Ramquest

REUTL21.EXE RamQuest Extra 16/32 Utility/Install Dsk v2.1 This software is only appropriate for the RamQuest Extra 16/32, not for any other model RamQuest. Ed. Link is quite dead...

This adapter implements IBM's Translation RAM, used by MicroChannel based PS/2s to remap failed system or adapter board memory during POST. 100nS or faster 9 chip 30 pin SIMMs. Will operate in a 16 or 32 bit slot.

Files include Disk Cache, RamDisk, Expanded Memory Manager (EMS 4.0), Print Spooler
Com1-8, 150 to 9,600 bps. Stop bit on/off, parity even or odd.
Parallel port can be configured as LPT2 or LPT3. Hint: LPT2 is the clone LPT1.

RamQuest II Models 50/60, 256K DIPPs,
RamQuest Extra Models 50/60/80, 1MB 30 pin 100nS SIMMs, 2 DB9 serial ports
RamQuest Extra 16/32 Models 50/60/80, 256K / 1MB 30 pin 100nS SIMMs, 2 COM, 1 LPT

Ian Pitcher
I got an "Orchid RamQuest Extra 16/32" yesterday that I installed in my 9556 yesterday. I grabbed the ADF for it, and it configured just fine. I think this card accepts either 256KB or 1MB (30-pin) simms in it's banks. I assumed that it needs at least 100ns RAM, which I supplied it with and it still doesn't see the extra RAM that I put in. I have 16MB on the planar, which I believe is the most that will be addressable by the 486slc2, but I figured this adapter would help me get around that. I know this isn't my problem anyway, since it doesn't see RAM on the orchid even with one of the 8MB simms removed from the planar.

From Peter
The RamQuest 32/16 to my knowledge is a memory card to be used with a "linear" (unmapped) adressing model - like in a 386DX-class machine - and therefore does not support LIM/EMS. It is not recommended to use this card in a Mod. 90 or 95 - these machines merely support channel memory rather than sysboard-memory. It will probably run - but very slow. These cards are designed for a 386-architecture rather than a 486-environment.

Tim Clarke
I had one of these (well... it's still under 'my control' in my brother's machine). The BIOS ROM limits total (planar + card) memory to 16MB-128KB (for Model 50/50Z etc.). Actually, that's what it *should* limit it to, but the v1.1 ROM has a bug which makes the limit 0x3E00 kilobytes, or 16MB-512KB. Anyway, the EMS driver supplied *will* manipulate the hardware to provide <= 8MB of EMS memory without requiring any more than the usual 64KB upper memory area 'window'. Yes, it takes 100ns or faster full parity 30-pin SIMMs, but has a distinct preference for 9-chip versions, or aversion to some 3-chip versions (timing sensitivity?). Also, I disassembled the supplied EMS driver and it plays with the hardware quite nicely.

I include a copy of what I think the modified image was. It's an 8KB image due to the EPROM size, but only the first 4KB is actually code etc., the rest is set to hex FFs. During my unsuitable system testing, the Start Address would show up as " -- " because the original ADF only has a limited set of possibilities for Start Address. I've attached a modified ADF with many more possibilities, in case a knowledgeable individual with the right kind of system (50,50Z,60,70,80), adapter and ADF manipulation skills (rename, backup, copy on floppy RefDisk) is willing to test them. But I'd rather they weren't made publicly available, due to lack of testing. There are also test considerations of system RAM installed, split memory block and ROM to RAM copy (70 and 80 and later systems) and other factors, which aren't common knowledge.

Regarding the RamQuest page, there is no support for 4MB 30-pin SIMMs in the code. So, it's 8MB maximum onboard and the table entries for 4MB SIMMs aren't valid, unless that's for one of the other boards. Also, I'm pretty sure it's 24-bit address decode limited. There's also a reference to a JP2 jumper, which my Rev. C RamQuest Extra 16/32 board doesn't have. Maybe this refers to one of the other RamQuest boards listed? (Ed. IIRC, there was a RamQuest XT board)

Please note that I've only ever used it in PS/2 Model 80s (8580-111 and -A16), so any user should retain their original ROM (mine was an 8KB Intel D2764) and burn a new one, just in case it gives problems in 286-based models.

