Macintosh Plus Memory Upgrade Guide: Difference between revisions
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The Macintosh Plus | The '''[[Macintosh Plus]]''' ships with 1 MB of RAM in four 30-pin SIMMs and can be taken to '''4 MB''', which is the maximum the machine supports.<ref name="ssplus">Apple Computer, ''Macintosh Plus Service Source'' — Specifications (Memory) and Upgrades (Memory Upgrade) chapters. Hosted on this wiki: [[:File:Macintosh plus.pdf]].</ref> | ||
== Memory specifications == | |||
* '''SIMM type:''' 30-pin, '''150 ns or faster'''. Apple notes that the speed is given by the −xx suffix after the manufacturer's part number, so −15 is a 150 ns part.<ref name="ssplus" /> | |||
* '''Eight RAM ICs per SIMM.''' A nine-chip SIMM will work, but the ninth device is not connected to the logic board.<ref name="gtmfh">Apple Computer, ''Guide to the Macintosh Family Hardware'', 2nd edition, Addison-Wesley, 1990, Chapter 5 "Memory", pp. 196–198 — SIMM installation rules and the RAM SIZE resistors for the Macintosh Plus and Macintosh SE.</ref> | |||
* '''SIMMs go in rows of two.''' Row 1 is SIMMs 1 and 2, row 2 is SIMMs 3 and 4. A row must be either empty or full; one SIMM on its own is not a valid configuration.<ref name="gtmfh" /> | |||
* All the RAM ICs in a row must be the same size and the same speed.<ref name="gtmfh" /> | |||
* If the two rows differ, '''the larger SIMMs go in row 1'''.<ref name="gtmfh" /> | |||
* '''Maximum: 4 MB.'''<ref name="ssplus" /> | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="width: | <templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" /> | ||
|+ '''Macintosh Plus RAM | {| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:75%; text-align:center;" | ||
|+ '''Macintosh Plus RAM configurations (Apple)''' | |||
! Total RAM !! Bank A (row 1) !! Bank B (row 2) !! R8 "256K BIT" resistor | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 1 MB (stock) || 2 × 256 KB || 2 × 256 KB || fitted | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 1 MB | | 2.5 MB || 2 × 1 MB || 2 × 256 KB || removed | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 4 MB || 2 × 1 MB || 2 × 1 MB || removed | |||
|} | |} | ||
[[File:Mac-plus-memory.png|none|thumb|520x520px|Macintosh Plus memory layout: Bank A, Bank B and the RAM size resistors]] | |||
* | |||
== The RAM size resistors == | |||
The Plus tells its general logic circuits what memory is fitted through two resistors in the area silkscreened '''RAM SIZE''':<ref name="gtmfh" /> | |||
* '''R8''', labelled '''256K BIT''' — fitted only when '''every''' SIMM contains 256 Kbit DRAMs. If two or four SIMMs contain 1 Mbit DRAMs, R8 must be removed. | |||
* '''R9''', labelled '''ONE ROW''' — fitted only when just two SIMMs are installed. With four SIMMs fitted it must be removed. | |||
= | Apple's method is to '''clip one end of the resistor and bend it away from the clipped lead''' rather than desoldering it, so that it can be tacked back later if the machine is returned to its original configuration.<ref name="ssplus" /> | ||
Both of the upgrades in the table above use four SIMMs and at least two 1 Mbit modules, so both require R8 to be clipped. Do not clip R9 as well unless you are actually running only two SIMMs. | |||
* | == Tools == | ||
* | * Long T15 Torx screwdriver | ||
* | * Case separator or plastic spudger | ||
* | * Anti-static wriststrap | ||
* Matching 30-pin SIMMs (see [[Recommended Tools]]) | |||
== | == Procedure == | ||
''' | '''1. Prepare.''' Power off, unplug, work on a grounded surface. | ||
''' | '''2. Open the case.''' Remove the Torx screws — two at the bottom and two deep in the handle recess — and separate the halves. The machine contains a CRT; read [[CRT Discharge Procedure]] first, discharge the CRT before disconnecting anything, and do not fit a wriststrap until after it has been discharged.<ref name="ssplus" /> | ||
''' | '''3. Reach the logic board.''' The SIMM sockets are on the logic board towards the rear ports. | ||
The | |||
''' | '''4. Remove the existing SIMMs.''' Ease the retaining clips outward — they are brittle — and tilt each module out. | ||
''' | '''5. Fit the new SIMMs''', matching the notch to the socket keying, in complete rows. | ||
''' | '''6. Set the resistors''' as above before closing up. | ||
''' | '''7. Reassemble and verify.''' Boot and check the memory figure. If it is wrong, the usual causes are a partly seated module, a mismatched row, or a resistor still fitted. | ||
== Common problems == | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" | {| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%;" | ||
! Symptom !! Likely cause !! Action | |||
|- | |- | ||
| Sad Mac or beeps on startup || Wrong, faulty or partly seated SIMMs || Confirm 30-pin, 150 ns or faster, eight-chip, fully seated | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | Memory count unchanged after upgrade || RAM size resistor still fitted || Clip R8 when any 1 Mbit SIMMs are installed | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | Only half the memory seen || A row is half-populated, or the larger pair is in row 2 || Fill rows completely; larger SIMMs in row 1 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | Random crashes || Mixed speeds within a row, or a failing module || One speed per row; swap in known-good modules | ||
