Enhancer Software Plus for AmigaOS4 on X1000

This week saw the release of Enhancer Software bundle from A-EON for AmigaOS4. I took a look at it on my AmigaOne X1000.

I first fired up AMIStore on my backup AmigaOne X1000 to buy the Enhancer Software bundle.

Because I have already purchased Radeon HD 2 previously, I got a discount on the purchase price on the Plus Edition, which also includes an updated version of Radeon HD2 for use with the included new Warp3D Nova library.

Apparently this will also be released as a retail CD package you can buy, so when it is available you don't have to be on AMIStore to get this package.

I then started the 95MB download:

After the download completed the application extracts the installation file wherever you want them:

Here is the installation drawer for the Enhancer Software bundle:

I read the Read_Me_First document in the Read_Me_First drawer which shows the Wiki website http://wiki.amiga.org/enhancersoftware for support information, and also explains things to be aware on the installation process, as there is a lot of new software being installed, such as about the backup drawer for old files and settings, amongst many other things:

Definitely worth reading this information first!

In the Installation_Files drawer you can see the new black theme icons for the new Enhancer software being installed. You get the option to use these or stick to the traditional blue during the installation:

They look quite nice, but probably I will stick with the blue, but the choice is up to you:

Speaking of the installation, let's get started with that:

If the picture on the top left gets in the way then click on it and press F10 to change to a window that can be moved.

The usual EULA appears that we all carefully read before agreeing.

The next step prompts to specify where the backup of current files that will be overwritten by the installation will be kept. By default this is SYS:Storage but you can change it if you want to:

As mentioned and shown before you then get the choice of using the new black icons, or sticking with the blue ones - note black is selected by default here:

The installation is broken up into sections, beginning with Gadgets, Classes and Datatypes - you can choose which ones you want to install:

As you can see there are new datatypes and classes, which are used by the new software in the Enhancer bundle, and can also be used for other future software too!

This then proceeds to ask questions about each component being installed, based it it's requirements:

I also chose to install the SDK files since I have the SDK installed on my X1000:

You then also get the choice to do this automatically for any other the new software being installed to speed up the installation. Of course I did that as this is a long installation:

I won't bore you with every component individual installation as the installation is straight forward, so I will move on to the next section of the installation - Utilities:

In the Plus Edition you get the full CANDI software, as well as the other software included in the base Standard bundle like AmiDVD, InfoWindow, MultiEdit, new upgraded version of Multiviewer, PartitionWizard, new version of TuneNet and X-Dock.

Note that if you don't have a Radeon HD Southern Islands compatible graphics card (the standard X1000 doesn't include it) then you will get no benefit from Radeon HD 2 and Warp3D Nova, and should probably get the standard edition bundle that includes the Radeon HD 1 driver.

Some components here will ask to be added the WBStartup to run on startup - you don't have to do this of course, but I did:

In the case of CANDI, it asks to install the Catalog language files:

It also asks if you want this to be done for all software that includes catalog language files, which I chose to speed up the installation:

MultiEdit adds an assign to your user-startup:

Multiviewer also adds an assign:

Multiviewer also asks if you want Multiviewer to replace the default AmigaOS 4.1 Multiview program with itself - I did this, but up to you:

X-Dock also asks to be added to the WBStartup:

The next stage of the installation is the Commodities, which are programs that run in the background and can be opened with a key combination from AmigaOS 4.1:

So of course they need to be added to the WBStartup to do this:

It tells you how to invoke the Commodity, for ClipViewer that is Ctrl-Alt-V:

For Exchanger it will be Ctrl-Alt-X:

For the next phase of the installation we are installing System components:

This replaces the Format program and Notifications Server from AmigaOS 4.1 with new versions:

Notification server needs to be added to WBStartup:

The next phase of the installation is the Drivers and Filesystem components:

This includes an updated Radeon HD 2 needed to use the brand new Warp3D Nova functionality included in the Enhancer package. In addition is updated versions of SmartFileSystem amd Diskcache library.

A new cli command is installed in the final phase of the installation, RequestChooser:

With that the installation is completed:

It is required to do a hard reset (power off/on) of the X1000 to update all the components. so after doing that I decided to have a quick look at the Enhancer_Software_Backup drawer to see where the backed files overwritten in the installation were located:

I then started to take a look at some of the new Enhancer software on my X1000, starting with TuneNet:

When launched for the first time you have to Accept an intro screen! Not sure why, but ok...

