Installing Z-RAM into IIc

[sebugg@CS1.PRESBY.EDU (Stephen Buggie)]

6-23-94


                  Z-RAM MEMORY CARD FOR APPLE IIC:  QUESTIONS
                  ===========================================


I just bought a used Z-RAM memory card, suitable for internal RAM on the
original or unidisk models of IIc.  This is the Applied Engineering memory
card which plugs into the CPU and MMU sockets of the IIc motherboard, and
you replace those chips onto the card itself.  It fits under the IIc
keyboard.   The original owner could not get it to work in his IIc,
although it did not damage the computer.

QUESTIONS!

1) The board is AE Z-RAM (1985), Rev B, while the manual is Z-RAM II,
v. 1.0.  Are there any important changes between these two models?

2) The board came with 8 soldered RAMS of 41256-15.  There are 8 emplty
RAM sockets, and I filled these with  81256-15 chips, all identical
within the socket bank.   But is 81256-15 compatible with 41256-15?
If there will be any complications, please describe them.  Within each
RAM bank, the chips will be identical, but the chips vary between
the banks.

3) The manual states (p.11) that a "grabber wire" must be attached to
Pin 2 of the TMG chip, which is located near the IWM disk controller
chip at the rear of the motherboard.  The chip to attach the wire to
the TMG chip is missing; I plan to solder the wire to Pin 2 of that
chip.   But should I attach the wire to the IC leg above the board, or
is it better to string the wire to the pin UNDER the printed circuit
board?  A longer wire will be needed.  (I have a fine tip solderer and
silver solder, and have experience on printed circuit boards.)

4) Any suggestions of technique for easing the board down onto the
CPU and MMU sockets?   It appears to be a "flying by instruments"
operation ---- I suspect some readers may have done this operation
already.  The board is used, but the original owner (who never got it
to work) took excellent care of the pins.  They are straightly aligned
and are in excellent condition.

5) The manual mentioned that a DISK was provided with Z-RAM with
diagnostics, CP/M tests, etc.   Does anyone have a copy of this diskette
which they could bootleg over to me?  (I presume that if I have the
RAM board, then the descendants of now-defunct Applied Engineering
will not mind me getting an informal copy of the diskette.   B-)

6) I have five IIc computers.  Two were Unidisk 3.5" IIc's, while
three were original IIc's,all of which are now upgraded to Unidisk 3.5
model via the free upgrade program.  Main difference remaining is that
the older ones (original IIc) have the bulky plastic-framed keyboard
made by Atlanta photocircuits.

Will the RAM board fit below the bulky plastic keyboard frame?  I have
not yet checked this, but I suspect that I will have to select a computer
that does not have either a ZIP CHIP or a No Slot Clock.  The ZIP and NSC
will likely by too tall to fit inside; correct?

If this board works and I will be able to run CP/M software, where do
you get it?  Is it the abundant Commodore 64/128 software found at
every yard sale?   B-)

Advice from veterans who have installed Z-RAM in a IIc will be highly
appreciated!

sebugg@presby.edu                                      6-23-94





  Stephen Buggie                                 |"Idleness is pleasant,|
  Psychology Dept.                               | but its consequences |
  Presbyterian College                           |       are cruel."    |
  503 So. Broad St.                              |  (Pres. John Quincy  |
  Clinton,  SC  29325                            |     Adams, c1830)    |
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 ** sebugg@presby.edu                 voice: (803) 833-8337 or 833-1632 **
 **                           IIe/IIc loyalist                          **
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