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[max_lords]

Ok...I just got a Supradrive 500 XP hard drive for my Amiga 500. It was in a package deal along with a big stack of game disks. Unfortunately, I have NO clue how to install it and set it up! it's a 105 MB hard drive w/512K of RAM. I noticed that there's a slot on the right hand side of it that plugs directly into the Amiga. When I do this, the drive powers up and spins but nothing happens.

There are also several dip switches on it that I have no idea what to set to, and a small switch in the back that I also have no idea what it should be set at (an unlabeled metal one). There are two ports in the back, one I THINK for a serial connection, and one for the external SupraDrive power supply that came with the drive. If I plug the drive into the power supply and turn it on it also powers up and spins.

So....how so I connect the drive? Directly to the Amiga or with a serial cable? Do I need the power supply or should I use the Amiga to power it? Can anybody help me out? I'd much appreciate it!

Thanks!

[KapitanKlystron]

The big book of amiga hardware lists that drive and what the switches do. You can find that site under links/hardware information.

[max_lords]

Hmmmm...nope, those are the internal jumper settings for RAM, not the DIP switches on the drive. And I still can't figure out the proper way to hook it up!

[KapitanKlystron]

My bad try this then...

500XL settings

[melott]

I would guess the Supra is simular to the
RocHard I had on my A500.

Yes, you plug it directly onto the bus on the side
of the A500. I would also use the power supply
you got with it. The A500 bus is marginal on
powering devices on the bus.
Also, thats probably not a serial port on the
back, its more likely a SCSI port.
You would have to open the drive case up to
determin if the drive inside is IDE or SCSI.
They came both ways (I think). If the drive is
IDE then the port is probably dead, if its a SCSI
drive then the port should be active.
To get it to boot from the drive you'll probably
have to get an install disk to mount it. Whoever
had the drive before probably wiped the drive
clean, meaning its not installed anymore.
You can probably download the install disk at
Amiga-Hardware.com.

Mel Ott

[max_lords]

Ok...then here's my next question

How would I download Amiga software with my PC? I have NO clue how to transfer Amiga stuff from my PC to my Amiga. I actually think I have the Supradrive disk here though...I'll have to check tomorrow cause all my disks are in the bedroom and my wife is asleep! *sigh*

[melott]

If you have OS 2.xx or above on the machine then
you should have 'Cross Dos'. That allows the A500
to read PC disks ( 720k Pc disks if you don't have
a HD 1.76 drive in the A500). Or you could do a
NULL modem transfer.

As for the switches on the back of the drive...
I'm sure its like my RocHard drive, the Dip Switches
need to be set correctly or it won't work.
Amiga-Hardware probably has that info or maybe
you can find someone who has a manual and
copy it for you .
The other switch is probably a 3 position switch.
That would be the game switch. It should turn on
the drive and ram depending on what position
the switch is in. A little trial & error will tell you
what each position does.

Mel Ott

[Jope]

Max,

The port behind the supra is Mac style 25pin SCSI. It looks like a parallel port, but most certainly is not one. :-) Don't connect your printer here, you'll see smoke if you do!

Just take the cover off the AmigaBus port on the left hand side of the Amiga, line them up and slot in the supra.

The A500 can power the Supra, but since you have the external PSU, then I suggest you use it to save the poor A500's PSU.

The pole switch at the back is a power switch, try it in both directions.. The dip switches usually don't need to be adjusted, unless someone's messed them up. (the url posted elsewhere in this thread is worth checking out) ..

[Jope]

Mel Ott,

Crossdos is included starting with 2.1.. Sadly most people have 2.04 or 2.05.

[max_lords]

Well, I'm running Workbench 1.3 on my system, but I only have disks for Workbench 1.2, so I think I'm a BIT behind for the CrossDOS stuff! I guess I need to score some updated OS disks from someone huh?

Or is the OS separate from my Workbench version?

[melott]

You may want to upgrade your whole OS.
I've seen OS3.1 very cheap on EBay.
You will need the 3.1 roms, in my opinion I'd say
its worth the few bucks.
Actually, I know someone who has a set of 3.1
roms he will probably sell. He just bought my
A500 which already had the roms in it so he has the
extra set. I have no idea what he would ask for them
but you could ask. I'm not trying to make a sale here,
just offering you a convience.

Mel Ott

[max_lords]

So I need hardware ROMs to install as well as the actual OS? Remember, I'm VERY new to Amiga stuff!

And will my games still work well with OS 3.1?

[Cyberus]

well, you can get a 'ROM switcher' (but where you'd find one I don't know, sorry!) which enables you to have two versions of the ROM installed and switch between the two when booting. The most versatile combo would be 1.3 and 3.1

ta