PC-8201 BANK2 32kB SRAM card: Difference between revisions

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Here is Paul Globman's MEMCHK.DO (ported to NEC by yours truly).
Here is Paul Globman's MEMCHK.DO (ported to NEC by yours truly).
Load and run the .DO program.
Load and run the .DO program.
Remember, 1 beep means 'All good!'.


[[Media:MEMCHK_NEC.zip|MEMCHK for NEC]]
[[Media:MEMCHK_NEC.zip|MEMCHK for NEC]]

Revision as of 17:48, 13 July 2021

Add 32kB BANK 2 to your NEC PC-8201 or PC-8201A

NEC originally shipped the PC-8201 / 8201A with only 16kB in Bank 1, but it can support 2 banks of 32kB. These machines use the same SRAM modules as the Model 100, so to install Bank 2 you would need to buy 4 of these modules! Ouch!

This add-on card plugs into the SRAM sockets associated with Bank 2 - RAM 4,5,6 and 7 - and provides a full 32kB in one go!

There are two socket styles I have encountered - round pins (most common) or flat pins (less common). These are shown below.

PC-8201A

8201A STOCKs.jpg



PC-8201

8201 STOCKs.jpg


In these images you can see, as indicated by the red box, where the SRAM module should be placed. Also shown here - REX# for NEC is installed in the 8201A, in the Option ROM socket, and 8kB SRAM modules are installed in the RAM 2, 3 sockets of Bank 1.

Installation

  1.  For NEC, flip over the laptop and remove the memory compartment cover.
      For M100, remove the 4 screws and separate top from bottom, so you can access the SRAM sockets.
  2.  Align and orient the SRAM card over the sockets.
      For NEC, you are installing a full 32kB in RAM 4,5,6,7.
      For M100,  you are installing 24kB in Option RAM 1,2,3.
  3.  Carefully press the SRAM card until it is fully seated in the sockets.
      Be careful not to bend the pins!
  4.  Reassemble the computer, turn on and run a memory test to confirm the installation is good!


Post-Installation Photos

PC-8201A


8201A SRAMs.jpg



PC-8201


8201 SRAMs.jpg


Memory Test

Here is Paul Globman's MEMCHK.DO (ported to NEC by yours truly). Load and run the .DO program. Remember, 1 beep means 'All good!'.

MEMCHK for NEC