Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    Your best move would be installing the A501 (or one of its "clones").
    I think these are selling in the $125-$150 range.  Installation is a
    breeze, just pry open the door in the bottom of your A500 and plug in
    the RAM unit.  It includes a nice battery backed-up clock too, so you
    system will always know the correct date and time.

    There are some previous notes (1273, 2594) which sound as though
    installation may be not that simple. Is this still the case.
    
    Re .1 : Do you know of any names for the clones (available in the UK)?
    
    					Graham

    My Microbotics .5 meg expansion was very easy to install.  I just 
    popped open the hatch on the bottom of the A500 and plugged it in.

    - Cliff

    
     The A501 .5 was strictly plug and go for me.
    

    Thanks for all the info and I've looked around and the A501 will set me
    back at least 100 pounds sterling.
    
    Next question :
    
    Is this the right way to go. I've already found 0.5 Meg isn't enough
    will I have the same problem when I get to 1 meg. i.e I'm looking at
    constantly adding to the A500 as time progresses rather than buying new
    machines. IS there a better solution (obviously it will cost more) to
    give me the extra 0.5 meg I need but also allow for future
    requirements?

    
    If you can afford it, there are numerous SCSI/hard drive/RAM boxes that
    connect to your A500 either by slapping onto the side or via a cable. 
    These boxes usually have a board that is socketed for 2 MB of expansion
    ram.  Prices average about $700 around here for the GVP Impact A500-20
    or the Xetec Fasttrak Jr.  Both products include their own power
    supply, but exclude the extra ram chips.  The beauty of these little
    boxes is that you kill three birds with one stone; hard drive, extra
    memory, and included power supply.
    
    Both the GVP and Xetec were highly rated by AmigaWorld.  Commodore
    must be shipping their own version (A590) by now, but I haven't seen it
    at my dealer.

>< Note 2655.5 by SYSTEM::HELLIAR "Graham @REO-F6-3, DTN 830-3173" >
>                         -< Lets move the goal posts >-
>
>    Thanks for all the info and I've looked around and the A501 will set me
>    back at least 100 pounds sterling.
>    
>    Next question :
>    
>    Is this the right way to go. I've already found 0.5 Meg isn't enough
>    will I have the same problem when I get to 1 meg. i.e I'm looking at
>    constantly adding to the A500 as time progresses rather than buying new
>    machines. IS there a better solution (obviously it will cost more) to
>    give me the extra 0.5 meg I need but also allow for future
>    requirements?

Yes unfortunately, this is the way to go. This 2nd �Mb is the memory (A501)
used by the ECS (fatter agnes et al) to give you 1Mb chip memory. (It
brings the A500 up to the same memory configuration as a stock A2000).
So you would probably want to get it in the future even if you didn't
get it now.

Some memory boards for your A500 do allow themselves to be configured in
512, 1Mb or 2Mb increments, check out the MiniMegs memory expansion
board from M.A.S.T. (Ads in most UK mags) which sells for something like
�179 populated to 512K.
(But NOTE that this is not the same 512K as an A501 would give you !
i.e. installation of a fatter agnes chip wouldn't give you 1Mb chip -
you still need an A501 or equivalent for that).

Hmmm re-reading this, it seems as clear as mud, sorry! If it's still not
clear I'll try again later....

						Alan T.

    RE .7	YOur right about the mud.
    
    I read a review of the A590 and it seemed great for a price of
    400 Pounds sterling. Unfortunately the extra memory chips have to be
    bought seperately and have to be CMOS ( 8 chips at 22 pounds a throw!)
    for my required upgrade to 1 Meg.
    
    The acticle as memtioned an A501 but I't wasn't clear if this comes
    inside the A590 .
    
    To summarise the question :
    
    SHould I go ahead and buy the A501 irrespective of my future upgrade
    requirements?

    
    Re: .8
    
    Yup, you should.
    The A501 will give you:
    a) A battery backed clock, which is very nice to have, and
    b) the RAM you will not want to miss when you get the obese Agnus
    (1MB of ChipMem).
    
    Less muddy?
    
    <CB>

    OK I'll have to buy it.
    
    Funds don't permit the purchase of it at the moment so if anyone hears
    of a second-hand one going for a song then please let me know.
    
    					Thanks for all the info
    
    					Graham

    
    Looking to upgrade Agnus to 1 meg. I`m looking for information about
    upgrading ie. how to fit it, could I put in any 1 Meg chip ! and which
    is the best name (and cheapest).
                                    Woody