Re: GS memory expansion

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

"Jim Thompson" <pdsrome@roman.net> wrote:

>Supertimer <supertimer@aol.com> wrote:
>> 
>> suprdave@aol.com (SUPRDAVE) wrote:
>> 
>> >i picked up another GS today, and this one came with an apple GS mem
expansion
>> >card. sockets UA9-UB16 are empty though. is there any memory on this card
right
>> >now? there are some soldered chips on it. what are the specs on the dip ram
i
>> >need? i have many memory dip chips from a PCXT. but dont know if they'd
work
>> >in this card.
>> 
>> It takes 41256 memory chips.  Plug the PCXT ones into your card and install
>> it on the IIGS.  If the total comes out to 1MB (ROM 1 unit), then better
ditch
>> the card 'cause the IIGS NEEDs 4MB at least to do stuff you would expect
>> a computer to do.  Just to run AWGS to do some word processing or desktop
>> publishing tends to go crazy with anything less.  If it comes out to about
2MB,
>> then you have a ROM 3 unit.  2MB is ok for short term use, especially if
>> only to play some games.
>
>Since 41256 chips don't all say "41256", is there a good resource that will
>tell you which manufacturer's chip is a 41256? Or is there a particular
>number pattern that exists? I'd prefer not to have to buy new chips from
>Jameco when I'm sure that I've got loads of these chips sitting on old PCXT
>mem cards or motherboards.

I think someone else posted a web site where you can find out.

>Also, did Apple only make 1 or 2 meg cards? Is there a way to tell which
>card is which? 
>
>thanks
>jim thompson

Apple only made one memory card, a 1MB one.

However, Apple made two IIGS (as far as memory usage is concerned).
The "ROM 01" unit had 256k built in.  The "ROM 3" unit had 1.125MB
built in.  Thus, the 1MB Apple card gave you a total of 2MB (1MB card
plus 256k built in) ... 1.25MB to be exact.  The ROM 3 unit, however,
would yield a total of 2.125MB with the Apple card (1MB on the card
plus 1.125MB built in).  Thus, the card is actually somewhat useful on
the ROM 3 unit.

It is still best to have at least 4MB on the IIGS, though, but 2MB is
a lot more useful than 1MB, which is why $40 for a Sirius RAM
card with 2MB, then getting the other 2MB or more up to 8MB
total for maybe a buck each (1MB 30 pin SIMMs are cheap) is not
a bad investement.  Besides, 286 units used 1MB 30 pin SIMMs,
so you can probably find them in junked ATs.