Amiga 2000, Commodore A2000, CBM A200, desktop, Italian keyboard, coffin mouse

Amiga 2000

The Commodore Amiga 2000 is a 16-bit personal computer, based on the Motorola MC68000 processor. It was produced by Commodore International from 1987 to 1993. Other names by which the Amiga 2000 is known are: Commodore A2000, CBM A2000. It was marketed in parallel with the Amiga 500, with which it shares several technical features. Compared to the Amiga 500, the Amiga 2000 was intended for professional use.

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Amiga 2000, Commodore A2000, CBM A200, Italian keyboard, mouse, desktop CPU
Technical characteristics of the Amiga 2000
CPU: Motorola MC68000, 7.09379 MHz (PAL) or 7.15909 MHz (NTSC)
Chipsets:
    for motherboard rev 4: OCS (Original Chip Set): Agnus (memory controller and blitter), Denise (video), Paula (audio and I/O)
    for motherboard rev 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 6, 6.1, 6.2: OCS (Original Chip Set): Fat Agnus (memory controller and blitter), Denise (video), Paula (audio and I/O)
    for motherboard rev 6.3, 6.4, 6.5: ECS (Enhanced Chip Set): Fat Agnus (memory controller and blitter), Super Denise (video), Paula (audio and I/O)
ROM:
    for motherboard rev 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 6, 6.1, 6.2: 256 KB
    for motherboard rev 6.3, 6.4, 6.5: 512 KB
Software included in ROM: KickStart 1.2, 1.3 or 2.04 (on my computer, there is version 1.3)
Storage media: up to n. 2 internal floppy disk drives, possibility of hard disk with separate controller
RAM: 512KB / 1MB expandable (my computer has 1MB RAM)
Graphics: Denise / Super Denise
Graphics mode: 320 x 256 up to 640 x 512 pixels, up to 4096 colors
Audio: Paula, 4 channels, stereo output
Keyboard: 96-key QWERTY, with arrows, function keys and numeric keypad
Expansion Connectors (Internal):
    4 PC ISA connectors: 2 XT (62 pin, 8 bit) and 2 AT (62+36 pin, 16 bit)
    1 86-pin expansion for CPU / MMU
    5 100 pin Zorro II connectors
    1 36+36 pin expansion for video
    1 34 pin connector for 3.5″ floppy disk
    1 internal 26 pin serial
Expansion ports (rear):
    1 male DB23 video, analog RGB
    1 parallel DB25 female, Centronics
    1 external floppy disk drive, DB23 female
    1 RCA monochrome CVBS composite video
    2 RCA stereo audio
    1 male DB25 serial, RS232
Expansion Ports (Front):
    1 keyboard, 5-pole DIN
    2 mice and joysticks, DB9 male

My collection of vintage computers was missing… Commodore Amigas. So, I decided to buy this retro computer, together with other computers, in summer 2021. Here is the video of the purchased lot:

The Commodore Amiga 2000 comes with a desktop case, a keyboard with an Italian layout and a matching original Commodore mouse. Inside the computer, the battery had already been removed from the previous owner. I recommend removing the battery in buffer to the watch because, over time, it tends to lose acid that corrodes the tracks of the motherboard, damaging the computer.

I did some work on the A2000: I thoroughly cleaned the computer, keyboard and mouse. I also made a complete recap of all the capacitors of the power supply.

Amiga 2000 specifications

CPU: Motorola MC68000, 7.09379 MHz (PAL) or 7.15909 MHz (NTSC)

Chipset:

  • per motherboard rev 4: OCS (Original Chip Set): Agnus (memory controller e blitter), Denise (video), Paula (audio e I/O)
  • per motherboard rev 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 6, 6.1, 6.2: OCS (Original Chip Set): Fat Agnus (memory controller e blitter), Denise (video), Paula (audio e I/O)
  • per motherboard rev 6.3, 6.4, 6.5: ECS (Enhanced Chip Set): Fat Agnus (memory controller e blitter), Super Denise (video), Paula (audio e I/O)

ROM:

  • per motherboard rev 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 6, 6.1, 6.2: 256 KB
  • per motherboard rev 6.3, 6.4, 6.5: 512 KB

Software included in ROM: KickStart 1.2, 1.3 or 2.04 (on my computer, there is version 1.3)

