Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to dive into the restoration of a classic Amiga 2000, all thanks to the exceptionally generous donation from Chris Scott. This vintage computing gem came complete with an Amiga 2000 motherboard, a Zorro 2 accelerator card, and additional Zorro 2 cards, setting the stage for a unique and exciting restoration project.
Upon receiving Chris’s generous donation, I eagerly delved into the Amiga 2000, examining its components and potential. The machine boasted an MFM hard drive, an A2090A SCSI controller, and a somewhat battered Zorro 2 slot. Further inspection unveiled a hidden gem—a 68030 accelerator card running at an impressive 40 MHz, sparking my interest in potential upgrades.
The initial phase of the restoration involved dismantling the Amiga 2000, revealing layers of grime and signs of battery damage on the motherboard. With meticulous care, I undertook the task of cleaning and preparing the system for the next steps. Notably, the Zorro slot required special attention, with plans to replace the worn-out socket with a gleaming gold-plated 100-pin Zorro 2 connector.
With the cleaning process complete, a mixture of excitement and nervousness filled the air as I powered on the Amiga 2000 for the very first time. To my delight, the familiar Amiga Kickstart 1.3 screen graced the composite video output, signaling a promising start to the restoration journey. Successful booting from the floppy drive revealed the presence of a 68030 accelerator card and a hard drive yearning for Kickstart 2.0.
The restoration adventure didn’t conclude with the initial success. I hinted at future upgrades and endeavors for the Amiga 2000. Plans include imaging the hard drives, and executing an upgrade to a full ECS chipset with a generous 2 Meg of Chip RAM. The journey will also involve integrating a CD-ROM drive and navigating potential challenges that may arise.
The exciting restoration of an Amiga 2000, made possible by the generosity of Chris Scott. As I share my progress and future plans, viewers are invited to join me on this captivating journey, witnessing the classic Amiga 2000 undergo a transformative preservation and modernization process. Stay tuned for upcoming videos chronicling the stages of this thrilling restoration project!