cosc5sh@jetson.uh.edu (Unbeliever) (04/12/90)
Does anybody out there own (or know anything about) the GEORAM cartridge from
Berkeley Softworks? What I know is:
1) It adds 512 K of memory to EITHER the C-64 or the C-128.
2) It doesn't require an extra power cord (it eats only 80 milliamps of
current, something even the C64 can handle).
3) GEOS takes full advantage of the extra memory to crank up the effective
speed of operation ENORMOUSLY.
4) It costs only $124.95 (plus 4.95 postage & handling).
Now, $130 for 512K RAM on a Commodore beast is an incredible deal. So
incredible, in fact, that I'm actually considering BUYING one.
My primary question is this: Does the C-128 treat it EXACTLY like a
Commodore 1750 Ram Expansion cartridge? In other words, do programs that take
advantage of the 1750 work as well with GEORAM? Do the C128's FETCH, STASH,
and SWAP commands work correctly with GEORAM? If this is the case, then the
folks who spent $500 or so on the now-defunct 1750 must REALLY feel like heels.
The ads for GEORAM (and an entire page article about it in the latest
Compute!'s GAZETTE), say NOTHING about using GEORAM in any manner except
under GEOS (and frankly, my attitude is, if you want point-and-click, get
a MacIntosh)!
If anyone out there owns a GEORAM and can answer these questions, please Email
me! I will post the answer later myself. Thank you!
Be True...
-=*> Unbeliever <*=-
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|InterNet: cosc5sh@elroy.uh.edu UUCP:...texbell!uhnix1!elroy.uh.edu!cosc5sh |
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In case of system identity crisis, try replacing ELROY with JANE or UHVAX1.jharris@ic.sunysb.edu (James ERWIN Harrison) (04/13/90)
>Does anybody out there own (or know anything about) the GEORAM cartridge from >Berkeley Softworks? What I know is: > > 1) It adds 512 K of memory to EITHER the C-64 or the C-128. true > 2) It doesn't require an extra power cord (it eats only 80 milliamps of > current, something even the C64 can handle). true, it uses low power ram chips > 3) GEOS takes full advantage of the extra memory to crank up the effective > speed of operation ENORMOUSLY. not, exactly, see below > 4) It costs only $124.95 (plus 4.95 postage & handling). true > >Now, $130 for 512K RAM on a Commodore beast is an incredible deal. So >incredible, in fact, that I'm actually considering BUYING one. don't > >My primary question is this: Does the C-128 treat it EXACTLY like a >Commodore 1750 Ram Expansion cartridge? No, it doesn't contain the CBM proprietary DMA chip, which means that it can't transfer data at 1MK/sec, but instead it must be driven by the host computer meaning that it works a lot slower than a 17xx expander. Under Geos it cannot be used as a shadow drive or used for DMA screen transfers, IT IS ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH A SPECIAL VERSION OF GEOS SHIPPED WITH GEORAM. Unless you write the software to drive it. >In other words, do programs that take advantage of the 1750 work as well with >GEORAM? Do the C128's FETCH, STASH, and SWAP commands work correctly with >GEORAM? If this is the case, then the folks who spent $500 or so on the > now-defunct 1750 must REALLY feel like heels. Since GeoRam will only work with the special version of GEOS that contains the drivers, GeoRam CANNOT BE USED WITH ANY OTHER PROGRAM!! Not even BASIC 7.0 will work with GeoRam. GeoRam is a SOFTWARE SPECIFIC hardware device. >The ads for GEORAM (and an entire page article about it in the latest >Compute!'s GAZETTE), say NOTHING about using GEORAM in any manner except >under GEOS (and frankly, my attitude is, if you want point-and-click, get >a MacIntosh)! That's because it won't work with anything else other than GEOS, (HINT HINT). Also, three of the magazines quoted in that ad don't do CBM stuff anymore, and the RUN quote probably refers to a 17xx device. >If anyone out there owns a GEORAM and can answer these questions, please Email >me! I will post the answer later myself. Thank you! > > > Be True... > -=*> Unbeliever <*=- > >+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ >|InterNet: cosc5sh@elroy.uh.edu UUCP:...texbell!uhnix1!elroy.uh.edu!cosc5sh | >+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ >In case of system identity crisis, try replacing ELROY with JANE or UHVAX1. If you really want a 17xx compatible RAM expander, contact Software Support International, they have 1700's rebuilt to hold 512K, price is $199.95 and it's called the "1750 Clone." SSI: 2700 NE Anderson Rd, Vancover WA 98661 Or try calling 1-800-356-1179 6am-5pm M-F Pacific time. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net: jharriso@sbccvm.sunysb.edu | Disclaimer: Sender is a CS/EE jharris@ic.sunysb.edu | undergraduate at Stony Brook U Snail Mail: SUNY SB, TOSC 310A, SB NY 11794| suffering from sleep deprivation. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net: jharriso@sbccvm.sunysb.edu | Disclaimer: Sender is a CS/EE jharris@ic.sunysb.edu | undergraduate at Stony Brook U Snail Mail: SUNY SB, TOSC 310A, SB NY 11794| suffering from sleep deprivation.