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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

1590.0. "HELP - more RAM bad?" by SNOC01::SIMPSON (Those whom the Gods would destroy...) Fri Aug 12 1988 05:14

    Some programs like Arctic Fox and Archon will not run on Amiga 500's
    (and presumable 2000's) with more than 512M RAM.  Is this because
    of a problem in their startup sequences (they don't know about
    fast-ram/no-fast-ram) or is some limitation because they were written
    for 1.1 conflicting with 1.2?
    
    I have tried playing with the startup sequences but with no success.
    I have an Amiga 1000 with 512M, but I am holding off getting more
    memory until I can get an answer from somebody.
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1590.1FIXBOOT will helpLEDS::ACCIARDIHeisenberg may have slept hereFri Aug 12 1988 12:3019
    
    Some early EA titles were written before AmigaDOS was finalized.
    These programs used their own strange boot format, and in fact,
    won't even be recognized as DOS disks.
    
    I have a program called 'FIXBOOT' which allows these programs to
    run on A500/A2000 machines.  I don't remember exactly which ones
    were affected, but essentially the program alters to boot code to
    disable fast ram. 
    
    It is strongly recommended that you only alter the boot code on
    BACKUP COPIES of these games, since neither I or the author will
    assume any responsibility for trashing your disks.
    
    Of course, the wimpy solution is to obtain a later release from
    EA.
    
    Ed.
    
1590.2BAGELS::BRANNONDave BrannonFri Aug 12 1988 18:1419
    I got Arctic fox to work.  Not so sure about Archon.  Will check,
    I wrote down the steps I used, just have to find what I did with
    the list.
    
    I used FIXHUNK, FIXBOOT, NOFASTMEM, and MARAUDER II to try to make
    the old software work with 1.2 and memory >512k.
    
    It would be nice if there was some hardware hack that would allow
    me to "physically" disconnect temporarily my Starboard II without
    having to unscrew it.  I still have games that require WB 1.1
    and 512K.  Suggestions?
    
    re: updates from EA
    they aren't going to be updating "Seven Cities of Gold" and I believe,
    also Archon.  Other titles do have 1.2 versions available.  I know
    they did update Arctic Fox.
    
    -dave
    
1590.3FIXBOOTTLE::RMEYERSRandy MeyersFri Aug 12 1988 21:461
I have used FIXBOOT to make playable copies of both Skyfox and ArticFox.
1590.4NoFastMemSANFAN::BARRETODETue Aug 16 1988 16:2118
    Dont' know if this is the solution to your problem but, either in
    Amiga World, the Amiga 500 owners manual, or on one of the games
    themselves, I ruad something that said not all games will work on
    systems with more than 512k.  
    
    Accordingly, you are supposed to run "NoFastMem" which I believe
    in the SYSTEM directory.
    
    On an Amiga 500 this should limit you to the 512k internal memory
    and lock out any expansion memory (like my 501 card).
    
    Hope this is the solution to your problem.
    
    
                          Terry
                          Reno, Nevada
    
    
1590.5Thanks, but...SNOC01::SIMPSONThose whom the Gods would destroy...Wed Aug 17 1988 00:132
    That works fine if the games can be opened from workbench.  Auto-boot
    games don't give you the chance.
1590.6BAGELS::BRANNONDave BrannonWed Aug 17 1988 01:189
    I couldn't get Archon to work with FIXBOOT.  Even with it Deprotected
    by Marauder II and FIXBOOTed.
    
    Looks like there is a need for boot sector code that would replace
    the system routines that load the disk into memory, so that it
    would load only into the lower 512K.
    
    -Dave
1590.7Where's FIXBOOT?MECAD::MURATORIRichWed Aug 17 1988 20:195
    Where can I get a copy of FIXBOOT?  I have Archon 2 and would like
    to try 'fixing' it so it will run on my A500 with 1 meg.
    
    Thanks,
    Rich