Re: AE RamKeeper

[Greg Berigan <gberigan@cse.unl.edu>]

gospodin@indigo.ie (Vincent Quinn) wrote:
>molnarc@goodnet.com wrote:

>>Does anyone have a use for an Applied Engineering GS Ramkeeper?  It is a 
>>card that allows an Apple IIGS to configure part of RAM as a ROM disk.  The 
>>card has AC power for RAM while the IIGS is turned off and contains a 
>>battery backup in case of a power failure.  

>I have a ROM 01 IIGS that came to me with an extra 4Mb RAM and an AE
>RAMkeeper installed. I've never been able to work out what the RAMkeeper
>is supposed to do, nor how to remove it (it seems to be attached firmly to
>the motherboard). So could someone please tell me:
>
>What exactly is the RAMkeeper for?

The Ramkeeper allows you to use two GS memory cards, allows you to
designate part of the memory as a "ROM" disk, and provide power for the
memory even when the computer is off.

>How is it used?

It automatically installs a Classic Desk Accessory (accessed from the
CDA Control Panel) under ProDOS 8, and when a ROM disk is configured,
creates a CDA that needs to be installed under GS/OS in order to do the
configuration under GS/OS.

>Can I remove it from the machine?

Only with the power off.

>If so, how?

It's a memory card.  You remove it like any other.  Depending on how the
memory card attached to it is connected (back pocket, front or back
connector, or ribbon connector) it is different.  Back pocket is like a
slot connector and it can be removed accordingly.  Ribbon connector, it
is in the memory slot on top of a ribbon connector which the Ramkeeper
is connected to.  Connectors, be careful not to bend the pins.

Make sure you disconnect the AC adapter from the Ramkeeper as well as
the battery before disconnecting it or any cards connected to it.
Sounds like yours may be lacking in both of these items.

>Or should I just leave it be, in case it should turn nasty if provoked?

It shouldn't be causing any problems unless your memory card is in the
back pocket and the chips stick out too far, making it difficult to
close the case, or you have a card in the back pocket and are missing
the insulator that prevents the contacts on the back of the memory card
from touching the shielding on the case lid.  (When I bought mine from
someone selling theirs on Usenet, it lacked the insulator, so I had to
make my own.  They are easily lost when people use only one memory card
in their Ramkeeper.)

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