System Software uses 125,072 of 131,072

[aeberbach]

I just received 8 x 16M SIMMS and installed them in the SE/30. This image shows the system report:

Is it the case that 7.5.3 only supports a small amount of RAM and will mark all the rest as used?

 

[NJRoadfan]

You need to enable 32-bit addressing in the memory control panel.

 

[Crutch]

And you need a battery - or it will forget. 

 

[Byrd]

You need to enable 32-bit addressing in the memory control panel.

+ if stock SE/30 original ROM, enabled by the MODE32 utility.

 

[aeberbach]

d'oh! I forgot about the replacement ROM thing. There's a BMOW ROM in the post that has been in transit for about three months, that should fix it.

 

[techknight]

That escalated quickly. 

As mentioned before, you could simply enable the 32-bit addressing support and that would work fine. But, jump straight to yeet the ROM and replace it. Weeeee

I guess you could do that.

 

[cheesestraws]

But, jump straight to yeet the ROM and replace it. Weeeee

hey, there ain't no kill like overkill ;-)

 

[techknight]

hey, there ain't no kill like overkill ;-)

Haha.... thats true. 

 

[Cory5412]

As mentioned before, you could simply enable the 32-bit addressing support and that would work fine

Given that this is an SE/30: I thought that this wasn't an available option on the /30's stock ROM, which is what Connectix Mode32 and replacement ROMs (whether it's a BMOW one or the ROM out of a IIsi) are for.

So, it's not really quite as simple as enabling 32-bit addressing on a machine whose stock ROM did not include that.

 

[techknight]

Given that this is an SE/30: I thought that this wasn't an available option on the /30's stock ROM, which is what Connectix Mode32 and replacement ROMs (whether it's a BMOW one or the ROM out of a IIsi) are for.

So, it's not really quite as simple as enabling 32-bit addressing on a machine whose stock ROM did not include that.

Yea you can enable it. I remember doing so. it just doesnt stick if your PRAM battery is bad. 

it was the MODE32 extension with the apple system software.

 

[Bolle]

I don’t see how dropping the MODE32 extension in and just enabling 32bit addressing in the memory control panel (like you would have to do with a different ROM as well) is a problem.

Problems usually arise when you‘ve got your replacement SIMM and it does not fit the socket correctly so you have to start to wrap rubber bands around and get 3d printed tabs to hold the SIMM in place.

Just installing a piece of software that does the job seems actually easier to me and keeps compatibility with other 3rd party extensions - especially accelerators.

 

[Cory5412]

Mmm... forgot/did not realize that it ultimately became part of the OS.

 

[BadGoldEagle]

Mode32 has always been quite buggy for me (SE/30, 7.5.1). Maybe this had to do with the fact that the wrong version was installed when I got the machine (I haven’t reinstalled the OS, and you’re supposed to do that if you’ve got the wrong version. Also why is that necessary?). Even after the update it kept acting up. Only the modded ROM was able to solve my issues. Plus I got rid of the RAM test and gained HD20 compatibility. I have never experienced any glitches as it still has the SE/30 Gestalt ID.

 

[techknight]

Mode32 has always been quite buggy for me (SE/30, 7.5.1). Maybe this had to do with the fact that the wrong version was installed when I got the machine (I haven’t reinstalled the OS, and you’re supposed to do that if you’ve got the wrong version. Also why is that necessary?). Even after the update it kept acting up. Only the modded ROM was able to solve my issues. Plus I got rid of the RAM test and gained HD20 compatibility. I have never experienced any glitches as it still has the SE/30 Gestalt ID.

To each their own I suppose. 

I would like to run a custom ROM, but... it doesn't work on my board. I remember reading that some boards work, some don't. 

 

[aeberbach]

d'oh! I forgot about the replacement ROM thing. There's a BMOW ROM in the post that has been in transit for about three months, that should fix it.

And it arrived today! Only to show a simasimac-like screen and no startup tone!

I applied two layers of kapton tape to the reverse of the ROM. A strip over the contact area and vertical strips on the outside of the holes, where the clamps hold the SIMM in to the clip. The BMOW PCB is noticeably thinner than the original ROM when the two are held side by side. With a little tape all is well.

 

[just.in.time]

@BadGoldEagle I’d say give Mode32 a try with 7.1, 7.5.3, or 7.5.5. I believe 7.5.1 is a bit of a middle version that probably has some bugs in it.

i ended up going the path of using the ROM from another Mac, a IIsi I believe (pretty sure a IIfx rom will work as well). Does result in a weird graphical glitch for the first 5 seconds or so on cold boot, but then clears itself and begins normal startup with all 20MB recognized. Also requires some system file modifications for going to versions above 7.1. At least it physically fits correctly I suppose.

... kinda wish I had bought a BMOW Rominator II Mega and programmer back when they were available but oh well.

 

[Chopsticks]

you can make your own 8mb ROM Simm, I have gerbers available that I found online at one stage, you'd need to source 4 29f160 chips but if you live in Australia I'd be happy to program your rom as I built my own dougg programmer about a year or so ago. the only thing that makes building programmer had these days is sourcing the 64pin sim socket for it. on that note if I get around to it I do plan to release a 64 pin Simm with a 72pin Simm footprint on the top on the rom as well as a modified dougg programmer that uses the more common 72pin Simm sockets. I don't know why BMOW hasn't considered doing that in the past as it would allow more people to program their own roms at home.

if the demand is there I'll get around to it and release free to the wild for those who want to get their own pcbs made and do some soldering

 

[aeberbach]

Double-ended ROM @chopsticks? I'd probably be interested.

 

[Chopsticks]

well the 64pin sockets aren't easy to get ahold of these days so my thoughts were to either put a 72pin slot on the otherwise or to use a some sort of cable like a flat flex (probably something different though as people find them hard to use) and modifying the rom Simm programmer pcbs to include the mating connector. I think it would be good for more people to be able to program their own roms and it might even encourage a wider audience to get into rom hacking. right now as things stand its pretty hard for people to get into it because of the lack of a programmer.
I'm pretty busy with university right now but I should be able to find some time to do this in the near not distant future