[spp]

Where is the rules for commlink hardware upgrades?  Can a starting character start with upgrades?  What is the cost and what does your character need to do?  Also once you upgrade your response and system is it possible to upgrade your software programs, or do you have to buy the programs from scratch.  As far as Firewall goes I think I am going to recommend that it is limited by response, just like System is.

Thanx,

Sincerely, from spp.

[FastJack]

Hardware Upgrade Costs Table

Module Rating	Response Cost	Signal Cost	Availability
1	250¥	10¥	4
2	750¥	50¥	4
3	1,250¥	150¥	8
4	2,000¥	500¥	8
5	4,000¥	1,000¥	12
6	8,000¥	3,000¥	16

A device’s hardware ratings may only be upgraded by +2 with regards to their original ratings. Further improvements have no additional effect on performance.

Unwired also gives some modifications and mod rules that you can use for Commlinks, but they don't affect the Response/Signal of the 'link. War! also have Milspec Commlinks that go up to Response 9/Signal 8, but follow the same rules as normal Commlinks.

As a starting character, as long as you meet the rules for Availability and can afford the upgrades, you should be allowed to do so. However, you do want to work with you GM to confirm this.

[Glyph]

Even the archetypes, which are far from optimized, start out with customized commlinks (specifically the drone rigger, hacker, and smuggler).

Note that while Availability may restrict you to rating: 5 hardware to start out, you can still get utilities at 6 - they will only run at an effective rating of 5, but when you upgrade your hardware, you won't have to get a lot of new utilities, too.  One thing I would consider would be using the restricted gear quality to start out with a Response of 6, which would let you have System, Firewall, and utilities at 6.

[Wraith235]

Even the archetypes, which are far from optimized, start out with customized commlinks (specifically the drone rigger, hacker, and smuggler).

Note that while Availability may restrict you to rating: 5 hardware to start out, you can still get utilities at 6 - they will only run at an effective rating of 5, but when you upgrade your hardware, you won't have to get a lot of new utilities, too.  One thing I would consider would be using the restricted gear quality to start out with a Response of 6, which would let you have System, Firewall, and utilities at 6.

theres alsao the DIY (Do it your self) Pay 1/2 the module cost and make a Rating x 2 (1 day) Extended test

[spp]

Hardware Upgrade Costs Table

Module Rating	Response Cost	Signal Cost	Availability
1	250¥	10¥	4
2	750¥	50¥	4
3	1,250¥	150¥	8
4	2,000¥	500¥	8
5	4,000¥	1,000¥	12
6	8,000¥	3,000¥	16

A device’s hardware ratings may only be upgraded by +2 with regards to their original ratings. Further improvements have no additional effect on performance.

Unwired also gives some modifications and mod rules that you can use for Commlinks, but they don't affect the Response/Signal of the 'link. War! also have Milspec Commlinks that go up to Response 9/Signal 8, but follow the same rules as normal Commlinks.

As a starting character, as long as you meet the rules for Availability and can afford the upgrades, you should be allowed to do so. However, you do want to work with you GM to confirm this.

The only thing I want to clarify is,  for example, upgrading signal from 3 to 4 the difference (being 350) or the full cost (being 500).

Thanx, from spp

[Chaemera]

Full cost, the cost listed in the table is the cost for a Rating X upgrade module. Just like buying a new processor for your computer, it doesn't matter what you had, it matters what you want.

[spp]

Thanx all, especially Chamera, who have helped me with all my questions.  Thanks for the DP answer; That helped alot with the rules being so scattered.

Sincerely, from spp.

[Ultra Violet]

Full cost, the cost listed in the table is the cost for a Rating X upgrade module. Just like buying a new processor for your computer, it doesn't matter what you had, it matters what you want.

Sorry that I have to be a bit of a devil's advocate, but you need a base commlink to upgrade. Since you can only upgrade two rating levels.

[Chaemera]

Full cost, the cost listed in the table is the cost for a Rating X upgrade module. Just like buying a new processor for your computer, it doesn't matter what you had, it matters what you want.

Sorry that I have to be a bit of a devil's advocate, but you need a base commlink to upgrade. Since you can only upgrade two rating levels.

You know I was referring to the price tag, only, UV. 

And for your benefit, I'll extend my analogy to say that, since your MoBo had to support the old processor, it has a specific pin-grid for the CPU that therefore limits what new CPUs you can install in its place. However, for the purposes of paying for that new processor, it doesn't matter what your old processor was.

Happy? 

[Ultra Violet]

Yes, now I'm happy!