


Category12   Topic2
Message 64        Sat Mar 26, 1994
H.STEVENS5 [HaroldOH]        at 10:00 EST
 
I have installed Novaterm 9.4, Word Writer 6 and Handyscan (64) in my RAMLink,
along with GEOS/gateWay. I love how I can boot the term program and word
processor almost instantly instead of having to wait a minute or two.

--Harold
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 65        Sun Mar 27, 1994
R.KING53 [Ron]               at 00:23 EST
 
I finally tried the autofile editor to try and make Gateway/GEOS autoboot from
my RamLink.  I get an "error in line 10" when I try this.  Line 10 lists as
"Load "GEOS",8,1.  My RamLink is device 10. How can I get Geosto autoboot from
a partition in it?
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 66        Sun Mar 27, 1994
L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU]        at 03:22 EST
 
My list:

Geos 128 / gateWay 128 Dialogue 128 The Write Stuff RTC Master Big Blue Reader
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 67        Fri May 06, 1994
B.MASSE                      at 08:54 EDT
 
I have a question about the Simms In the RamLink... I The Question is ... 
Will a 4x9 simm work in place of  a 4x8...  just wondering
                   Bob
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 68        Fri May 06, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 22:46 EDT
 
 BM> I have a question about the Simms In the RamLink... I The Question
 BM> is... Will a 4x9 simm work in place of  a 4x8...  just wondering

Yep, sure will.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 69        Fri May 06, 1994
B.MASSE [BIG BOB]            at 23:10 EDT
 
Thanks Doug...   AlSO,  are the 1x8 or the 4x8 compatible with with any other
machines for their RAM...  for instance if I was to sell my 1X8 simms would I
be able to sell them to any computer user that uses Simms?  Or would I only be
able to sell them to people who own older machines or Ramlinks?
                            Bob
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 70        Sat May 07, 1994
D.TUOMI [Doctor]             at 05:33 EDT
 
I've got 1x8 SIMM's running in my IBM PC.  I had to disable parity checking in
the bios though to use them.  Not recomended for all PC's.

Doc.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 71        Sat May 07, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 08:40 EDT
 
1 x 8 SIMMS are used mostly in Macintosh computers. Newer Macs have moved up
to the 72 pin SIMMs, though (Quadra's, Centris', PPC's, and some newer
LC/Performa models). They'll work in all the old Macs though, from the old
original Mac up through the IIcx. The IIfx may have used something
'proprietary', I don't have the info offhand.

As D.TUOMI mentioned, they can also work in many PC's, so long as PARITY is
disabled. From my experience, most of the newer 386/486 machines 'don't care'
about parity being disabled, but some may. Also, 486 machines must have a
certain number of SIMMs added at a time (generally 4).
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 72        Sat May 07, 1994
N.PHI [Toto]                 at 21:03 EDT
 
A while ago, I posted a message in this area (I think) asking other RAMLink
owners what software THEY had succeeded in installing in the RL's. I believe I
listed a couple of mmy own successes... but I was looking for more games,
being that they are a special case. (We all know SOMETHING about the C= piracy
that caused nasty disk protection that caused MORE piracy that caused etc.
etc. etc.)

I have gotten these original games to work with little or no modification, or
perhaps with a little Super Snapshot help -- Black Gold, SSI role- playing
games, B.A.T., Duck Tales, Puffy's Saga, Echelon, World Class Leaderboard,
Racing Destruction Set...

Any other games I should know about? I already have all the 64/128
productivity software I need, and most of that works with RL...
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 73        Sun May 08, 1994
J.SERAFINO                   at 17:19 EDT
 
There is a company that advertises in computer shopper that will take 4 one
meg simms and solder the chips onto a 4 meg board. I personally have not done
this yet, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work with RL. The price is
reasonable, about $40. I'd like to expand my RL, and this seems like a good
alternative to trying to sell the one meg simms I have now. What do you think,
Doug... I'll post the company's name and address monday. (I don't have a CS
handy.)
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 74        Sun May 08, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 22:12 EDT
 
If they are actually putting that many chips on a single SIMM, then size will
become a problem. RL can only handle the common size SIMM, unless you want to
run it without the cover on.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 75        Mon May 09, 1994
C128.JBEE                    at 05:28 EDT
 
