Forum posts to 'Hardware'

Re: Is there a memory test software for the IIGS?

robbo007 — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 14:11:58 +0200

Hi,
Just trying to create the memory test disk. I've tried using ADT-PRO to create the diskette but it seems to load AppleCommand only and not the memory test program.

Could you let me know how I can create a Prodos disk with your program so I can test my expansion card?
Thanks,
Rob

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Re: Is there a memory test software for the IIGS?

Mitchell Spector — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:29:23 +0200

A bit of important advice when dealing with the Apple IIGS Memory Expansion Card...

- There are only 3 valid memory configurations that will work:

A) 256K (only built-in memory present--all sockets empty)
B) 512K (only TOP row of sockets populated)
C) 1024K (all sockets populated)

- For configuration "A", remove both jumper blocks. "B" only short *bottom* jumper pins. "C" short both sets of jumpers pins.

The card should look something like this with 512K:
____________________
|[AAAAAAAA] [BBBBBBBB] \
|[XXXXXXXX] [XXXXXXXX] |
---------------------|______|

You can populate it with 256Kx1 DRAMs (usually labeled "41256-15"). They only have to be 150ns or faster and must use CAS before RAS in the address order. Probably harder to find these than it was in the past. I still have a dozens of them (new) in shrink tubes when I bought out the remains of TMS Peripherals Apple II stock. Plus several dozen more pulled off of 8088, 286 and 386 motherboards.

Yep, testing the memory is a great idea. Incidentally, if you have AppleWorks GS, there is a memory test program on the 'Utilities' disk (though given the choice, I'd try something more modern). The built-in self test will test at least the on-board motherboard RAM. Press Apple-Option-Control-Reset and wait several minutes.

ps - There's no such thing as a ROM 00 motherboard per say. The ROM firmware chip plugged in (equivalent of a PC BIOS) is what made it either a ROM 00 or ROM 01. The '00' is 342-0077-A, while the '01' is 342-0077-B. Funny I still remember those part numbers in my head.

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Re: Is there a memory test software for the IIGS?

dw — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:47:48 +0200

Thanks for your reply. I will be sure to check that out. As it turns out the memory card's jumpers were improperly configured. The card was half populated and supposed to be 512KB. However when I put the card back into the system and started up with correct jumper settings I would get Fatal System Error messages. I was able to remove the defective RAM chips with an IC extractor. Now I have only 256KB on the card giving me a total of 512KB. I looked at Briel's 4MB card. Unfortunately he is out of stock now.

As a side note, the IIgs box I have also came with a highly sought after IIGS ROM 00 board which actually works. The person I acquired the system from upgraded the board to a ROM 01 but was kind enough to include the old ROM 00 board. I currently have the ROM 00 board on eBay.

Thanks again.

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Re: Is there a memory test software for the IIGS?

Alex Lee — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:33:29 +0200

It's actually perfect timing you're asking for a Memory Test Software for the GS, because developer Geoff Weiss has just released version 2 of his memory test software:

http://mmt.gwlink.net/

The ShrinkIt (SHK) archive is at the top of the page.

You should be able to use CiderPress to unarchive Mega Memory Tester (MMT) and get it to a floppy via your Mac II.

It does look like something's screwy with your IIGS memory - with a 1 meg card installed you should be getting approximately 1.25 meg of RAM.

I don't own one myself, but if you search for Vince Briel's 4 meg RAM card for the IIGS, that's the most affordable solution for increasing RAM. Then there are cards that appear on eBay of course.

Hope that helps!

- Alex

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Is there a memory test software for the IIGS?

dw — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:28:31 +0200

I have just recently acquired a Woz Ltd Edition machine ROM 01. I'm having problems loading programs I download from this site and they don't work properly on my IIGS. My IIgs has a 1MB card in it however it is reporting only 1067KB in the BIOS setup. When I run the system without the card the BIOS reports it has having 256KB onboard. Something isn't right.

What I have been doing is downloading a few games on my Windows PC from this site and using a program called CiderPress to convert the 2MG files to DSK files. I then import those DSK files on my old Mac II which I then use Disk Copy 4.2 to make the 800KB diskettes for the IIgs.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

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