ScuzzBlog: Diaries July 2026 Entry 5th July 2026: Post 1: FreeBench 1.3 - Create and customise your own Workbench disk. FreeBench 1.3 - Create and customise your own Workbench disk. I have explained at length in the past how to create your own Workbench disk from files salvaged from old cover disks. Today I wanted to give the GVP a run out on another A500 I have, this time only using the memory. So I grabbed my trusty Amiga 500 Number 33 and punched in the GVP sidecar. Amiga 500 Number 33 did occupy the space I currently have the 500 set up on the GVP. I used the machine extensively during 2015/16 until I decided to retire her for another banged up 500. These computers get hammered so I tend to use the old mellow yellow types that have seen better days. She is fitted with a 512K memory clock card with battery removed. She was obviously once fitted with a disc drive and is a glorious golden yellow which never like ever bothers me. I cleaned the expansion port before I slotted in the GVP. I reached for my big box of FreeBench disks and fired her up and like magic we have my customised Workbench and 5084440 memory and not an ECS chip or upgraded AGNUS to be seen anywhere. I would always recommend creating your own Workbench disks. This I learned from my days on the 1060 sidecar. Essential is a file manager plus MSDOS disk reader and ADF creator. Plus you get to have the SHELL/CLI open on boot and have icons associated with all your files of a design to suit your choice. The disk has a sexy disc.info image of Clara Veiga and a customised RAM disk. All of this is achievable when you dispense of the Commodore disks and build your own. Dead easy just check out my guides. Anyway job done. The GVP and the A500 were working perfectly and my customised disks booted no problem. The mouse was fine and the floppy drive. The only issue is with the crappy Samsung that I use on the bench which is a pig to photograph. Great fun all the same. FreeBench 1.3 - Create and customise your own Workbench disk.

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Last updated 5th July 2026

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