a2heaven IIGS8MRAM User Manual - User Manual

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Apple IIGS 8MB RAM

User’s Guide

Apple IIGS 8M RAM User’s Guide © a2heaven.com, 22 Nov 2016 Version 1.00

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Table of Contents

Description ...........................................................................................................................................................4

Contents of Package .............................................................................................................................................4

IIGSRAM8M Installation ......................................................................................................................................5

Diagnostics and Troubleshoting ...........................................................................................................................7

IIGSRAM8M Led indicators ...................................................................................................................................8

IIGS512KROM Add-on board ................................................................................................................................9

IIGS512KROM Jumpers and memory map ........................................................................................................ 10

Starting and using GSBUG 1.7 ........................................................................................................................... 11

About the IIGS8MRAM Battery ........................................................................................................................ 11

Frequently Asked Questions .............................................................................................................................. 12

Where to find further help ................................................................................................................................ 12

About a2heaven.com ........................................................................................................................................ 12

Warranty ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

Some other a2heaven products ........................................................................................................................ 14

Apple IIGS 8M RAM User’s Guide © a2heaven.com, 22 Nov 2016 Version 1.00

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Description

About The

IIGS8MRAM

Card

Memory Expansion

IIGS8MRAM

cards allows you to increase the Random Access

Memory  (RAM)  capacity  of  your  Apple  IIGS.  RAM  is  the  memory  that  can  be
both  read  from  and  written  to-the  addressable  (user  useable)  memory.  Many
programs automatically look for and use available RAM to give them more room
to  operate  (desktop  space).  Many  programs  load  themselves  into  the  available
RAM at start up. This greatly increases their performance because it reduces or
eliminates the need to access the relatively slow mechanical floppy drives.

IIGS8MRAM

lets you increase the available system RAM 8MB.

IIGS512KROM

add-on board allow you to add ROM chip (as they become

available) which will give you greater speed in loading tools, applications, etc.

DMA Support

The Apple IIGS is limited to expanded system memory of up to 8 Megabytes but
only 4 Meg is Direct Memory Access (DMA) compatible. Most DMA peripherals
will tell you that they require DMA.

IIGSRAM8M

cards are DMA compatible.

Contents of Package

IIGSRAM8M – Apple IIGS 8M RAM PCB

IIGS512KROM – 512K add on board with preloaded software .

Apple IIGS 8M RAM User’s Guide © a2heaven.com, 22 Nov 2016 Version 1.00

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IIGSRAM8M Installation

This chapter tells you how to install and test the IIGSRAM8M memory expansion
cards. Before you install your memory-expansion card, please be sure to read
Setting Up Your Apple IIGS and the Apple IIGS Owner's Guide, You'll need to be
particularly familiar with the Control Panel functions as this manual makes
frequent reference to the Control Panel menu.

Installation

Turn off the computer.

Leave the computer plugged in but flip the power switch to the OFF
position.

Remove the Apple ILGS cover.

Locate the two latches on either side of the backplate. Push in on the
latches while pulling up and back on the lid.

Touch the power supply case.

This will discharge any static electricity that may be on your body. Do not
skip this step. Static electricity can ruin chips on the board and in the
computer.

Remove the memory-expansion card from its anti-static bag.
Hold the card by the edges. Do not touch the gold fingers of the card.

Position the memory expansion card over the Memory Expansion Slot
The Memory expansion slot is located in the front right corner of the
computer , see figure .

Apple IIGS 8M RAM User’s Guide © a2heaven.com, 22 Nov 2016 Version 1.00

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Insert the card.
Insert the gold edge-connector into the Memory Expansion Slot until it is
completely seated. You can wiggle the card gently, back to front, to
insure a firm connection.

Replace the Apple IIGS cover.
Slide the front of the lid in first, then press on the back edge until it snaps
into place.

Check the RAM Disk setting to verify correct installation.
You can verify that the computer recognizes the additional memory by
checking the RAM Disk option in the Control Panel menu.

