AT/Escom A1200 Questions

PowerPie5000 · 17 February 2010, 16:35

Ok I've been thinking about getting a nice shiny new A1200 from Amigakit.com as i'm sure their "new old stock" A1200's are not going to be around forever!

My A1200 is still going strong but i'm still interested in a new one

Anyway i have a few questions regarding these AT/Escom models:

1. Can i use an external floppy drive to load software that refuses to run on the Escom A1200's converted PC drive?

2. Are there many compatibility issues regarding RAM expansions and accelerators with this A1200 model? (I'm only aware of the timing problem with rev 1D4 and 2B boards using 040 and above CPU's).

3. Amigakit.com also sell refurb A1200's with Commodore boards but not usually with Commodore floppy drives... will this mean the board has been modified to use a PC HD floppy drive like the Escom boards?

Any answers or advice is always appreciated, Cheers

seuden · 17 February 2010, 16:47

Hmm, would be interesting to see how many "New Old Stock" they do have in stock.

prowler · 17 February 2010, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

Ok I've been thinking about getting a nice shiny new A1200 from Amigakit.com as i'm sure their "new old stock" A1200's are not going to be around forever!

My A1200 is still going strong but i'm still interested in a new one

Hi PowerPie,

The NOS AT/Escom A1200s are very nice machines. The cases are almost white when compared with the Commodore models - even when they were new.

My advice would be to get one and sort out the problems when you have got it. They are very compatible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

Anyway i have a few questions regarding these AT/Escom models:

1. Can i use an external floppy drive to load software that refuses to run on the Escom A1200's converted PC drive?

Not if it expects to be able to boot from the floppy drive. There is no /SEL0 (Drive Select 0) signal available on the A1200's external floppy disk drive port, so it would require a hack to make the external drive bootable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

2. Are there many compatibility issues regarding RAM expansions and accelerators with this A1200 model? (I'm only aware of the timing problem with rev 1D4 and 2B boards using 040 and above CPU's).

No more than with Commodore models with the same motherboard revision, and Stedy's website has details of all timing fixes necessary for all motherboard revisions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

3. Amigakit.com also sell refurb A1200's with Commodore boards but not usually with Commodore floppy drives... will this mean the board has been modified to use a PC HD floppy drive like the Escom boards?

I'm not sure how AmigaKit have got over that problem, but Stedy's PC floppy adapter for Amiga can fix the problem of compatiblility of the non-Amiga floppy drive in any case.

PowerPie5000 · 18 February 2010, 03:23

Thanks for all the info prowler

I suppose the timing bug wont be a problem as i will be using a 030 accelerator and i doubt the floppy drive will get too much use anyway

Stedy's adapter sounds great and i would definitely be interested in one if i get this Escom A1200... but will it fit comfortably in the case?

NovaCoder · 18 February 2010, 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

Ok I've been thinking about getting a nice shiny new A1200 from Amigakit.com as i'm sure their "new old stock" A1200's are not going to be around forever!

My A1200 is still going strong but i'm still interested in a new one

Anyway i have a few questions regarding these AT/Escom models:

1. Can i use an external floppy drive to load software that refuses to run on the Escom A1200's converted PC drive?

2. Are there many compatibility issues regarding RAM expansions and accelerators with this A1200 model? (I'm only aware of the timing problem with rev 1D4 and 2B boards using 040 and above CPU's).

3. Amigakit.com also sell refurb A1200's with Commodore boards but not usually with Commodore floppy drives... will this mean the board has been modified to use a PC HD floppy drive like the Escom boards?

Any answers or advice is always appreciated, Cheers

I've got one and I'm very happy with it. I wouldn't worry about the floppy drive, you really don't need to use them these days (CF all the way baby).

I think those 'timing' issues can effect many different MB versions, it's just down to luck.

8bitbubsy · 18 February 2010, 07:26

Order Successfully Placed
Thank you for your order

I just bought one from aimgakit.eu! Always wanted a brand new Amiga, I've considered this one for months...

