Date: Wed, 8 Jan 86 17:30:26 EST From: Edward_Vielmetti%[email protected] Subject: Adding Memory to a Zenith Z-151 with RDISK To: iph%[email protected]
I have the RDisk unit installed, and it works quite nicely. Available memory is 640K + a 640K ramdisk. I haven't experience any problems in the operation of it; installation was a bit tedious (pulling 45 chips, replacing them with 45 new 256K rams took about 3 hours).
Since then, I have heard (second hand) that Software Wizardry is offering a RamPal unit (the same type of setup) that gives 704K system memory and a 512K ramdisk. Don't know about prices for that unit, or availability or anything; if you're interested, check out SW ads in Sextant or another Heath/Zenith magazine.
For my purposes, I would rather have the maximum amount of system memory possible (with all the resident utilities I have, I only have 280K free !!!!!). There is a tradeoff involved.
Another thing--the RDisk is a little daughterboard, and it might be a tight fit if you have another card next to it. I ended up putting the memory card in next to an empty slot just to be safe.
Alternatives to the RDisk/RamPal scheme are to buy a card that implements the Extended Memory spec (Above Board, RAMPage! are some names). The memory that you add that way is useful for more than just ramdisks; Lotus v2, Symphony, Ready! and Framework all take advantage of the extended memory. The cost is another slot and several hundred dollars more for the card. RDisk is supposed to be compatible with EMS, if you want to go the whole hog.
For memory chips: Microprocessors Unlimited (check Byte ads) is excellent. Good prices, fast service (1-3 days!), intelligent people working there. If you want to order industrial-size quantities of memory chips (100+), I have had good results with D-L-C (check Electronic News ads). Service is on the order of a week to 10 days, and prices are better. (A minimum order may be necessary.)
Let me know what you decide to follow through with.
--Ed
Edward Vielmetti Computing Center Microgroup University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109
