Re: IIgs RAM cards, which one?

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

Rubywand wrote: 
>      Thanks for going into so much detail. Do you know whether or not
> all concerns regarding DMA access have been cleared up regarding 8MB
> IIgs RAM expansions? For example, are there SCSI interface cards which
> must have DMA turned OFF in order to work with either of the 8MB cards
> you mention?

DMA needs to be turned off with the Apple HS SCSI card or the
RamFAST revision C card.  It does not need to be turned off
with the RamFAST revision D card (differentiated by being half
sized).  All Sequential Systems RamFAST cards are revision D
as are late model CV Tech cards.  It is the RamFAST revision D
that is designed to DMA into any RAM card, even 8MB models.
It was made around the time of the CV RAM 8MB model that turned
into Sequential's RAM GS Plus, but functions just as well with
the Sirius card.

>      Owners of current 8MB cards, including at least one using a current
> RamFAST, have reported difficulties with copying large file blocks
> (>800k) to Zip drive. Do you know anything about this?

That's not a DMA problem, but an error in the Sirius manual.  That
manual (a 1 page paper) recommends that ROM 3 users remove one of
the SIMM modules since the ROM 3 has 1MB and 8MB is max.  When I
did this, the GS reported 8MB, but copying large groups of files or
large files failed.  When I put the missing SIMM back, the GS still
reported 8MB, but the file copy problems vanished.  It appears that
the Sirius needs eight 1MB SIMM modules for 8MB even on a ROM 3.

>      Do you know of any popular GS wares which do not function correctly
> with currently available 8MB RAM cards?

No and in fact all wares are enhanced.  You can print large scanned
GIF documents (like the answer keys from exams given in school),
convert movies from other computers, turn the GS into a digital
jukebox of digital audio.  The possibilities are endless.

>      Regarding the 4MB option, what is your opinion of the board offered
> by MC Price Breakers ...
> 
> http://www.mcpb.com/html/ap2ior1.html
> 
>  4MEG IIGS
>  Expander
> Expands Woz & ROM 01 to
>  4.25MEG
> Expands ROM 3 to 5.1MEG
> Fully DMA Compatible
> Note: Limited Time Special On
> 4MEG Price! ($99.95)
> 
> Rubywand

Rubywand, I would not recommend that.  The Sirius with 4MB is
sold for less than this card at 4MB and can be expanded to
8MB.  Same with the RAM GS Plus.

-Scott G.