in WinUAE right now in anticipation of my new Kickstart chip arriving!

TreacleWench · 03 May 2012, 09:25

Hmmm, I get an "ERROR: Device 'DH0:' is already mounted" when I try to boot...

My boot partition is called BOOT: and both of the other partitions are called DH0:. Should I name them something else maybe? I'll try that...

TreacleWench · 03 May 2012, 09:47

Hmmm, now I get...

Code:

DH0: not found

24 April 2012, 18:01	#1
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	A600 dual kickstart, dual boot drive Hey all, I have recently acquired an A600 in pretty good condition, mostly for the purposes of having a 'near' 100% A500 compatible machine to supplement my A1200. I already changed the kickstart chip to a 1.3 one and at a later date I plan to get a patched version allowing the computer to boot to Workbench 1.3 from the IDE HDD. Now what I would like to do is add a kickstart switcher and 3.1 rom so I can use it as a portable version of my A1200 (and link the two up for some serial gaming!). I want to have an install of Workbench 1.3 and Workbench 3.1 and be able to switch which one the Amiga boots to when turned on. Anyone has any ideas on the best way to accomplish this? Thanks in advance!

26 April 2012, 23:03	#10
Arnie R.I.P Smudge 18-08-16 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leicester/UK Age: 66 Posts: 3,968	As promised, here are the files for dual booting 1.3/3.1 partitions. My setup: BH0: Boot: 7mb bootable partition (FastFileSystem) DH0: System1.3: non bootable partition (FastFileSystem) HD0: System3.1: non bootable partition (FastFileSystem) Work: Work: non bootable partition (FastFileSystem) You will need to modify the mountlist for the high and low cylinder values. If you don't use BH0:/BOOT:/DH0:/HD0: you will need to alter the mountlist and the Startup-Sequence to the one's you intend to use. @treaclewench Do you want a dual 1.3/3.1 kickstart or single patched 1.3 kickstart? Last edited by Arnie; 14 February 2013 at 22:45.

02 May 2012, 11:37	#18
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	That's good news. I much prefer that to having to give my partitions different names. I'm actually getting my hard drive setup in WinUAE right now in anticipation of my new Kickstart chip arriving! Last edited by TreacleWench; 02 May 2012 at 11:38. Reason: Grammatical error

03 May 2012, 09:47	#20
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	Hmmm, now I get... Code: DH0: not found

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24 April 2012, 19:49	#2
Arnie R.I.P Smudge 18-08-16 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leicester/UK Age: 66 Posts: 3,968	What I did was create 3 partitions. 1. Boot partition, small size. 2. Workbench 1.3 (non bootable) 3. Workbench 3.1 (non-bootable) There are 2 ways to switch partitions using a custom Startup-sequence, 1. Use 'Requestchoice' to ask for user input. 2. Use 'Version' to check the kickstart version and boot the appropriate partition. I can send you a Startup-Sequence and files that I use for my set-up if you need them.

25 April 2012, 09:49	#3
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	Thanks Arnie. That was exactly the kind of thing I was after. I think I would use the version command to automatically select the right partition. Would you be able to send me a copy of your files? I would very much appreciate it, it would serve as a good starting point for me. I will PM you my email address. Also, can I ask, how did you acquire your patched kickstart 1.3 chip? Thanks

25 April 2012, 19:43	#4
Arnie R.I.P Smudge 18-08-16 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leicester/UK Age: 66 Posts: 3,968	Hi TreacleWench, I'll look at my Cf card and assemble the files into a zip for you. I made my own patched kickstart 1.3. Arnie.

25 April 2012, 22:17	#5
mfilos Paranoid Amigoid Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Athens/Greece Age: 45 Posts: 1,978	Arnie mate I wouldn't mind the zip file as well to get some ideas about something

25 April 2012, 22:21	#6
Arnie R.I.P Smudge 18-08-16 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leicester/UK Age: 66 Posts: 3,968	No problem mfilos, I'm just working out the essential files needed to boot 1.3/3.1. I'll attach then here tomorrow after work. Arnie.

25 April 2012, 23:00	#7
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	So do you have an EEPROM programmer Arnie?

25 April 2012, 23:04	#8
Arnie R.I.P Smudge 18-08-16 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leicester/UK Age: 66 Posts: 3,968	I do indeed. What gave it away?

25 April 2012, 23:20	#9
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	Heh heh, well see if you can guess what's coming next?! Do you think you can burn me a patched kickstart? I am prepared to pay you for it. And if it's a question of legality I can post photos of my 1.3 and 3.1 chips to prove I own the necessary ROMs. Thanks

26 April 2012, 23:16	#11
mfilos Paranoid Amigoid Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Athens/Greece Age: 45 Posts: 1,978	Cheers mate \o/

26 April 2012, 23:39	#12
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	Thanks mate. I will take a look at this. Actually I would rather like a dual chip if that is at all possible? Ta!

27 April 2012, 10:46	#14
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	Thanks! I guess the switch will be wired up like in kipper2k's guide here?

27 April 2012, 20:46	#15
Arnie R.I.P Smudge 18-08-16 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leicester/UK Age: 66 Posts: 3,968	Not quite, mine will be a standalone, plug in and go. All you have to do is decide where you want the switch and drill a hole.

27 April 2012, 23:52	#16
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	Sounds good. Thanks!

01 May 2012, 20:17	#17
Arnie R.I.P Smudge 18-08-16 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Leicester/UK Age: 66 Posts: 3,968	Been messing around with the mountlists and I have discovered that you can mount any partition as DH0:. I made 3 mountlists and named them WB1, 2 & 3. Each mountlist is labelled DH0: and is called from the Startup-Sequence, e.g.. "Mount DH0: from Devs:WB1".

03 May 2012, 09:25	#19
TreacleWench Amigaaaarrrrgghhh Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire, UK Age: 45 Posts: 95	Hmmm, I get an "ERROR: Device 'DH0:' is already mounted" when I try to boot... My boot partition is called BOOT: and both of the other partitions are called DH0:. Should I name them something else maybe? I'll try that...

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