Msg: 1039 *Conference*
12-01-91 10:33:27
From: RICHARD HANSON
To : GALEN CURRAH
Subj: REPLY TO MSG #1035 (ROM CHIPS)
----- Hmmmm.... where do I start? I'm very confused about your question, "How much RAM comes with the URII ROM?" Perhaps I need to talk about the limits of the Model 100, and the various combinations. Please note, that a Model 100 is not configured and used like you would a large desktop computer. Understand, that last sentence is VERY important. RAM is used as a temporary work area. You are always limited to 32K. RAM should never be used for long term storage of data or programs. Long term storage may be thought of as any time increment over that which might mean data or program loss, i.e., one minute, 10 minutes, an hour, etc. Long term is a subjective judgement call on the part of the user. ROM (aka option ROM) is used to add additional programming to the built in programs of BASIC, TEXT, TELCOM, etc. A Model 100 will address a 32K option ROM. ROM adds no RAM. Never has, never will, with one exception, EME System's extRAM. Club 100 carries several different option ROMs. Some option ROMs stand alone in their operations (i.e., TS-DOS ROM, ROM2/Cleuseau, Multiplan ROM, CRDFIL ROM), while others either include menu-calls to external, disk-based programs (i.e., Ultimate ROM II includes 4 ROM programs and two menu calls, 1) TS-DOS disk, and 2) Sardine disk. The Sardine ROM includes T-Word and Sardine uses the disk for the dictionary but does not include a TS-DOS menu call. You must exit the ROM to run the disk operating system.) The extRAM functions like an extra bank of 32K RAM, or an option ROM at any time. However, it may not function as both a RAM or ROM at the same time. Use as an extra 32K RAM is the way most folks think about the extRAM at first. However, its ROM ability make it an exciting tool when coupled with a TPDD(2) or RAMPAC (the later being very fast). If you choose a Model 102 or 200 (due to the system bus design) and install both a RAMPAC and an extRAM, you may load many ROM images into the RAMPAC and use the extRAM as a VERY FAST loading multiROM bank. Truly exciting. The multiROM bank action is slower with the TPDD(2) but still quite useful and exciting. I'll stop at this point and let you digest all this. Did I cover your question(s) adequately? Please respond with more questions from other angles. I will take whatever time's necessary to help you discover Model 100 computing. -Rick-