THE MS-DOS DILEMMA AND GOLDEN GATE BRIDGEBOARDS (386 & 486)


                              by George Kimpton


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   Those of us who have one foot still firmly planted in the Amiga camp are
  sometimes faced with a dilemma when we have a need to venture into the
  MS-DOS arena. In my case I have some editors who insist that my reviews be
  in the MS-DOS Word format because that is all they can handle without too
  much trouble. In addition I am also sometimes required to review both
  MS-DOS and Amiga software so what do we do.

   Do we buy an MS-DOS specific second PC just to handle those projects. Do
  we even consider selling the old faithful Amiga, heaven forbid, or do we
  take a good look at Amiga Bridgeboards. One of the really great things
  about the Amiga, as we well know, is its ability to emulate both Macs and
  MS-DOS and this is where the newer Bridgeboards shine.

   Unfortunately with the current financial situation some of us still cringe
  at the thought of spending around $1000 or more on something like a 386SX
  or 486SX Bridgeboard. Alternatively we find an equivalent 486 PC could
  cost from $2000 upwards, possibly $3000 with the necessary peripherals.
  This being so we tend to look around for a less expensive solution which
  hopefully will satisfy our needs.

   EMULATION SOFTWARE, IS IT AN ALTERNATIVE

   You may have, like me, recently discovered that with the new Workbench 2.1
  we now have the ability to read and save in the MS-DOS format using Cross
  Dos which is now a regular part of Workbench 2.1. Could this be the answer
  you say, do we really need a bridgeboard. Well let's have a look and see
  what the limitations of CROSS DOS are.

   Once the MS-DOS driver is loaded into the Devs Drawer the chosen drive
  will recognise either the Amiga or MS-DOS disk format and operate in that
  mode. This means that we can in fact easily transfer Amiga text to an
  MS-DOS disk format for use on a PC in a manner of speaking. Sounds great
  doesn't it but unfortunately we still need that other computer don't we.

   This situation may be acceptable in some instances but, be reminded, that
  the text is only saved as an ASCII file on the MS-DOS disk and this means
  loss of all formatting and other information. This also means you will
  need to replace this information when the file is used on that other
  MS-DOS machine. Sounds a nuisance doesn't it, especially in a long or
  specially formatted document.

   With graphics it is another story. You will need something like Art
  Department Pro to convert the pictures to a suitable MS-DOS format like GIF
  or PCX before saving. Mixed format pages such as in desktop publishing
  would also appear to be a big no no unless saved as Postscript files which
  could open another can of worms.

   CROSS DOS is a useful file copy utility but not much use to the serious
  user since we still need to either have access to or buy an IBM compatible
  computer anyway to run the programs. We would also still need to fiddle
  around formatting and swapping flo ppies as well which you do not have to
  with the bridgeboard.

   Emulation software would indeed appear to be a doubtful low cost
  alternative so lets look at the Golden Gate Bridgeboards.


   BRIDGEBOARDS

   Over the last couple of years I have tested three Bridgeboards from the
  ATonce Plus on an Amiga 500 to the Golden Gate 386 and just recently the
  486SX. The Golden Gate boards by Vortex are, in my opinion, top of the
  line out performing the Commodore 386 board by all accounts.

   The 386 and the 486 are essentially the same in most respects except for
  operating speed and some performance variations. The differences will be
  discussed later but for now the comments below apply to both the 386 and
  the 486.  The original review of the 386 appears in the Australian
  Commodore and Amiga Review October 1992 for those who are interested.

   COMPATABILITY

   Both the 386 and 486 boards were supplied by John Fonhof of Fonhof
  Computers and between us we have put them both through their paces with a
  wide range of MS-DOS software with few if any problems. Only two minor
  limitations have shown up and they are basically hardware problems.

   Some older type third party boards, such as my Easyl board, interfere with
  operation. Since I seldom use it unplugging cures the problem. Also in
  the case of the Commodore accelerator boards the cache needs disabling
  while the 386 Golden Gate is operating. This is easy using the PD CPUSet
  program which I keep permanently in Dh0. Strangely, or maybe not, a GVP
  G-Force 040 accelerator works smoothly with no mods to the cache required.

   Tests on both the 386 and the 486 included installing MS-DOS 5.0 and
  Windows 3.0 plus sundry programs including Corel Draw 3.0, Word Perfect
  5.1, XTRee Gold, Drafix (CAD) and a number of others. Several games were
  also tested including Wolfenstein 3D and Chessmaster 3000 without any
  problems.

