THE FOLLOWING IS A THREAD FROM THE TRS80PRO FORUM. THIS THREAD DEALS WITH EMS-LIM 4.0 MEMORY FOR THE TANDY 1000. ------------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT (C), 1990, COMPUSERVE INFORMATION SERVICE, INC. ------------------------------------------------------------------- #: 33992 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 19-Aug-90 09:22:47 Sb: #LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: All Browsing on the IBMHW forum I came across some interesting information. InvisiSOFT's Invisible EMS memory boards are 3/4 length memory boards that can hold up to 2Mb of RAM for $299. The boards use a full hardware and software implementation of LIM 4.0 and are the ONLY boards that will work in the Tandy 1000's. Contact Vince Wu, InvisiSOFT 76266,320 on the IBMHW Forum for details or see ad in PC Magazine. *** There is a reply: 34061 #: 34061 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 22-Aug-90 11:13:16 Sb: #33992-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Charles Robertson 70130,330 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) ron, a bit behind times huh? 'tis ok i'm not on here as regular as i used to be either! we thrashed this information earlier this year (like in march) *** There is a reply: 34076 #: 34076 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 22-Aug-90 18:43:50 Sb: #34061-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: Charles Robertson 70130,330 (X) Yeah, you're right. Walt Myers played around with one of these boards in his TX in April. He said he was quite pleased with the Invisible EMS from InvisiSOFT. I guess I fried a chip somewhere! I'll run a logic probe on my brain. *** There is a reply: 34084 #: 34084 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 22-Aug-90 22:19:20 Sb: #34076-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Charles Robertson 70130,330 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) ron, but we all need a reminder once in awhile...there's probably several folks here with a 1000 that are looking for a EMS board that didnt know even one would fit their machines. *** There is a reply: 34394 #: 34394 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 04-Sep-90 17:07:41 Sb: #34084-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: John Fentner 72210,2421 To: Charles Robertson 70130,330 (X) Me for one...I knew about the Micro Mainframe EMS board that Tandy has in the catalog, but just picked up the Invisiblesoft thread in IBM Hardware. Invisible seems to be cheaper and real 4.0, hence the better deal. Anybody have a preference? *** There is a reply: 34480 #: 34480 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 07-Sep-90 20:12:09 Sb: #34394-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Charles Robertson 70130,330 To: John Fentner 72210,2421 (X) john, if you're looking at just price then the MM is probably cheaper -UNLESSyou're going to buy it fully populated. i've learned over the years to buy chips separate because you can usually get them about 1/2 to 1/4 of the cost of someone else packaging them with the board. i have the MM and am completely happy with its function, but then again the function you might need will vary. i don't have any programs that REQUIRE 4.0 all seem to be just as happy with 3.2. although i do admit if i was a first time buyer of am EMS board right now, i'd get the true 4.0 from Invis just because of greater compatibility. (and i'd buy it at 0K and buy the chips from a chip outlet)... (did you hear the $.02 registering? ) *** There is a reply: 34866 #: 34866 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 20-Sep-90 21:31:36 Sb: #34480-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: John Fentner 72210,2421 To: Charles Robertson 70130,330 (X) Charles: Haven't been in here for a while so I just got your message...I called Invisible Software and they sent me a brochure on the 4.0 board. Be just what I'm looking for...'cept that my well went south this week and the plumber's gonna get the accessory budget for the next couple months. No luck convincing the spouse that memory is more important than water pressure...sigh... JBF *** There is a reply: 34871 #: 34871 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 20-Sep-90 23:37:58 Sb: #34866-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: John Fentner 72210,2421 (X) I just got my Invisible EMS with 2Mb on board. Looks good so far. I'll let you know how things turn out. Nice to break out of 640K! I wonder if it will work with the 128K of video memory I've added to my TL/2? May have to scrap these chips. *** There is a reply: 34907 #: 34907 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 21-Sep-90 22:28:00 Sb: #34871-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: John Fentner 72210,2421 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) Ron: That 128K upgrade is a terrible hype...gave me a grand total of 16K of usable RAM...but, since it is only used by video, I don't think it will effect EMS. BTW...what did it cost you for the 2 meg board? They didn't send me any prices with the brochure. JBF *** There is a reply: 34910 #: 34910 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 21-Sep-90 23:59:15 Sb: #34907-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: John Fentner 72210,2421 (X) I paid $299 for the 0K board and bought 1Mx1 RAM chips (18) 100ns for $6.00 a chip. You can use 256x1 RAM chips but that only gives 512K. Then you can use 4Mx1 RAM and get a whooping 8Mb on a board that is only 9" long! Pretty much a drop in. My board failed to boot originally, giving the message "Memory Failed". Checking the appendix required me to check the chip position and all jumpers. Everything looked OK but I pulled the chips and reseated them anyway. Next time it booted up and began to tick off expanded memory right up to the 2MB limit. It's a great board and a real bargain. I recommend it. *** There are replies: 34951, 35028 #: 