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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

5147.0. "Amiga Configuration/option help." by ANGLIN::GAINES () Sun Oct 27 1991 01:43

    I purchased my Amiga from a friend sometime back. It came with
    configured with hard disks, PC emulator, plotter etc... I'm
    not to familiar with the hardware of this baby and need some
    assistance with some/most of it.
    
    In the far left slot (single) there is a module I suspect is
    a graphics PCB for the PC XT. I dont have the literature on
    it but on the board it says EVEREX systems INC.  model EV659
    and a rom at version 1.54.09. it has a d-9 and d-25 connector
    on it. From a previous note (5138) I'm trying to get my original
    multi-sysnc monitor back in use. Any info would help.
    
    the next slot over to the right has a RAMPAGE/2-1000 by AST. It
    appears to be a memory board and is populated with 18 chips, which
    are TMS-4256-15nl EHP 8749 4913s. There are 9 chips per bank and
    bank 0 and 1 are full, looks like a total of 9 banks are possible.
    This might be additional memory for the XT? 
    
    The next slot over to the right is occuppied with an ADAPTEC module.
    I suspect this is being used to interface one of the partitions of
    one of the 2 hard drives. Also it might interface the 5 1/4 floppy.
    
    The next slot over to the right has the 2088 PC emulator board.
    What is the 25 pin connector used for? When this system boots it
    configures 640k, I believe the book said the board came with 512
    k. Does this mean the rampage 2-1000 board is supplying the additional
    memory?
    
    Then we skip a few slots over and there is a Supra/wordsync card with
    a 3 1/2 hard drive installed. I just discovered there is a 25 pin
    d-25 type connector located at the rear, its supposed to be an external
    scsi connector... Does this mean I can really interface a scsi device
    easily via this port? Would this include tape and CD-ROM? Oh yea the
    3 1/2 hard drive is  a Quantum Prodrive. The other drive is a
    Mini-Scribe. I dont know anything ablut them other than I never get
    any disk errors, so far...
    
    I have a 1 meg AMIGA system but after I boot up I usually only show
    720,xxx memory available. Who's gobbling up the rest? How can I 
    determine this and maybe free some of it up? Also when I type info
    the RAM drive shows itsself to be 100% utilized. IS this good or
    bad?
    
    The partioning of one of the hard drive for the PC XT seems to me
    like it could present future management issues. I'm ammazed this
    works and all interfaces at all Maybe I should put my CAD system
    to use and break this system down into blocks for future use...
    
    Anyhow if anyone could shed some light on this box, it will help me 
    I'm sure in the not to far future.
    
    MAG
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5147.1Sounds like a loaded systemCX3PT3::WSC017::A_ANDERSONCSC32::A_Anderson NSU/VAX DTN 592-4170Sun Oct 27 1991 17:5783
    
>    In the far left slot (single) there is a module I suspect is
>    a graphics PCB for the PC XT. I dont have the literature on
>    it but on the board it says EVEREX systems INC.  model EV659
>    and a rom at version 1.54.09. it has a d-9 and d-25 connector
>    on it. From a previous note (5138) I'm trying to get my original
>    multi-sysnc monitor back in use. Any info would help.
 
    This sounds like the PC graphics adapter
    
       
 >   the next slot over to the right has a RAMPAGE/2-1000 by AST. It
 >   appears to be a memory board and is populated with 18 chips, which
 >   are TMS-4256-15nl EHP 8749 4913s. There are 9 chips per bank and
 >   bank 0 and 1 are full, looks like a total of 9 banks are possible.
 >   This might be additional memory for the XT? 
 
    This is additional PC memory.  the Bridge board has 512K on board.  In
    two rows of 256K chips.  One row permanent one in sockets.  The
    TMS-4256 sound like an additional two rows of 256K chips giving you a
    total of 1MB on the PC.  MSDos can only access 640K without special
    software.
       
  >  The next slot over to the right is occuppied with an ADAPTEC module.
  >  I suspect this is being used to interface one of the partitions of
  >  one of the 2 hard drives. Also it might interface the 5 1/4 floppy.
  
    Adaptec is a popular PC hard disk controller manufaturer.  The XT
    bridge board itsself has a 360K 5.25 inch floppy interface.
      
  >  The next slot over to the right has the 2088 PC emulator board.
  >  What is the 25 pin connector used for? When this system boots it
  >  configures 640k, I believe the book said the board came with 512
  >  k. Does this mean the rampage 2-1000 board is supplying the additional
  >  memory?
   
    The Bridge board has an internal adapter for the 5.25 inch 360K floppy
    this is drive A:.  The 23 pin connector on the edge is for an external
    Amiga floppy.  This can be of the 5.25 inch 360K  of the 3.5 inch 720K. 
    
    On the Amiga the Bridge Board being present beaks the bus up into the
    Amiga and PC.  Facing the machine all slots to the right of the Bridge
    Board are Amiga Slots.  All slots to the Left of the Bridge Board are
    PC Slots.  THere is room for two 8bit slots (single connector) and two
    16 Bit slots (double connector).  THe slots are twords the back of the
    machine.  The left most slots are also twords the front they are Amiga
    for Amiga options.  THe one slot in the front just to the left of the
    drive bay is for a CPU accelerator.  68020 or 68030 or 68030.  The lone
    slot to the right of the Power Supply is reserved for a Video adapter. 
    Flicker fixer or Genlock.    
    
  >  Then we skip a few slots over and there is a Supra/wordsync card with
  >  a 3 1/2 hard drive installed. I just discovered there is a 25 pin
  >  d-25 type connector located at the rear, its supposed to be an external
  >  scsi connector... Does this mean I can really interface a scsi device
  >  easily via this port? Would this include tape and CD-ROM? Oh yea the
  >  3 1/2 hard drive is  a Quantum Prodrive. The other drive is a
  >  Mini-Scribe. I dont know anything ablut them other than I never get
  > any disk errors, so far...
  
    Suprs is a popular disk controller for the Amiga.  From the CLI type
    INFO it will tell you about the Disk partitions and how much free space
    you have.
        
   > I have a 1 meg AMIGA system but after I boot up I usually only show
   > 720,xxx memory available. Who's gobbling up the rest? How can I 
   > determine this and maybe free some of it up? Also when I type info
   > the RAM drive shows itsself to be 100% utilized. IS this good or
   > bad?
    
    The operating system.  Look at the file in the S directory called
    StartUp-Sequence.  This file is what is used when the system boots to
    load and configure itself.  You may be loading a variety of programs
    you might not even know about.  I have a 5MB Amiga.  I end up with 900K
    of chip and 390K of Fast ram after boot up. 
    
    Where are you located?  It might be worth your while to look into an
    Amiga users group.  Also pick up a couple of Amiga magazines.  Some
    companies offer instrucional Video's on Amiga's.  Have you tried
    posting into the IBMPC notes conferance (NAC::IBMPC).  Itis a heavily
    used conferance and someone out there is bound to have a Everex video
    option.
                                   
5147.2Ok I'll try PC conference and thanks.ANGLIN::GAINESSun Oct 27 1991 23:354
    Thanks for the reply. I will post a note to the PC conference 
    and maybe someone can shed some light on the video adapter.
    
    MAG