I just got a new IIc off eBay. It's a ROM3. In GREAT shape. So I start taking it apart to clean it (also, to see if the modem port looked OK due to another thread on this group).

So, when I open it up, I see another card that I never heard of before. It's a

It's a Z-RAM Ultra 3!! The eBay auction didn't mention anything about it. I wonder if the owner knew it was in there.

From what I can tell, the board is half-populated with RAM.

So, do you guys have any experience with this? Is it a good find or am I getting excited over nothing?

Also, I noticed the character generator chip doesn't appear to be the original. Well, the chip package doesn't completely fill the socket. Do you know anything about that chip?

Picture links below.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks!



Z-RAM ULTRA 3

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/471 ... 9%20PM.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/471 ... 7%20PM.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/471 ... 1%20PM.jpg



CHAR GEN

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/471 ... 3%20PM.jpg


PS, sorry that I cross-posted this on comp.sys.apple but I was too excited not to share!

_________________
Cat; the other white meat.

I stopped downloading after the first picture. That hosting site is too slow.

_________________
x86?  We ain't got no x86.  We don't NEED no stinking x86!

They download in less than two seconds each over here on the left coast, BDD. Maybe it's not the host's fault, but your ISP instead.

Mike B.

Could still be the hosts fault. Dropbox uses multiple servers, so you're likely to have used a different one. I'm connecting a local server in Amsterdam, with 8 ms ping, and near instantaneous download.

Nice find btw! Barely needs any cleaning.

Nice find. I found this: http://ae.applearchives.com/apple_c/ Interesting to me is the card supports a 65c816 cpu, a $79 value at the time. Looks to me like the sockets for memory are unpopulated. They take 41256 chips for a total 1 Meg. The operating system would normally treat the memory as a RAM drive. The board also sported a clock and z80 coprocessor for CP/M. Check apple archives for the utility disk for example, Brutal Deluxe Documentation Project. Read the brochure and manual from the link provided. In the brochure all the boards have a WDC 65c816 4P installed.

Cheers!
Andy

Update:

The board is really nice. However, I decided to pull it out and put it away in storage.

I'm really concerned with that battery leaking. I tried to de-solder it but wasn't having any luck. I didn't want to keep trying and risk possibly lifting any traces.

Bottom line, 99.99999% of software written for the IIe and IIc work within the 128K of RAM. And while having 512K and a Z80/clock would be "neat", I wouldn't get much use out of it.

Still, that IIc was one of the best deals I've had in a long time considering what I paid for it and the condition it came in.

Although I did manage to break one of the posts on a key! UGH!!

Superglue didn't work but I put some plastic epoxy on the post and now it's holding perfectly. Even though the key is raised about 1/32" from the others. LOL

Got to love old hardware.

_________________
Cat; the other white meat.

I cannot see whether the battery is a four or two pin module. Either you can take a razor blade and cut one (or two) pins from the top side. It takes some time and may be bloody
Once the pin(s) on one side are cut you can bend the other(s) until they brake. Removing the remains should be no problem.

Last time I tried to use a blade like that sent me to the E.R., cost $1200 and now I have a nice scar down the length of my thumb.

I'm way too clumsy. LOL

_________________
Cat; the other white meat.

These may work http://hackaday.com/2017/04/03/have-you ... g-needles/

That looks pretty cool, actually.

The problem I had was that I couldn't get the old solder to melt. Even after applying new solder to it. I left the iron on longer than I feel comfortable with but still no luck. I've run into this a few times with old hardware. It's like the old solder has a death grip on the component lead.

I have a real de-soldering gun (pump) as well. But it's a hassle to set that up for 2-4 pins.

_________________
Cat; the other white meat.

I take it you don't have a small pair of flush cutters.

_________________
x86?  We ain't got no x86.  We don't NEED no stinking x86!

Several, actually.

_________________
Cat; the other white meat.