First,  turn  on  the  computer  then  access  the  Classic  Desk  Accessories
menu  by  holding  down  the  Open-Apple  and  Control  keys  while  pressing
ESC.  Use  the  up  and  down  arrow  keys  to  select  the  Control  Panel  menu
and press "Return". Select the

RAM Disk

option and press "Return". The

number next to the Largest Selectable listing tells you the amount of
memory that the system now has available.

Test the card.

ROM add-on card contain tools for testing RAM card. You can Boot from
ROM disk and use this tools. First, turn on the computer then access the
Classic Desk Accessories menu by holding down the Open-Apple and
Control keys while pressing ESC.

Use the up and down arrow keys to select the Control Panel menu and
press "Return". Select the

Slots

option and press "Return". Use the up

and down arrow keys to select

StartUP

using left and right arrow select

ROM Disk

and press "Return”. Select

Quit

and reboot computer . After

rebooting computer load ProDos 2.4.1. From menu select memory test
folder and run program to test memory.

10.

If memory test is complete without error installation is complete, else
check

Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

chapter.

Apple IIGS 8M RAM User’s Guide © a2heaven.com, 22 Nov 2016 Version 1.00

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Diagnostics and Troubleshoting

If you have a technical question relating to your

IIGSRAM8M

or any other

a2heaven

product that is not covered in the manual, please contact with us on

this mail address

support@a2heaven.com

. The support are experienced in the

applications and uses of

a2heaven

products, but in order to provide a quick and

effective answer to your question, they will need to know as much as possible
about the hardware and software specifically related to your question. Please
provide the technical support representative with the following information:

•

The

a2heaven

product related to your question and its revision number.

•

The original and current memory configuration of the card (if applicable).

•

The model and revision of your computer.

•

What peripherals are being used and what cards are in each slot.

•

The results of any test programs, diagnostics, or troubleshooting done by
you

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IIGSRAM8M Led indicators

Led state :

Indicate Accessing ROM Card

Indicating Write on RAM Card

Apple IIGS 8M RAM User’s Guide © a2heaven.com, 22 Nov 2016 Version 1.00

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IIGS512KROM Add-on board

The

IIGS512KROM

add-on board do not need to be filled for the card to work

as memory expansion. However, when EPROMs containing applications, tools,
and utilities become available, you'll be ready to take full advantage of the
increased speed they offer.

IIGS512KROM

come with preloaded some useful application:

•

ProDos 2.4.1

– DOS

•

CopyIIPlus 7.2 - Copy utility

•

ADTPro

– Communication software

•

Merlin

– Assembler

•

MemTest

– Memory test programs

•

VideoTest

– Test Video modes on IIGS

•

GSBUG 1.7

– Debugger software

You can Boot from ROM disk and use this tools. First, turn on the computer then
access the Classic Desk Accessories menu by holding down the Open-Apple and
Control keys while pressing ESC.

Use the up and down arrow keys to select the Control Panel menu and press
"Return". Select the

Slots

option and press "Return". Use the up and down

arrow keys to select

StartUP

using left and right arrow select

ROM Disk

and

press "Return”. Select

Quit

and reboot computer . After rebooting computer

load ProDos 2.4.1 and you can use programs.

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IIGS512KROM Jumpers and memory map

IIGS512KROM add-on board contains two configuration jumpers.

For internal use ( not remove or move )

Select ROM Space Mapping

When Green jumper is ON ROM Mapping is linear.

GS MEMORY

ROM MEMORY

Description

0xF00000-0xF007ff

0x0000-0x007ff

Smart Port Driver

0xF00800-0xf7ffff

0x0800-0x7ffff

Disk Image

When Green jumper is OFF (removed) ROM Mapping is split to 2 parts

GS MEMORY

ROM MEMORY

Description

0xF00000-0xF007ff

0x00000-0x007ff

Smart Port Driver

0xF00800-0xf3ffff

0x00800-0x3ffff

Disk Image

0xF80000-0xFBffff

0x40000-0x7ffff

ROM Tools firmware

Apple IIGS 8M RAM User’s Guide © a2heaven.com, 22 Nov 2016 Version 1.00

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Starting and using GSBUG 1.7

To use build in software debugger you need to remove

GREEN

jumper from

IIGS512KROM add-on board (this enable support of ROM TOOLS Application in
card) and restart your computer. After restart GSBUG is loaded on memory as
ROMTOOLS application and stay on memory.

To activate GSBUG needed to press

Control-Command-Option-Esc

For more about GSBUG and using it check Google for

GSBug 1.7d9

About the IIGS8MRAM Battery

What it is

The IIGSRAM8M battery is a 3 volt, 20 millimeter lithium battery type

CR2032

with a life of about 1-2 years. You can order these batteries directly from your
local computer parts store or camera supplies store.

Replacing

To replace the battery, remove the memory expansion board. Remove the
battery by pushing on the top edge of the battery with a flat blade screwdriver.
Do not bend the clip up. The battery should pop out the bottom of the
connector. Insert the new battery, positive (+) side up.

Lithium Battery is using to keep SRAM data after PCB lose power .To using
battery backup SRAM you needed to use custom software driver to use RAM as
solid state RAM disk because build in Smart Port RAM disk driver on GS
Firmware clear RAM content after power on an you cannot use it .

Driver is in development stage and will be ready soon.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes the IIGS8MRAM?

The adapter was designed and built by Plamen Vaysilov from a2heaven.com.

This includes the software (VHDL design)/firmware, circuit design and the PCB.

Can I use IIGS8MRAM on other computers?

Almost certainly no. You can use IIGS8MRAM only on Apple IIGS

(ROM1/ROM3).

How much does the IIGS8MRAM adapter cost?

At the time of writing this document (Late Nov 2016), the price was

US$89.99 which includes IIGS512KROM add-on board and shipping to
anywhere on the planet.

I Want to Add more that 8MB RAM is this is possible?

No , this card not designed to support more RAM.

Where to find further help

Phone:

+359 888 810 993

Email:

info@a2heaven.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/a2heaven/

About a2heaven.com

A2Heaven is a small company that implements new technology for use on
vintage computer hardware.

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About this User Guide

This User Guide was written by Plamen Vaysilov, Version 1.00, 22

Nov 2016,

public release.

Warranty

A2Heaven.com  warranties  the  IIGS8MRAM  adapter  for  6  months  or  180  days,
from  the  date  of  purchase.  This  warranty  assumes  the  RamFactor8M  adapter
has not been tampered with in any way.

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Some other a2heaven products

Apple SAM (Semi Automatic Mouth):

A high quality speech synthesizer.

Mockingboard-T:

A sound card for all Apple II computers, no speech chip.

ALF MC1 Clone:

A music synthesizer that allows you to program music into

your apple using standard musical notation.

Ramworks III Clone:

Comes with 64k, expandable to 1M or 3M with 2M

expander board. For apple IIe only.

Ramworks III VGA adapter:

Option board for the Ramworks III Clone.

Generates VGA compatible video, only for NTSC, 60Hz Apple IIe.

dClock:

Clock option for Ram Express or Apple IIc Memory Expansion card.

Senior PROM IIe:

Add debugging commands to your Apple IIe, such as entry

to System monitor at any time, copy memory to and from auxiliary memory,
plus much more.

Trak Star II:

Gives constant digital read of any 5.25” Apple II drive, great for

seeing what that pesky protection scheme is up to. Supports full, half and
quarter track movement.

SDFloppy II:

Store up to 36 “DSK” images on an SD card, replaces 5.15”

floppy drive.

RamWorks8M :

RAM memory Add 8MB RAM to Apple IIe .

RamFactor8M :

RAM memory Add 8MB RAM to Apple II+ .

For more products check

www.a2heaven.com

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