34951 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 23-Sep-90 14:52:59 Sb: #34910-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: John Fentner 72210,2421 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) Hi Ron: Saw your dialog with Vince in Hardware. Keep good notes on that thing...if I ever get the plumber paid off it's my next purchase. ;) JBF *** There is a reply: 34957 #: 34957 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 23-Sep-90 18:58:38 Sb: #34951-LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: John Fentner 72210,2421 (X) Yes, I got the Invisible EMS 2Mb board and got it running in my TL/2 now. The documemtation is good and covers just about every problem that could arise. It's fully configurable and lets you work with expanded memory in just about any fashion. It's a 3/4 length card that lets you add either 512K, 2Mb or 8Mb of RAM. No daughter boards, though, if you have a 2Mb board and need 8 Mb, you've got to remove the 1Mb chips (18 of 'em) and replace them with 4Mb chips. I got mine populated with 2Mb chips, which is the most common configuration. The board is a drop in on an older 8088 based 1000, just set the jumpers for 8 bit bus, add DEVICE=IEMSEMM.SYS to your CONFIG.SYS, drop in the board and away you go. For a 286 based 1000 you will need to add a parameter to the driver. Vince Wu (and the manual) recommend adding the following to your CONFIG.SYS. DEVICE=IEMSEMM.SYS bit or AT bus automatically, but overrides the default when you select 8 bit or XT bus. That's why it runs "out of the box" on the 8088 based 1000's, but not on the newer 286 based 1000's without the exclusion parameter /X=E000-EFFF. Guy's running PCT 286 Express cards will probably have to do the same. I don't know how 8086 based 1000SL's will work with it since there are really very few computers based on that chip, however, some brave soul will try, I'm sure. The Invisible EMS memory card is a winner and it gives you 736K of REAL DOS memory! Call 415-570-5967 for more info. #: 35028 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 26-Sep-90 05:53:32 Sb: #34910-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ed Juge 70007,1365 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) Ron... you got my curiosity up, and I missed first of the thread. What EMS board are you using on your 1K? I have an AST "Six Pack Plus", but got it from a friend who didn't have the required software to drive it. Would sure like to put it to use! Thanks... Ed *** There is a reply: 35049 #: 35049 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 26-Sep-90 19:03:28 Sb: #35028-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: Ed Juge 70007,1365 (X) Hi, Ed. I've got a 2Mb Invisible EMS board for my TL/2. It's a 3/4 length board that is completely LIM 4.0 compatible and can be used in XT or AT class computers. It is the only true LIM 4.0 board that will work in the T1K's. It is available in 0K, 512K, 2Mb or 8Mb configurations. The software allows for 2 boards so it is conceivable to have a T1K with 16Mb of RAM! It has 8 hardware mapping register sets, can backfill and frontfill and uses either 18-256Kx1, 1Mbx1 or 4Mbx1 DRAM. It's pretty much a drop in on the older T1Ks. Just configure it for 8 bit and drop it in. For 286 based T1Ks you must use the exclusion parameter to lock out address E000 to EFFF.The price is good, $299 for the 0K board and you can get 1Mbx1-80ns DRAM for about $7 each. For more info contact Vince Wu,InvisiSOFT 76266,320 on the IBMHW forum or call Invisible Software at 415-570-5967. Sorry about the AST 6PAK, Ed, I can't help you there but if you leave a message on the IBMHW forum, I'm sure you'll find some assistance. Good luck! BTW, I'll be looking forward to your next column in PCM. Best, Ron *** There are replies: 35051, 35087 #: 35051 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 26-Sep-90 21:05:19 Sb: #35049-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ed Juge 70007,1365 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) Thanks, Ron, might look over on the IBM system. I own two TX's, one of which is dedicated to 24-hour/day ham radio packet BBS. It's already multi-tasking (software restricted to 9 tasks) so expanding there wouldn't help any. But there are things I'd like to do on the other one where it might be a real help. Don't know if I want it $299 worth, though, but if I could get the 6 pack goin', I would. Also own a 4000 with 8MB RAM, so can use it where advantageous. Frankly, I probably use the TX's more. Thanks for the good info, and suggestion... and the nice comment on PCM. Glad to know someone reads it ...ej *** There is a reply: 35088 #: 35088 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 28-Sep-90 09:40:14 Sb: #35051-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: Ed Juge 70007,1365 (X) I have used EMS cards with 1 meg of ram that are true LIM 4.0 but are only expandable to 2 megs for sale $100.00. they are the ones tany sells made by Micro Mainframe. I have several and will warranty for 45 days. *** There are replies: 35149, 35167, 35181 #: 35149 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 30-Sep-90 08:09:42 Sb: #35088-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ed Juge 70007,1365 To: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 (X) Thanks, John... if my need develops, may get with you. I had the AST card given to me, so thought I'd see if I could put it to use. 73... Ed *** There is a reply: 35206 #: 35206 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 02-Oct-90 11:07:30 Sb: #35149-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: Ed Juge 70007,1365 (X) There is a way but I'm not that up on AST *** There is a reply: 35282 #: 35282 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 04-Oct-90 07:49:05 Sb: #35206-LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ed Juge 70007,1365 To: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 (X) Thanks. I know several people over there... should just call and ask. #: 35167 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 30-Sep-90 18:46:50 Sb: #35088-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Tom Krehbiel 71545,737 To: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 (X) John, I'll take one. How do we handle the transaction? Tom Krehbiel *** There is a reply: 35207 #: 35207 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 02-Oct-90 11:08:48 Sb: #35167-LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: Tom Krehbiel 71545,737 (X) contact me at (303) 893-5770 ext.43 or (303) 893-3301 fax #: 35181 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 01-Oct-90 17:00:51 Sb: #35088-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: James R Durdan 72570,2054 To: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 (X) I have the Micro Mainframe card for my Tl /2. I have the 3.2 software. I think that it is unreasonable for MicroMainframe to want another $50 to send me the LIM 4.0 software. Does anyone have any suggestions about getting a LIm 4.0 driver for my card at a reasonable price? Jim Durdan *** There is a reply: 35209 #: 35209 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 02-Oct-90 11:12:12 Sb: #35181-LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: James R Durdan 72570,2054 (X) I don't know I payed the $50.00 dollars and it has been trouble free. Most companies would not have even developed a drver for an older card, it cost them money to developy the driver so I did not think it to unreasonable. #: 35087 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 28-Sep-90 09:36:05 Sb: #35049-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) I have the old Micro Mainframe EMS 5150 board it is also true LIM 4.0 and was sold by Tandy. These cards only allow you to go to 2 megs but thay work great I am selling several for $100.00 with 1 meg installed. *** There is a reply: 35110 #: 35110 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 29-Sep-90 00:07:10 Sb: #35087-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 (X) I dunno, John. I think that the MMF EMS 5150 is a LIM 3.2 compatible, that emulated LIM 4.0 via software, which is not quite the same as LIM 4.0 hardware compatibility. *** There is a reply: 35204 #: 35204 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 02-Oct-90 11:04:09 Sb: #35110-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) They have cuurent drivers that definetly do 4.0 LIM. mine works fine with Win 3.0 *** There is a reply: 35221 #: 35221 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 02-Oct-90 20:22:57 Sb: #35204-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 (X) Yeah, they emulate LIM 4.0 but the Invisible EMS is hardware compatible with LIM 4.0 which, along with 80ns memory chips, makes it a faster board. *** There is a reply: 35248 #: 35248 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 03-Oct-90 14:12:00 Sb: #35221-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) I have only used AT's with extended emulating 4.0 LIM except for the MMF 5150 so I'm not to aware of speed diferences, between cards. All I know is that my Tandy 1ka with 286 card and the 5150 runs Win.3.0 faster than my friends 10mhz AT using extended ram emulating 4.0 LIM. *** There is a reply: 35265 #: 35265 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 03-Oct-90 23:12:33 Sb: #35248-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 (X) Really!!! I'm surprised. If I hadn't run out of slots, I'd have kept my SX. It had a 286 Express, 30Mb drive, 3 1/2" and 5 1/4" FD, serial/clock board and a 2400 baud modem. I wanted more memory and a slot for a CD-ROM drive, so I sold it and bought a TL/2. It's OK except for the fact that it's shy a slot (only 4) and the built-in ROM is a nuisance. I guess I'm getting too old to still be tweaking T1K's. Now I'm puzzled why I have Standard EMS at address D000 and not Standard EMS RAM. I've got Shadow RAM and the old EEMS RAM but not the 64K Standard EMS RAM. I've got to get some help from Invisible on configuring this card. I think that the TL's DeskMate ROM is lurking there and I've got to figure a way to pull it without upsetting the TL's architecture. Geez, I should get life! (g) *** There is a reply: 35290 #: 35290 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 04-Oct-90 10:33:37 Sb: #35265-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) QEMM's Manifest program can help with memory overlaps and QEMM is a super mem. manager anyway. I'm an oddball in pc's not afraid to try anything. especially when it comes to the 1000's and 3000's and 1200's from Tandy, when Tandy had a Denver service reagion, I was the Denver Regional Tech Rep. and did the therory of operation class for all the tech's in the region. *** There is a reply: 35304 #: 35304 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 04-Oct-90 23:17:37 Sb: #35290-#LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 To: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 (X) You old propeller head!(g) I bet you had a 16K Model 1 that you expanded to 64K or were you a CoCo freak? Me? I started with a Model 32K Model 100 that was expanded to 96K and SuperROM. I've been in the Tandy camp ever since. I even worked for the "Shack" when they had the Business Products Div. Never got a foot on the "ladder" so I left. *** There is a reply: 35313 #: 35313 (H) S5/T1000/1400/3000/4K 05-Oct-90 09:24:44 Sb: #35304-LIM 4.0 for T1K Fm: JOHN D. STOCKTON 76236,1577 To: Ron De Iso 72300,3645 (X) No actually my first computer was a ModII upgraded to a Mod16 with a couple of megs of Ram and an 8 meg HD. I had my two serial ports setup to support a TRS-80 Technical support buletin board, which became very popular until the IBM pc came out and then the use of the thing became so low that I could not keep the two telephone lines going. But I did keep it up for over a year, back in 83-84. Made a lot of friends though.