Re: Uprgading IIgs

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Randy Shackelford writes ...
> 
> .... Rubywand ... wrote:
> 
> .... Fully expanded, the comparison for system RAM is 4.25MB to 5MB. In
> >terms of running virtually all GS wares, it is not an important difference.
> 
> But you were saying base memory before, not expanded. Even so 5280-4352 is
> 896K of additional DMA compatible memory, nothing to sneeze at.
>

     Yes; I was kind of wondering if the useful stuff in ROM plus the extra base RAM 
would kick you up to +800k under System6.

     So far, I have heard of just one product which required 5MB and have not 
encountered any problem running GS wares on a 4.25MB ROM-01 with 800k RAM disk more 
or less permanently installed. Still, no one is sneezing at an extra 896k. (Rats! A 
freebee RAM disk!)  

 

> > .... Nice; but, when you're booting a full System6 from hard disk, the advantage
> >of the larger ROM is minimal.
> 
> Fewer toolsets loaded from disk means even more usable memory though.
>

     Hmmph.


> > .... If a game boots and runs from its own, original diskette on a
> >ROM-01, then, the ROM-01 user will be able to play the game. If it will not boot
> >and run on a ROM-03, then, unless the ROM-03 user can obtain a cracked
> >and/or modified version of the game, he/she will not be able to play it.
> 
> But how many of those really exist, aside from FTA demos which wouldn't run
> on my box anyway since my superdrive card is in slot 6? I'm thinking more
> like early ProDOS 16 software that won't run under system 5.0, much less
> system 6.
>

     There were many good wares released before GS/OS 5.x. How many will not run on a 
ROM-03 is something I do not know. From time to time, games and other products have 
been mentioned and there is a recollection of being shocked that this or that 
favorite would not work on a ROM-03. Granted, many oldies cannot be launched from 
hard disk. On a ROM-01, nearly all can, at least, be launched from diskette.

 
> >     Okay. On the other hand, some ROM-03 users have complained of glitch problems
> >when attempting to use boards which worked fine in other ROM-03's. ....
> 
> Can't recall hearing about specific cards like that. Of course, since three of
> the four cards in my ROM 3 are Apple cards, I'm sure that helps with not
> having problems. Not having an accelerator can't hurt reliability either.
>

     Not running with an accelerator is a major factor.

     The 'utimate glitch test' situation I had in mind was a ROM-03 running a 10MHz 
or better accelerator, RamFAST SCSI interface, 4MB RAM card, four diskette drives, 
stereo card, sound digitizer input, _and_ Second Sight board. Really, it would be a 
surprise to discover this configuration, even minus the SS card, running glitch-free 
on any GS without, at least, modified power supply leads.

     There is no argument with the notion that ROM-03's have a quiter Slot bus and 
that, for many advanced setups, glitch-free, low noise performance might be obtained 
with just PS lead mods and no motherboard jumpers. To get equal (or, possibly, 
better) freedom from noise, the ROM-01 needs the extra on-motherboard power leads.  

 
> >> I dunno, you might have fatal error $0911 show up some on a desert island
> >> since ROM 01s don't like heat too much.
> >
> >     Definitely something to consider. Actually, the 0911 problem is due to
> >heating up through a relatively cool range of temperatures. (Heating the ADB IC is
> >one standard 'cure'.)
> >
> >     Even so, if you wanted to use your GS on those cool desert island mornings,
> >you would want to make sure that your ROM-01 was a later model release or an
> >earlier version which had demonstrated its reliability.
> 
> Hmm, I own and have owned several ROM 0-01 boards over the years. It took
> five swaps to get a properly functioning logic board in my original IIgs
> when I bought it. Its 90 day warranty lasted from March '87 to October '87 or
> so. I have boards, both installed in boxes and in my spare parts pile, with
> two or three varieties of repair work. Some have the exact same repair. I
> have two ROM 3 boards which came in boxes which I have picked up. One is
> obviously an early ROM 3 from the paper labels on the ROM chips, and one is
> more recent. Neither show signs of repair work and function perfectly. So I'm
> not so sure I go along with the reliability angle.
>

     Our ROM-01 is the 3rd or 4th ROM-00 + upgrade swap-in from the original. There 
is no wish to imply that pre-late-'87 ROM-01's were especially likely to be free of 
ADB bombing. In any case, once a ROM-01, even a Woz ROM-00-->ROM-01 upgrade, has 
proved itself in service, reliability is not an issue.
  
 
> Before I get tagged as an "anti ROM 01 bigot" let me point out that I own
> several of those and a ROM 0 as well. There's nothing wrong with them, but
> ROM 3 is more flexible, has more features, and is a better design in my
> opinion.
>

     No disagreement.

     My desert island preference would, still, be a fully loaded ROM-01 just because 
I'd want to be able to run more wares. I am not, now, nearly so convinced that ROM-01 
is the best choice for the original questioner. Giving up compatibility with some 
early wares plus a bit of cash in return for an extra 800+k of system RAM, quiter 
Slot bus, and a few other advantages is not such a bad trade. Maybe this discussion 
will help Jay to decide.   


Rubywand