How Do I Add More RAM?

J

Jim Rojas

Guest
I have a special programmer used for security systems. The problem with it
is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does anyone know if it is
possible to modify the unit to accept modern memory sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip. The
expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson MIXMOS RAM Card. I
would like to utilize either port for a memory stick, thus eliminating
problems storing client information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster engine in a VW
Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas
 
Jim Rojas wrote:

I have a special programmer used for security systems. The problem
with it is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does anyone know
if it is possible to modify the unit to accept modern memory sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip. The
expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson MIXMOS RAM
Card. I would like to utilize either port for a memory stick, thus
eliminating problems storing client information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster engine in
a VW Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas
Click to expand...
1980's ? the memory will be static ram (SRAM). (my guess)
16meg memorys will most likely not work.
 
Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed?

Jim Rojas

"Ryan Wheeler" <mojo@nospam_netscape.com> wrote in message
news:D6CQc.121$eMz.34@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
Jim Rojas wrote:

I have a special programmer used for security systems. The problem
with it is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does anyone know
if it is possible to modify the unit to accept modern memory sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip. The
expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson MIXMOS RAM
Card. I would like to utilize either port for a memory stick, thus
eliminating problems storing client information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster engine in
a VW Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas

1980's ? the memory will be static ram (SRAM). (my guess)
16meg memorys will most likely not work.
Click to expand...
 
"Jim Rojas" <jrojas@tech-man.com> writes:
Do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed?

Jim Rojas
Click to expand...
Can you determine how much memory the device would support?
Almost every designer made some decision about the maximum
amount of memory that could be used. Going beyond that
will likely be a monumental task.

You have said it can handle an additional 512k. Is the problem
that you cannot get one of those modules with the extra 512k?
If so then you might be able to read the part number off the
internal memory and look for a compatible part still available
to build yourself a 512k module.

Or are you trying to go way beyond the bounds of what the
software buried inside the device was ever intended to handle?

Or are you trying to find a way to have non-volatile storage
of the data?

Finding out what the limits are for the programmer would be
a good first step for you. Finding out what the part number
was for the memories inside the programmer and/or the module
would be a good second step. Deciding what the minimum
functionality is that you must have for this project would
be a good third step.

The nonvolatile modules that have been introduced in recent
years with 16meg...1024meg have completely different and
more complicated interfaces that make it fairly unlikely
that you can just plug one of these into a product built
twentyfive years ago and expect it to work. Imagine pulling
a fuel injection/emissions system out of a 2005 car and trying
to figure out how to bolt it into a 1980 car, and that is likely
a lot more feasible that doing the same with memory. It isn't
really a valid analogy, but consider the IBM PC that was humming
along at 4.77 Mhz then and computers today hum along at 500 times
that speed. That's sort of like 60 MPH then versus 30,000 MPH now.
One end or the other isn't going to like that speed conversion.

"Ryan Wheeler" <mojo@nospam_netscape.com> wrote in message
news:D6CQc.121$eMz.34@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
Jim Rojas wrote:
I have a special programmer used for security systems. The problem
with it is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does anyone know
if it is possible to modify the unit to accept modern memory sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip. The
expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson MIXMOS RAM
Card. I would like to utilize either port for a memory stick, thus
eliminating problems storing client information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster engine in
a VW Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas

1980's ? the memory will be static ram (SRAM). (my guess)
16meg memorys will most likely not work.
Click to expand...
 
Ryan Wheeler wrote:

Jim Rojas wrote:


I have a special programmer used for security systems. The problem
with it is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does anyone know
if it is possible to modify the unit to accept modern memory sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip. The
expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson MIXMOS RAM
Card. I would like to utilize either port for a memory stick, thus
eliminating problems storing client information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster engine in
a VW Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas


1980's ? the memory will be static ram (SRAM). (my guess)
16meg memorys will most likely not work.
Click to expand...
Um, static RAM was (is) expensive. I'm looking into an Apple //
and it's rows of dynamic RAM chips. Same with the (1982?) Tandy
CoCo and the (1978) TRS-80 board I've got here.

You COULD replace it with static RAM and then you don't have to
worry about refresh rates, but no matter, you're going to be INTIMATE
with what each wire on that expansion slot is.

Does it have enough address lines? does it have a chip select wired
out that you need to attach to or do you need to decode that yourself?
the SPEED of the chip (response wise) what you likely DONT need to deal
with. A static RAM that yawns for a 100Mhz chip will twiddle its thumbs
for an 8MHz chip. (that's part of why I'd avoid dynamic RAM - you don't
want to deal with refresh strobes that are coming too slow to keep
you're stuff alive.

And no, your "1980's" technology will not have enough address wires to
reach the whole memory. ("80's is a little vague as we went from Z80s
and 6502s and their 64k max to 386s, 68040s, SPARCs, MIPS with far MORE
addressing).

But a 512K static RAM chip is findable.

This is not a task for a novice.
 
chuck yerkes wrote:

Ryan Wheeler wrote:

Jim Rojas wrote:


I have a special programmer used for security systems. The problem
with it is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does anyone
know if it is possible to modify the unit to accept modern memory
sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip.
The expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson MIXMOS
RAM Card. I would like to utilize either port for a memory stick,
thus eliminating problems storing client information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster
engine in a VW Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas


1980's ? the memory will be static ram (SRAM). (my guess)
16meg memorys will most likely not work.

Um, static RAM was (is) expensive. I'm looking into an Apple //
and it's rows of dynamic RAM chips. Same with the (1982?) Tandy
CoCo and the (1978) TRS-80 board I've got here.

You COULD replace it with static RAM and then you don't have to
worry about refresh rates, but no matter, you're going to be INTIMATE
with what each wire on that expansion slot is.

