Kickstart roms explained

[Harrison]

I think the information in the Kickstart Roms Wiki page is nearly complete now.

http://wiki.classicamiga.com/Kickstart_Roms_Explained

I've been working on the Kickstart versions table and have added a lot of additional information including the different kickstart revisions for each version of rom. I got these revision numbers from the complete set of TOSEC kickstart roms, so if you spot any I've missed, or I've got a revision number wrong please say or just correct it in the table.

http://wiki.classicamiga.com/Kickstart_Roms_Explained#Kickstart_versions_summary

The revision numbers will be hyperlinked to their related system upgrade pages when each of those pages is added to the Wiki. Currently only the A600 and CD32 pages are near to being complete.

Things still to do, to check and update in the kickstart version table.


Kickstart versions - Have I covered them all?
Should we include the CDTV and CD32 Extended Roms in the table? Or leave them out and mention them in the pages specifically for each system?
Have I covered all Amiga models correctly for each rom revision?
What are the correct rom sizes for the 3.1 roms for each Amiga model? At the moment these are shown as 512KB or 1MB for all of them.
Is there any additional information needed for each specific rom? I've already added some info for 3.0, 2.05 and 1.4a roms.
Any other info you can think of that can be included in the table?

Do remember though that this table is only a summary. Any really detailed information about how a specific model of Amiga uses roms in a unique way (A3000 for example) can be covered in their own dedicated Wiki pages.

[woody.cool]

Sorry for the long post!

I'd like to say, I think that is an excellent effort - kudos to you for putting that together.


* Kickstart versions - Have I covered them all?
* Should we include the CDTV and CD32 Extended Roms in the table? Or leave them out and mention them in the pages specifically for each system?
If possible, I think these should be recorded, especially the CDTV - as the CDTV can have 1.3 or sometimes 2.04 depending on motherboard revision. On top of this, there's the A570 expansion to consider, which included the CDTV Extended ROM.
Although I cannot verify this myself, reading a CDTV web site (which I'll try and find the URL for again) stated that early UK CDTVs could not run 2.04 Kickstart but later UK machines and all NTSC machines can run 2.04
What about the A1000's 8kb Bootstrap ROM? I don't know of any version numbers associated with it though!


* Have I covered all Amiga models correctly for each rom revision?
From what I can see, yes, except for the CDTV and the A1000's 8kb Bootstrap ROM.


* What are the correct rom sizes for the 3.1 roms for each Amiga model? At the moment these are shown as 512KB or 1MB for all of them.
Although yet to be verified, I do remember seeing somewhere that these are 512KB except for the CD32 (which is 512KB 3.1 ROM + 512KB CD32 Extended ROM)


* Is there any additional information needed for each specific rom? I've already added some info for 3.0, 2.05 and 1.4a roms.
* Any other info you can think of that can be included in the table?
What about a column for maximum Workbench version that can be run under each Kickstart ROM version - most of the times, this will match, except under 2.04 you can run upto 2.1 and under 1.2 you can actually run Workbench 1.3.4 but some features may be unavailable. Also, Kickstart 3.0 can run Workbench 3.1 reliably with full functionality.
Obviously Kickstart 3.1 can run any Workbench version up to AmigaOS 4.0 for Classic Amigas (as long as PPC hardware is present) otherwise AmigaOS 3.9 is the maximum version under 3.1 ROMs

Also, I think it might be worth mentioning in the notes for Kickstart 1.2 that AutoConfig does exist, but for hard drives, this functionality was broken and hence Hard Drive could be used, but not booted from (so a boot floppy is required)
On top of that, is it worth mentioning that Kickstart 1.0 was NTSC only?

Although you've mentioned that the A3000 uses software kickstart disks (for machines using the 1.4 Alpha ROM) I think you need to mention that these are referred to as SuperKickstart disks as apposed to just Kickstart disks (which the A1000 uses) as this could lead to confusion. From what I'm aware of, there's no 1.3 SuperKickstart disk for the A3000 and that these disks are always 2.0 Beta or 2.04 - the hard drive installation disk for the A3000s that use this Kickstart arrangement, automatically install the Kickstart file in DEVS: as part of the installation, prompting for the SuperKickstart disk at the relevant point.