Changing the DRAMS on a SIMM sounds kind of mickey mouse to me. If you mean
that they are offering a way to expand the memory, I would not bother with it.
How do you know that the capacitors and the other board glue are the right
ones for the new DRAMS on the SIMM?
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 76        Mon May 09, 1994
J.SERAFINO                   at 23:54 EDT
 
jbee, apparently they take all the chips OFF of 4 1MB simms and put them on a
new board. They are in effect giving you back a 4 Meg simm in exchange for 4
one meg simms and $40. The benefit is, if you have only 4 simm slots in your
computer, and you want to increase the memory then you don't have to worry
about getting rid of the 1 meg simms. I believe it's still standard size...
I'll find out when they FAX me some info tomorrow.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 77        Tue May 10, 1994
C128.JBEE                    at 01:35 EDT
 
 Okay, now I understand, that makes a bit more sense :)
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 78        Tue May 10, 1994
D.TUOMI [Doctor]             at 03:41 EDT
 
Thev've advertisded in some Macintosh magazines small devices that were meant
to "double" the memory capacity of smaller Macintoshes.  It does this by
something using a SIMM expansion board that has more than one plug.  The
advertisement says that you can add more than 8mb to your MAC SE.  The
question I have, is using this type of device, can you go beyond 16mb on the
RAMLink?

Doc.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 79        Tue May 10, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 19:58 EDT
 
Nope. You can already plug in more than 16 MB in a RAMLink (i.e., four 4 MB
SIMMs and a 1 MB REU), but all you get is 16 MB. The RAMLink hardware and DOS
were not designed to address any more than that. Bear in mind that when we
designed this device, 4 MB SIMMs were going for $600.00 each.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 80        Tue May 10, 1994
L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU]        at 21:08 EDT
 
I'm interested in this "SIMMulation" of a 4 meg SIMM! Hope it fits the
RamLink!  ;)
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Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 81        Thu May 12, 1994
D.TUOMI [Doctor]             at 01:23 EDT
 
Any plans on upgrading the DOS to address more memory?

Doc.
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Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 82        Thu May 12, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 01:40 EDT
 
No. It isn't the DOS alone. This would require an entirely re-designed
RAMLink.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 83        Tue May 24, 1994
J.HUFTALEN [dmax]            at 20:24 EDT
 
I believe at one time someone made a cable that would allow one to use Ramlink
at a remote position next to the computer.  Does anyone know if this is still
available and who would have it? Thanks..John :]
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Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 84        Tue May 24, 1994
THE.OUTLAW                   at 22:15 EDT
 
Dmax try, Ken Crosby.. Cartsoft Services 5067 Chingford Rd. Coloumbus, Ohio
43232 (614) 863-1375

I believe the item you want is a black box with the switches attached to  a
ribbon cable. Aprox 2' long and the cost is/was about $34.95
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 85        Fri May 27, 1994
N.PHI [Toto]                 at 02:25 EDT
 
Outlaw, have YOU tried contacting Cartsoft at that address or number  lately?
Don't put out advice you're not sure about! (hint)
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 86        Fri May 27, 1994
THE.OUTLAW                   at 07:32 EDT
 
Sorry about that Toto, a freind of mine had just bought that extension back in
November. I had assumed the number and address were still good. :>
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 87        Mon May 30, 1994
L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU]        at 00:24 EDT
 
Yeah, Toto. Ken Crosby (Cartsoft) must have just moved! I just called recently
myself with no problem. Keep in mind that he doesn't have an answering
machine!
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 88        Fri Jun 10, 1994
T.LOEPP                      at 02:00 EDT
 
Hi I have a RLink with 3 1/2 megs, I'm using a midi interface (pasport).
everything seems to work just great except when I autoload my menu, it often
comes up garbled, but after a few trys it comes up fine and then its works
great from then on. can anyone tell me why it doesnt boot properly the first
time everytime? Also the leds in the swap buttons dont light up but the swap
works just like it should. I'm not trying to complain, I think CMD and RLink
are fantastic.  TIM
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Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 89        Sat Jun 11, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 06:06 EDT
 
