BOPT-103 Procedure to add memory >16MB on Model 80
WstrnElect
Okay, here it is. The pain in the neck procedure to increase Model memory. I
know many of you know this procedure, but this is for those of us to whom it is
new. I am sorry to take so long to respond to everyone on this subject. One
problem I have is that this information came to me the old fashioned way -- on
paper in the mail. Between that, and not having a scannable copy (requiring me
to brush up on my transcription skills), I'm a little surprised I'm getting to
it even now. Before I begin, I want to say that I am now aware that this
procedure apparently is no great secret, but apparently a bit more familiar to
some of us than others. I as well as others have been led to believe again and
again that 16 MB is the limit on a Model 80 planar. The update procedure,
which is sometimes what is referred to as the "B Option" or "BOPT-103" is an
actual IBM procedure. No "tricks" or "gimmicks" (although there are specific
hardware and software requirements). The whole procedure is really broken down
into 3 parts; Updating the reference diskette, Installing the new hardware, and
running autoconfig from the updated reference diskette. I will qualify the
instructions below by stating that I am not a trained technical engineer or
even a PS/2 expert. This is just the procedure I was given. To be truthful,
I have not even fully tested the procedure yet, because the person who gave it
to me (thanks VK) also gave me a reference diskette that was already updated
(If you really want one, I calculated that for $5, I can send one to you
Priority Mail in an appropriate diskette mailer). I still had to reconfigure
the system, though, and that part went flawlessly. I have actually run through
the reference diskette procedure, but never tried that particular diskette with
the actual hardware, so I can't say I have done this from start to finish.
Before you begin, you must first be certain that you have the right memory
expansion card. It must be a card with a built in ROM. I know there are
several of these available, and I do not know the requirements for any of them
except the actual 32 bit (long slot) IBM 80386 Enhanced (ROM) Memory Expansion
adapter. I also at this point am not certain what the limit of this card is,
but I believe it is 14 MB on each card. The system can handle 3 cards, giving
the machine a total capacity of, I suppose, 50 MB (2 of the rare 4MB SIPPS and
3 cards with 14MB each). I am aware of newer non IBM memory cards that may
support up to 128MB, but this does not apply to them. This is for those of us
who may have had the chance to pick up one of the old IBM cards for next to
nothing and don't yet have the money to buy the $269 Kingston card right now
(although eventually that would be the way to go). As Peter stated in the
newsgroup, the memory may not be fully tested at POST, but you can run the
diagnostics in the setup/reference utility. Besides, if the memory is good
when installed, it will probably last the life of your PS/2. I know memory can
fail, but I'll take my chances for now. Another thing that may apply to a few
of you is that I am told that you can add the Enhanced adapter to a system with
an existing non-enhanced (No ROM) type. Apparently, if you have a non-enhanced
card, (it may still have to be a 32 bit type, even if without ROM -- I am not
sure) the system will still recognize it, although you will be limited to 15MB
of non enhanced memory. The new adapter apparently must use this last free1MB
to "bridge the gap" to the added memory. If you have more than 16MB total on a
non-enhanced adapter, you must move some of it to the enhanced card or remove
it to get it under 16MB. If you have only the hardware and no option diskette,
you will need to download "bopt103.exe" from the IBM website (try
"http://www.pc.ibm.com/cgi-bin/searchftp" and enter the filename in the search
field) before you do anything. This is an exe program run from a DOS prompt
that makes a new option diskette. Also, if your reference diskette is not
version 1.10 or newer, you will also have to download "rf7080.exe" which
creates a new reference diskette (v. 1.12 I think). One final note is that
during the reference diskette update, a great number of diskette swaps is
required unless you have 2 3.5" drives. I lost count, but it was something
like 30 or more, and took like 20 minutes. I think this covers most of the
requirements and exceptions. Assuming your hardware is the right type, and you
have the right diskettes, let's go through the procedure (finally), step by
step.
Updating the Reference Diskette
1) With power off, insert , power up, and boot the OPTION diskette (not the
reference diskette). When the installation menu appears, select Mod 70/Mod 80
and follow the instructions on the screen. Help information is available at
any time by pressing "F1". After the many disk swaps, you should have an
updated reference diskette.
Adding Hardware
2) Power off. Install the adapter in a 32 bit (long) slot. (Beware: If you
have 2 identical Enhanced memory adapters as I do, be certain that each card
has the SAME AMOUNT of memory on each card, preferably in the same positions on
each card. I had it uneven at first, which allowed DOS to see the memory, but
it wasn't counting up beyond 16 MB at POST. IBM Memory is always PARITY PARITY
PARITY -- you'd think I'd know this by now).
Reconfiguring The System
3) Insert the updated REFERENCE diskette and power up. Select the autoconfig
option when prompted. Follow the instructions, and when complete, leave the
reference diskette in, and reboot the system.
4) At the main menu, Press <Ctrl> - A to run the advanced diagnostics. From
the advanced menu, select "System Checkout". (Note: you can select "test the
Computer" from the main menu to do this, but this will do a complete system
checkout. If you are as impatient as I am, you do not want to wait for all of
these tests.).
