Grex Hardware Conference

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Grex Hardware Item 87: info about expanded memory
Entered by carl on Sat Mar 11 18:04:01 UTC 1995:

A friend was jrecently given an AST Rampage 286-512 memory board.
Unfortunately, it didn't have any documentation.

Please mail me or respond here if you have or have access to:

        -the device driver for expanded memory
        -the switch settings
        -a set of instructions

BTW, I don't know much about expanded memory.  Anything anyone
could mention would be appreciated, such as what software uses
it, how it is enabled, etc.

7 responses total.

#1 of 7 by tsty on Sun Mar 12 11:33:52 1995:

the AST might require it's own driver (unique) but at least
the setup on the machine (CMOS thingie) needs to be reset to
know to look for the memory expansion. And there needs to
be some stuff added to config.sys (and perhaps autoexec.bat as well).

#2 of 7 by ajax on Fri Mar 31 23:48:41 1995:

  I think DOS 5 and onwards include HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.SYS (or EMM386.EXE)
as memory management drivers.  You may still need something specific to
the AST board, but if the machine goes through a memory check for the
new RAM when it boots up, you're probably okay.  The two drivers I
mentioned are described in DOS manuals...basically, the provide a common
programming interface for DOS programs that are able to use more than 640K
of RAM.  Whether you have any such programs depends on what kinds of programs
you're running.

#3 of 7 by carl on Sun Apr 2 11:58:18 1995:

I thought HIMEM.SYS worked only for extended memory, which 286
processors can't access (correct me if I'm mistaken).  I know
that EMM386.EXE can emulate expanded memory by the use of
extended memory.  Since a 286 system doesn't have extended
memory, it can't use EMM386.

Maybe this is the reason he got the AST card for free--nobody
could figure out how to use it.

#4 of 7 by ajax on Sun Apr 2 16:06:03 1995:

  Oops, duh, EMM386 doesn't sound very '286-compatible does it?  :-)
  
  Just checked my MS Guide to Managing Memory (yes, I'm serious; it's
200 pages!): "an 80286-based PC can use conventional memory, extended
memory, and expanded memory.  HIMEM.SYS does the following: ...lets
80286 and '386 microprocessors access the HMA."  HIMEM.SYS will work
on a '286 as an extended memory driver, and EMM386 normally does use
extended memory to emulate expanded memory, but EMM386 just doesn't
work with '286s.
 
  The book goes on to say that if you want expanded memory on a '286,
you should add an EMS 4.0 memory card, and install an expanded memory
manager device driver...and if you want it to work really well (e.g.
with UMBs), get a third party memory manager to run on top of the device
driver.  Which is what you already knew: you need the darned EMS driver
for the card!!  :-)  Oh well....

#5 of 7 by regordon on Mon Mar 25 07:20:44 1996:

Hi Carl, this is indeed Ted G. Just returned from the show at WCCC and
Valerie told me you had just left. Also saw Helen at the Romero 
commemoration at St. Thomas.
As for your problem with the AST board there is a whole series of 
drivers and switch settings available from AST on their home page 
on the 
web. (Let me try that again )  their home page on the WEB. I will email 
some of it ASA (tomorrow) after you email me the part number of the board.
They made several variations and have different switch configurations.
Maybe this repay you a little for the help you gave while we were in 
Nicaragua.             Hasta luego, Ted.

#6 of 7 by regordon on Mon Mar 25 07:32:08 1996:

Add to the last msg  - I also need to know how much base memory and 
how much memory is on the AST board. Are there any other boards in 
the system?      Ted.

#7 of 7 by regordon on Mon Mar 25 19:42:17 1996:

OK one more addendum - send me email at "regordon@cris.com". I have great
trouble telnetting into grex but can get email easily there in cris.  Ted.

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