clouds@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Kathy Strong) (01/23/91)
In article <hess.664548643@rzsun3> hess@rzsun3.informatik.uni-hamburg.de (Hauke Hess) writes: > >I own a Macintosh+ and would like to expand its RAM to 2 MB. Several people told >me different things about the complexity of this task. Some told me of 'only >plugging in a SIMM 1MBx9, 70ns in the right place', others that I 'should pull >out the old RAM, have to buy 2MB of SIMMS and plug them in instead of the >old RAM', and then there was the cloudy hint 'to remove some resistors and then >plug in a SIMM at the right place'. The second answer was from my local Apple >distributor. > >Which one is right? How easy is the job? Could anyone tell me of 'typical' >problems in expanding a Mac's RAM? The dealer was correct. You must buy TWO 1MB SIMMs (100ns or faster). You will remove two of the existing 256K SIMMs (the two that are behind the other two, if I recall correctly) and replace them with the 1MBs. You will try to find someone to buy the 256ers, and fail. :-) Look for the resistor--it's fairly close to the left bank of SIMMs, I think (can you tell it's been a while since I did this?)... anyway, it's labeled something like "256K only." Clip it off and you're done. If you've never opened up your Mac before, I suggest finding someone who has to show you how to do it. In particular, don't forget: - the power cable is keyed (i.e., there's a tab you have to hold before it will come out of the socket) - the speaker connector can't be undone until the motherboard is partially pulled out - oh yeah... remove your programmer's switch before you take the case apart! Or you could just pay your dealer to do it for you. If he's nice he'll let you watch and then you can do it yourself when you add the other 2 megs. -- ........................................................................... : Kathy Strong : "Try our Hubble-Rita: just one shot, : : (Clouds moving slowly) : and everything's blurry" : : clouds@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu : --El Arroyo : :..........................................................................:
nwc1@quads.uchicago.edu (einsturzende neubaten) (01/23/91)
Actually, I'm fairly sure that the Mac Plus only needs RAM of 150ns or faster. But most RAM SIMM's these days are 70 or 80 ns, anyway. 150ns ones are either a) cheaper because not manufactured at such a high precision or b) more expensive, for the (unlikely) reason that they're scarce. more likely the former, come to think of it. 'later!
gray@s5000.RSVL.UNISYS.COM (Bill Gray x2128) (01/24/91)
Kathy Strong's instructions on SIMM installation are fine, but you might not want to "clip the resistor off" as she suggests. On my Plus, I just clipped one lead and bent the resistor away. I also got faster RAM than I needed (80ns, I think). The rationale is simple: Someday you might want to move up to a newer, faster Mac. You can take your SIMMs with you if they are fast enough. But to sell the Plus, you'll want to restore it to original 1MB condition. To do that, you'll need your 256K SIMMs--and that resistor. . . It's a lot easier to resolder one lead than to find the little rascal if you yanked it out. If you know you'll never upgrade, you can nuke the resistor and use slower (and cheaper, but not much) SIMMs. Cheers, Bill -- : gray@rsvl.unisys.com : : : : My gun is safer than Ted : : Unisys has enough problems without being : Kennedy's car. : : blamed for my personal opinions. : :
Jim.Spencer@p510.f22.n282.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Spencer) (01/25/91)
Hauke Hess writes in a message to All HH> I own a Macintosh+ and would like to expand its RAM to 2 MB. HH> Several people told me different things about the complexity HH> of this task. Some told me of 'only plugging in a SIMM 1MBx9, HH> 70ns in the right place', others that I 'should pull out the HH> old RAM, have to buy 2MB of SIMMS and plug them in instead of HH> the old RAM', and then there was the cloudy hint 'to remove some HH> resistors and then plug in a SIMM at the right place'. The second HH> answer was from my local Apple distributor. The first answer is completely wrong. The Plus only requires 150ns SIMMs. Anything faster gets you nothing but it won't hurt (just so you don't buy fx SIMMs but you would have to hunt for those.) Both the second and third answers (when combined) are correct. Your Plus has 4 SIMM slots. These are currently occupied by 4 256k SIMMs so to install more RAM you will have to remove at least two of these. (Plus SIMMs must be installed in pairs which must match.) Because of this however, there is absolutely no sense in upgrading to 2 MB. Rather you go to 2.5 MB by leaving two of the 256k SIMMs and replacing the other two with 1MB Simms. You can take out all 4 256k SIMMs and only put back the 2 1MB SIM Ms but why would you want to. Your only other option is to replace all 4 current SIMMs with 1MB SIMMs while you've got it open. The job is not hard and most SIMM sellers will also sell you a pamphlet on how to do it but you do have to clip a resister when you upgrade to either 2.5 MB or to 4MB. Again, the pamplets show you which resister to clip. (There's no soldering or anything like that.) Obviously care is needed, especially so because on a Plus you will be working around the naked monitor. If you feel uncomfortable installing the new RAM yourself, you should have no problem finding someone to help you who has done it before
Jim.Spencer@p510.f22.n282.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Spencer) (01/25/91)
Kathy Strong writes in a message to All KS> The dealer was correct. You must buy TWO 1MB SIMMs (100ns or KS> faster). You will remove two of the existing 256K SIMMs (the KS> two that are behind the other two, if I recall correctly) and KS> replace them with the 1MBs. You will try to find someone to buy KS> the 256ers, and fail. :-) Look for the resistor--it's fairly KS> close to the left bank of SIMMs, I think (can you tell it's been KS> a while since I did this?)... anyway, it's labeled something KS> like "256K only." Clip it off and you're done. You are correct except for the speed of the SIMMs: a Plus only needs 150 ns or faster. The SE/30 and most of the II line need 120ns or faster. Only the newer faster machines need anything faster. Faster RAM however has the advantage that if you upgrade your Mac you can take your RAM with you.
Adam.Frix@p2.f200.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Adam Frix) (01/26/91)
Kathy Strong writes in a message to All: KS> If you've never opened up your Mac before, I suggest finding KS> someone who has to show you how to do it. In particular, don't KS> forget: KS> KS> - the power cable is keyed (i.e., there's a tab you have to hold before KS> it will come out of the socket) KS> - the speaker connector can't be undone until the motherboard is partially KS> pulled out KS> - oh yeah... remove your programmer's switch before you take the case KS> apart! On a Mac Plus, the speaker connector doesn't come into the picture when removing the motherboard. That's on the SE. --Adam-- -- Adam Frix via cmhGate - Net 226 fido<=>uucp gateway Col, OH UUCP: ...!osu-cis!n8emr!cmhgate!200.2!Adam.Frix INET: Adam.Frix@p2.f200.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG