Conference hydra::amiga_v1

>This must be Note 2999 ...

    So it is, & since I hate seeing a perfectly good note go unused, I'll
    ask my questions here...


    I've been following this conference for some two years now & am about
    ready to take the plunge upgrading from my present system (a C=128D)
    to an Amiga 500. For me, it's pretty much a matter of just replacing
    my system box (except for that little :-) matter of acquiring Amiga s/w).
    My monitor (a C2002) should suffice since its capable of handling the
    resolution required by Ami. I may even keep the 128 for awhile since 
    it'll be some time and $$ before I can amass a similar amount of 
    Amiga s/w to rival my 64/128 collection).

    A few questions:

    (1) Regarding the A501: Any difference between the clones and the CBM
    version? I've heard that the Commodore A501 requires unsoldering the 
    battery to replace it, Supra's does not. True? Any other A501 clones 
    to consider besides Supra? Any other difference besides the battery?

    (2) Seeing that my C2002 only has one speaker, will I miss anything by
    not having stereo? I suppose I can always add one of those small Radio
    Shack stereos later on.

    (3) If I do keep the 128, is there some sort of a/b switch I can rig up
    for the monitor to avoid having to plug/unplug cables between the two
    systems?

    (4) Is the Scholar modem sufficient for downloading off the net or do I 
    need to upgrade to a Scholar Plus? Thanks,

						-Dom

    It's been a while, but my recollection is that the battery on the A501
    unit is of the NiCad variety, so it should only need replacement if
    it's defective.  It recharges during periods when the A500 is running.
    (You may need to leave the system powered on for a few hours initially
    to let the [dead] battery charge, but that should happen naturally
    anyway.)
    
    Other brands may use Lithium batteries, etc.  These would require
    periodic replacement, but generally last for several years so it's not
    a big deal.  This type could have a slight advantage if you expect to
    leave the system turned off for months at a time and want the clock to
    keep running the whole time.  But then, noone in their right mind would
    use an Amiga in such a foolish manner.  8-)
    
    I'll leave the remaining items for others who may have experience with
    those devices...

    Depending on how your monitor speaker is wired, you might lose out on
    lots of sounds unless you have some form of stereo output. Personally I
    have a small Ghetto blaster attached for sound output.
    
    Mike

    I have the minimegs version of the A501.  It uses less power, is half
    the size of other A501 clones, works great.  I am running a Supra SCSI
    host adapter, the minimegs A501, and an external floppy from my CBM
    power supply with no problems.(re:uses less pwr).
    
    mark

    re .3:
    
    I too use a small portable stereo for stereo output.  It has the
    advantage of a volume control and I can hook up headphones to it.
    The disadvantage is that the 2 speakers are near each other rather
    than on opposite sides of the room so you can't get the true stereo
    effect of having the sound travel from speaker to speaker.  But its
    speakers are still of higher quality that the $5 flea market stereo
    and speakers I used to have hooked up.  Plus I can record the music
    the Amiga puts out on to cassette tape.  Just make sure the blaster
    has an AUX input selection (alot of them don't).
    
    dennis

    re: .5
    
    mine has detachable speakers - better stero separation !
    
    Mike

    re .6:
    so does mine.  I've been just too lazy to move them.  Besides it
    doesn't look like a proper boombox with the speakers seperated from it
    8^).
    
    dennis
    

    Does the 500 come with the cabling for the monitor? I'm pretty sure
    that the C2002 came with the cables (rather than them coming with the
    128), but of course these were 128 specific cables - one rgb, one
    composite. It's a 23-pin D connector cable that's required, correct?
    If it doesn't come with Ami, I assume its available at Memory Location?

    Next cabling question: Parallel cable to the printer. Did I read
    somewhere in this notesfile about having to exercise care concerning the
    cable to the printer? Something about a +5V pin causing damage to
    the Amiga or the printer? 

    Re: my A-B switch for the monitor sharing between the 500 & the 128.
    Forget it. The 128's sold. Anxiously awaiting my 500. 

							-Dom 

<           <<< Note 2999.8 by HPSCAD::DMCARR "Asleep at the mouse" >>>
<                          -< Some cabling questions >-
<
<    Does the 500 come with the cabling for the monitor? I'm pretty sure
<    that the C2002 came with the cables (rather than them coming with the
<    128), but of course these were 128 specific cables - one rgb, one
<    composite. It's a 23-pin D connector cable that's required, correct?
<    If it doesn't come with Ami, I assume its available at Memory Location?
You will not get a monitor cable with you Amiga. My 23 pin cable came with my 
2002.
<
<    Next cabling question: Parallel cable to the printer. Did I read
<    somewhere in this notesfile about having to exercise care concerning the
<    cable to the printer? Something about a +5V pin causing damage to
<    the Amiga or the printer? 
Pin 14 has 100ma of +5. For my Panasonic printer it hooks up to a signal that 
needs a logic high. You need to check your printer to see if the pins match up 
correctly. With the printer manual, the amiga manual and the cable map that 
should not be a problem.
<
<    Re: my A-B switch for the monitor sharing between the 500 & the 128.
<    Forget it. The 128's sold. Anxiously awaiting my 500. 
<
<							-Dom 
<
<

    A dir/titl=external didn't turn up too much in the way of notes on
    external 3�" drives. Could I get some comments on the following external
    drives that I'm considering? I know enough to stay away from the Commodore
    1010. Any others to consider? Thanks,
						    -Dom

    AirDrive
    Master 3A
    Asia America

    Re -.1

    >I know enough to stay away from the Commodore 1010. Any others to
    >consider? Thanks,

    Why is that?  I have had one for my A1000 for over 3 years now and
    never had any problem other than the increase in noise level as it
    ages.

    Chong.

    Sorry, didn't mean to ruffle your feathers. I called around to various
    Amiga dealers in the area asking which brands of external drives they
    carry; the list posted are the brands I got. Not a one mentioned the
    Commodore drive (doesn't mean they don't carry it). At one dealer I
    visited a few weeks ago, someone mentioned the non-C= drives were
    (a) smaller, (b) less expensive, (c) had longer cables, (d) were sometimes
    less noisy, (e) had dust doors. 

						    -Dom

    Oh, oh, I was really wondering if you heard something bad about the C=
    drive that I am using.  I agree totally what is said about the 3rd
    party drives in -.1.  In fact I could add "clickless" to the list for
    some drives (never heard any review on this feature, though).

    You guys are lucky that you have a choice :-).

    Chong.

    you left off one other feature - a disable switch so that you don't
    have to unplug the drive for games that are tight on memory on a
    512K system.
    
    I wonder if CBM will ever update their drive - or drop the price,
    they must warehouses full of them given the competition.
    
    -Dave

    I am using a CSI "silent drive" I got in a package with my Amiga.
    It is small, quiet(no click), has a disable switch, a 4' cable, and
    will read diskettes that the internal drive will not.  It is an
    EXCELLENT floppy drive.  IMHO.
    
    mark

    Re: -.1

    Thanks. I bought a Megatronics AirDrive at Omnitek so I'm all set. And
    it does include the disable switch, but since I've got the A501 as
    well, hopefully I won't need it.
						    -Dom

    You will still find your external drive is very usefull,and still
    a good investment.It allows for easy copying of other 3 1/2 in the
    background while you are using your hard drive.I am getting a hard
    drive soon(been spoiled using a friend's system) an know of several
    disks I'll want access to only once in a while,but won't want to put 
    on the hard drive(ie: copy protected games running on two drives,and
    DTP backup files)Whlie Hard drives are nice you still need all the
    help you can get when time comes to backup you data.
    								bill