[comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware] Memory and disk drives

tlbrook@eos.ncsu.edu (TRACY LEE BROOKS) (04/30/91)

Hi Everyone.
   I have a question that I hope someone can help me answer.  I am
thinking about buying some memory for my PS/2 and wonder if I have to
purchase memory specially made for Micro Channel.  I would also like to
know if Micro Channel will support SIMMs.  I am also thinking about
buying an additional hard drive and wonder if this has to be made for
Micro Channel as well.

Here is my system:

	IBM Model 55-SX  16 MHz
	2 MB of RAM
	60 MB Hard Drive

Thanks in advance for all who answer.


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|  Tracy Lee Brooks-tlbrook@eos.ncsu.edu     voice(919) 856-0550 |
|                                                                |
|  North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC    Go Wolfpack   |
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FelineGrace@cup.portal.com (Dana B Bourgeois) (05/01/91)

Concerning add-ons to PS-2 machines...

IBM doesn't make it easy to upgrade with non-IBM parts but it is possible.
For memory, contact your dealer and find out how much memory you can
put on the motherboard.  Model 50 is 2 MB I think and most others are
4 MB or more.  Open up your machine and see if the memory slots are all
filled.  If they are then you are:
  1. out of luck because you have the max on the motherboard
or
  2. lucky and unlucky.
Filled slots with less than full memory means you have to take out all
the memory (SIMMS) and replace them with larger capacity ones.  Remove
two 256K SIMMS and replace them with 1MB SIMMS for example.  This depends
on what the motherboard was designed to handle and newer ones can utilize
the larger capacity SIMMS (which now are up to 4MB each).  But I don't
know what each model can handle except in general.  Your dealer should be
able to look it up and tell you.  I've seen the book.

If your memory slots are not all filled then good news!  Just buy more.
They install by pushing them into the slots (with the power off) but
you will have to run the set-up programs again.  Otherwise the system
will either ignore your memory or give an error code on boot-up.  (I'm
full of generalities because I have skimmed the books but never done
this.  Be Warned.)  If your motherboard memory capacity is filled, then
you must buy a memory add-in board.  It must be a Micro-channel board
unless you have a model 25 or 30 which have ISA (XT-type) bus.  You buy
the board based on manufacturer (name brand or not) and maximum memory
capacity(more costs more) and speed (faster costs more).  Most manufact-
urers give you a choice of 0MB up to the maximum at purchase.  Up to
your wallet.

Good luck.

Dana Bourgeois @ cup.portal.com

tlbrook@eos.ncsu.edu (TRACY LEE BROOKS) (05/02/91)

I would like to thank all the people who responded to my recent posting
for some info on memory and disk drives for an IBM 55-SX.  Your
responses have been most helpful.  Thanks.

By the way:

	If there is any one who would like a copy of the mail I received please
e-mail me a note an I'll send you a copy.



Thanks again to everyone.



|----------------------------------------------------------------|
|  Tracy Lee Brooks-tlbrook@eos.ncsu.edu     voice(919) 856-0550 |
|                                                                |
|  North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC                  |
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