In his latest video, Andrew Bristow tackles a challenge familiar to many Amiga users: Installing Amiga OS 3.2.3 Workbench on a real Amiga 1200 without using a CD drive. It’s a clever mix of old-school problem-solving and modern hardware improvisation that proves how resourceful the Amiga community can be.
Since Amiga OS 3.2.3 ships on a CD, most people would simply turn to emulation or an external optical drive. Andrew, however, wanted the full experience on original hardware. Armed with a Gotek drive and a CompactFlash card, he devised a way to make the Amiga think it was reading from an actual CD.
The process begins with partitioning a CompactFlash card into multiple sections for the system, work files, games, and demos. The key trick involves creating a special “Installer” partition named exactly like the Amiga OS CD. Once this step is complete, the system treats it as if a real disc were inserted.
From there, Andrew uses a mix of UAE emulation and real-hardware setup to prepare and copy over the operating system files. The hybrid method saves time, eliminates floppy swapping, and keeps the process authentic. Watching him troubleshoot, partition drives, and fine-tune his setup feels like sitting beside a friend at the workbench.
But how well does it all work once everything’s ready? That’s where the video comes in. Andrew walks through every stage with clear explanations, clever fixes, and a few surprises that make the result worth seeing for yourself.