I'd check the seating of the RAMCard inside the RAMLink, as well as look to
see if the connector to the LED board is in completely. If those things check
out, you should check the connection to the jumper clip. If you're using a 128
and don't have the jumper clip hooked up, you should probably try hooking it
up to see if that corrects the problems. The other thing to look into is the
connection between the computer and RAMLink itself. Make sure these contacts
are clean and visually inspect the cartrige port connector to make sure that
the contacts aren't bent away from the center of the connector.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 90        Mon Jul 04, 1994
J.SERAFINO                   at 16:27 EDT
 
Doug... I plugged my swiftlink into my RAMLink's RAM port by mistake, and it
still worked... So I plugged MY MIDI cartridge into the pass thru port.       
 I now can switch between the two using the Normal-Direct switch. This is much
more desirable than constantly plugging and unplugging to swap between the two
cartridges. I have used it this way for about  3 days now. My question is:
Will it harm the RAMLink? Have you heard of anyone else doing this? Are my
cartridges safe? Thanks,  JohnS
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 91        Mon Jul 04, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 19:50 EDT
 
It shouldn't harm anything, no, but there are two things to bear in mind:

 1) The RAM port is powered directly by RAMLink; you shouldn't install or
    remove cartridges from this port while RAMLink is powered by its
    power supply or battery.

 2) The RAM port isn't a full cartridge port; some of the control signals
    which normally attach to the cartridge port are not routed to the
    RAM port - some devices will not work in this port for that reason.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 92        Thu Jul 21, 1994
B.ENNIS1 [Torby]             at 08:51 EDT
 
How do you connect a jumper cable to a ramlink?  Where do you put it inside
the computer?  I have a 128D.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 93        Thu Jul 21, 1994
B.MASSE [BIG BOB]            at 21:18 EDT
 
  




 Installation location of Ramlink
 Timing clip on the 128 flat or "D".        


 Notch-->  :---, ,---:
           :    -    :  
         1-:         :-48
           :         :
         2-:         :-47
           :         :
         3-:   U11   :-46
           :         :
         4-:         :-45
           :         :
         5-:         :-44
           :         :
         6-:   PLA   :-43
           :         :
         7-:         :-42
           :         :
         8-:         :-41 <------
           :         :       attach to   
         9-:         :-40    this pin.
           :         :
        10-:         :-39
           :         :
        11-:         :-38
           :         :
        12-:         :-37
           :         :
        13-:         :-36
           :         :
        14-:         :-35
           :         :
        15-:         :-34
           :   U11   :
        16-:         :-33
           :         :
        17-:         :-32
           :         :
        18-:         :-31
           :   PLA   :
        19-:         :-30
           :         :
        20-:         :-29
           :         :
        21-:         :-28
           :         :           
        22-:         :-27
           :         :          
        23-:         :-26
           :         :          
        24-:         :-25
           :         :          
           :---------:




 Personally,  I have never had to use a
 the jumper wire on my 128's.  but I 
 guess sometimes they are needed.

                        Bob



 The above diagram is the chip you will
 need to attach the the wire to inside
 the 128d case.  The method to attach to
 the chip is with a little micro-test clip
 available from Radio-shack.  The U11 
 designation is the location on the board
 where the chip is and not the name of
 the chip.  When you install the micro
 test clip to the leg of the chip above
 make sure that the metal connector does
 not touch any adjoining legs.  ZAPPP!
 Solder a piece of wire to that micro clip
 (before you install it) and then install
 a little connector that will attach to
 one of the little terminals that are
 sticking up on the right side of the
  male cartridge thingee...  (take the 
 ramlink and look into the square hole
 that  is plugged into the expansion
 port and you will see to bare solid
 wires sticking out on the right side
 of the unit.)  You can connect your

 wire to either one of these.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 94        Thu Jul 21, 1994
MRABOY                       at 23:05 EDT
 
I don't use the clip either!
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 95        Thu Jul 21, 1994
B.ENNIS1 [Torby]             at 23:31 EDT
 
Thank you.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 96        Thu Jul 21, 1994
D.TUOMI [Doctor]             at 23:43 EDT
 
It was my impression that the RAMLink might work irratically if the cable was
not installed.  Is it needed?

