RISC OS Open: Forum: Risc OS 3.6 Upgrade Path

Jul 2, 2013 4:28pm

Hi chaps and chapesses!

I’ve recently dug out my RISC PC (OK, OK, my folks phoned me up and used the old “we’re having a clear-out” line), and wondered of there was an accepted upgrade path to get from RISC OS 3.6 on and ARM710 RISC PC to the latest stable drop of RISC OS Open. If this means getting hold of RISC OS 4 from _somewhere- then that’s fine…but where does one acquire that from these days?

Admittedly, I’m doing this for the sake of doing it, rather than having any sort of reason to, but it’d still be fun :-)

Ben

Jul 2, 2013 6:48pm

Steve Pampling (1551) 8170 posts

If this means getting hold of RISC OS 4 from _somewhere- then that’s fine…but where does one acquire that from these days?

According to postings on c.s.a.* the ever famous David Holden of APDL is handling sales of RO4.x and RO6.
Assuming he sends the goods to the right address :) ¹

However, I seem to recall Sprow making an oblique reference to RO5.x ROM sets and availability which I took to mean he’s been experimenting with flash ROM for RPCs.
Perhaps that might be a more interesting experiment.

¹ Small private joke. Sort of.

Jul 2, 2013 8:14pm

Chris Evans (457) 1614 posts

We have new and second hand 4.02 & 4.39 in stock!
http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/micros/prices/categories/upgrades.shtml#ROL-RO4SH
I’d also recommend a StrongARM upgrade
http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/micros/prices/categories/memory.shtml#HW-SA200SH

Jul 2, 2013 8:37pm

Benjamin Holmes (1552) 4 posts

We have new and second hand 4.02 & 4.39 in stock!

Brilliant! I’m just having rummage around your site Chris – you have a frankly terrifying array of upgrades and components on there!

However, I seem to recall Sprow making an oblique reference to RO5.x ROM sets and availability which I took to mean he’s been experimenting with flash ROM for RPCs.

That could be very interesting. Will have to keep an eye out for that.

Thanks for the advice, it’s a great help. I’ve got an RPi running Risc OS here, but it’s not quite the same as a good old box, is it?

Jul 2, 2013 8:59pm

Steve Pampling (1551) 8170 posts

I’ve got an RPi running Risc OS here, but it’s not quite the same as a good old box, is it?

Different devices, different uses.

The RPC upstairs does the mail – the wife is rather pleased that the odd virus that comes from an unfortunate friend is a mere curiosity. So yes, a good old box.

The beagle is a playground, the Pi is a work in progress, this laptop is work as well as a rest time access route. The ubuntu lifebook is an experimental server with portability (and VPN connectivity to work for when the XP lappy eats itself again).
I’ve been encouraged to have an iPad and an iPhone (cos, like I need more kit…)

Jul 3, 2013 10:19am

Trevor Johnson (329) 1645 posts

I’d also recommend a StrongARM upgrade

I agree. And this will of course still be noticeably slower than newer faster boards…

doing this for the sake of doing it, rather than having any sort of reason to, but it’d still be fun

…you might find the “fun” novelty wears off much sooner with an ARM710.

Jul 3, 2013 11:54am

Rick Murray (539) 13840 posts

Just have a clear idea of what you want and how much you are willing to spend.

For the authentic Acorn experience, a StrongARM with RISC OS 3.7 is the way to go.
If you want RISC OS fast and modern with networking and USB thrown in, a lowly Pi will wipe the floor with the RiscPC many times over. And it’ll cost less.

The choice is yours. However after struggling to transfer large files to the PC over the 10mb network and waiting for compiles, I now rarely turn on my RiscPC… So let yourself be guided by your head as well as your heart and ask yourself a question – when you have the machine running, will it be adequate for you? Will it do what you want? Will it be connectable enough for you?

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Jul 2, 2013 4:28pm Benjamin Holmes (1552) 4 posts	Hi chaps and chapesses! I’ve recently dug out my RISC PC (OK, OK, my folks phoned me up and used the old “we’re having a clear-out” line), and wondered of there was an accepted upgrade path to get from RISC OS 3.6 on and ARM710 RISC PC to the latest stable drop of RISC OS Open. If this means getting hold of RISC OS 4 from _somewhere- then that’s fine…but where does one acquire that from these days? Admittedly, I’m doing this for the sake of doing it, rather than having any sort of reason to, but it’d still be fun :-) Ben

Jul 2, 2013 6:48pm Steve Pampling (1551) 8170 posts	If this means getting hold of RISC OS 4 from _somewhere- then that’s fine…but where does one acquire that from these days? According to postings on c.s.a.* the ever famous David Holden of APDL is handling sales of RO4.x and RO6. Assuming he sends the goods to the right address :) ¹ However, I seem to recall Sprow making an oblique reference to RO5.x ROM sets and availability which I took to mean he’s been experimenting with flash ROM for RPCs. Perhaps that might be a more interesting experiment. ¹ Small private joke. Sort of.

Jul 2, 2013 8:14pm Chris Evans (457) 1614 posts	We have new and second hand 4.02 & 4.39 in stock! http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/micros/prices/categories/upgrades.shtml#ROL-RO4SH I’d also recommend a StrongARM upgrade http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/micros/prices/categories/memory.shtml#HW-SA200SH

Jul 2, 2013 8:37pm Benjamin Holmes (1552) 4 posts	We have new and second hand 4.02 & 4.39 in stock! Brilliant! I’m just having rummage around your site Chris – you have a frankly terrifying array of upgrades and components on there! However, I seem to recall Sprow making an oblique reference to RO5.x ROM sets and availability which I took to mean he’s been experimenting with flash ROM for RPCs. That could be very interesting. Will have to keep an eye out for that. Thanks for the advice, it’s a great help. I’ve got an RPi running Risc OS here, but it’s not quite the same as a good old box, is it?

Jul 2, 2013 8:59pm Steve Pampling (1551) 8170 posts	I’ve got an RPi running Risc OS here, but it’s not quite the same as a good old box, is it? Different devices, different uses. The RPC upstairs does the mail – the wife is rather pleased that the odd virus that comes from an unfortunate friend is a mere curiosity. So yes, a good old box. The beagle is a playground, the Pi is a work in progress, this laptop is work as well as a rest time access route. The ubuntu lifebook is an experimental server with portability (and VPN connectivity to work for when the XP lappy eats itself again). I’ve been encouraged to have an iPad and an iPhone (cos, like I need more kit…)

Jul 3, 2013 10:19am Trevor Johnson (329) 1645 posts	I’d also recommend a StrongARM upgrade I agree. And this will of course still be noticeably slower than newer faster boards… doing this for the sake of doing it, rather than having any sort of reason to, but it’d still be fun …you might find the “fun” novelty wears off much sooner with an ARM710.

Jul 3, 2013 11:54am Rick Murray (539) 13840 posts	Just have a clear idea of what you want and how much you are willing to spend. For the authentic Acorn experience, a StrongARM with RISC OS 3.7 is the way to go. If you want RISC OS fast and modern with networking and USB thrown in, a lowly Pi will wipe the floor with the RiscPC many times over. And it’ll cost less. The choice is yours. However after struggling to transfer large files to the PC over the 10mb network and waiting for compiles, I now rarely turn on my RiscPC… So let yourself be guided by your head as well as your heart and ask yourself a question – when you have the machine running, will it be adequate for you? Will it do what you want? Will it be connectable enough for you?