Re: Upgrading the ROM on a IIGS

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Tail Kinker <tailkinker@home.com> wrote:

> I have a ROM version 1, and from what I've heard, that's
> worthless...

Not at all.  The original ROM (now generally called "ROM version 0") is
the one that is worthless, since it won't run GS/OS.

If your IIgs displays a copyright message and "ROM Version 01" at the
bottom of the screen when you turn it on, then you have the current (and
final) firmware version for that motherboard.

There is also a "ROM Version 3", which is tied to a later revision of
the motherboard (with more RAM and ROM).  There isn't much point
"upgrading" to ROM version 3, since it requires replacing the entire
motherboard, and you don't get very much in the way of new features.
ROM 3 also has compatibility issues with a small number of applications
(mainly games and demos which were never updated).

The ROM 1 gets very close to the ROM 3 by adding a memory expansion card
and using the latest system software.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P O Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand