Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!samsung!rex!uflorida!mlb.semi.harris.com!rtpark.rtp.semi.harris.com!mcnc!beguine!uchuck From: uchuck@med.unc.edu (Charles Bennett) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.ps2.hardware Subject: Re: Help Keywords: MicroChannel Architecture Message-ID: <3173@beguine.UUCP> Date: 1 Apr 91 19:37:33 GMT References: <1991Mar29.032128.15956@lynx.CS.ORST.EDU> Sender: usenet@beguine.UUCP Organization: UNC-CH School of Medicine Lines: 68 In article <1991Mar29.032128.15956@lynx.CS.ORST.EDU> morgand@prism.CS.ORST.EDU (MORGAN DENNIS ALAN) writes: > > I recently bought a PS/2 55SX without the knowledge that MicroChannel >Architecture makes the PS/2 incompatible (hardware wise) with other pc's. I >have some questions that I hope someone out there can answer. > > (1) Can you hook up any external floppy drive or do you have > to have a special one? I heard that a special type was > needed. If anyone has one for sell, I am interested in > purchasing one. > I really don't have a good answer for this one. I know the IBM solution uses a card and an external drive. Personally I would install a MCA, SCSI card and hang a floppy off of that. In addition you will then be able to hang another hard drive, CD-ROM, etc off the SCSI. IBM's SCSI is reasonable in price and Adaptec also makes a MCA model. > (2) Can you use any internal modem? Again I heard that you > had to have a special one that cost $300+ . A bit steep > if you ask me. Again I am interested in buying one. > Not that expensive. Practical Peripherals makes a COMPLETELY Hayes compatible MCA internal 2400 or 2400/MNP5 modem for about $179. Practical Peripherals is owned by Hayes and they use the SAME copyrighted/patented chip set. Again, personally I opted for the external version, cost about $219. Remember that machine only has 3 slots available - don't fill them with stuff you can put outside, not to mention use with your next machine. > (3) What type of memory does the PS/2 use? I looked > thoroughly through the so called manual and I couldn't > find anything on the type of memory used. I need two > megs. If anyone has some for sale, again I am > interested in buying. > The 55SX comes with two SIMM connectors. I can take either 2Mb SIMMs (not very readily available but can be had) or 4Mb SIMMs (readily available but a bit pricey currently). They can be mixed, i.e 2Mb in one connector and 4Mb in the other. DO NOT buy your memory from IBM - real expensive, I made that mistake on the first 2Mb upgrade. For more memory I recommend the Tecmar MicroRam AD card. It has 8 SIMM connectors, must be used in pairs - either 256Kb or 1Mb SIMMs. The Tecmar card has a real neat feature - it has a daughter board that takes up NO MORE space(slots) and can be configured for either 1 additional serial port and 1 additional parallel port or 2 additional serial ports. You must use 80-85ns SIMMs on the motherboard (or faster doesn't hurt) and the same on the Tecmar board to maintain 0 wait states. You can use 100ns SIMMs on the Tecmar if you are willing to have that memory be 1 wait state. Any of the above memtioned SIMMs can be obtained from ELKCO Corp. (800-243-5526) as well as other places. Oh, the Tecmar card costs about $268 and the daughterboard about $179. In summary, with 2 - 4Mb SIMMs on the mother(excuse me - PLANAR) board and 8 - 1Mb SIMMs on the Tecmar you have the maximum of 16Mb that the 55SX can address. BTW, congrats on your purchase - I beleive in IBM and PS/2's as a baseline product. > > That is all I can think of right now. Please send all comments, >replies, slanders, etc. to : > > morgand@prism.cs.orst.edu -- Chuck Bennett INTERNET: uchuck@med.unc.edu Medical Sciences Teaching Labs BITNET: uchuck@unc CB# 7520 University of NC PHONE: 919-966-1134(w) Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7520