[comp.sys.ibm.pc] EMS Boards

burkett@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Edward W Burkett) (10/05/89)

I am currently thinking about purchasing a EMS board for my PC XT.  I simply
want some extra room for disk caching, virtual drives, printer spooling and
system utilities.  The problem I am having is finding a empty board that
supports the LIM 4.0 specifications.  I have seen several advertized in
Computer Shopper but when I call the companies they all say that they are
no longer made (for the XT).  Some say they have EMS boards but that they do
not meet the LIM 4.0 specs.  What are the disadvantages of not meeting
LIM 4.0 specs?

What I really want to know is --- Does anybody have any suggestions for a
cheap EMS LIM 4.0 board that will hold a meg or two (under $100)?

While I am at it, what's the cheapest price you have found for 256K drams?  The
best I can do is $2.65 for 120ns chips.

Addresses and/or phone numbers would be appreciated for all referrals.

Thanks a million.

burkett@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Edward W Burkett)
University of Wisconsin
Dept. of Biological Sciences

plim@hpsgpa.HP.COM (Peter Lim) (10/09/89)

> 
> no longer made (for the XT).  Some say they have EMS boards but that they do
> not meet the LIM 4.0 specs.  What are the disadvantages of not meeting
> LIM 4.0 specs?
> 
The most important difference between LIM 4.0 and LIM < 4.0 boards is
swapping below 640K. Able to swap below 640K means that the EMS memory
is not just good for storage, it means program can actually run in the
EMS. So, you can actually get some kind of acceptable multi-tasking with
LIM 4.0. Of course you need a machine which is LIM 4.0 compatible. What
this means is either the RAM on the motherboard can be switched out
of the 1MB address space or you must be able to remove some motherboard
RAM (e.g. all those above 256K).


Regards,
Peter Lim.
HP Singapore IC Design Center.

      E-mail address:              plim@hpsgwg
      Snail Mail address:          Peter Lim
                                   Hewlett Packard Singapore,
                                   (ICDS, ICS)
                                   1150, Depot Road,
                                   Singapore   0410.
      Telephone:                   (065)-279-2289