Re: 8MB GS RAM cards

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Supertimer writes ...
> 
> Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net> wrote:
> 
> >     Users should not need to blow an extra $40-$50 to experiment with
> >8MB and, then, discover their setups won't work. Once again, why don't
> >the 8MB Expansion RAM card makers just say what works with what and how
> >well?
> 
> I agree with Mitchell in this case...
> 
> Let's not jump to conclusions here.

     ??? What "conclusions"? The request is that 8MB Expansion RAM card
makers publish information shoppers/owners can use to decide whether or
not the 8MB cards will/should work on their systems.



>  Sure, I've also seen user reported
> problems crop up here on csa2.  But remember that you are not going
> to get an accurate representation of the data and draw a scientific
> conclusion.

     Say what?! Users are not supposed to need to engage in tests and
scientific sampling when they shell out $$$ for a new Expansion RAM
card.     


> It is inherently a skewed sample. If a user has a problem,
> chances are that user will ask for help online.  However, if the user
> does not have a problem, that user usually remains silent.

     Or, quite possibly, he/she just wonders what's wrong with his/her
system and ends up junking a perfectly good SCSI interface and/or hard
disk.     


> 
> Already, in response to this thread, several 8MB users have posted
> their success stories.  The logical way to see how "risky" going 8MB
> is would be to start a new thread.  Something like "Does 8MB work
> for you -- share your experiences, frustrations, and successes"...
> such a poll will tend to be more balanced.

     That sounds like a good idea. Such a poll could be helpful. If the
8MB board makers do not have any information to post, they could read
Csa2 and find out about their product!


 
> Right now it looks like this...as an analogy, let's use a 4MB card, the
> AE GS-RAM.  Two users post AE GS-RAM that they used on a
> ROM 01 does not work in a ROM 3.  Both have 4MB.  Many csa2
> readers give possible answers.  There is a stir and an accusation that
> "the GS was not built to use 4MB"...BUT the conclusion is NOT
> scientific.  In actuality, besides those two problems, there are 98
> successes, but those users don't bother to post followups.
> Meanwhile, the REAL reason the AE card won't work on a ROM 3
> is overlooked...that reason being the card needs a ROM chip swap
> for the different GS versions.

     The only glitch in the analogy is that AE is no longer in business.
If it were, someone could email AE and, very likely, obtain some useful
information about the memory card.


> 
> To avoid this, lets do a poll...

     Okay; my vote is "yes".

> 
> As for the "Apple IIGS Owners Reference" for the ROM 3 saying
> that the slot supports 7MB...I just want to make it clear that this
> is APPLE'S MANUAL for the ROM 3.  The official one that shipped
> with all ROM 3 units.

 ....

     Whatever. One could just as well say that the ROM 3 supports 32MB
(so long as you run a wafer plug over to the 65C816 socket and use 4MB
Expansion RAM 'bank' switching and patch System).


 
Rubywand