cyf@drutx.UUCP (06/11/87)
I am interested in getting a ROM-disk upgrade for my 512K mac. Since I managed the memory upgrade on my own, I should be able to handle this also. The only problem is that I have found no way to get the parts with out paying also for installation. Is it possible to get the parts only? Or do I have to bite the bullet and pay $300 for somthing I could do for probably $200? Any hints would be appreciated. Thanks, Charlie Farwell ihnp4!drutx!cyf
dowdy@apple.UUCP (06/12/87)
In article <4192@drutx.ATT.COM>, cyf@drutx.ATT.COM (FarwellC) writes: > > I am interested in getting a ROM-disk upgrade for my 512K mac. > Since I managed the memory upgrade on my own, I should be able to > handle this also. > > The only problem is that I have found no way to get the parts with out > paying also for installation. > > Is it possible to get the parts only? Or do I have to bite the bullet > and pay $300 for somthing I could do for probably $200? Well first off. Where do you suppose you are going to get these new ROMs? I don't know who would sell to you, and if they did, it wouldn't be legal. Drive upgrades are disributed to dealers along with a box, and they must return both old drives and ROMs in order to get credit. (At least, it is my opinion that it isn't legal...) If you could get the ROMs, where would you get a bare drive? I don't know who would sell you one of these either. I should point out that Apple drives are modified Sonys (for ejecting) and as far as I know you couldn't use another Sony in a Mac (someone will correct me if I am wrong Im sure :-)) So, since you can't get the parts from other sources (to my knowlage): You may be able to get a dealer to sell you an upgrade kit without labor and do it yourself. Of course you don't get the 90 day free warranty on parts should something in the kit be defective. The job itself is very simple to do, I have done several myself, but then again, I'm in a no-loss situation if something is wrong with the parts. It may be worth the $50 in labor they charge you. Then again, if the $150 drive is bad, it may not be. If you are thinking of copying the ROMs, why not just go out and steal a plus, or better yet make it an SE or a Mac II. Its just as legal. =========================================================================== Tom Dowdy CSNET: dowdy@apple.CSNET Apple Computer Internet: dowdy@apple.COM 20525 Mariani Ave MoneyNet: (408) 973-6689 Cupertino, CA 95014 AppleLink:DOWDY1 MS: 27Y UUCP: {sun,voder,amdahl,decwrl}!apple!dowdy "Plus ca change, Plus c'est la meme chose." =========================================================================== I dont' like disclaimers, but since this question is sort of company related: The opinions expressed here are my own and not those of my employer, Apple Computer, Inc. I'm sure that makes someone feel better.
han@apple.UUCP (06/12/87)
To the best of my knowledge, the going rate for 512->512e upgrades
here in Silicon Valley/Bay Area is about $250 or so.
It is highly advisable to upgrade at least to the 128K ROM's as many
applications coming out today are making 128K ROM assumptions. Call
it ROM Snobbery - I have been guilty of it too. But some software
developers are deciding it is no longer feasible to support all
machines.
Either upgrading to a Mac Plus or to a 512e (and then adding a third
party upgrade such as Levco Monster Mac or SuperMac Enhance) would be a more
desirable path. Your machine would be far more usable for a far
greater period of time as more advanced applications and systems software
come out requiring more memory.
And come on, who needs that car? who needs to eat? trade the car in
for Macintosh hardware!!!!! :-O 8-)
=====================================================================
Byron Han | UUCP: {sun,voder,nsc,mtxinu,dual}!apple!han
Apple Computer, Inc. | CSNET: han@apple.csnet
20525 Mariani Ave, | ATTNet: 408-973-6450
Cupertino, CA 95014 | GENIE: BYRONHAN APPLELINK: HAN1
MS 27Y | CSERVE: 72167,1664
=====================================================================
All opinions and statements do not necessarily represent those of my
employer, Apple Computer Inc.
=====================================================================korn@cory.Berkeley.EDU.UUCP (06/12/87)
In article <1009@apple.UUCP> dowdy@apple.UUCP (Tom Dowdy) writes: >>...[someone asks about getting the 128K ROMS and drive (possibly seperately].. >Well first off. Where do you suppose you are going to get these new >ROMs? I don't know who would sell to you, and if they did, it wouldn't >be legal. Drive upgrades are disributed to dealers along with a box, >and they must return both old drives and ROMs in order to get credit. >(At least, it is my opinion that it isn't legal...) There is nothing illegal about selling ROMs. I can open up my Macintosh, remove the ROMs, and then sell them to whoever I please. People can purchase broken macs that dealers, for whatever reasons, don't want to send back to Apple, and then sell the parts (and make 1 mac out of 2 bad ones with a LOT of board level work--something that 95% of the Apple dealers aren't capable of). Another way is to talk to someone who got one of the BeckTech upgrades that replace the Apple ROMs with their own--the old 64K apple ROMs are left in the case taped to the disk drive (this info only useful to Atari users who are willing to settle for <40% macintosh compatibility and don't mind breaking the law by using the use-restricted Mac System and Finder). The only 'legal' question is in how the seller gets the ROMs; as I've illustrated above, there are several perfectly legal ways. Unlikely ways you say? Perhaps. The guy I ran into had only 8 sets of working 64K ROMs, and only one set of working 128K ROMs the day I talked with him. >If you could get the ROMs, where would you get a bare drive? I don't >know who would sell you one of these either. I should point out that >Apple drives are modified Sonys (for ejecting) and as far as I know >you couldn't use another Sony in a Mac (someone will correct me if I >am wrong Im sure :-)) A bare drive can be obtained by purchasing a third party external drive and taking off the cover, thus making a 'bare' drive. One must be careful which brand of drive one uses--but it's still quite workable. However, the street price for 128K ROMs in the Bay Area is $30/pair. An good external drive will cost ~$200 (Central Point). It's not worth saving $20 when you wind up with a semi-cludge with non-apple parts... So Apple upgrage sales have little to worry about... Peter -- Peter "Arrgh" Korn Oh when, oh when will my MacII korn@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU arrive? Oh where, oh {decvax,dual,hplabs,sdcsvax,ulysses}!ucbvax!korn where can it be?