>I have a 2300 with 20 mb RAM and a 1.1 gb HD, running os 8.5. I've been >carefully stripping down the control panels and extensions to speed up the >machine, but it still uses about 12 mb RAM when I check it under "About >this computer" in the finder. According to previous comments in the list, >os 8.1 or 7.6.1 are better candidates for RAM challenged 2300s. How do I >safely downgrade my operating system? Are there any control panels or >extensions for 8.5 that I could use with earlier os's? Another reason for >wanting to downgrade: I want to use a RAM disk for speed and battery >conservation. Would use of a RAM disk have an impact on the optimal os for >this book?
I've been using System 7.6.1 on my 2300 (even though I have 56 mb RAM). I work almost exclusively from a RAM disk; I put a stripped-down copy of the system folder, and the applications I use most, on the RAM disk (then when I'm working I occassionally save to harddrive) If you could hook your duo up to a computer that has system 7.6.1, you should be able to just copy the system folder onto your duo -- and then you could experiment with it, using it on a RAM disk, without actually downgrading the operating system that's on your harddisk. If you try this you'd be able to see for yourself whether there's anything in particular that you really miss by not using 8.5. (By the way, I'd be curious what you find out. I'm generally happy with my set-up, but occassionally wonder what I'm missing.) Another thing I'll tell you about -- although I have no idea whether this was just an idiosyncracy of my machine, a problem of 7.6.1 (which I had on both RAM disk and harddrive), or whether this is something you might run into too -- is a problem I used to have when I was trying to use the "Start-up Disk" control panel to switch back and forth between the RAM disk and the HardDrive: Usually it wouldn't let me select the harddrive as the startup disk. (It would beep at me -- and wouldn't select it -- when I clicked on harddrive). The way I worked around it when I wanted to boot from the harddrive is to drag the finder out the RAM disk's system folder; then it would have to boot from the harddrive even if it wouldn't let me select it. Almost always this worked fine, though twice it booted with a flashing question mark (which I imagine _was_ just an idiosyncracy of my machine.) Susanna ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------- Dr. Bott | 10/100 Ethernet for your 2400 is finally here! MPC-100 | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/mpc100.html> RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com> Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