Storage media: up to 2 internal floppy disk drives, possibility of hard disk with separate controller

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RAM: 512 KB / 1 MB expandable (my computer has 1 MB of RAM)

Graphics: Denise / Super Denise

Graphics mode: 320 x 256 up to 640 x 512 pixels, up to 4096 colors

Audio: Paula, 4ch, stereo out

Keyboard: 96-key QWERTY, with arrows, function keys and numeric keypad

amiga 2000, commodore a2000, cbm a200, motherboard, mainboard motherboard rev 6, connectors, battery, CPU, circuits

Expansion connectors (internal):

  • 4 PC ISA connectors: 2 XT (62-pin, 8-bit) and 2 AT (62+36-pin, 16-bit)
  • 1 x 86-pole expansion for CPU/MMU
  • 5 x 100-pin Zorro II connectors
  • 1 expansion 36+36 pin for video
  • 1 x 34-pin connector for 3.5" floppy disk
  • 1 internal serial 26 pin
Amiga 2000, Commodore A2000, CBM A200, rear view, connectors, serial, parallel, monitor, audio, disk drive, power, composite video, fan, power supply

Expansion ports (rear):

  • 1 x DB23 male video, analog RGB
  • 1 parallel DB25 female, Centronics
  • 1 external floppy disk drive, DB23 female
  • 1 RCA composite video CVBS monochrome
  • 2 RCA stereo audio
  • 1 serial DB25 male, RS232
Amiga 2000, Commodore A2000, front view, floppy disk drive, keyboard port, joystick connectors

Expansion ports (front):

  • 1 keyboard, DIN 5 poles
  • 2 mouse and joystick, DB9 male

Emulation

It is possible to emulate the Amiga 2000, as well as the other models of Amiga computers, on a common Windows PC, via WinUAE. In this way, you can try to start programs and games, as well as program the back computer, in a simple and convenient way... without even owning the Amiga! WinUAE comes without WorkBench and without KickStart ROM, which must be downloaded separately, looking for them on the internet.

Amiga 2000, Commodore A2000, CBM A200, desktop, power, hard disk led

Power supply of the A2000

The power supply of the Commodore A2000 is internal and has the following DC output voltages:

  • 5V, 3A – 20A
  • 12V, 0A – 8A
  • -5V, 0A – 0.3A
  • -12V, 0A – 0.3A
  • 5V, 0A – 0.5A

The mains voltage that supports the power supply is selectable, via a connector inside the power supply: 120Vac 60Hz or 240Vac 50Hz. Obviously, my computer is set to 240Vac. The maximum power supply is 204W.

It should be noted, in the characteristics of the power supply, that there is a minimum absorption current. The 5V voltage is not adjusted correctly if the absorption is less than 3A. To test the power supply, you must first impose a load of at least 3A on the 5V line. Only with the absorption of at least 3A on the 5V line, it is possible to charge and test the other outputs.

Amiga 2000 boot screen

The Commodore A2000 has a proper operating system, windowed. For this reason, it is not easy to determine which is to consider the actual start screen.

If the hard disk is not present and no diskette is inserted, the Amiga 2000 starts with the screen that requires the insertion of a boot disk.

Amiga 2000, Commodore A2000, Amiga Work bench KickStart 1.3 boot screen, startup screen, boot screen

From here, little can be done, if not insert a boot floppy or install a hard disk with the WorkBench, which is the desktop environment available on AmigaOS (the operating system of the Amiga platform).

AmigaDOS is a module of the AmigaOS operating system and deals with storing data on physical media: hard disk and floppy disk. The AmigaDOS version 1.3 boot screen is as follows.

Amiga 2000, Commodore A2000, AmigaDOS 1.3 1987 boot screen, startup screen, startup screen, Aommodore-Amiga

When the WorkBench desktop environment loads, the screen depends on the version of the WorkBench. While the A2000 also worked with other versions of the WorkBench, it came with WorkBench version 1.2 or version 1.3. My computer has version 1.3.

Amiga 2000, Commodore A2000, Amiga Workbench 1.3 startup screen, AmigaOS boot screen, boot screen, clock, calculator, system, utilities, ram disk

Papers

  1. Commodore Amiga 2000 introduction
  2. Commodore A2000 technical reference manual
  3. Commodore Amiga BASIC

Date of entry into the collection: 08/25/2021

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