Frequently Asked Questions

  I have problems with downloading the AmiKit installation archive...

Please use a download manager to download the archive from the primary download location. Or use the secondary download location (however this one doesn't support the download managers - and sometimes the link might be unavailable temporarily, we're sorry for the inconvience).

  What do I need to install and run AmiKit?

In short, you will need Windows XP or Vista (or Linux), source of AmigaOS and Amiga Kickstart file (ROM). The last two can be easily obtained here. Check the requirements page for more information.

  Why is there a separate archive of AmiKit for the Linux platform?

There are file attribute problems with the MS Windows flavour which we fix by using a separate archive for Linux users. Also some Windows specific programs were removed and the package was fine-tuned for Linux. For additional installation instructions please refer here.

  WinUAE cannot find the ROM file (or keyfile) even though it is there!

Quit the emulation and try to move the "ROMs" folder from AmiKit\ to AmiKit\WinUAE\ folder. Then start the AmiKit again.

  I only get a black windowed screen when attempting to run AmiKit.

Go to your WinUAE settings, and change the color depth to 32 instead of 16, and try again.

  My AmigaOS CD is not detected during the installation...

It might happen that the CD filesystem used in AmiKit is not compatible with your CD drive and thus the CD is not recognized correctly. In that case, before you start AmiKit, mount your CD-Drive as a Directory. Start the AmiKit launcher, press the "Configure WinUAE" button. Then go to "Hard drives" section of WinUAE settings and press the "Add Directory" button. Enter the following data:

Device Name: CD4
Volume Label: AmigaOS3.9 (or AmigaOS3.5, AmigaOS XL, etc.)
Path: point to your CD drive with the CD inserted
disable Read/Write option

...and start the emulation.

  Can I use Amiga Forever 6 as a source of system files to run AmiKit?

Yes. Even though this version is not supported by default, you can use it as a source of system files. Download the correct archive according to your AF6 edition:

Amiga Forever 6 CD Edition - download and unzip the archive. Copy the Startup-Sequence and Startup-Sequence2 to your AmiKit installation into AmiKit\AmiKit\S drawer and overwrite existing files there. Run the emulation, select English language and then hit the "AmigaForever CD" button. Insert your Amiga Forever 6 CD and the installation should continue.

Amiga Forever 6 Online Edition - download and unzip the archive. Copy the Startup-Sequence and Startup-Sequence2 to your AmiKit installation into AmiKit\AmiKit\S drawer and overwrite existing files there. Before you start the emulation, make sure your Windows C: partition has NO additional name (like MyDisk or WinXP or whatever). Simply leave it unlabeled so it's called just "C:". Run the emulation, select English and then select the "AF Installed" button. Your Amiga Forever 6 Online edition must be located in "C:\Program Files\Cloanto\Amiga Forever\" path, otherwise the AmiKit installation won't work.

  The boot (startup) picture never disappears, I can't get to AmiKit desktop.

There might be some error requester waiting for your confirmation behind the picture. Simply press the ESC button to quit the boot picture.

  How to disable the boot (startup) picture?

Edit AmiKit:S/Startup-Sequence and insert semicolon in front of the following line:
SYS:Utilities/Expansion/ShowAmiga96/Bin/ShowAmiga96_Rev239C18

  The mouse pointer moves too fast...

While the speed of mouse is set to optimal value for most systems, it might be too fast on certain configurationis. You can decrease the mouse speed either in WinUAE settings or in AmiKit environment. To adjust the speed in WinUAE, run AmiKit launcher, press the "Configure WinUAE" button and switch to "Input" settings. There's a mouse speed option. To adjust the mouse speed in AmiKit, either adjust SYS:Prefs/Input settings or SYS:Prefs/MCPPrefs (Mouse-Speed entry) or both. For more questions please follow this thread.

  What screenmode should I select after the AmiKit installation?

At the end of the installation of AmiKit, the screen mode requester appears. If you're not sure what screen mode to select, use "1024x768" as it is the most common screen mode that should work on your system. You can always change the screenmode later using the "AmiKit:Prefs/Screenmode AmiKit" program.

  The registration requester appears on each startup, what is it?

The registration window pops up during each boot of AmiKit. This window belongs to Directory Opus Magellan II, not AmiKit! Simply press the „RUN“ button to continue. See limitations to learn how the boot process works or see tricks & tips how to make the RUN button be pressed automatically. You can buy the full version of Directory Opus Magellan II here or contact Dr.Greg Perry using one of the methods on the contact page on the GPSoftware web site if you are interested in obtaining a full licensed copy of this great software.

  I don't like DOpus Magellan. How can I revert to Workbench?

It's very simple to switch back to Workbench. Use the "MorpheuZ" program located on your desktop.

  What is the meaning of all those graphical buttons attached to each window?

The description of the Lister Toolbar icons can be found here.

  I did something and now AmiKit refuses to start.

If AmiKit refuses to start for whatever reason, try to use "AmiKit/S/Startup-Sequence.SAFEMODE" file as a regular Startup-Sequence. Back up the original file first and rename the SAFEMODE file to "Startup-Sequence" and start AmiKit.

  How can I play games in fullscreen?

Every native application is set to run in windowed mode instead of fullscreen. Press F12 and the WinUAE settings appear. Go to "Display" section and enable "Full-screen native modes" entry.

  Why the Live Update program doesn't detect any AmiKit on-line updates?

We have changed the location of the Live Update archives recently. If you installed AmiKit 1.2.0 now, where the old server settings are used, the Live Update might not be able to find the updates anymore. In this case either enter the new server address manually (press the right mouse button -> select the "AmiKit" from the menu -> and then select the "Live Update" entry, Switch to Advanced tab, change the URL and Netpath according to this example and save the settings) or download the cumulative 1.3.0 update where the new server settings are included and used automatically.

  How can I download new AmiKit on-line updates without the Live Update program?

If you cannot use the Live Update program (eg. you're behind a firewall), you can always download and install the live updates manually. Please follow these instructions.

  How to print in AmiKit?

Please check the following links for more information:
http://winuaehelp.back2roots.org/ (Tips -> Hints for Power Users section)
http://www.amigaforever.com/kb/3-146.html

  How to change the backdrop picture (wallpaper) in AmiKit?

Hold down the right-mouse button over the picture file and select "Set as Background". You can find some alternative images at AmiKit:Prefs/Presets/AmiKit/Backdrops/
Use the Directory Opus Environment Settings (right mouse -> "Settings" -> "Enviroment...") to save your new settings. While you're there, you might want to edit more graphics settings in "Backgounds" section.

  I have a question/problem that was not answered here, what should I do?

Don't worry. For more information please check the Knowledge Base or visit the AmiKit Support Forum.