|} | |} | ||
Sad Mac codes are decoded on [[Sad Mac Error Codes]] and with the [[Sad Mac Decoder]]. | |||
== Related pages == | |||
* [[Macintosh Plus]] | |||
* [[Macintosh Plus General Maintenance]] | |||
* [[Macintosh Plus Troubleshooting]] | * [[Macintosh Plus Troubleshooting]] | ||
* [[ | * [[:Category:Apple Service Source|Apple Service Source]] | ||
== References == | |||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]] | [[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]] | ||
[[Category:Memory Upgrades]] | [[Category:Macintosh Memory Upgrades]] | ||
[[Category:Macintosh Hardware Upgrades]] | |||
Latest revision as of 18:22, 23 September 2026
The Macintosh Plus ships with 1 MB of RAM in four 30-pin SIMMs and can be taken to 4 MB, which is the maximum the machine supports.[1]
Memory specifications
[edit | edit source]- SIMM type: 30-pin, 150 ns or faster. Apple notes that the speed is given by the −xx suffix after the manufacturer's part number, so −15 is a 150 ns part.[1]
- Eight RAM ICs per SIMM. A nine-chip SIMM will work, but the ninth device is not connected to the logic board.[2]
- SIMMs go in rows of two. Row 1 is SIMMs 1 and 2, row 2 is SIMMs 3 and 4. A row must be either empty or full; one SIMM on its own is not a valid configuration.[2]
- All the RAM ICs in a row must be the same size and the same speed.[2]
- If the two rows differ, the larger SIMMs go in row 1.[2]
- Maximum: 4 MB.[1]
| Total RAM | Bank A (row 1) | Bank B (row 2) | R8 "256K BIT" resistor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 MB (stock) | 2 × 256 KB | 2 × 256 KB | fitted |
| 2.5 MB | 2 × 1 MB | 2 × 256 KB | removed |
| 4 MB | 2 × 1 MB | 2 × 1 MB | removed |
The RAM size resistors
[edit | edit source]The Plus tells its general logic circuits what memory is fitted through two resistors in the area silkscreened RAM SIZE:[2]
- R8, labelled 256K BIT — fitted only when every SIMM contains 256 Kbit DRAMs. If two or four SIMMs contain 1 Mbit DRAMs, R8 must be removed.
- R9, labelled ONE ROW — fitted only when just two SIMMs are installed. With four SIMMs fitted it must be removed.
Apple's method is to clip one end of the resistor and bend it away from the clipped lead rather than desoldering it, so that it can be tacked back later if the machine is returned to its original configuration.[1]
Both of the upgrades in the table above use four SIMMs and at least two 1 Mbit modules, so both require R8 to be clipped. Do not clip R9 as well unless you are actually running only two SIMMs.
Tools
[edit | edit source]- Long T15 Torx screwdriver
- Case separator or plastic spudger
- Anti-static wriststrap
- Matching 30-pin SIMMs (see Recommended Tools)
Procedure
[edit | edit source]1. Prepare. Power off, unplug, work on a grounded surface.
2. Open the case. Remove the Torx screws — two at the bottom and two deep in the handle recess — and separate the halves. The machine contains a CRT; read CRT Discharge Procedure first, discharge the CRT before disconnecting anything, and do not fit a wriststrap until after it has been discharged.[1]
3. Reach the logic board. The SIMM sockets are on the logic board towards the rear ports.
4. Remove the existing SIMMs. Ease the retaining clips outward — they are brittle — and tilt each module out.
5. Fit the new SIMMs, matching the notch to the socket keying, in complete rows.
6. Set the resistors as above before closing up.
7. Reassemble and verify. Boot and check the memory figure. If it is wrong, the usual causes are a partly seated module, a mismatched row, or a resistor still fitted.
Common problems
[edit | edit source]| Symptom | Likely cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Sad Mac or beeps on startup | Wrong, faulty or partly seated SIMMs | Confirm 30-pin, 150 ns or faster, eight-chip, fully seated |
| Memory count unchanged after upgrade | RAM size resistor still fitted | Clip R8 when any 1 Mbit SIMMs are installed |
| Only half the memory seen | A row is half-populated, or the larger pair is in row 2 | Fill rows completely; larger SIMMs in row 1 |
| Random crashes | Mixed speeds within a row, or a failing module | One speed per row; swap in known-good modules |
Sad Mac codes are decoded on Sad Mac Error Codes and with the Sad Mac Decoder.
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- Macintosh Plus
- Macintosh Plus General Maintenance
- Macintosh Plus Troubleshooting
- Apple Service Source
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Apple Computer, Macintosh Plus Service Source — Specifications (Memory) and Upgrades (Memory Upgrade) chapters. Hosted on this wiki: File:Macintosh plus.pdf.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Apple Computer, Guide to the Macintosh Family Hardware, 2nd edition, Addison-Wesley, 1990, Chapter 5 "Memory", pp. 196–198 — SIMM installation rules and the RAM SIZE resistors for the Macintosh Plus and Macintosh SE.