5) Verify the hardware list is correct and shows both memory adapters. Select
"Run Test Once".
6) Move cursor to the line showing Enhanced Memory Adapter(s), and press
<Enter>. This will initiate Enhanced Memory Adapter Diagnostics to be
executed.
7) Answer YES when asked to update the ROM code, and press <Enter> when it is
updated. Allow the diagnostics to finish.
8) Remove the reference diskette and reboot the computer.
That's it. Having all the necessary disks and hardware ready ahead of time
makes this a lot easier (except all the disk swapping, what a pain). Currently
I have 4 MB on the motherboard, and 2 Enhanced adapters with 10 MB on each for
24 MB total. Runs like a champ, and no memory errors yet, although many
versions of diagnostics on the reference diskette will detect false errors on
the main motherboard memory on machines with more than 16 MB installed (as mine
does). Ignore these errors. If you wish to test planar memory, you can remove
the memory expansion adapters and then test it.
I hope this information is useful to anyone who needs it. If you want a
reference diskette mailed, let me know. I will get in touch with you. I may
also be able to E-mail you with the files to make the diskettes attached. If
any of you goes through this procedure, please let me know how you make out.
Kurt Loerzel
Wstrn...@aol.com
Joe Kovacs
>except the actual 32 bit (long slot) IBM 80386 Enhanced (ROM) Memory Expansion
>adapter. I also at this point am not certain what the limit of this card is,
>but I believe it is 14 MB on each card.
I think it's 8 MB. Mine is.
>If
>any of you goes through this procedure, please let me know how you make out.
>
>Kurt Loerzel
Everything that Kurt said applies. :(
Well, I got bopt103.exe and tried it. I've had 24 MB
running in my 8580-111 for years, and thought that at last
this new setup would enable diagnostics of the whole bank at
once.
Bopt103.exe seems to be the options diskette mirror for the
80386 enhanced memory adapters. It makes an option diskette
with zillions of adf and other files.
The install is incomprehensible. Yes, you switch diskettes
30 or so times, each time for a blob of data transfer. It
prompts you for the source diskette, then the target, and
halfway through it asks for the backup
reference diskette (AAaaa....was the target supposed to
be a _blank diskette?? :(((( ) and the 'diskette with
the new files'! I spent all evening trying all the
permutations and combinations. It really wants that new
option and your reference diskettes throughout.
After all that, nothing changed. The 24 MB of RAM ran, just
as it did before. And the advanced diagnostics hung
violently just the same on it.
My original 80386 memory adapter options diskette had three
files on it, dated 1988, which had been placed on the
reference diskette. After several perms and combs of 30
diskette changes, in the end after the smoke cleared and it
was relax time, in the post mortem the install had replaced
two of those. The @fcff.adf was newer.
And, for 30 diskette changes, that's all it did. Replaced
two freakin' perfectly ordinary files, which then worked
exactly the same.
Me and my Model 80, we discussed it and we haven't the
foggiest idea what the whole thing was all about.
-------------
For Kurt and others, I think the route to more than 16 MB
of RAM on a Model 80 is simply the adapter with a BIOS
(processor?) on it. It is not the bopt103.exe.
I installed 24 MB of RAM with the original option diskette
for the memory adapter, v1.00, dated 2-29-88. I mean, one
wants 24 MB of RAM, one simply puts it in, and that's how
it's always been.
It may be that the bopt103.exe is the option diskette for
memory adapters, so it's routinely necessary.
Just about no one knew about any bopt103.exe. No one
had to. That's why no one said anything about it. All, let
me give you a hand, we'd be just as happy if no one's going
to, too. :^)
Joe Kovacs
Guelph Ontario Canada
Ian Brown
In article <c1.2b8.2KNZjv$0...@ductile.sentex.net>, Joe Kovacs
<jako...@sentex.net> writes
<snip>
>
>The install is incomprehensible. Yes, you switch diskettes
>30 or so times, each time for a blob of data transfer.
>-------------
>
<snip>
>For Kurt and others, I think the route to more than 16 MB
>of RAM on a Model 80 is simply the adapter with a BIOS
>(processor?) on it. It is not the bopt103.exe.
>
>I installed 24 MB of RAM with the original option diskette
>for the memory adapter, v1.00, dated 2-29-88. I mean, one
>wants 24 MB of RAM, one simply puts it in, and that's how
>it's always been.
>
>It may be that the bopt103.exe is the option diskette for
>memory adapters, so it's routinely necessary.
>
>Just about no one knew about any bopt103.exe. No one
>had to. That's why no one said anything about it. All, let
>me give you a hand, we'd be just as happy if no one's going
>to, too. :^)
>
Ahhh! The accursed BOPT 103 srikes again!
