Amiga 600 - An idiots guide - Part 1.
There is still a plethora of goodies
to be had from the likes of Ebay.
First up though you need a copy of
Workbench 2.05 which came on three
disks. Even today do not expect to
able to download these disks.
Very useful having a batch of DD disks
which the Amiga floppy drive recognises.
The first thing to do is copy your
Workbench disks as a working copy.
Amiga magazine cover disks hold a
wealth of games and software and it
really helps having the originals.
Essential reading comes in the form
of the A600 introductory book...
And more importantly the Amiga
Workbench book for the A600. Make
sure it is the one for 2.05 and A600.
The Workbench does vary from release to release.
Next up get a suitable Amiga mouse.
The 'TANK' was made by Commodore.
Various third party mice have
switches for differing makes of computer.
A joystick is pretty essential cus
even some demo software asks you to
navigate by joystick. Any type will
do but for serious games get a gamepad.
Connecting to a monitor can be a trial.
The RGB will connect to a relatively
modern flat screen. There are modern
connectors and you can always use the
TV modulator at a push. For me I always
use a dedicated monitor of the day like
a Microvitec or Philips plus Commodore's
own brand of monitor. Much better in the end.
Get an external floppy drive if you have
no hard drive. You may be lucky and find
a high density version for HD floppy disks.
The A600 comes with PCMCIA so you can
use RAM expansion cards plus other
devices that run off the PCMCIA.
Games are a plenty though you should
avoid AGA versions as the 600 isn't AGA.
Also watch out for memory requirements.
Lemmings and Simpsons were released
with the Amiga 600. Classic.
Magazine covers are a great source
for many games, albeit cut down versions.
There are plenty of creative programs
and software available on cover disks.
These may need the pair of disks that
came on the magazine as the first may
have the de-crunching software necessary
to create the relevant disk.
You really do need a file manager on
the Amiga cus the Windows 'clicky'
pointy system can be a real drag.
So many different forms of software.
Get hold of a magazine from 1991-94
and bask in the warm glow of Amiga
goodness. They are a great source
of information and guide you in respect
of what kit existed at the time.
Magic guides and reviews of classic games.
An introduction to essential Public Domain.
And guides from actual journalists of
the day and not some modern blog where
the author guesses the answer.
Like I say reviews of Amiga 600 kit.
Never too early to source those essential
programming books so you can start
scripting your own software.
Soon you will be filling disk boxes
with all your software and programs.
And maybe you will be tempted by
the dubious disk brigade. Nuff said.
' I GOT THE POWER... not if you aint
got a brick. The A600 and A1200 PSU's
were crap. So get an A500 PSU and better
the very heavy A500 ' BRICK '.
One minor point is that you probably
also need to get one of these, though
not essential. Also get a bubble bag
and keep her safe from the perils of
modern day life. Delicate little thing.
AND NEVER EVER lay an Amiga face keyboard
down on a hard surface . Alway protect with
your bubble bag. Don't be a dick head like
all those idiots on YouTube that like to
scratch their beloved keyboards.DUH !!
AND NEVER place a heavy object or book
on the Amiga keyboard. YOU WILL BREAK IT.
Click for Part 2
