• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

RamQuest 8/16 software

D

dongfeng

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2003
Messages
1,348
Location
London, England
I picked up a rather nice Orchid RamQuest 8/16 memory expansion board that can take up to 32MB of memory.

It can work in an 8 or 16-bit ISA slot, so I could put it in my XT if I so wish! But it will end up in my 5162 for now.

I have managed to find the manual online (here), but it appears that I need the software to set it up...

Does anyone have this software??? :)
 
Well, I do not think, that it will work, because the CPU can only manage up to 1024 kb. :)
 
That is what EMS was invented for..

I did found a 16/32 util, but with a dead link. Wouldn't have worked anyway I think.
You might be able to use the board as it was configured last time it was used.
Default for my Above Board was all mem as expanded.

Do you at least have the MM.SYS EMM driver? Otherwise that might render it unusable as EMS board.
You could try a couple from other boards but I don't think that will work.

It should have a jumper:
ORCHID TECHNOLOGY RAMQUEST 8/16
Card Type Memory card
Chipset/Controller N/A
I/O Options N/A
Maximum DRAM 32MB
CARD MEMORY SELECTION
Setting JP2
» Card configuration memory normal Closed
Card configuration memory reset Open

Then there is this:http://www.driverguide.com/boards/miscellaneous/1877.html
but I can't get on the ftpsite.


Never mind, member The XT Guy seems to have it?
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showpost.php?p=42341&postcount=3
 
Last edited:
32MB may sound attractive, but the novelty wears off after you realise what a pain in the arse it is to sit there and wait for all 32MB to count up with you turn on the machine. You can press ESC (I think) to do a quick test, but it's still pretty slow. I downgraded to 10MB after I got frustrated.
 
I do have it and if you'll send me a PM with your e-mail address, I'll send it off to you.

AC is right though, it takes a long time on every reboot to count the RAM, especially if you've got the full 32MB in it.
 
I would KILL to have 32MB EMS on my 5160. I have an above board in there right now but that only goes up to 8 (and it's only at 2 right now because I don't know where to find extra memory for it).

I could produce some really crazy demo effects with 32MB RAM at my disposal...
 
Trixter said:
I would KILL to have 32MB EMS on my 5160. I have an above board in there right now but that only goes up to 8 (and it's only at 2 right now because I don't know where to find extra memory for it).

I could produce some really crazy demo effects with 32MB RAM at my disposal...
Click to expand...

I have the same Aboveboard, also with 2 MB. I did find memory for it- but its 5 euro's per chip (~256K) ...
 
Last edited:
I could produce some really crazy demo effects with 32MB RAM at my disposal
Click to expand...

If you keep your eyes open you should be able to find one. I've seen several go by on ebay. The Ramquest 8/16 doesn't have any silk screening on the board, so the only way to identify them is by the board layout.

-full length 16-bit ISA card
-one large socketted XILINX chip on the right side of the card
-8 vertically mounted 30-pin SIMM slots on the left

It's a 16-bit card, but it works in an 8-bit slot. Look it up on TH99 for a better idea. I found my card last year in big box full of shit on an ebay auction. Thankfully I way able to visually identify it.

About two years ago I found this card called the "Orchid RAMquest XT/AT". As far as I know Orchid never made a card with that name, so it's possible the guy selling it just made a typo and it's really an 8/16 card. I think he still has it for sale here (it's not cheap)

http://www.computertradeexchange.com/inventory/O.html
 
Last edited:
Sadly I don't believe there is a place on the internet where you can download the software, but three of us in the forum are now using the board and have a teledisk copy of the setup disk.
 
Since I plan on getting one of these someday (can't pass up the opportunity to get a SIMM-based EMS board!), is there any way you could upload the driver disk image to ftp.oldskool.org in /pub/incoming?
 
Anonymous Coward said:
The Ramquest 8/16 doesn't have any silk screening on the board, so the only way to identify them is by the board layout.
Click to expand...

Mine does!

Trixter said:
Since I plan on getting one of these someday (can't pass up the opportunity to get a SIMM-based EMS board!), is there any way you could upload the driver disk image to ftp.oldskool.org in /pub/incoming?
Click to expand...

The_XT_Guy and Anonymous Coward both have the software. Here are some photos so you know what to look for:

ramquest816_01.jpg


ramquest816_02.jpg


ramquest816_03.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top