Re: 8MB GS RAM cards

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Edhel Iaur, Esq. writes ...
> 
> On Thu, 04 Jun 1998 22:18:21 -0500, Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>
> wrote:
> 
> ...
> >     The AE GS-RAM III 4MB card fully supports DMA.
> ...
> 
> I don't know if this is the thread to shove questions into (perhaps
> I'm not getting that this thread is about the existence of these
> questions <:( ), but here goes:
> 
> Does the Focus Hardcard use DMA?

     Our 80MB Focus Hardcard came from Parsons Engineering; so, it may
be that changes have been made in later models. The Focus manual (the
one from Parsons) appears to say nothing about DMA support and neither
do the original Focus ads. A check of the card shows no connections to
the DMA line. The Focus CDEV (Control Panel) has no provision for
turning DMA ON or OFF. It seems likely that the Focus does not use DMA. 


> Does the AE GS-RAM+ support DMA?  What'll happen if I expand it from
>   2MB to 4MB or 6MB?

     Mitch seems to believe that most AE mem Expansion cards do not
support DMA. I do not know about the GS-RAM+. One thing it would be nice
to know is: What is there about any 4MB memory Expansion card for the GS
which causes it not to support DMA?

     Expanding from 2MB to 4MB should get you 4MB with no problem. I do
not know how the GS-RAM+ adds the addidional 2MB for 6MB or how well it
might work.
 

> Would a Transwarp mess up a Focus and/or an GS-RAM+?  (I'm guessing
>   not (AE made both the TW and GS-RAM+), but this could be an
>   expensive mistake on my part...)

     There is no obvious reason why a Transwarp should have problems
with a Focus or GS-RAM+; but, someone with direct experience should know
for sure.



Rubywand