Here is the updated TuneNet program:

Immediate obvious changes include a slider bar for fast forward/rewinding mp3 and m4a files.

I quickly cued some up to enjoy some music. Note that I previously had the old version of tunenet installed with all the plugins available from os4depot.net.

The information (i) button in the top right corner can be clicked to see the mp3 file information and cover art if available:

This works fine on mp3 files but I note it doesn't on m4a ones. Hopefully that can be fixed with an update.

Diving into the preferences, it looks fairly similar to the old version - here are the various configuration tabs:

When playing modules, you can still use the Tune tab to modify settings and select subsongs on custom modules and SID files:

The skins I used on the old version of TuneNet (obtained from os4depot) also work on the new one, which you can adjust in the preferences (Look tab) shown earlier:

The aPhone one is particular useful since it makes TuneNet quite small on the Workbench screen, although you can still iconify it of course:

It integrates with the new notifications to display new song notifications as tunenet works it way though your playlist.

The Internet radio streaming support is apparently also fixed, although the few stations i tried didn't appear to work, so perhaps the list is old.

I have covered CANDI before on this blog, and the version included in the Enhancer bundle is a minor update from the version I purchased on AMIStore previously:

Here is the new Format tool:

Looks nice, I have no reason to use it at the moment though so I have not played with it yet.


The Updated AmiDVD program is primarily of benefit to non-X1000 users who needed an updated version to work with their systems - the old X1000 version worked already:

Next up I took a look at the updated Multiviewer 2.2:

I previously covered the original release of Multiviewer detailing a lot of it's functionality on my blog here.

This updated 2.2 release adds new image preview functionality, amongst other things (click to expand any images):

It's tabbed support still works well for viewing multiple files at once:

Here I have a wave file playing and several different images in Multiviewer - the preview image functionality is very useful indeed:

Multiviewer is also integrated with ClipViewer, another new program included in the Enhancer software bundle, which allows multiple clipboard text contents to be kept and easily manipulated:

Here is the ClipViewer main program screen:

So for example, if I open up MultiEdit (another new program in the Enhancer software bundle) to edit my s:startup-sequence, and copy some of the text:

I can then see this copied clipboard text in Clipviewer, which I can then manipulate as required - as you can see there is support for multiple clipboard contents which is handy:

In MultiEdit I can also choose the toolbar and file lister positions, the same as I can in Multiviewer too:

I can jump to a specific line in the file being edited, and plenty of other functions too! I can also choose in the settings whether to automatically create a backup of whatever I am editing just in case:

With the recent announcement about the new Warp3D Nova, I was interested to see what demos have been created using the new functionality of the Warp3D Nova driver.

In the libs drawer you can see the files needed for Warp3D Nova installed on my X1000 - it also needs the updated 2.15 Radeon HD2 kickstart module which was installed as part of Enhancer software Plus bundle:

Initially I had some trouble finding the Warp3D Nova examples, but eventually located them in the SDK drawer, under Examples:

Here are the example programs for Warp3D Nova included in the Enhancer software bundle:

First up the HelloTriangle demonstration, followed with Gears and Texture Cube:

The Logo demonstration runs full screen and looks quite impressive. The whole thing moves and the ribbon thingy moves around the Warp3D Nova logo as well:

Looks nice!

I then ran all three Warp3D Nova  windowed demonstration programs on the workbench screen:

I hope we can see some games using Warp3D Nova in the not so distant future!

Last, but not least, I took a look at X-Dock, a new dock that can be used as a replacement for the AmiDock included in AmigaOS 4.1.

 
Initially the dock is empty but right clicking on the empty dock I can quickly add items:

Here is some items added to the x-Dock, which is nicely transparent and without text below the icons, but you can of course customise the dock to have that if you wish:

It can be vertical or horizontal orientation, as you would expect:

Here is the X-Dock positioned on the right side of my workbench screen:

Delving into the preferences for X-Dock, a lot can be customised - Visuals tab:

Buttons tab - where you can manipulate/edit the buttons on the x-dock:

The Labels tab allows for adding the labels below the icons in the x-dock and the font used:

Misc tab allows plenty of customisation of the appearance of the x-dock itself, notifications support, sounds, front most display, and more too:

I hope this gives you a taste of what to expect with the Enhancer Software bundle. I have only just begun to start playing with all the included software, and there is plenty more to explore!

It is an interesting bundle, and clearly a lot of work went into it from many developers. It is particularly good value for people who haven't yet bought any of the older versions of some of the products from AMIStore. (eg. CANDI, Multiviewer, Radeon HD 2).

