Amiga 600 Help

[Bastich]

Hi all

I recently got hold of 2 Amiga 600 systems, both systems are the revision 1.5 board and they both also boot to the kickstart screen v2.05 (37300).
Typically the more yellow of the two cases has all its clips where as the other has lost the side ones, has a few screw driver marks and has a striped thread (its quite nice and white thou).

From the 2 systems I have assembled one from the cleanest parts and also added a v3.1 ROM as well as a 4GB CF with ClassicWB and WHDLoad installed. However with only 1MB of RAM it does not really run many games

The second system has got some green gunk around U27 and seems to have issues with its left mouse button. The board other than that looks to be in good condition.

The options to upgrade the A600 system have expanded recently with the FPGA accelerator and the ACA620/630 but what setup is best for a simple WHDLoad system? If I run it via SCART should I just get a Kipper2k 4MB or an accelerator and RAM in one??? Later on I was thinking of getting an A604n so I can get an Indivision ECS. Do I need 2MB chip RAM for WHDLoad if I have 4MB or more fast RAM on an accelerator???

Any advice on the best upgrade route or the left mouse problem would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Somelie]

I’ve only read a little about the FPGA accelerator so can’t really comment about that, but I’d highly recommend going for an A604 and an ACA620.

I found that the main problem with running WHDLoad on an A600 is the 68000 CPU. Even if you upgrade to 2mb chip RAM and use a further fast RAM expansion, you’ll find that the vast majority of games run fine, but because the WHDLoad slaves were written for the A1200 and higher end machines, on many games the quit key doesn’t work.

For me, that started out as a minor inconvenience, because to quit some games you have to reboot. However, if you want to play games that support saving such as Cannon Fodder, because the quit key doesn’t work, the game doesn’t save. Therefore I’d recommend doing what I did and get an ACA620. That way not only do you get 11mb of fast RAM, you also get a 68020 processor, which means the WHDLoad games all work correctly.

Also, if your budget will stretch that far, I’d go for an Indivision ECS, as that is a fantastic bit of kit…

 

[Bastich]

That sounds like good advice

If I were to get the ACA620 first would that alone make it possible to run most WHDLoad games or do you really need the chip ram expansion as well

 

[Bryce]

I can't really help you with your main question, but regarding the striped thread on the white case: Fill the hole with hot glue, then drill a 2mm hole into the glue when it has completely cooled. The hole will re-thread itself the first time you put a screw into it. Turn the screw slowly though when you first do it, otherwise you risk cracking the remaining cylinder.

Bryce.

 

[AmmoJammo]

1 meg chip ram is all you need

Its all my A500 has, with bits and pieces of other ram, including a 36Mhz accelerator...

But, chip ram has never been an issue

 

[Bastich]

Thanks for the help guys

 

[AmmoJammo]

You need about 4 megs total as a minimum, especially for 2 disc games.

 

[Bastich]

I've got a ACA620EC on order, cant wait, it'll be the fasted classic Amiga I've ever had...

When A600 were new I really did not like them. Now days thou they are rather good

In the mean time I am trying to fix up my second A600.
Is there a common fault on A600 to do with left mouse button?
Could it be as simple as the 9 pin connector needing re soldering?
Is the U27 chip under the disk drive anything to do with the mouse?

 

[Bryce]

No, U27 (74F139) is a 2 to 4 decoder used for the CAS signal on expansion RAM. If that was damaged extra RAM wouldn't work, but the A600 (and the mouse) should work as normal.
Mouse and Joystick movement are handled by U34 (74LS157) and the fire / mouse buttons are handled directly by U7 (8520). Pins 10 and 11 of the 8520 is where the buttons are read, so test that these are changing state when the corresponding button is being pressed. If they change state but the Amiga isn't responding, then the 8520 has dead input pins and needs to be replaced. If they don't change state, then you've got a dodgy mouse or a break in the signal (probably the 9 pin socket).

Bryce.

 

[fitzsteve]

I've got a ACA620EC on order, cant wait, it'll be the fasted classic Amiga I've ever had...

When A600 were new I really did not like them. Now days thou they are rather good

Nice

You wont regret it!

When funds allow I'd still increase the chip Ram to 2mb, if you didn't want to spend out on the A604 there are cheaper expansions you can get including this one:

https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=48930

I bought one for my spare A600 and it works really well. Bear in mind though the A604 if you were to splash out would be future proof if you wanted to add an Indivision ECS/USB.

With 2mb Chip Ram combines with the speed boost from the ACA620 you will be able to enjoy some nice optimisations to Workbench including updated Icons and such (check out Classic Workbench)

Once you start to experiment with things like this it's where the extra Chip Ram becomes invaluable.

If you just want to play WHDLoad Games then sure, you can stick to 1mb chip, there are however some Games that need 2mb chip. One that comes to mind is T-Zer0 but that might be AGA anyway!

 

[Bastich]

The problem has been tracked down to the 9pin d connector
I've removed it from the board and before I could look closer the pin in question actually fell out the bottom of the connector.
Looks like my dead A500+ will be a donor for this fix

All done and working

 

[Bastich]

Just ordered a 604n so I can get an Indivision ECS in the future

 

[AndyLandy]

Given your case situation, you could do a lot worse than retr0bright the intact-but-yellowed case...