Finally, not mention of the 0.9 Beta (revision 27.9) which was used on early A1000 prototypes. A Kickstart ROM image exists in torrents, and the AmigaDOS disk exists as an ADF on the internet. This early Kickstart was AmigaDOS/CLI only (no Workbench) and was NTSC only - there was no workbench.library or icon.library present in the ROM and there was only one assign by default (SYS:) and no other assigns (C:, LIBS:, DEVS:, L: etc.)
I did see on the internet, that someone had managed to get Workbench 1.0 to run on 0.9 Beta Kickstart ROM by extracting workbench.library from the 1.0 ROM (somehow !?!) and placing icon.library in the LIBS: directory. This is yet to be verified, and somehow I'm not sure this is really possible.

[Harrison]

The compatible workbench versions is a good idea. I will add that one in.

Regarding betas, I thought it best to keep unreleased betas and custom kickstart revisions (used for things like ReLoKick and Shapeshifter) out of the list as it is more a list for production machine information, and as pre-release betas were never actually released. We could create a second table below the current one for unreleased ones to keep the main one uncluttered.

As for the A1000 0.9B

[woody.cool]

The compatible workbench versions is a good idea. I will add that one in.

Regarding betas, I thought it best to keep unreleased betas and custom kickstart revisions (used for things like ReLoKick and Shapeshifter) out of the list as it is more a list for production machine information, and as pre-release betas were never actually released. We could create a second table below the current one for unreleased ones to keep the main one uncluttered.

As for the A1000 0.9B
Yeah, true. The only beta I thought that was worth mentioning is the A1000 0.9 Beta, as the AmigaDOS disk that is used, is actually tucked away on Amiga 1000's Kickstart 1.0 disk, these files are recoverable by using DiskSalv or Diskdoctor.
A few early production demos from EA that mysteriously 'only work on an A1000' require this early kickstart to work properly.

I do think that the A1000 8KB Bootstrap ROM does need to be mentioned, if not in the table, then in the text, as it's how the A1000 boots the different kickstarts.

[Harrison]

OK. For the A1000 bootstrap rom I think we should therefore include it as it is actually used in the production system.

[woody.cool]

OK. For the A1000 bootstrap rom I think we should therefore include it as it is actually used in the production system.
Cool!

I do think that 1.0 should be listed as NTSC only (as it was in fact NTSC only) and no PAL version exists.

[Harrison]

OK. I've added the NTSC only bit for the 1.0 rom.

I will add the A1000 bootstrap rom info when I get back home later tonight.

[woody.cool]

OK. I've added the NTSC only bit for the 1.0 rom.

I will add the A1000 bootstrap rom info when I get back home later tonight.
Cool! :)

Sorry if I come across as a bit bossy, or trying to tell you what to do. Some of the infor I suspect you already know. I'm just trying to help you out a bit.

I'll have a look at my A3000's kickstart arrangement, as mine doesn't have the dual kickstart (and hence doesn't have the 1.4 Alpha ROM) but has just a straight 2.04 ROM.

If there's any more info you want, let me know. I'm sure I can find it (or someone else could too)

[Demon Cleaner]

***nerd attack*** :lol:

[Harrison]

Sorry if I come across as a bit bossy, or trying to tell you what to do. Some of the infor I suspect you already know. I'm just trying to help you out a bit.

Don't be silly. Your help, ideas and info are great to add input into the page. I need as much help as possible to try and get accurate info into the Wiki, and as much of it as possible.

And don't forget to register on the Wiki yourself, then you will be able to edit the pages directly if you have any info to add.


I'll have a look at my A3000's kickstart arrangement, as mine doesn't have the dual kickstart (and hence doesn't have the 1.4 Alpha ROM) but has just a straight 2.04 ROM.

If there's any more info you want, let me know. I'm sure I can find it (or someone else could too)

Would you be able to take some pictures of your A3000 for the Wiki? I need some decent images of the outside of the case from the front and rear, plus some more detailed ones of the insides so I can add indicators to the pictures showing the location of each important component. And a closeup of any important internals would be great too. Things like the kickstart, CPU, zorro slots etc...

[woody.cool]

Sorry if I come across as a bit bossy, or trying to tell you what to do. Some of the infor I suspect you already know. I'm just trying to help you out a bit.