Personally I am particularly glad to finally have an updated TuneNet client (adding UTF-8 support for displaying mp3 information would be most welcome please!), and the new Warp3D Nova functionality should hopefully be used by games for AmigaOS 4.1 soon!

Backup AmigaOne X1000 fixed and working!

Here is a quick update about my AmigaOne X1000. As regular readers on my blog know, my primary X1000 failed again in March this year, and is still broken as I write this, with a support ticket with Amigakit awaiting resolution. Hopefully it will be sorted out soon.

To compound this, my backup X1000 that I bought second hand last year also had problems booting, constantly rebooting on the X1000 boot screen and therefore unusable, which is why I have been focused on new Classic Amiga projects for the past two months while trying to work out what the problem was!

This week though, I found the problem via the serial debug port on the Backup X1000! The Backup X1000 was failing to boot because of the Sata DVD drive, with an error occurring just after the detection of the drive. I removed the DVD drive from the system and suddenly everything worked and booted! I then swapped in a spare DVD drive I had and it worked fine too.

Wonderful! I have a working X1000 again (not my primary one, but I'll take it!)

Onwards and upwards - with Enhancer software released this week by A-EON I am keen to start using it again!

Indivision AGA upgrade on CD32

Following on from my recent arrival of my Amiga CD32, this weekend I set to work performing my first upgrade on it - installing the Indivision AGA!

I already had the Indivision AGA model that is compatible for the Amiga CD32 because I bought it for my Amiga 4000D a few years back.

This model of Indivision AGA works on the Amiga 4000D and Amiga CD32.

Here it is installed in the Amiga 4000D, prior to me removing it:

I then set to work unscrewing the Amiga CD32 case.

This particular unit was made in the Philippines. I suppose they all were but don't know that for sure...interesting that the system is called an Amiga CD, not an Amiga CD32...

Here is the view through the rear expansion bay after removing the cover, which is currently empty.

The Amiga CD32 opens up like a book once the screws are removed, with the top and bottom opening side by side, connected by a short ribbon cable:

Looks quite clean and in good condition. Here is a view of the top half of the case:

Here is a close up showing this Amiga CD32 is a Revision 3 motherboard, made in August 1993. I note on the motherboard it is also identified as an Amiga CD/Games system, not a CD32. Interesting!

 
Here is the Akiko custom chip, unique to the Amiga CD32:

Here is my Indivision AGA, now removed from the Amiga 4000D and ready for installation into the CD32.

Helpfully it shows which direction it needs to face in the CD32 with arrows on the board itself - it fits over the Lisa chip on the motherboard.

Here is the underside of the Indivision AGA, showing where it connects over the Lisa chip:

 

Here is the Lisa chip on the CD32, on the bottom right:

Here is the Indivision AGA now installed in the CD32. It fits nicely:

I grounded the Inidivision AGA to a screw on the case. I suppose on reflection I should have done it to the motherboard screw as I did on the A4000D...hmm, might fix that later.

There is fortunately enough cable length on the VGA connector cable to run it out of the back of the CD32 case:

With the expansion slot cover on the via port pops out the side - I suppose I should make a hole on the expansion slot to mount the via port to the CD32 more elegantly, but not yet since I want to make sure it works first.

I connected it to my 19" TFT screen to try it out, and it worked first time. Here is the Indivision AGA firmware splash screen on power on:

Not long after is the CD32 menu screen, looking so much better than via AV out previously:

Very happy boy, looks great now:

 
A shot showing the VGA connection on the CD32:

First I played an audio CD through it, and the audio player interface looks much better on VGA output now:

Next up I fired up the CD32 200 CD, which has 200 games to play from a massive menu of titles:

Decided to give Gods a go, a classic Amiga game from the Bitmap Brothers.

Needless to say I got a little distracted playing it:

A few minutes turned into 30 minutes...

Moving on, I changed discs and tried Microcosm, which although I have had the game for a long time I have not actually played it! So I thought I would try it out today:

As you would expect from a Psygnosis title, the intro was impressive:

The game itself was not that exciting though - gameplay reminds me a bit of a section of the game "Awesome" they wrote in 1990, updated with fancier graphics:

In any case I was very glad to get the Amiga CD32 upgraded to use an Indivision AGA this weekend - it certainly makes the output of the console much better! I ran it for a few hours and seems to be stable. Now I need to see what other upgrades for the Amiga CD32 I can find! :-)