Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!hrc!force!covertr
From: covertr@force.UUCP (Richard E. Covert)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: A few random thoughts
Message-ID: <473ffa3c.14a1f@force.UUCP>
Date: 5 Dec 89 20:34:54 GMT
References: <21653@brunix.UUCP> <24548@cup.portal.com> <1833@atari.UUCP> <4448.257a46e4@uwovax.uwo.ca>
Organization: gte
Lines: 69

In article <4448.257a46e4@uwovax.uwo.ca>, 4224_5132@uwovax.uwo.ca (Andrew Semple) writes:
> 
>  covertr@force.UUCP (Richard E. Covert) spews,
> 
> > You know Ken, that is ONE reason why I refuse to buy the new TT. If you can't
> > even upgrade a Mega ST2 to 4 megs because of some manufacturing decision to
> > save 10 cents by using a MMU chip that can't address 4 megs, then what does
> > that tell me about Atari?? It is INSANE to sell a Mega ST2 that is crippled
> > so that it can't be upgraded to 4 megs. That is another example of Atari's
> > No Upgrade Policy. Why do you folks do that??
> > 
> > And are you folks going to change this policy with regards to the TT/p? Or
> > if I want to add more memory after I purchase a TT/P will I have to sell
> > it and buy another TT/p with more memory?? 
> >
>   The above statement about the ST2 not being able to be expanded to 4 Megs 
> is absolute CRAP.  I know of about 20 ST2's that have been expanded to 4 Megs.

Andrew, I was simply repeating what Ken B of Atari said in an earlier post.
That *SOME* Mega ST2s can NOT be upgraded to 4 megabytes. Also, when I had
Henry add the extra 2 megs of RAM chips to my early 1988 vintage Mega ST2 last
Spring I asked John Townsend and others at Atari what the repair/replacement
policy is for such machines. The *OFFICIAL* Atari policy is that a Mega ST2
that comes in for repair/replacement leaves with EXACTLY two megs of RAM 
even if it came in with 4 megs. There is *NO* *OFFICIAL* way to upgrade a
Mega ST2 to 4 megs and still be supported by Atari. Ask John Townsend or
someone else at Atari if you don't believe me.

As far as some megas not being upgradable, my local dealer has sold some of
them. I believe my local dealer. On the other hand, the latest 520STs are
very easy to upgrade. You just add 1/4 RAM chips to bump to 1 meg, or 1 meg
RAM chips to bump to 2.5 megs. Very easy with the NEW 520STs. Very 
*UNOFFICIAL* of course!!

> 
>   To Richard directly:  Please have the guts to flame me by mail, don't waste
> space here!
Nah, there are too many folks out there that just live to read my next "spew"
:-)

> 
> > Oh well, life goes on.
> 
>   I guess it does ...
> 
At least I hope that it goes on....

>   I was recently in one of my local (non-authorized) Atari dealers when I 
> noticed that he had an Atari product called VT100 Emulator.  It was a cart
> that you plugged in so your screen resembled those old VT100 terminals that
> astronomy people use :-).  Has anyone used it.  It was only 10$ so I might

Hey, do you know what those VT100 carts are great for?? Pirates use them for
making ripoff carts!! But they lack the fancy gold plating of a real
cart, but you gets what you pays for!

> --------------------------------------------------------------
> Andrew Semple                               ads@hydra.uwo.ca
> 2nd Year Applied Math/Computer Science      Andrew.Semple@hydra.uwo.ca
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Oh, an expert :-)



-- 
 Richard E. Covert (covertr@gtephx) 
  (602) - 581-4652 
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