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From: omalley@mace.cc.purdue.edu (John O'Malley)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: 32-bit clean ROM upgrades (was Max memory for SE/30 & 512K ROM SIMM)
Message-ID: <7164@mace.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: 5 Apr 91 15:04:54 GMT
References: <13193@ur-cc.UUCP>
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Lines: 34

In article <13193@ur-cc.UUCP> afry@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Alan R. Fry) writes:
> I realize that the extra memory beyond 8 meg can't be accessed
>under system 6.0.x [on an SE/30], but what about 7.0's 32 bit mode?
>
>Has Apple made any peeps about whether they will be making a 512K ROM SIMM?

Here's what I heard about 32-bit clean ROMs for Macs without them:  Apple
has no plans to market a ROM upgrade solely for the purpose of providing
32-bit cleanliness.

But several months after System 7 hits the streets Apple might offer an
upgrade that would put key parts of System 7 (EventManager, etc.) into a
32-bit clean ROM.  Such an upgrade might be worth Apple's time and money
since it would provide significant new functionality.  (But don't hold
your breath.)

Disclaimer:  I'm not a developer nor anyone with inside info ... I'm just
reporting what an Apple person said at a recent support meeting.

The speaker's opinion was that IIcx, II, and IIx owners who really need
32-bit clean ROMs also probably need increased power.  They can buy IIci
and IIfx logic board upgrades, which give them both 32-bit cleanliness and
more speed.

I'm not sure I agree with this strategy, which is obviously expensive.
And it doesn't give options to SE/30 owners.  But that's what the Apple
speaker's opinion was.

That's all I know.  Standard disclaimers, mileage may vary, and all that ...

-John
---
John O'Malley          / Macintosh  / Purdue University / (317)
omalley@cc.purdue.edu / Specialist / Computing Center  / 494-1787