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Conference hydra::amiga_v1

Title:AMIGA NOTES
Notice:Join us in the *NEW* conference - HYDRA::AMIGA_V2
Moderator:HYDRA::MOORE
Created:Sat Apr 26 1986
Last Modified:Wed Feb 05 1992
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5378
Total number of notes:38326

4426.0. "Help needed to upgrade A500" by MAASUP::FILER () Fri Jan 11 1991 16:49

	Well, it has been a while since I have been the Amiga notes
file. I hope someone here can help me. The time has come to upgrade
the old A500. The big problem is that all the stores around here that
used to sell Amiga hardware are either out of business or only sell
software. I know the mail order places will usually have the best deals,
but I like to look around and see some real hardware. Does any one know
of a dealer in the Baltimore, Md. / Washington, D.C. area that sells
options for the Amiga? How about out in Colorado Springs? (I may be going
there next month for a class.)
	Do the mail order places have good catalogs? Which ones would you 
recommend?
	Money is short (still) but the old A500 needs some memory and really
could use another disk. Any recommendations? I think a HD is a bit too much.
If I blow the budget on the Amiga my wife may kill me if I don't spend more
on her PC. (I know the Amiga is a better system and a bridge board can allow
it to run MS-DOS, but she wanted this d#$% thing and is VERY strong willed)
Any way any help would be appreciated. Either reply to this note or send
VAX mail to    MAASUP::FILER

Thanks,
Jeff Filer
MAR - Systems Support
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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4426.1GENRAL::NAUGHTONFri Jan 11 1991 21:188
    Hi Jeff, If you come to the Springs stop by Paragon Computers On Garden
    Of The Gods Rd. They are very knowledgeable and presently have a Video
    Toaster set up on display. The other Amiga dealer in town is Citadel
    Computers they have two locations, one on So.Nevada Ave. and the other
    is located in the Citadel Mall complex. Both are too expensive to buy
    there but fun to look.
    
    Bill
4426.2BaseBoardSALEM::LEIMBERGERMon Jan 14 1991 05:569
    
    Jeff,
    	For memory upgrade I would recommend the Base Board. It lists for
    around
    $160.00 0k . That will give you another 5meg internal to the 500. 
    As for another drive any of the drives currently advertised in the
    better mags will do nicely. As for mail order you should not have any
    problems with the above type of items. 
    							bill
4426.3SAUTER::SAUTERJohn SauterMon Jan 14 1991 07:546
    re: .0
    
    Reading your posting I understand why the stores in your area sell only
    software.  A store can't afford to keep hardware in stock if people
    come in only to look at it, and then buy from someone else.
        John Sauter
4426.4MAASUP::FILERMon Jan 14 1991 09:0112
    	Well I bought my system from one of those local stores but
    there corp. HQ has cut back there sales to SW only. Even there
    Amiga section of SW is small but they sell almost everything
    they get their hands on that runs on Amiga while the C64, apple,
    and PC stuff moves more slowly.
    	I do not mind paying a few bucks more to deal with a local store.
    However I can not pay a few hundred bucks more to deal with a maybe not
    so local store. If anyone knows of a dealer in the MD./DC area I
    would love to hear about them. The only one I know of will order
    from Amiga but that is all.
    Jeff Filer
    
4426.5More about 5meg baseboard !!!!PEKING::NONDEPMon Jan 14 1991 10:1012
    Bill,
    
    this is very intersting... Do you know were we can buy one either in
    the States or preferably in the U.K. (Aftersales...)
    
    What would be the transport costs if any. 
    
    Doesit cancell the warranty, can you intall it yourself if totally
    ignorant......
    
    
    Many thanks Patrick Nonde @wlc 852 4206
4426.6need to look into itCRISTA::LEIMBERGERI have my marbles now I want yoursMon Jan 14 1991 11:139
Patrick,
	I see the BaseBoard installed all the time At my local Dealers
here in nashua N.H. USA. It is a two board set. The first plugs into 
the Gary socket(I think),and the other replaces the 512k expansion board
on the 500. The dealer is closed today,but I will inquire about it tomorrow. 
I will find out who makes it,it's weight etc. so far I have not seen anyone
that has had a problem with compatability etc. It would kill your warranty
however. 
							bill 
4426.7Digital has it now!!BAHTAT::FORCE4::hiltonHow's it going royal ugly dudes?Wed Jan 16 1991 06:3816
re .5 

Patrick there is a CORTEX box here in the UK which has amazing memory
boxes, I'll dig out some more info tonight.

re .0

Jeff,

Why not try and find an unused Digtial hard disk drive and then use the
CheapHD to give you the controller. I'm about to do this for an RD54
which will give me 200Mb hard disk, for a very cheap price.