Doc.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 97        Fri Jul 22, 1994
MRABOY                       at 20:44 EDT
 
It doesn't seem to be needed with the 128d, but it can't hurt to use it. I
just didn't bother.  It always seems to get in the way when you are taken the
ramlink in and out.
 *s
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 98        Sat Jul 23, 1994
GEOS-TIM                     at 00:34 EDT
 
I have a RamDrive that I use but don'T use a jumper.  The problem I  encounter
is usually when I use GEOS.  About every few weeks I get a corruption problem,
but I have been able to live with it for the things i do with the 64. 
  MY Ramlink, on the other hand, has 9 megs of program on it and it is on my
128.  I have the jumper on just incase. 9 megs as opposed to 2 megs to
reconfigure is too much.
                                            :) -Tim
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Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 99        Sat Jul 23, 1994
C128.JBEE                    at 00:43 EDT
 
 I have been told by various people that by getting a heavier power
 supply for RamLink it cured their corrupt problems with RamLinks that had
 had 5-16 MBs.  Someone told me that SL SIMMs (whatever that means) can
 also cause trouble and slow down the RamLink.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 100       Sat Jul 23, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 01:00 EDT
 
Some 128's will need the jumper, but most don't. Each system times out
slightly different, and some computers produce 'glitches' in the signals that
RAMLink uses to determine hardware configurations, which can cause problems
that lead to data corruption or incorrect configurations to be assumed. 

The power supply provided with RAMLink is adeqate for the maximum load that
one can expect on a 'maxed-out' RAMLink, provided it is actually putting out
its rated current. It's entirely likely that a weak supply can get through
from time to time, though this shouldn't happen very often at all. It's
relatively easy to check to see if the supply is doing its job if you have a
multimeter, by measuring for 5 VDC across the +5 and ground on one of the
chips or ports. If the supply isn't putting out enough current, it will cause
the voltage to drop. All of the components inside RAMLink should continue to
work right down to 4.5 volts, so the voltage would have to drop to around that
level or lower for there to be a problem with power.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 101       Sat Jul 23, 1994
D.TUOMI [Doctor]             at 04:40 EDT
 
I'm running a BBS.  Should I or shouldn't I use the jumper clip?  The 128
seems to work without it.  I have 5mb on board.

In an unrelated question, if I put a 1750 in the RAM socket will it still work
even though I've mixed 1mb and 4mb SIMMS?

Doc.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 102       Sat Jul 23, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 19:11 EDT
 
If your 128 seems to work fine without it, then chances are you don't need it.
If you have problems with breaking out to the monitor, or data corruption,
then hooking it up is one of the first things you should try.

REU's are handled independantly of SIMMs by RAMLink; mixing SIMMs won't effect
how RAMLink deals with RAM Port RAM at all.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 103       Sat Jul 30, 1994
L.SCHONDER [C128.LOU]        at 17:05 EDT
 
 
 RAMLINK!!! RAMLINK!!!

 I packed my Commodore system on June 16th to move to our new home.

 My battery-backed 4Meg RAMLink was carried as if it were
 the Ark of the Convenant to it's new home.

 There it sat until today (July 30th),
 patiently waiting.

 I :::FINALLY::: set up my REAL computer today,
 and plugged in the RAMLink.

 Was I nervous?
 Did I think that it wouldn't work?
 Was I dumb enough to forget to write down my serial number
 to obtain access to the CMD files on GEnie?

 Yes, to all of the above!!!

 BUT.....

 IT WORKED!!!!

 The RAMLink retained EVERYTHING.

 Am I happy?

 YES!!!

 Will I ever see that elusive serial number?

 Wait 'n' see.

 :)

 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 104       Mon Aug 01, 1994
H.HERMAN1                    at 03:20 EDT
 
Lou,

WOW!!  45 days!  This must be a record.

I love your description as to how gingerly you transported your RAMLink to its
new home.

That is EXACTLY how I handle mine, on those few ocassions it gets temporarily
detached from its base computer.

Howie
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 105       Wed Aug 10, 1994
H.HERMAN1                    at 07:51 EDT
 
Doug,

Suppose that partition 31 is the first.  It is a FOREIGN one.  It is being
used by GEOS and gateWay.

Now suppose that while under (non-geos) program control, a program tries to
open a channel and write to partition 31.

Could this do anything bad to the RAMLink partition and formatting info?

Thanks!

