How to ID memory in an A3000

[Amiduffer]

Apart from taking the A3000 apart, is there some way of identifying the zip/dip memory chips in the A3000. When I had the cover off, I could see 4 of them. I've seen a few cheap chips around, and I might as well fill up the empty slots left. Whatever I get would have to match what's in there currently, right?

[Amiga4k]

1Mbit x 4  20 pin ZIP   80ns   4 megabytes per bank
 
 The ZIP sockets can hold up to 32 1x4 Megabit ZIPs, or 32 4x256k ZIPs. You cannot mix the different sizes together, no matter what.
In the ZIP area there are 4 banks. Each bank takes 8 chips. Again, all the chips in the whole ZIP area must be of the same size.
The banks are not all in one line. They are every forth socket. See the accompanying picture listing the banks. When plugging ZIPs in, take great care. Those little legs are quite fragile and have a tendency to bend, or miss their sockets.
Set this jumper appropriately:
J852 connecting pins 2 & 3 : 1Mbit, in 256k x 4
J852 connecting pins 1 & 2 : 4Mbit, in 1m x 4

Now, having answered the initial question, you will find it hard to locate these zips.
 :-?

[Amiduffer]

. See the accompanying picture listing the banks.

Thanks for the info. Were you going to include a picture or diagram?

Now, having answered the initial question, you will find it hard to locate these zips.

No doubt. Theres a couple of computer surplus stores down in Silcon Valley that I can scour for rare things like that. You wouldn't believe the stuff I've found at Weird Stuff Warehouse.

[motrucker]

There was an adapter that allowed using standard (then) full page simms, rather than zip ram. IF you can find that......

[Amiga4k]

At the present, can not locate that pic.
Installation is straight forward.There are 8 pieces per 4 megs, thus Bank0 has slots 0-7. Look at the ram slots.Starting at the left bottom corner, that is position Bank0, slot 0.
As you said it had only 4 megs, read the board as follows:
Bank0,slot0 filled.
Go UP one slot. That is Bank1, slot0.
Go UP one slot. That is Bank2, slot0.
Go UP one slot. That is Bank3, slot0.
Go UP one slot. That is Bank0, slot1 filled
Go UP one slot. That is Bank1, slot1.
Go UP one slot. That is Bank2, slot1.
Go UP one slot. That is Bank3, slot1.

Your Bank0, slot0-7 are filled. Next fill Bank1, slot0-7.

1M x 4 static colum Toshiba TC514402  or  OKI MSM514402

1M x 4 page mode Toshiba TC514400, Hitaci HM514400, NEC uPD424400, OKI MSM514400

You can not fix and match, all must be either page or static.

[Amiduffer]

At the present, can not locate that pic.
You can not mix and match, all must be either page or static.

Aww, too bad, a picture would have helped. It looks like a lot of work to take everything apart to expose the right side of the motherboard.

[Zac67]

According to Dave Haynie's A3640 hints, Amy takes the first bank to decide whether it's static column or fast page, so making that fast page should work with mixed setup. I haven't (yet) tried it, still looking for 4 MB SC...

[Amiduffer]

Ok, I had to change something so I had the cover off and took a closer peek inside. It's got, if you're looking at the front:

upper rear right side, two empty spaces labeled Ram 0 and Ram 1, used for anything?

middle right side, two vertical rows with 8 Toshiba chips

7 horizontal slots right below the vertical rows, what kind go in that?

and a long slot labeled Fast Slot right next to the front right of the Motherboard, what's that used for?

[Amiga4k]

To answer your questions about ram, I sent you an inidepth email to your yahoo address. The other question: the fast slot is for an A3000 desktop compatible accelerator card.
A3640 v3.1 oe v3.2 acceptable
Apollo 3040/3060 difficult card, problems.
CyberStorm Mk2 or 3 -- great card
G-Force 040, great card, BUT uses only pricy GVP memory
Warp Engine -- no personal info on card.

With added cards, you need the manual. The Apollo's in the A3000 or A4000 are extremely difficult to setup.

Before you wander any further, you should to pull the drive and power tray, to expose the motherboard. You should write down all the chip versions. Example: Buster, Ramsey, DMAC, and SCSI.

[Amiduffer]

Before you wander any further, you should to pull the drive and power tray, to expose the motherboard. You should write down all the chip versions. Example: Buster, Ramsey, DMAC, and SCSI.

That sounds like a Sunday morning project. For now, i'm having a lot of fun with a little 3D project for the fanzine I contribute to.

The two labels I did write down were "Commodore B2" and "Rev 9/03

[Amiduffer]

Ok, I'm ordering some ZIP chips from Softhut, and I'd ask if someone could copy the info on the A3000 manual (regarding ZIP chips) or scan the page and email it to me.

americansystem@excite.com or laverdiereaf@yahoo.com

ok, chips in my A3000:

Gary - 41 Fat Gary
DMAC - 81 Super DMAC
Amber - 51 Amber
Ram Controller - 71 Super Buster
Fat Angus - 8372B / 318069 -03 / 4190 23
A3000 Ramsey - 51 Ramsey
MC68882
Denise - 39043302 / 8373R4PD / 4591  24
Paula - 252127 / 8364R7PD / 4391   27
Rev 9/03