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From: frel@randvax.UUCP (Dave Frelinger)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: ROMs on SIMMs
Keywords: ROMs
Message-ID: <375@rondo.randvax.UUCP>
Date: 30 Sep 88 00:22:25 GMT
Reply-To: frel@rondo.UUCP (Dave Frelinger)
Organization: Rand Corp., Santa Monica
Lines: 28


    While reading through the Macintosh Family Hardware Reference Manual I
noticed the reference to using a 64 pin SIMM on the MacII logic board to
hold the ROMs. (Those with the manual see pages 16-14 and 18-9 to 18-12) A
couple of questions come to my mind: (1) Is the ROM SIMM option intended
to replace the ROMs on the logic board or just supplement them is some
way? (2) Is this an option Apple is really offering to users, or is it
just something theyu are technically capable of and included in the manual
to taunt those of us who fear the growing number of patches in the system
file? :-)

   If Apple does, or intends to offer the SIMM ROM option it makes the
already dubious options of an expensive logic board swap to get many of
the MacIIx's features look even questionable by allowing the an old MacII to
duplicate most features of the MacIIx by adding a PMMU, a 68882, and
new ROMs in lieu of a logic board swap.  I would guess that it would be
cheaper to upgrade a vanilla MacII with the added chips then getting the
IIx logic board option.  If anyone knows what the status is of the SIMM ROM
option I would love to hear the story.
			Thanks,
			       Dave
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave Frelinger
The RAND Corporation
frel@rand-unix.ARPA

Traditional Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are mine, and do not
represent those of The RAND Corporation or its sponsors.