Howie
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 106       Thu Aug 11, 1994
CMD-DOUG                    at 23:29 EDT
 
Foreign partitions don't accept DOS commands. Foreign partitions also
shouldn't be selected as a default, or purposely moved to for that matter.
There isn't much chance of a program inadvertantly writing to one, though.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 107       Thu Aug 18, 1994
CBM-ED [e.g.bell]            at 19:22 EDT
 
 I am kind of bummed.... it seems my battery is not doing the charging
 again.  I had to disconnect the power for like 15 minutes earlier today
 and lost everything... nothing that wasn't backed up, and I don't have
 much in it, but experience like this will keep me from ever putting much
 in it.  I lost it last week because of a momentary loss of power due to
 a storm.   Anyone have any suggestions to help me avoid this?
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 108       Thu Aug 18, 1994
B.MASSE [BIG BOB]            at 22:11 EDT
 
  


  ------------
 Category 12,  Topic 2

  >I am kind of bummed.... it seems my battery is not doing the charging
  >again.  I had to disconnect the power for like 15 minutes earlier today
  >and lost everything... nothing that wasn't backed up, and I don't have


 Hey Ed,

 I used to have that problem with my Ramlink,  found that the connections 
 from the Battery to the Ramlink had a bad solder joint. Wasn't getting a 
 clean connection.  Cleaned it up and haven't had a ZAP in over 3 or 4 months.

 But the good side of the experience of loosing massive amounts of data is
 that one gets into the habit of making DAILY exports of data onto other 
 media.  A good habit to have.  I make 3 backups of some stuff just for
security. 
 One real aggravating problem I have with my Ramlink is the main power wire
 that goes into the unit has a problem.  If it is wiggled it will short the 
 system and every thing gets ZAPPED.  

 Another note,  I read in a few posts of yours that you dislike GEOS...
 Try it on your Ramlink.  It speeds it up real good. 

                              Bob


 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 109       Thu Aug 18, 1994
CBM-ED [e.g.bell]            at 23:24 EDT
 
 Bob:
  BM> connections   from the Battery to the Ramlink had a bad solder
  BM> joint. Wasn't getting a   clean connection.  Cleaned it up

 Where is it soldered between the RL and the battery?  Mine plugs into
 the RamLink and connects with spade connectors to the battery.  I wish
 I had some way of knowing that the thing was charging or not before this
 stuff happens. 

  BM> good side of the experience of loosing massive amounts of data
  BM> is  that one gets into the habit of making DAILY exports of
  BM> data onto other   media

 I'm not so positive as you... I fail to find anything good about this.
 I can't really stop what I'm doing and back everything up every day, nor
 just the stuff that is not copied anywhere else, and I have very little
 memory in there... I pity anyone with this problem who has 4, 8, etc.
 megs.  I do make backups, of course, but I also do not use the RamLink for
 anything in progress... i.e. source code currently being worked on.  I
 use it for programs I load and run every day, like RTCMaster or Magic 128.
 Of course, I probably wouldn't keep critical files in something RAM based
 under any circumstance.

 Wonder if there is a way to bring the connections outside of the RL...
 perhaps through the case somehow, onto a barrier strip or something that
 could be used to make solid connections.  If I were sure it would work,
 I'd seriously consider doing that.

  BM> you dislike GEOS...  Try it on your Ramlink.  It speeds it up
  BM> real good

 I'm positive you are right about that, but I don't like the GUI interfaces
 anywaya.... and I'm sure the RamLink makes a dramatic difference in it.
 I just prefer doing things through the keyboard, and I also don't like the
 way GEOS requires its own format of everything.  :)  I am quite sure tho,
 that the RamLink is the absolute must-have, or one of them, for GEOS 
 users.  Except for this thing with the battery, I believe it is more 
 reliable than my 1581's.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 110       Fri Aug 19, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 00:38 EDT
 
Ed, what kind of voltage do you see at the battery terminals when everything
is powered?
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 111       Fri Aug 19, 1994
B.MASSE [BIG BOB]            at 10:12 EDT
 
  ------------
 Category 12,  Topic 2

 EGB >Where is it soldered between the RL and the battery?  Mine plugs into

 Ed,

   I guess if you can't find solder joints on the Ramlink end of the
 battery, then maybe your set up is different then mine.  You can 
 check the wire with an Ohm meter to see if you have a broken wire
 inside the inulation.  


 EGB > I had some way of knowing that the thing was charging or not before
this
 EGB > stuff happens. 

 I agree!  


