amiga-news.de - Cloanto: Amiga Forever 2016 and C64 Forever 2016 available (3rd Update)

Cloanto: Amiga Forever 2016 and C64 Forever 2016 available (3rd Update)
Cloanto has released a new version of its emulation software package Amiga Forever (screenshot).

Besides high-DPI display support as well as updated AmiKit and AROS installations (screenshot), changes include the PowerPC emulation introduced with WinUAE 3.0.0.

According to Cloanto, PowerPC emulation supports 1+ GB RAM, a PCI-bridge as well as preconfigured devices with native drivers for AmigaOS 4.1 Final Edition. For users upgrading from a previous version of Amiga Forever, an article describes the new features - e.g. usage of an ISO file or CD of AmigaOS 4.1 FE (not included).

The official description for installation of AmigaOS 4.1 FE "Classic" is quite minimalistic and doesn't mention that you will need the disk image file "BootFloppy.adf" found on the AmigaOS 4.1 installation CD. The installation procedure is as follows:

[4th Update: Meanwhile the installation process has been simplified, the updated guide can be found here.]

In Amiga Forever, under "Systems", choose the configuration "Amiga 4000 PPC" by clicking with the right mouse button and "Create Copy" of the configuration file.
Now choose "Edit" the same way for the copied configuration file. In the Media tab you can "Add" BootFloppy.adf to the "Disks". You may also want to set the network card to be an RTL 8029 device; also, the audio settings may be changed to one of the expanded options.
With the AmigaOS 4.1 CD inserted you can now start the emulation by double-clicking the configuration file. Shortly after, the installation menu of AmigaOS 4.1 will appear (Screenshot).
At first you can set your local keyboard language and time zone.
Then you can start installation. First you have to edit the preconfigured harddisk image file (HDF) using the MediaToolBox by adding a partition with the filesystem SFS/00. Then you can "Save to Disk" and close MediaToolBox. After rebooting, choose to load Workbench from CD and "Format" the now appearing harddisk by clicking its icon with the right mouse button.
Now you can start the actual installation. You can keep the preset options except for adjusting the graphics card ("Picasso IV") and your monitor settings (Screenshot).
After finishing installation, you can eject the ADF file using the corresponding icon below the window as well as the installation CD and you are done - just reboot by keeping the Ctrl-Win-Win keys pressed (see annotation below) and AmigaOS 4 will be started from your harddisk
If you keep the option to add the BootFloppy.adf file again unchecked after closing the emulation, it will be removed from the configuration file automatically - otherwise you can do so manually of course by editing it again.

Please note: It seems that in some cases - ours for example - the AmigaOS 4 installation gets corrupted if a hard reset is performed by clicking the according icon at the top of the Amiga Forever window instead of simply resetting the Amiga from inside the emulation by the Ctrl-Win-Win key combination. In case this is happening to you as well, so that trying to boot from the HDF will result in a Guru Meditation, you don't have to reinstall the OS, though. It's sufficient to boot again from the BootFloppy.adf and the installation CD - once the PowerPC emulation has started, you may soft reset the emulated Amiga and it will boot again also from your AmigaOS 4 installation.

Below you will find the official press release:

November 28, 2015 - Cloanto released today Amiga Forever 2016C64 Forever 2016, the latest versions of the official Commodore/Amiga preservation, emulation and support suites for Windows.

With their gorgeous high-DPI display support (screenshot) and seamlessly integrated 8-bit, 68K and PowerPC virtualization, the 2016 editions blend stunning contrasts of different eras of computing into a powerful player (player screenshot) and content authoring interface (RP9-editor screenshot).

"After almost two years of hard teamwork since the 2014 versions were released, it may seem like the focus is entirely on the products. To some degree, this is true," said Cloanto's Mike Battilana. "We are a bit obsessive about software quality. But we also feel the burden of other challenges. For example, a belief in quality and innovation is easy to put into practice by releasing great products, but how can you manifest and be entrusted with a vision of ultimate long-term care?"

"As the holders of the Commodore/Amiga copyrights our goal is both 'emulation done right' and 'preservation done right'. This is a long path, which is made possible by the support of our generous customers and contributors. So once again my thankful thoughts go to our community. These 2016 software releases are by them, for them, and they allow us to keep working in this direction."

Amiga Forever 2016 is available now in three editions:

Value Edition (downloadable installer)
Plus Edition (downloadable installer with option to build DVD ISO image)
Premium Edition (downloadable Plus Edition plus boxed software and additional videos on 3 DVDs)

C64 Forever 2016 is available now in three editions:

Free Express Edition (feature-limited version)
Downloadable Plus Edition (downloadable installer with option to build CD ISO image)
Boxed Plus Edition (downloadable Plus Edition plus boxed CD)

Both packages recognize and work with each other, for example if the user wishes to merge the different platforms into the same interface. Prices start from $9.95 (Value Edition, or special upgrade offers).

Update: (21:02, 30.11.15, snx)
Description added how to intall AmigaOS 4.1 Final Edition "Classic".

2nd Update: (17:04, 01.12.15, snx)
Cloanto today also released an own installation guide for AmigaOS 4 with additional information. Furthermore they are working on an additional, more colourful skin by request of their customers.

3rd Update: (19:57, 03.12.15, snx)
Annotation added regarding resetting the emulation either by the Amiga Forever icon or by key combination Ctrl-Win-Win. (snx) (Translation: dr)

[News message: 29. Nov. 2015, 16:48] [Comments: 1 - 30. Nov. 2015, 21:03]
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