So I have a Classic II with 4 mb of RAM. I got it open (finally) removed the old memory and installed 2 4mb 30 pin SIMMs. I power up the Mac, go to "About This Macintosh" and it tells me I still have 4mb of RAM. I tried reseating the RAM a few times and nothing changed. What's going on?
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RAM upgrade problem
- Thread starter Hatta
- Start date
Oh, they're definitely 4mb SIMMs. I did a little searching and found that I was installing the SIMMs into the memory expansion card, and not the slots on the motherboard.
So my next question is, why does my Classic II have a memory expansion card? It's clearly identified as a Classic II on the case. Did I get a Mac Classic in a Classic II case? How would I check?
So my next question is, why does my Classic II have a memory expansion card? It's clearly identified as a Classic II on the case. Did I get a Mac Classic in a Classic II case? How would I check?
There is probably a better answer, but for starters if you're using system 7 it should say on the "About this Macintosh" page (from Apple menu) the model of the Macintosh that you're using. Also - the backs of the Classic and Classic II are different. On the back of a Classic II there should be a microphone port. If you have a Classic II back plastic and there is indeed a microphone port inside the hole, you definitely don't have a Classic logic board inside because Classic doesn't have a mic input. In fact, if all the ports and holes match up I can't imagine that you could have any motherboard but a Classic II.
Have a look at the processor - the Mac Classic uses a 16 Mhz 68000, whereas the Classic II uses a 68030. Alternatively, try holding down Command-Option-X-O at startup. If it is a Classic, it will start up off an internal ROM disk, rather than the hard disk or floppy. If its a Classic II, it won't.
It sounds to me like you've got a Classic with a Classic II front - a Classic II has onboard RAM slots, and does not take the Classic RAM expansion card, the slot that it has is physically identical, but is for an FPU or ROM upgrade, I doubt that the Classic RAM expansion card would be electrically compatible.
It sounds to me like you've got a Classic with a Classic II front - a Classic II has onboard RAM slots, and does not take the Classic RAM expansion card, the slot that it has is physically identical, but is for an FPU or ROM upgrade, I doubt that the Classic RAM expansion card would be electrically compatible.
Can the memory expansion board in a Classic be mistakenly installed in a Classic II? They have an expansion slot in the same place, don't they? (It's been a while since I had mine open.)
Alternatively, if it turns out to be a board designed for the Classic II, that board could turn out to be very interesting.
A further possibility is that the machine contains some of those rare simm doubler thingies.
I too thought it had to be a Classic logic board for a while. But if it were a Classic logic board in a Classic II case, how could there be two ram slots? The Classic doesn't have two ram slots, does it?
I think we need photos!
Alternatively, if it turns out to be a board designed for the Classic II, that board could turn out to be very interesting.
A further possibility is that the machine contains some of those rare simm doubler thingies.
I too thought it had to be a Classic logic board for a while. But if it were a Classic logic board in a Classic II case, how could there be two ram slots? The Classic doesn't have two ram slots, does it?
I think we need photos!
Yeah, as I said, both the Classic and Classic II use the exact same slot, just that they're wired up differently, due to the differing purposes for which they're used, so they're physically compatible, but not electrically compatible. I personally wouldn't do it, for fear of damaging the card, the logic board, or both.
For the record, no, the Classic doesn't have any RAM slots on the mobo, but most of the RAM expansion cards typically have 2 - 4 slots from memory.
For the record, no, the Classic doesn't have any RAM slots on the mobo, but most of the RAM expansion cards typically have 2 - 4 slots from memory.