   BM> good side of the experience of loosing massive amounts of data
   BM> is  that one gets into the habit of making DAILY exports of
   BM> data onto other   media

  EGB> I'm not so positive as you... I fail to find anything good about this.
  EGB> I can't really stop what I'm doing and back everything up every day,
nor

 Yes you can.  You just don't wanna!  :)


   BM> you dislike GEOS...  Try it on your Ramlink.  It speeds it up
   BM> real good

 EGB > I'm positive you are right about that, but I don't like the GUI
interfaces 
 Yes, I agree. 
 GeoShell By  Maurice Randall really cleans up that problem.  Makes Geos a 
 cleaner and faster system.   

 Back to the battery....
 Ed,  one thing you might consider about that battery is how old it is.  They 
 don't last forever,  and maybe it is time to replace it.

 Also,  I heard somewhere  (could be wrong here though) that if your power
goes
 out and computer is on at the time,  It will drain the Ramlink battery 
 within minutes....  Maybe Doug could help out on that one.


                                 Bob
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 112       Fri Aug 19, 1994
CBM-ED [e.g.bell]            at 13:32 EDT
 
 Doug:
  DC> voltage do you see at the battery terminals when everything is
  DC> powered

 Now, I am going to qualify this answer by saying I'm not a multitester
 expert... I usually use it mainly for continuity checking... That said,
 with my tester set for 5 on DCV section of the dial, it reads all the way
 over on the right side of the dial...  If I understand it all right,
 that seems to say there is enough voltage at the battery.

  BM> if you can't find solder joints on the Ramlink end of the 
  BM> battery

 No, it just plugs into the RL.

  BM>  Yes you can.  You just don't wanna!

 That is true to a point... it would be less and less true the more I
 had available in the unit...  if I were to spend enough time to do that
 every day, I'd be losing lots of time programming/testing.  That is why
 I say I can't.

  BM> consider about that battery is how old it is.  They   don't
  BM> last forever

 I don't know what is considered old, but I don't really think the battery
 could be considered that old.  It is only a year or so old I believe.

  BM> if your power goes  out and computer is on at the time,  It
  BM> will drain the Ramlink battery   within minutes

 I thought that was only if the power went out and the RamLink power cord
 was disconnected at the time.  Even if that accounted for one instance,
 it could not account for the other, when the power to the house was lost
 for a few minutes.

 This is actually not a major problem for me because I never trust anything
 critical in anything like an REU or RamLink.  I am just to afraid of 
 losing stuff.  As a matter of fact, I do back up most of my work-in-
 progress every day or two.  I don't mind restoring stuff either.  I have
 to do that on my 1581s often... what I don't like is having to go in 
 and recreate all the partitions.  I could leave everything as a native
 mode partition, but my Magic program doesn't support that format.
 And before anyone says it, I don't plan anytime soon on doing that. CMD
 already offers a program that does that and I have a bunch of reasons I
 don't want to... the foremost of which is that I can't do it to support
 every possible situation.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 113       Fri Aug 19, 1994
H.HERMAN1                    at 19:54 EDT
 
Ed,

I have one of the earlier RAMLinks, where the wire from the battery terminates
with a plug.  The RL socket (into which this plug gets plugged) is a "stem",
and then there is a "flat spring metal piece" that contacts the outside
ground, and securely holds the plug in its socket.

This flat metal piece can lose its springiness, resulting in a loose fitting
plug.

The solution:  bend that metal piece so that there will again be a secure
springy fit.

I had this prob a long time ago.  With 12 Megs, I do not want crashes, and
haven't had one now, in years.

Since your battery appears to be fully charged, it is my quess that, while
your RL was depending on the battery, the plug was jiggling within its socket,
for maybe a moment or two, and just long enough for ram to get erased.

As for reliability, I feel pretty confident, and will allow unbacked data to
remain in RL for days at a time.

All of RL is backed onto disks.  Then periodically I run a self-running Basic
program that copies all the data files (the ones which change, and get
created) to two 1581's.  The data seems to just about fit into the 1.6 Megs. 
The Basic program relies on JiffyDos for this, and is usualy the last thing I
run at nite.