8-Pin Round DIN to 25-Pin Serial Converter Layout
Thanks, Peter!
Here's a diagram of the converter cable ("pigtail")

8-pin DIN 25-pin Male
1 DTR =----------------------------------= 20
2 CTS =----------------------------------= 5
3 TXD =----------------------------------= 2
4 RI =----------------------------------= 22
5 RXD =----------------------------------= 3
6 RTS =----------------------------------= 4
7 DSR =----------------------------------= 6
8 CD =----------------------------------= 8
9 GND =----------------------------------= 7

Max DRAM 8MB From Tim Clarke: there is no support for 4MB 30-pin SIMMs in the code

CARD MEMORY SELECTION   (possibly XT or AT version onlt)
                  Setting                                JP2
»     Card configuration memory normal               Closed
        Card configuration memory reset                  Open

                            DRAM CONFIGURATION
     Size          Bank 0         Bank 1        Bank 2         Bank 3
     512KB       (2) 256K x 9     None          None            None
      1MB        (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9     None            None
     1.5MB       (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9       None
      2MB        (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9   (2) 256K x 9
     2.5MB       (2) 256K x 9 (2)   1M x 9       None          None
      3MB        (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9 (2) 1M x 9         None
     3.5MB       (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9   (2) 1M x 9
      4MB        (2) 1M x 9    (2) 1M x 9       None            None
     4.5MB       (2) 256K x 9 (2) 1M x 9    (2) 1M x 9         None
      5MB        (2) 256K x 9 (2) 256K x 9 (2) 1M x 9     (2) 1M x 9
      6MB        (2) 1M x 9    (2) 1M x 9    (2) 1M x 9         None
     6.5MB       (2) 1M x 9    (2) 1M x 9    (2) 1M x 9     (2) 256K x 9
      8MB        (2) 1M x 9    (2) 1M x 9    (2) 1M x 9     (2) 1M x 9

Serial and Parallel Ports
This port can be assigned as Serial Port 1 through Serial Port 8.
<SERIAL 1 ( io 03f8h-03ffh int 4)>, 2 (02f8-02ff int3), 3 ( 3220-3227 int3), 4 (3228-322f int3), 5 (4220-4227 int3), 6 (4228-422f int3), 7 (5220-5227 int3), DISABLE BOTH PORTS

PARALLEL Port
This port can be assigned as Parallel Port 2 or Parallel Port 3. If this port must be disabled due to a conflict, the Serial Port is also disabled.
<PARALLEL 2 ( io 0378h-037Bh int 7)>, PARALLEL 3 ( io 0278h-027Bh int 7), DISABLE BOTH PORTS

Adapter BIOS Location
You must choose the memory location the adapter will use for it BIOS ROM. For computers with early revision ROM BIOS's you must select either C000, C100, C200, or C400
<Segment C000 (0c0000h-0c0fffh)>, C100 (c100-c1ff), C200 (c200-c2ff), C400 (c400-c4ff), D800 (d800-d8ff), DC00 (dc00-dcff), DISABLED

Memory installed in Bank 0 (Ed. Other banks have the same options)
Set automatically by the Ramquest Extra BIOS code, depending on the type of memory installed. Banks with 1 Mb panels default to ZERO Wait state, and banks with 256 Kb panels default to ONE Wait State.
< -- >, "512K, ONE WAIT", "512K, ZERO WAIT " , "2048K, ONE WAIT ", "2048K, ZERO WAIT "

Power-on Display Option
If VERBOSE is selected, more technical detail is provided about the Ramquest memory location and speed when the computer system is cold booted.
<TERSE>, VERBOSE

Start Address (For Information Only)
The start address of the Ramquest Extra is computed and set by the Ramquest BIOS. This choice will show as '(not set)' the first time the board is installed, and will show the assigned start address once the installation is completed.
<" -- ">, 1280K, 1408K, 1920K, 2048K, 2176K, 2304K, 2432K, 2944K, 3456K, 3968K, 4352K, 4480K, 4992K, 5504K, 6016K, 6400K, 6528K, 7040K, 7552K, 8064K, 8448K, 8576K, 9088K, 9600K, 10112K, 10624K, 11136K, 11648K, 12160K, 12672K, 13184K, 13696K, 14208K, 14720K