Does it have enough address lines? does it have a chip select wired
out that you need to attach to or do you need to decode that yourself?
the SPEED of the chip (response wise) what you likely DONT need to
deal with. A static RAM that yawns for a 100Mhz chip will twiddle
its thumbs for an 8MHz chip. (that's part of why I'd avoid dynamic
RAM - you don't want to deal with refresh strobes that are coming too
slow to keep you're stuff alive.

And no, your "1980's" technology will not have enough address wires to
reach the whole memory. ("80's is a little vague as we went from Z80s
and 6502s and their 64k max to 386s, 68040s, SPARCs, MIPS with far
MORE addressing).

But a 512K static RAM chip is findable.

This is not a task for a novice.
Click to expand...
have a look at this idea:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/535

all static ram
 
Ryan Wheeler wrote:

chuck yerkes wrote:

Ryan Wheeler wrote:

Jim Rojas wrote:


I have a special programmer used for security systems. The
problem with it is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does
anyone know if it is possible to modify the unit to accept
modern memory sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip.
The expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson
MIXMOS RAM Card. I would like to utilize either port for a
memory stick, thus eliminating problems storing client
information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster
engine in a VW Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas


1980's ? the memory will be static ram (SRAM). (my guess)
16meg memorys will most likely not work.

Um, static RAM was (is) expensive. I'm looking into an Apple //
and it's rows of dynamic RAM chips. Same with the (1982?) Tandy
CoCo and the (1978) TRS-80 board I've got here.

You COULD replace it with static RAM and then you don't have to
worry about refresh rates, but no matter, you're going to be
INTIMATE with what each wire on that expansion slot is.

Does it have enough address lines? does it have a chip select wired
out that you need to attach to or do you need to decode that
yourself? the SPEED of the chip (response wise) what you likely
DONT need to deal with. A static RAM that yawns for a 100Mhz chip
will twiddle its thumbs for an 8MHz chip. (that's part of why I'd
avoid dynamic RAM - you don't want to deal with refresh strobes
that are coming too slow to keep you're stuff alive.

And no, your "1980's" technology will not have enough address wires
to reach the whole memory. ("80's is a little vague as we went
from Z80s and 6502s and their 64k max to 386s, 68040s, SPARCs, MIPS
with far MORE addressing).

But a 512K static RAM chip is findable.

This is not a task for a novice.

have a look at this idea:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/535

all static ram
Click to expand...
you mention a ram expansion port. What is available on that port?
 
The RAM expansion port uses the credit card sized Epson MIXMOS RAM CARD.
Your sample idea looks promising. The programmer was designed to up to a 1MB
RAM Card. It may be that it can accept more RAM, but Epson only made it up
to 1 MB. But if your sample idea is feasible, It would solve all my
problems.

I can send you a picture of my RAM Card if you like. As well as pictures of
the actual programmer.

Thank you for the valuable information you provided.

Jim Rojas


"Ryan Wheeler" <mojo@nospam_netscape.com> wrote in message
news:afOQc.1003$neV.188@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
Ryan Wheeler wrote:

chuck yerkes wrote:

Ryan Wheeler wrote:

Jim Rojas wrote:


I have a special programmer used for security systems. The
problem with it is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does
anyone know if it is possible to modify the unit to accept
modern memory sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip.
The expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson
MIXMOS RAM Card. I would like to utilize either port for a
memory stick, thus eliminating problems storing client
information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster
engine in a VW Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas


1980's ? the memory will be static ram (SRAM). (my guess)
16meg memorys will most likely not work.

Um, static RAM was (is) expensive. I'm looking into an Apple //
and it's rows of dynamic RAM chips. Same with the (1982?) Tandy
CoCo and the (1978) TRS-80 board I've got here.

You COULD replace it with static RAM and then you don't have to
worry about refresh rates, but no matter, you're going to be
INTIMATE with what each wire on that expansion slot is.

Does it have enough address lines? does it have a chip select wired
out that you need to attach to or do you need to decode that
yourself? the SPEED of the chip (response wise) what you likely
DONT need to deal with. A static RAM that yawns for a 100Mhz chip
will twiddle its thumbs for an 8MHz chip. (that's part of why I'd
avoid dynamic RAM - you don't want to deal with refresh strobes
that are coming too slow to keep you're stuff alive.

And no, your "1980's" technology will not have enough address wires
to reach the whole memory. ("80's is a little vague as we went
from Z80s and 6502s and their 64k max to 386s, 68040s, SPARCs, MIPS
with far MORE addressing).

But a 512K static RAM chip is findable.

This is not a task for a novice.

have a look at this idea:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/535

all static ram

you mention a ram expansion port. What is available on that port?
Click to expand...
 
"Jim Rojas" <jrojas@tech-man.com> wrote in message
news:ljWPc.16658$UN2.8363@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
I have a special programmer used for security systems. The problem with it
is that it based on 1980's RAM technology. Does anyone know if it is
possible to modify the unit to accept modern memory sticks?

The base unit only holds 512K, which I believe is a memory chip. The
expansion port that gives you another 512K using Epson MIXMOS RAM Card. I
would like to utilize either port for a memory stick, thus eliminating
problems storing client information.

A simple 16MB memory stick would be like putting a dragster engine in a VW
Bug... :)

Can anyone help?

Thank you in advance.

Jim Rojas
Click to expand...
Memory architecture has undergone many generations of change over the years.
Without a special interface, designed to emulate both architectures, the
chances of mating new memory to 20-year old systems is remote at best. Best
bet is to hunt for old RAM at flea markets.
 
The Amiga computers use 512K chips, they should be easy to find and go for a
song, my last Amiga 2000 I bought cost the princely sum of $2

Paul
 
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