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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

4939.0. "SCSI, or more memory?" by ALLVAX::TERELLA (Mike Terella DTN 287-3083 CTC2-1/C14) Thu Aug 01 1991 10:02

	I need some advice.  I currently have a basic A2000HD which is about
	two years old.  For that vintage the standard configuration included
	the fat Agnus, the A2090 controller, and a Rodime 40meg HD.  Needless
	to say the one meg of chip ram gets eaten up rapidly these days, so
	I'm at the point where it's time to dig into the pockets and come up
	with some cash, and get ami more memory.  

	Wanting to keep the price under $300, it looks like I have a couple
	of options open to me.  I can certainly get a memory expansion, with
	4 meg for under $300, or I could get a new SCSI controller w/2 meg
	of memory and still meet my cost goals.  

	My question, which way to go?  Usage is pretty much a mixed bag.
	We use the ami for terminal emulation, uploads, word processing,
	light programming, games, etc. etc.  I know this is a pretty good time 
	to buy memory, so the 4 megs looks tempting, and I'm sure that would
	last me for quite a while.  I'm not sure though what the SCSI will buy
	me, and if it's worth the sacrifice of 2 meg of memory.  Also, would
	I have to reformat my HD and subsequently reload all my software?  (I
	know it's not that tough, just time consuming!).

	Suggestions greatly appreciated.
	
	mt 
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4939.1food for thoughtSALEM::LEIMBERGERFri Aug 02 1991 06:3324
    Mike,
    	Their several issues you need to look at.
    a) If your current drive is not SCSI then you would have to replace the
    drive(or add a scsi drive) in the configuration.
    b) A scsi controller(I like the GVP controller) will allow you to
    autoboot if you have the 1.3roms.
    c)If you opt to keep the controller you have you will have to buy a
    memory card. The question comes down to "What Card". I recommend
    you not buy a card that will not support the full 8meg addittional ram
    that amy can use.(the A2058 card from CBM is costly, and the last four
    megs have to be put in at one time).
    d) I was talking to a person that has the DataFlyer(got it as a gift)
    	but did not like the lack of the scsi passthru(an option) etc.So
    look for a card that is flexable. Scsi, 8meg memory, scsi external
    connector.
    e) I would use quarterback or another such utility to do a backup,
    or better yet when I replaced my 40meg with a 50meg GVP unit I simply
    hooked up the GVP, and then moved all the files over befor dumping the
    40meg.(I had traded in the forty so it was gone after the transfer)
    	The prices you quoted don't look realistic to me, but then I don't
    know your source. If you can swing it get the GVP controller, and then
    it is a matter of buying the simms sa you go. You could look internal
    for an RZXX drive .
    							bill 
4939.3ALLVAX::TERELLAMike Terella DTN 287-3083 CTC2-1/C14Fri Aug 02 1991 14:5226
	Bill,

		Thanks for the input. To answer your questions, 

	a- I'm not sure if the Rodine drive is SCSI, though I was under that 
	   impression. Does anyone else know?
	b- I do have the 1.3 ROMS
	c- If I keep the current set up, I was thinking of the Supra memory
   	   expansin board (0-8) populated with 4 meg
	d- If I swap controllers, I was leaning towards the GVP series II (0-8)
	   with 2 meg installed, although the ADScsi 2080 also got a good
	   review in last month's Amiga World.
	e- I hadn't thought about getting rid of the 40 meg, but I also hadn't
	   thought about trade in.  If you don't mind, did you get a good deal
	   going that route?
	
	As to the prices, the latest Amiga World has an ad for the Software
	Shop in Worcester (about 45 minutes from where I live, as is System 
	Eyes). They show the Supra memory brd w/4 meg for $239.
	The also show the GVP series II controller w/2 meg for $289.  And
	they list the ADScsi 2080 controller w/4 meg for $299.

	

							Mike