Please Note: The information in this document has just been translated over from the printed version (14-Aug-98) and is being reviewed. There are errors! This notice will go away once all the obvious errors are corrected. From there, this document will be upgraded over time.

BOOSTER PAC ROMS

The Just-RAM Booster Pak functions exactly like the normal Booster Pak. The major difference is "method" employed to set the jumper for a socket to be a ROM socket vs. a RAM socket.

As configured, all sockets are jumped as RAM. To set a socket to ROM, snip the jumper for that socket--currently jumped center and left pins--and solder another jumper across center and right pins. Done.

The normal Booster Pak's sockets have three pins sticking up with a press on jumper block, like the one found on the second system ROM socket; bottom row, second from the right.

A ROM socket is used to access EPROMs burned for normal Model 100/102 operations. In other words, you may use any ROM you would use in a stock Model 100 or 102, with the following conditions:

The EPROMs must not be in a carrier. Use straight pin EPROMs, like those I burn and place in ROMBO carriers from EME System, i.e., Simply remove the EPROM from the carrier and stick it into the Booster Pak. I use 27C256 200 ns and 150 ns EPROMs.

The images from EPROMs that can not be removed from their carrier may also be used, i.e., PCSG ROMs. I make Booster Pak ROM copies for just $35. I "must" have the original in my possession to do this for legal reasons. I always return the original with the copy.

All Tandy/Radio Shack ROMs are "self booting" and as such can not be used in the Booster Pak without being converted. Again, I convert Tandy/Radio Shack ROMs to non-self booting ROMs for Booster Pak use. Again, just $35 and I must have the original in my possession for legal reasons. I always return the original with the copy.

Can RAM can be used to hold a ROM image? The answer is no, not in a Booster Pak. The only products doing that trick are extRAM and XR4 by EME Systems, Berkeley CA.

Can you read/write a file past 32K? Any file that you directly work on--such as a TEXT .DO file--must copy back from the Booster Pak's RAM storage to the processing RAM of your Model 100 or 102. Model 100/102 limitations apply, i.e., 29638 bytes or less.

Files that you manipulate like a database via programming using the R: function may be as large as available Booster Pak storage. The R: option is a special function built into the Booster Pak's system ROMs, and tied into BASIC and X-TEL (see documentation). BASIC examples are:

OPEN "R:XXXXXX.DO" FOR OUTPUT AS 1
OPEN "R:XXXXXX.DO" FOR INPUT AS 1
OPEN "R:XXXXXX.DO" FOR APPEND AS 1