   Since an Amiga High Density drive was not available, this facility was not
  tested although they are supported by the Golden Gate. However an MS-DOS
  High Density drive was tested without any problems when attached to the
  Golden Gate board.

   A floptical drive, a CD ROM and a Syquest removable hard drive were tested
  without a hitch. The ISA bus is fully compatible with LAN controllers and
  EGA/VGA graphics boards. All tests used a VGA Graphics board and a Sound
  Blaster Pro board mounted in the PC slots.


   SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

   Both the 386 and 486 Golden gate, or GG as I may call it from here on,
  will work satisfactorily with either Workbench 1.3 or 2.0+ on 2000, 2500
  and 3000 Amigas. At the time of writing we did not have an opportunity to
  test it on a 4000 but Vortex assure us that there are no compatability
  problems with the 4000.

   Minimum Amiga hardware requirements are 1 Meg of RAM, a single floppy and
  a hard drive which can be shared with the Golden Gate. For convenience it
  is advisable to have more Amiga RAM, a second floppy drive and a hard disk
  with at least 40 MB, preferably much more. MS-DOS 3.2 or above is
  required and GG is compatible up to V5 or DR-DOS V5 and V6. Windows 3.0 or
  3.1, if needed, also work without any problems.

   NOTE: Depending on your needs and the type of software used both in Amiga
  DOS and MS-DOS it may be wise to consider using at least a 100 MB hard
  drive. Some MS-DOS software such as Corel Draw 3.0 can use up 33 MB on its
  own to say nothing of the space needed for MS-DOS itself and Windows, for
  efficient operation.

   To overcome this hunger for Hard Disk space it might also be wise to
  consider a compression program such as Superstor which effectively doubles
  the hard disk partition capability. One word of caution though, you will
  need at least two MS-DOS partitions as DOS and Windows should not be
  installed in a compressed partition unless you want problems.


   INSTALLATION

   Installation of both bridgeboards is easy except for the lifting of the
  CPU to insert a special component socket under it (not required in 3000 or
  4000). Handle with care if you are a fumble fingers as those CPU pins can
  bend easily.

   Procedures to minimise static electricity damage to chips are emphasised
  in the manual. Beware of nylon carpets as they are notorious for static
  build ups and it could be a very expensive mod. Apart from this the
  mechanics of installation is a piece of cake with every step being fully
  illustrated in the manual.

   Next step is to install the software but read the manual carefully. It is
  possible to trip up on such things as forgetting to format the MS-DOS
  partition, like me, and then wonder why you have problems trying to boot
  from the hard disk.


   SETTING UP

   After placing the Goldmine I disk in Df0 you switch on or reboot as
  necessary. After answering some questions the contents of this disk are
  finally copied to your selected Amiga hard disk partition. This must not
  be in the partition to be used for the MS-DOS software.

   Clicking on the Golden Gate icon opens a window which allows you to set up
  your system configuration for MS-DOS. Choice of language, floppy drives
  for MS-DOS, floppy change detection, hard disk setup, boot disk, video
  mode, memory distribution and use, communication ports, Bus and RAM speed
  and shadow RAM setups can all be preset.

   Next step is to click on the Digger icon which brings up the MS-DOS
  screen. You are then prompted to insert your system disk eventually
  leading up to the installation of MS-DOS on your hard disk partition. Once
  this is complete your Golden Gate can operate as a normal PC when invoked.

   Both systems are fully multitasking allowing both your Amiga and PC to
  operate independently as long as there is sufficient memory available for
  each to use. There may be the odd delay where shared components such a
  printer or the hard drive need to be accessed at the same time but neither
  John or myself have struck this.

   The Amiga mouse (doubling as a Microsoft Mouse), printers and modems can
  all be used on the PC side so no additional hardware is required for these.
  A clock and a small speaker are included on the GG as well as a socket for
  an external speaker or a SoundBlaster card can be installed.


   HARD DISK CONFIGURATIONS

   A number of hard disk configurations are available. If you do not want to
  delegate a complete partition it is possible to use an Amiga file as a
  pseudo partition. From personal experience this method is painfully slow
  and is definitely not recommended.  Allocating a complete partition or
  partitions is a great deal faster. Up to 24 MS-DOS partitions can be
  accessed.

