Jan Beta’s latest project video focuses on creating a compact Amiga Kickstart Switcher and testing a new boot selector for the Amiga 600 and 1200. His goal is to make the small but powerful A600 more versatile while preserving its original hardware charm.
The Amiga Kickstart Switcher project begins with the challenge of fitting new components into the cramped A600 case. Jan explains that older two-chip switchers no longer fit due to the system’s existing upgrades, including a Furia accelerator and RGB to HDMI adapter. His solution is to use a single EPROM chip that can store two Kickstart versions, 1.3 and 3.2.3, selectable through a simple external switch.
To make it work, he burns the Kickstart files onto a 27C800 EPROM using an adapter for his Mini Pro TL866 programmer. After hours of troubleshooting, including a faulty adapter and programming voltage adjustments, success finally arrives. With the flick of a switch, his Amiga boots cleanly between classic 1.3 for floppy-based gaming and modern 3.2.3 for expanded setups.
Once the Amiga Kickstart Switcher is complete, Jan turns his attention to the boot selector. Supplied by Gotek.nl, the adapter allows users to choose whether the Amiga boots from its internal floppy drive or an external Gotek emulator. This setup makes it easy to test disk images while keeping the original drive intact. The plug-and-play solution works flawlessly on first try, showcasing how flexible these small upgrades can be.
Jan closes the video on a high note, happy that persistence and a bit of soldering skill paid off. Both the Kickstart switcher and the boot selector give his compact Amiga 600 new flexibility without sacrificing authenticity.
