--- On Thu, 8/11/11, Jeff Walther <[email protected]> wrote: <clip> > The IIci never had its ROM on a SIMM, but at least one has > been built > using IIci code and it works. I only mention the IIci > because it's > the earliest machine with 32 bit clean ROMs (or did the > IIfx predate it?).
The IIci and IIsi were the first Macs with fully 32bit ROM code. The development of those two models and System 7 were a joint project. It's long been rumored that Apple produced some full 32bit ROMs for previous 030 CPU models for development work on System 7 and that someone found the chips or SIMMs in a box labeled "Mr. Clean", in a closet at Apple. (If only that person had borrowed the chips long enough to read out their data...) If such ROMs existed, I suspect Apple chose not to manufacture and sell them as upgrade kits for the same reason they crippled the IIsi, irrational fear that the ability to upgrade older Macs to take full advantage of System 7 and more RAM would reduce sales for the more expensive, top of the line new models. (The same greatly insane crippling that was done to most of the LC line.) What I find odd about the IIci is why it has the ROM SIMM socket when it was never used? Why didn't Apple simply leave the connector off instead of wasting money on the useless part? (Same goes for the mezzanine slot on the early iMac which was never intended to be used for anything.) -- ----- You received this message because you are a member of the Vintage Macs group. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/vintagemacs.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To leave this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/vintage-macs Support for older Macs: http://lowendmac.com/services/