   The built in Golden Gate IDE controller allows you to use a separate high
  performance IDE hard drive in lieu of your Amiga drive for MS-DOS. An
  added advantage here is that the IDE drives are cheaper than SCSI drives.

   FLOPPY DRIVES

   Golden Gate while being capable of operating its own drives, high density
  and normal, through its optional floppy drive controller chip, can also
  access up to four Amiga drives. This cross platform versatility allows
  access to a wide range of disk formats by both the Amiga and the PC.

   360kB, 720kB, 1.2MB, 1.44MB and even 2.8MB disk formats are available
  depending on the drive capability and the way you set up your system
  because of the cross platform sharing.


   MONITORS

   This sharing of drives and memory can be extended to the monitors. If
  there is a need to see both Amiga and PC screens at the same time a monitor
  switch box is an economical answer to purchasing a second monitor. One
  word of warning though, be sure to lock the mouse pointer on the Amiga
  side when working the PC otherwise some strange things may have happened
  when next you return to the Amiga.

   When the Golden Gate is operating it is easy to switch between systems
  with a hot key arrangement. Hot keys are also used to lock the mouse
  pointer on the Amiga side. Your normal 1084 monitor can be used quite
  satisfactorily providing you are satisfied with CGA (16 colours), Hercules,
  EGA, VGA, Olivetti or Toshiba T3100 all in monochrome and interlace.

   If you need something better, as we did, plug in a VGA card which is
  automatically sensed and activated. With the VGA card and a 1960 Multisync
  monitor the results are brilliant and as good as any real 386 or 486SX IBM
  compatible.


   MEMORY

   In a standard Amiga with only 1MB of total memory the Golden Gate provides
  640kB of base memory. More memory can be added to the Amiga for use by the
  GG but the logical approach is to add memory to the Golden Gate itself, up
  to 16Meg if necessary.

   Either GG or Amiga memory can be shared within limits with up to 4MB of GG
  RAM being used as autoconfiguring Amiga RAM expansion if needed. The test
  run included 8MB of RAM on GG and 7Mb on the Amiga. Expanded memory
  managers like EMM386.exe from Window s can be used to set up Lim V4.0
  compatible memory.

   PERFORMANCE

   Both the 386 and the 486 were run at 25 MHz with maths co-processors
  installed. The following benchmark comparisons were obtained using Norton
  SI to compare the boards with a normal XT compatible.

    GOLDEN GATE 386SX
    Standard Amiga 2000           : 20.7 to 21.1
    Amiga 2000 + GVP G-Force 040  : 25.6 to 26.0

    GOLDEN GATE 486SLC
    Amiga 2000 + GVP G-Force 040  : 43.9 to 44.8

   NOTE: These figures will vary depending on system configuration, RAM and
  usage at the time of testing. Vortex claim a speed increase over a 386 of
  2.4 times and a Norton SI of 45.

   What are the advantages of the 486 for the extra cost ($999 for 386SX,
  $1599 for 486SLC). There is at least a doubling of speed partly because
  the 486 has 32 bit internal architecture whereas the 386 is 16 bit. The
  486 comes with 2MB of RAM whereas the 386 only has a base memory of 640KB.
  The 486 also has the low power CPU 486SLC.

   The speed increase may not sound much but believe me in MS-DOS operation
  it is very welcome. It is especially noticeable when using complex
  programs which rely on a Maths Co-processor and in screen refreshing for
  graphics. Much of the new software is being built around the 486 for
  optimum performance.

   Optional extras on each board are the Floppy Controller Chip ($49), the
  Maths Co-processor Chip ($169) and extra 60ns RAM ($85 / MB). The Floppy
  controller is not necessary if using Amiga drives rather than MS-DOS
  drives.


   CONCLUSIONS

   Certainly if one considers buying a 486 bridgeboard plus extras the price
  is creeping up towards that of a low end 386 MS-DOS compatible but we are
  talking 486 performance here. We also have two separate computers in the
  one box capable of independent operation. Transfer of files across the
  platform barriers is quick, easy and almost seamless. Sure some components
  such as drives and printer are shared but it is unlikely that this will
  ever become a problem in normal usage.

   Instead of having to physically have two computers sitting on your desk
  all you do is use your hot keys when moving from one platform to the other
  leaving the first still going about its business. Where convenience and
  space are a premium these bridgeboards certainly answer a need at a
  reasonable price. Golden Gate gives you the best of both worlds in the one
  package at a reasonable cost.



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