Howie
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 114       Fri Aug 19, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 22:49 EDT
 
Ed, use the next higher range to measure the voltage. When you use the voltage
function on a multimeter, you'll generally see a number on the end of the
scales that correspond to the range settings. In other words, you should see a
5 on the end of one of the scales, so when you use the 5 volt setting you can
figure out what the divisions in between are. It looks like you're getting
ample voltage to the battery judging from what you saw (pegged the needle on
the 5v range), but best to get the actual value to be sure. It should fall
somewhere between 6 and 7.5 volts, depending somewhat on which version RAMLink
it is. I believe yours was a version 1, but I don't recall for certain.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 115       Sat Aug 20, 1994
CBM-ED [e.g.bell]            at 11:21 EDT
 
 I have a question about how the RamLink handles partition/subdirectory
 specifications.  I have been over the RL manual, and as far as I can
 tell, there is no way to send partition commands through the command
 channel (as in the 1581) except for within native mode partitions.  Is
 this correct.  I see all of the examples of including the path commands
 within file names, but nothing through the command channel.  I am
 reasonably sure I'm wrong about this, but I'm having problems doing it 
 from within an ML program and want to make sure it is me and not something
 impossible to do.

 I *am* able to send the 'cp1' etc. command through the command channel to
 change partition.  I seem to be having trouble sending a command like:

 /0:partition name

 to go to a partition *before* doing whatever it is I want to do in that
 partition.  My command routine is simply:

 connect-command-channel
 send-null-terminated-string
 send-<cr>-at-end
 check-error-channel for:
      $02 - partition selected
      $3e - file not found (partition already selected)

 I do clear the channel after sending the <cr>.. just forgot to note that
 above.  Am I doing something wrong, reading something wrong, or is this
 just not possible over the command channel with the RamLinK?

 Thanks!

 O, and Doug... my multitester, when set to the 25 as you suggested, reads
 6 volts, which seems to be what it should be reading if I understand
 things correctly. 

 And Howie, I suspect perhaps it may be that tensioning device you 
 mentioned.. next time I lose everything, I'll go in and try to adjust
 it for more tension.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 116       Sat Aug 20, 1994
CMD-DOUG                     at 14:01 EDT
 
Ed, sounds like the charging circuit is working then, so that leaves either
the battery itself, or the circuit that determines when power has gone down
and performs the switch to battery power. If you get in a situation where you
have the RAMLink backed up and have time to test, you can check to see if the
battery is supplying reasonable voltage to RAMLink under power outage
conditions by measuring the voltage of the battery with power removed from the
computer and RAMLink. If you do such a test, and the battery power stays above
4.5 volts, but you still lose the contents of RAMLink, then the backup
switching circuit is probably at fault.

Verify for me if you can that what you are trying to send to the command
channel is the 1581 'sub'partition selection command... Am I understanding you
correctly on that one? Assuming it is, then I think what you're running into
is a sort of quirk about that command... I recall running into it myself, but
I do know that I got it to work. I'll have to check my code, but I think what
it took was to leave out the '0' in the '/0:partname' command... IOW, it
became instead '/:partname'. Again, I'll have to double-check that, but first
I have to remember just what program I used it in... probably FIND, I think.
 ------------
Category 12,  Topic 2
Message 117       Sat Aug 20, 1994
CBM-ED [e.g.bell]            at 23:22 EDT
 
 Doug:  I'll put yor suggestion by the RL and the next time I lose thins,
 I'll make the check.   Hopefully I'll never need it again.

 As for the '/' thing, I think I have things solved, tho I'm not sure how
 or why.  I took a different approach in a couple areas.  One thing I did
 was check for device number (partition) and if <> 0, I send the cp## 
 command over the command channel BEFORE sending any path commands.  Then
 the same for path commands.  This was primarily a concession to the 1581,
 not the RL.  I think I've figured out most of the problems I was having
 otherswise... a combination of different ways of doing things, my own
 stupidity, etc.  One thing I don't like is that I can't read from and
 write to different partitions on the same disk in a 1581.  I asked you 
 about this before, and you said RL can handle this, but since the 1581
 can't, I have to code for the 1581.  :::: sigh ::::

 BTW, yes, you had me correctly on sending a 1581 'sub'partition command
 (i.e.  /0:partname) over the command channel.  I have to wait now to see
 if what I'm doing now works consistently.   It *may* have been something
 I was doing wrong... I'll test for a few days to see if I can make it
 happen again, or not.  I'll let you know.
 ------------