€169.11 euro with shipping to Norway included, not that bad at all

I'll be very careful with it.. Move my Apollo 060, Indivision AGA 1200 + CF HDD over and never open it until further upgradement.

BTW, can those SMD caps leak even if never used??

Fabie · 18 February 2010, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8bitbubsy

BTW, can those SMD caps leak even if never used??

caps start to fail with the use.....in your case the caps of the new A1200 will be like new
but ask on www.badcaps.net forum for a better answer

Damion · 18 February 2010, 20:43

FWIW, I haven't yet seen an Escom A1200 with leaked caps, only the older C= ones.

prowler · 18 February 2010, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

Thanks for all the info prowler

You're welcome, mate!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

I suppose the timing bug wont be a problem as i will be using a 030 accelerator and i doubt the floppy drive will get too much use anyway

My AT1200 works fine with an '030 accelerator (and my A4000 has an '040 processor, anyway.

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerPie5000

Stedy's adapter sounds great and i would definitely be interested in one if i get this Escom A1200... but will it fit comfortably in the case?

Yep, it sure will!

But you'd better get that AT1200 order in quick, before they all go!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8bitbubsy

I just bought one from aimgakit.eu! Always wanted a brand new Amiga, I've considered this one for months...

€169.11 euro with shipping to Norway included, not that bad at all

8bitbubsy · 18 February 2010, 21:32

Anyways, how do I see if a timing fix is needed for either my MBX1230XA or Apollo 040 (060 upgraded) with these Escom comps..?
Is it an obvious sight, or do you have to closely look for a long time to see if it's needed? I want to keep that mobo untouched if possible

prowler · 18 February 2010, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8bitbubsy

Anyways, how do I see if a timing fix is needed for either my MBX1230XA or Apollo 040 (060 upgraded) with these Escom comps..?
Is it an obvious sight, or do you have to closely look for a long time to see if it's needed? I want to keep that mobo untouched if possible

The motherboard revision is all you need to know. The various timing fixes are dependent on that and will likely be needed if your AT1200 is expanded by the addition of an '040 or above accelerator.

8bitbubsy · 19 February 2010, 08:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by prowler

The motherboard revision is all you need to know. The various timing fixes are dependent on that and will likely be needed if your AT1200 is expanded by the addition of an '040 or above accelerator.

I'm pretty sure it's a rev 2B since it's the "new old stock Escom" one from Amigakit, and I'm going to use a 060 with it..........

So I need to make the time fixes after all......

Minuous · 19 February 2010, 16:17

>There is no /SEL0 (Drive Select 0) signal available on the A1200's external floppy disk drive port, so it would require a hack to make the external drive bootable.

Can't you just use the early startup control menu to boot from DF1:? or does that only work on Commodore A1200s?

Jope · 19 February 2010, 18:00

It works on all A1200s, but won't work for most trackloader games. Only DOS disks.

twizzle · 19 February 2010, 18:20

i think you will find that the escom mbs are ID4

8bitbubsy · 19 February 2010, 18:27

Yeah, I've heard there were 1D.4s of 'em too... But I got told that the 2B ones were much more common

prowler · 19 February 2010, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by twizzle

i think you will find that the escom mbs are ID4

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8bitbubsy

Yeah, I've heard there were 1D.4s of 'em too... But I got told that the 2B ones were much more common

You're both right.

The Escom AT1200s used both 1.D.4 and 2B motherboards. By that time they were using up all boards that were left and putting them in new cases. And when the Amiga floppy drives ran out, they started using PC drives and hacked the motherboards to accept them.

BTW, mine's a rev 2B.

FOL · 19 February 2010, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabie

caps start to fail with the use.....in your case the caps of the new A1200 will be like new
but ask on www.badcaps.net forum for a better answer

There is no concrete proof, a study was conducted around a few years ago and even they couldnt come to a conclusion.

As I have stated in another thread, we have never ever had a NOS come back for faulty caps.

PowerPie5000 · 20 February 2010, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOL

There is no concrete proof, a study was conducted around a few years ago and even they couldnt come to a conclusion.