But please note that BOPT only applies to the IBM Enhanced memory
adapter with ROM, and there is a .txt file that goes with program
(somewhere). I couldn't find when I had a quick look, so here is my old
copy:
Installation instructions for upgrading the Enhanced Memory Adapter with
ROM to support greater than 16MBytes of memory.
UPDATE REFERENCE DISKETTE.
Note - To successfully update your backup Reference Diskette using the
Startup Option Diskette, your 70/80 Reference Diskette MUST be at
version 1.10 or greater. If your Reference Diskette is at a lower
version level, contact an IBM Service Representative or an IBM
Authorized Service Representative for a copy of the updated Reference
Diskette.
Note - Reference Diskette update is most easily accomplished on a system
with two 3.5 floppy drives. If a single drive is used, diskette swapping
is required (may be as high as 55 swaps).
1 ) Power the computer off.
2)Insert the Startup Option Diskette into the A floppy drive.
3 ) Power the computer on.
4)When prompted for the source drive letter, accept the default "A".
When prompted to put the source medium in drive A, press enter. When the
installation menu appears select Mod 70/Mod 80 and follow the
instructions on the screen. Help information is available at any time by
pressing the "F1" key. Testing and configuration information will be
copied from the Startup Option Diskette to the backup copy of the
Reference Diskette.
5)When the Reference Diskette update is complete, store the Startup
Option Diskette in a safe place.
UPDATE ADAPTER CARD CONFIGURATION.
6)Power the computer off. If you do not need to install or remove an
adapter, skip to item 11.
7)Power all attached devices off and remove all power cords and cables.
8)Remove the computer cover.
9)Install any adapters as directed in the adapter installation guide.
10)Replace the computer cover; then plug in all cords and cables.
l)Insert the updated reference diskette in the A floppy drive.
2)Power the computer on. One of two events will occur. Follow the
instruction in either A or B. as appropriate. A)If no adapters have been
added prior to power on, the reference diskette will display a menu.
Press enter to get to the Main Menu. At the Main Menu
Select Run Configuration. Select Run Auto-Configuration. When Auto-
configuration is complete, leave the reference diskette in the drive and
restart the system. Go to the Main Menu. B)If an adapter was added prior
to power on, the reference diskette will issue a prompt for Auto-
configuration. Answer Yes to Auto-configure if this prompt is displayed.
When Auto-configuration is complete, leave the reference diskette in the
drive and press Enter to restart the system. Go to the Main Menu.
13) At the main menu--
Press CTRL-A to run the advanced diagnostics (Note that running customer
diagnostics from the Main Menu will work, but installation time will be
increased significantly.) 14)Select System Checkout 15)Verify the list
presented is correct. 16)Select Run Test Once 17)Move your cursor to the
line showing Enhanced Memory Adapter(s) Press Enter. This will cause the
Enhanced Memory Adapter diagnostics to be executed. 18)Answer Yes when
asked to update ROM code. Press Enter when the ROM code is updated.
19)Allow the diagnostics to run to completion. 20)Exit the diagnostics
and remove the reference diskette from the A drive. 2i)Reboot your
computer. The installation is complete.
NOTES -In order for the new Enhanced Memory Adapter to boot up there
must be at least lMeg of "free" memory below the 16Meg limit. If the sum
of system planar memory and any non-Enhanced Memory Adapter system
memory is 16Meg or more, you must move some of that memory to the
Enhanced Memory Adapter (or remove it from your system) in order to use
the new Enhanced Memory adapter.
In order for the initial version of OS/2 2.0 to take advantage of more
than 16Mbytes of memory, you must install an OS/2 2-0 patch- If your
version of OS/2 2.0 is 2.0, obtain a copy of the GT16MB patch from any
OS/2 service BBS. IBM personnel can obtain the GT16MB patch from the
OS2TOOLS disk.
Some versions of OS/2 2.0 may fail to install with the new Enhanced
Memory Option w/ ROM code AND more than 16M of memory. If you experience
installation problems, remove enough memory from the Enhanced Memory
Option adapter to drop the system memory total to below 16MBytes. Do
your OS/2 installation and then replace the memory.
Hope that helps anyone who is about to embark on this exercise.
Good luck - you may need it.
--
Ian Brown
Alex Snelling
Folks,
Would this work with the old 286 2-8Mb expansion option which has ROM ?
Why don't I try it & see !
--
Regards,
Alex
M r A l e x S n e l l i n g
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, CB3 0DG,England
Telephone (01223) 477 075, Fax (01223) 464 162
IBM PS/2...the original and best !
Ian Brown
In article <34EC65...@cam.ac.uk>, Alex Snelling <aw...@cam.ac.uk>
writes
>Folks,
>
>Would this work with the old 286 2-8Mb expansion option which has ROM ?
>
>Why don't I try it & see !
I have very severe doubts as to whether that would work. It was designed
for a 286 machine, and they *all* top out at 16Mb anyway. Plus the fact
that the board refered to in the original article is a 32 bit board, and
yours is a 16 bit. But try it by all means. But don't expect miracles.
They take a little longer to organize. <g>
--
Ian Brown