Upgrade 2000 RAM

[SDUBjed]

I've seen online in a few places that it might be possible to upgrade a MP2000 to a MP2100 though a 4mb ram upgrade.  Is this possible and if so can you point me to any information about it?  I'm assuming this does not include just replacing the mainboard because that would obviously be useless.

thanks!

 

[beachycove]

I'm assuming this does not include just replacing the mainboard because that would obviously be useless.

Not at all useless, if the donor had a cracked screen.

In fact, I think a logic board swap is the way it was ordinarily done back in the day. It has been a very long time, but an official upgrade that involved replacing the logic board seems to ring a bell.

Having said that, the only functional difference between the 2000/2100 boards was memory, so one would have to assume that additional memory can be soldered in. But finding the component and doing that would likely be more hassle these days than simply finding a donor machine and doing a transplant.

If, on the other hand, it is just storage that you want, then shove a Newton-compatible card in the side slot. That's what I do with mine.

 

[SDUBjed]

Thank you.

Yes i was curious if there was a procedure for upgrading the ram, but replacing the ram is straight forward enough provided you have the skills and the ram chips available. I was more wondering if the ram had to be enabled with a resistor or a custom rom image.

I saw mention of the process in a Newton FAQ here, if you search for "Abe Lee" for a DIY upgrade procure:

Newton FAQ

Which leads you to a dead link, found on the internet archive that gives the procedure, looks like you just solder it straight in:

Abe Lee Upgrade (Wayback Machine) 

Thanks again, just need the ram chips now:

"DRAM Chips(1Mwords X 16bit, 4K Refresh, 3.3V, EDO or FAST Page, 44pin Package type)"

 

[beachycove]

That's interesting.

I wonder whether even more DRAM is theoretically possible, i.e., if (big if) larger chips were now available.