As I have stated in another thread, we have never ever had a NOS come back for faulty caps.

Have you had any refurb models come back with faulty caps? It would not surprise me and can be forgiven due to their age

amigakit.com · 20 February 2010, 01:52

No - during our Pre-Delivery Inspection we check all refurbished motherboards very carefully for any problems and replace any capacitors that may cause problems in the future.

All our A1200 computers go through very thorough soak testing.

17 February 2010, 16:35	#1
PowerPie5000 Miggy Ate My Hamster! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 1,566	AT/Escom A1200 Questions Ok I've been thinking about getting a nice shiny new A1200 from Amigakit.com as i'm sure their "new old stock" A1200's are not going to be around forever! My A1200 is still going strong but i'm still interested in a new one Anyway i have a few questions regarding these AT/Escom models: 1. Can i use an external floppy drive to load software that refuses to run on the Escom A1200's converted PC drive? 2. Are there many compatibility issues regarding RAM expansions and accelerators with this A1200 model? (I'm only aware of the timing problem with rev 1D4 and 2B boards using 040 and above CPU's). 3. Amigakit.com also sell refurb A1200's with Commodore boards but not usually with Commodore floppy drives... will this mean the board has been modified to use a PC HD floppy drive like the Escom boards? Any answers or advice is always appreciated, Cheers

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17 February 2010, 16:47	#2
seuden uber cool demi god Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent/England Posts: 2,073	Hmm, would be interesting to see how many "New Old Stock" they do have in stock.

18 February 2010, 03:23	#4
PowerPie5000 Miggy Ate My Hamster! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 1,566	Thanks for all the info prowler I suppose the timing bug wont be a problem as i will be using a 030 accelerator and i doubt the floppy drive will get too much use anyway Stedy's adapter sounds great and i would definitely be interested in one if i get this Escom A1200... but will it fit comfortably in the case?

18 February 2010, 07:26	#6
8bitbubsy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Norway Posts: 1,715	Order Successfully Placed Thank you for your order I just bought one from aimgakit.eu! Always wanted a brand new Amiga, I've considered this one for months... €169.11 euro with shipping to Norway included, not that bad at all I'll be very careful with it.. Move my Apollo 060, Indivision AGA 1200 + CF HDD over and never open it until further upgradement. BTW, can those SMD caps leak even if never used??

18 February 2010, 20:43	#8
Damion Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: US Posts: 319	FWIW, I haven't yet seen an Escom A1200 with leaked caps, only the older C= ones.

18 February 2010, 21:32	#10
8bitbubsy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Norway Posts: 1,715	Anyways, how do I see if a timing fix is needed for either my MBX1230XA or Apollo 040 (060 upgraded) with these Escom comps..? Is it an obvious sight, or do you have to closely look for a long time to see if it's needed? I want to keep that mobo untouched if possible

19 February 2010, 16:17	#13
Minuous Coder/webmaster/gamer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Canberra/Australia Posts: 2,673	>There is no /SEL0 (Drive Select 0) signal available on the A1200's external floppy disk drive port, so it would require a hack to make the external drive bootable. Can't you just use the early startup control menu to boot from DF1:? or does that only work on Commodore A1200s?

19 February 2010, 18:00	#14
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,915	It works on all A1200s, but won't work for most trackloader games. Only DOS disks.

19 February 2010, 18:20	#15
twizzle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: taunton.som.uk Age: 73 Posts: 681	i think you will find that the escom mbs are ID4

19 February 2010, 18:27	#16
8bitbubsy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Norway Posts: 1,715	Yeah, I've heard there were 1D.4s of 'em too... But I got told that the 2B ones were much more common

20 February 2010, 01:52	#20
amigakit.com Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: www.amigakit.com Posts: 2,047	No - during our Pre-Delivery Inspection we check all refurbished motherboards very carefully for any problems and replace any capacitors that may cause problems in the future. All our A1200 computers go through very thorough soak testing.

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