My understanding is that early revision A3000 motherboards used ROM sockets that were wired for EEPROM chips, not permanent mask ROM chips normally as used in other models.
The ROM tower had a passthrough for EEPROM chips (center two modules) and proper crosswiring for mask ROM chips (outer two modules).
Later motherboard revisions had ROM sockets that were compatible only with the mask ROM chips.
If your ROM tower is damaged or missing, you could transfer your Kickstart images to proper EEPROM chips. However, this is somewhat difficult given that Commodore split the ROMs into two chips (high order and low order). Not many EEPROM programmers can handle this.
Cldrnbrn wrote:
Hello. I am new to the forum and have some questions about the Rom Towers on A3000's. I've done some googleing and searching various forums but can't get a straight answer. I have 2 3000's that I was trying to combine to max out as much as possible. Started out with a simple floppy drive swap from one but after that it wouldn't power up. Ended up completely dismantleing both systems and swapping the zip ram from one to the other. In the process I kinda broke the spacer on the tower but got the pins back in the right place and it looked ok.
1. what is the rom tower really used for?
2. do I actually need it?
3. why are there 4 rom slots on a motherboard but only 2 used for the rom tower? what are the other 2 for?
4. If I use the tower what is the correct orientation?
5. I have a set of 3.1 roms I'm trying to install, so would I need the tower for that or can I plug directly into motherboard (my directions in the 3.1 kit I have tell me which sockets to plug them into (lower 2) but don't mention anything about a rom tower.
I know this is a lot and I'm sure it will just create more questions but I really appreciate it.