Don't be silly. Your help, ideas and info are great to add input into the page. I need as much help as possible to try and get accurate info into the Wiki, and as much of it as possible.
Cool :cool:


And don't forget to register on the Wiki yourself, then you will be able to edit the pages directly if you have any info to add.
OK! I'll have a look at it when I get a moment.



I'll have a look at my A3000's kickstart arrangement, as mine doesn't have the dual kickstart (and hence doesn't have the 1.4 Alpha ROM) but has just a straight 2.04 ROM.

If there's any more info you want, let me know. I'm sure I can find it (or someone else could too)

Would you be able to take some pictures of your A3000 for the Wiki? I need some decent images of the outside of the case from the front and rear, plus some more detailed ones of the insides so I can add indicators to the pictures showing the location of each important component. And a closeup of any important internals would be great too. Things like the kickstart, CPU, zorro slots etc...
I'll take pics when I'm opening it, I have a Buddha IDE card and a Hicom parallel & serial card in there too, so maybe these would be nice for people to see too.

[Buleste]

Would you be able to take some pictures of your A3000 for the Wiki? I need some decent images of the outside of the case from the front and rear, plus some more detailed ones of the insides so I can add indicators to the pictures showing the location of each important component. And a closeup of any important internals would be great too. Things like the kickstart, CPU, zorro slots etc...

***nerd attack*** :lol:

As a newly-wed you shouldn't need external stimulus yet. It takes years to get bored with the mrs.;)

[woody.cool]

I've made a few additions to the Wiki for both Kickstart ROMs Explained and Amiga Models, hopefully this will all help.

[Harrison]

Great stuff. :)

That has finally got the model pages started. I will create an infobox template for the Amiga model pages that we can then use for the main info and will add it into the Wiki this week.

[woody.cool]

Great stuff. :)

That has finally got the model pages started. I will create an infobox template for the Amiga model pages that we can then use for the main info and will add it into the Wiki this week.
I added some info on the A500 and the A1500, feel free to add to it.

btw. How do you get that Contents box to appear at the start of the Wiki article?

[Harrison]

A table of contents box will appear automatically on a page that has 4 headings or more.

You can also force one for less sections by adding __TOC__ to the top of the page, or you can remove one from any page by using __NOTOC__

[woody.cool]

Ah ha!!! Thanks for that.:)

btw. Do I need to quote my sources, for where I got my information?

[Harrison]

If you can quote sources using the same layout I've already started that would be great. There isn't always a need to quote a source, but it is nice to give credit when you think the source has some unique data you have used.

[woody.cool]

If you can quote sources using the same layout I've already started that would be great. There isn't always a need to quote a source, but it is nice to give credit when you think the source has some unique data you have used.
Cool :cool: I'll have a look at doing that, as most of the Workbench info I put on there was from Workbench Nostalgia (http://www.gregdonner.org/workbench/)

[Harrison]

I've now added information about the custom scene Kickstart 3.9 ROM.

You can read the page at http://wiki.classicamiga.com/Kickstart_3.9

I hope I've got all of the details and information correct about it, and how it can be created. Please feel free to correct me on anything I've included on that page.

[woody.cool]

I've now added information about the custom scene Kickstart 3.9 ROM.

You can read the page at http://wiki.classicamiga.com/Kickstart_3.9

I hope I've got all of the details and information correct about it, and how it can be created. Please feel free to correct me on anything I've included on that page.
I'm assuming people have actually done this !?!

If so, is it possible to get a pre made OS3.9 ROM?

[Harrison]

Yes they have. Some members of A.org have made their own, and some members of AmiBay are running them in their systems.

You would need to find someone with a EPROM programmer who is willing to write them for you. Maybe ask Zetr0 as he will either be able to do it, or know someone who can.

[juvuk]

i just seem to get a 404 error whenever i try to view the CA Wiki:huh2:

[Phantom]

The same applies to me since a month now.:unsure:

[Harrison]

It is a server configuration error. The Wiki and all pages are there.

Go to http://wiki.classicamiga.com/index.php?title=Kickstart_3.9

It is a problem with the site creating search engine friendly URLs. Something is stopping them working at the moment. Instead you need to put http://wiki.classicamiga.com/index.php?title= in front of every page to make them work at the moment. I've trying to fix the problem.