Cheers,

Greg
4426.8Upgrade A500 with RZ53 ?PEKING::NONDEPThu Jan 17 1991 10:506
    Creg,
    
    Thanks for the info. I can get hold of an rz53 can i use it with the
    amiga- No electrical knowledge or any other anyway.
    
    Cheers, Patrick
4426.9MAASUP::FILERThu Jan 17 1991 13:057
    I wish I could get a hold of an RDxx drive but we NEED them in the
    office. Our systems in the office are in need of disk space. 
    
    I still need to know of any shops that carry Amiga in the Md./D.C.
    area. Have they all gone under?
    Jeff Filer
    
4426.10WJG::GUINEAUThu Jan 17 1991 13:126
    
>    Thanks for the info. I can get hold of an rz53 can i use it with the

You must mean RD53, DEC does not have an RZ53 (RD == st506, RZ == SCSI)

john
4426.11R?53 ? or ?PEKING::NOLANSThu Jan 17 1991 13:545
    John,
    
    Yes probably, I should see one tomorrow. But how can I use it.
    
    Patrick
4426.12WJG::GUINEAUThu Jan 17 1991 14:258
The only way to use an RDxx (ST506) disk is to either get an A2090(a) from
CBM which has 2 st506 ports on it or to use an ST506-SCSI controller like
the Adaptec or OMTI boards.

There is extensive discussion in here on all this if you can find it! Try 
looking for notes on hard disks, a2090, etc.

john
4426.13Ok what was the question ?-)PEKING::NOLANSThu Jan 17 1991 14:4614
    John,
    
    What are the differences if any between an A2090(A) and the other
    option. seems too technical for me somewhere..... I have read a lot of
    the note during the last hours but made lillte sense of it ! Are we
    looking into technical manipulation boxes, board, cables ......
    
    What in fact would be great would be great for me is for someone in the
    U.K. around Reading "ideal" to show me one that works on an Amiga500
    and establish list of items to be bought and where. 
    
    Some people really ask for so much . 
    
    Patrick DTN 852 4206
4426.14ok, I waited long enoughDWOMV2::CAMPBELLDelaware AmiganThu Jan 17 1991 23:5129
    
    Hi Jeff,
    
    I held off for awhile.  Here in DE there is Computerland and General
    Computer.  I don't think they'll be alot of help 'though.  I'm not
    too familiar with dealers in the Baltimore/D.C. area, but I know of
    a real good one up this way (actually a ways north from here), and
    that is BriWall.  They're in Kutztown, its not that far from Dorney
    Park.  They would have the breadth that you're looking for, not too
    many dealers after the shake-up carry products that aren't
    "mainstream".  A little closer is the Software Hut in Philly.  It
    seems to me that BriWall is just a little better, price-wise, but it
    really depends on the item.  
    
    As an oh-by-the-way, everthing I have is from mail-order.  The dreaded
    Montgomery Grant and some other place I can't remember the name of.
    
    I think mail-order is fine, but I 'love' to go to a dealers and drool.
    I bought some software packages from BriWall at the last show at the
    Valley Forge Convention Center (good prices at the show).  I've always
    told myself that 'one-of-these-days-I'll-go-there' (BriWall).
    
    Dennis
    
    P.S.
    
    Remember Vax15 (hint- shake and bake)
    
    
4426.15try dialSALEM::LEIMBERGERTue Jan 29 1991 06:017
    Re RD, RZ drives. Check dial for surplus. I picked up my RZ23 off dial,
    but it cost $400+ . I justified it because I do work at home,and I did
    not have to take a terminal,printer etc. Of course RD54 shoul be lying
    around everywere by now. RZ23's show up once in awhile though. As more
    people upgrade the inhouse systems,and with the recent elimination of
    some groups these should be easier to find. Now Where is that RZ24....
    								bill
4426.16WHAMMY::SPODARYKdigging for fireTue Jan 29 1991 18:145
What/where is 'dial'?

$400+ for a used RZ23 (120M) seems like a pretty good deal to me.

Steve
4426.17WJG::GUINEAUTue Jan 29 1991 18:4311
> What/where is 'dial'?

Dial is the Digital Idle Assets List. It's where stuff a group no longer
wants/needs goes so other DEC groups can get it cheap. Your purchasing people
will know about it.

> $400+ for a used RZ23 (120M) seems like a pretty good deal to me.

RZ23 is 104MB, the RZ23L is 120MB.

john