Article Created: 28 June 1995
TOPIC
DISCUSSION
Question: If I add more memory to my system, what kind do I need?
Answer: You need Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMMs) that are 64-bit-wide, 168-pin, fast-paged mode, 70 nanosecond RAM.
Question: Which DIMMs are supported?
Answer: The 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 MB DIMMs are supported.
Question: How much benefit is gained from interleaving?
Answer: Interleaving provides maximum performance to you. If the DIMMs are not paired in the A and B slots, the system does not perform to its capability. Interleaving lets the computer read and write data to memory at the same time other reads and writes are occurring. This improves performance. DIMMs need to be the same size for interleaving to work.
Question: Does this Power Macintosh use the same self-terminating connectors as the original Power Macintosh?
Answer: Yes, the self-terminating connector is the same.
Question: Is the Power Switch a "hard switch"?
Answer: No. It is a "smart switch". You cannot turn off power by just pressing the power actuator button. If you press the Power Key, it quits all applications and shuts down the machine.
Question: Can NuBus cards be used with these Power Macintosh computers?
Answer: NuBus cards cannot be used in this Power Macintosh. However, to preserve your investment in NuBus technology, a NuBus expansion chassis for PCI will be available from Second Wave, Inc. This chassis will enable you to continue to use your existing NuBus cards in Power Macintosh systems with PCI slots.
Question: Can these Power Macintosh computers accommodate any PCI card?
Answer: These systems support any PCI 2.0-compliant card. However, a Mac OS-specific software driver is required for each card, just as PCI drivers are required for any other operating system.
Question: Are these computers PCI card plug-and-play?
Answer: For the most part, yes. The PCI card needs to include either a Mac OS driver or a new ROM so the Mac OS can see it.
Question: What software do the Power Macintosh 9500/120 and 9500/132 computers run?
Answer: These computers run software for the Mac OS version 7.5.2, including applications optimized for PowerPC. They also offer compatibility with MS-DOS 6.2 and Windows 3.1 through either a hardware or software solution. For hardware-level compatibility, a PCI card that includes an Intel-compatible processor will be available. On the software side, these computers can run Insignia Solutions SoftWindows, a software emulation solution that is optimized for the PowerPC processor.
NOTE: Mac OS version 7.5.2 is only for the Power Macintosh 9500 series computers and is not compatible with other Power Macintosh computers.
Question: How does "processor upgradeability" work?
Answer: The processors on these computers are housed in a daughter board, which can easily be replaced with a board containing a higher-performance processor as such processors become available. The new computer and system software will automatically recognize the new processor.
This article was published in the "Information Alley": Volume II, Issue 5, Page 4
Support Information Services Copyright 1995, Apple Computer, Inc.
Keywords: kppc, kalley
============================================================= This information comes from the Apple Technical Information Library. Send any questions or problems regarding this service to webmaster@info.apple.com.