RAM Doubler 8 is compatible with System Software versions 7.1.2 through Mac OS 8.x. For compatibility with future versions of the Mac OS, visit the Connectix web site at http://www.connectix.com
We strongly suggest users install at least the most current version their operating system, which addresses several bugs, performance, and compatibility issues with the Mac OS. As of this writing, the most current versions available from Apple (http://www.apple.com) are as follows:
- System 7.1 users should update to System 7.1.3
- System 7.5 users should update to System 7.5.5
- Mac OS 7.6 users should update to Mac OS 7.6.1
- Mac OS 8.0 users should update to Mac OS 8.x
The amount of memory reported in "System Software"/"MacOS" by the RAM Doubler 8 Control Panel may not match the "About This Macintosh"/"About This Computer" report of "System Software"/"MacOS" memory. "About This Macintosh"/"About This Computer" often accounts for memory that is not specifically allocated to any application or the System under the "System Software" heading.
The Disk Cache size reported in "System Software" by the RAM Doubler 8 Control Panel may not match the Memory Control Panel report of disk cache size. The actual memory used by the disk cache is typically 50K to 100K larger than the amount reported in the Memory Control Panel.
With 84 MB RAM or more installed, RAM Doubler 8 extends memory up to 256 MB on 68K processor configurations or 240 MB on PowerPC configurations (16 MB is reserved for File Mapping on PowerPC).
RAM Doubler 8 is not a solution for applications that require more memory than you have installed (in physical RAM). For example, a configuration with 8 MB of physical RAM installed should not run an application that requires 10 MB of RAM. The memory RAM Doubler 8 provides is best used to run more applications simultaneously.
To obtain the best performance from the Mac OS, Connectix recommends running the latest version of all your software applications and utilities. To do so, check with the appropriate publisher to verify that you are using the latest available version. Below is a brief list of products and recommended versions which address compatibility issues with RAM Doubler.
Hewlett Packard (HP) DeskWriter print drivers should be updated to the current versions. Older versions may exhibit slow performance or failure under extended memory (i.e. while running with either RAM Doubler 8 or Apple virtual memory).
• Solution: according to HP, DeskJet 800 series and DeskWriter 600 series owners should use the HP QuickDraw Printer Driver version 8.x, which is compatible with extended memory. These drivers are available via:
- The Web: http://www.hp.com
- America Online: Keyword = HP
- CompuServe: Go HP
If you are using any other DeskWriter model, contact HP regarding the release of an extended memory compatible driver for your DeskWriter model.
• Workarounds: according to HP technical support, use one of the following: 1) Turn off the "Background Printing" option (located in the Chooser when selecting DeskWriter), or 2) Reduce the amount of free memory before printing by opening several applications so that the "Largest Unused Block" reported by the Finder is smaller.
AppleTalk Users (With older versions of System 7): For compatibility with extended memory (virtual memory or RAM Doubler 8), use the latest AppleTalk driver available (http://www.apple.com). To check the version of AppleTalk installed, open the Network control panel. If there is no AppleTalk version listed or the version listed is less than 58.1.5, then AppleTalk should be updated using the latest Network Software Installer, available from most Apple software sites online or from an Apple Dealer.
Note: Open Transport users should have version 1.1.2 or later installed, as is appropriate to their operating system version.
Retrospect 3.0 users should use System 7.5.3 or later. Additionally, Retrospect 3.0 users should contact Dantz to upgrade to version 3.0A. An updater is available at http://www.dantz.com.
Apple Internet Connection Kit users should upgrade to version 1.1 for compatibility with extended memory.
GeoPort Telecom Adapter/GeoPort Internal Modem: Although many customers have successfully used RAM Doubler with Apple's GeoPort Telecom Adapter and GeoPort Internal Modem, there have been reports of intermittent problems. GeoPort Telecom Adapter and GeoPort Internal Modem users can still take advantage of RAM Doubler to simultaneously run multiple applications when these devices are plugged in, but not online. For GeoPort users who successfully use these devices, it is recommended you use version 2.3.3 or later of the GeoPort Telecom software. Users of GeoPort 3.0 software should update to 3.1.1. These versions may work but are not supported.
FreePPP users should upgrade to version 2.5 or later for compatibility with extended memory. FreePPP is available from http://www.rockstar.com.
American Heritage Dictionary users should use version 3.6 or later.
Apple DOS Compatibility Card users should use Apple CD-ROM version 5.0.4 or later for compatibility with Windows 95.
usrEZ's UltraShield and UltraSecure users should update to version 3.52 (for UltraSecure) and 2.52 (for Ultra Shield), or later.
NEC DPI on the Fly users should use version 3.0 or later.
FWB SCSI JackHammer NuBus users should disable "use main memory as buffers" in the JackHammer control panel. RAM Doubler 8 is compatible with FWB SCSI JackHammer PCI and other PCI based SCSI-2 cards.
MacTCP 1.0 and 1.1 are not compatible with RAM Doubler 8 - upgrade to version 2.0.6 for compatibility.
Macintosh 660AV or 840AV with System 7.1 users: make sure you have at least version 1.1 of the "Enabler 088" file. Version 1.0 causes an error or hang when printing to a LaserWriter NT (via AppleTalk) when RAM Doubler 8 is installed. You can acquire Enabler 088 version 1.2 by installing System Update 3.0 (for System 7.1) from Apple; or, by upgrading to System 7.5.x, which has the latest enabler built-in.
68030-based PowerBook and Duo users with 8 MB RAM in System 7.5, may experience the following if in 24 bit mode:
a. The PowerBook won't go to sleep when you shut the lid
b. The physical buttons for the monitor backlight don't work
c. The floppy drive doesn't work
Solution: Install System 7.5 Update 2.0 (or later) which fixes these problems in 24 bit mode or turn on 32 bit addressing in the Memory Control Panel.
Items Not Compatible With Virtual Memory or RAM Doubler
------------------------------------------
The following items are not compatible with extended memory environments (more total memory than built-in memory); therefore, these items are not currently compatible with RAM Doubler 8 or Apple's virtual memory:
- Texas Instruments' Paper Tray Manager for microLaser printers
- "AV DSP Power" plug-in for Adobe Photoshop on the 660AV and 840AV
- Around the World in 80 Days CD-ROM
- Ziff Davis MacBench 4.0 Disk Test on IDE Hard Drives (according to Ziff-Davis Inc.)
Note: This is not a complete listing of items that do not work with extended memory, but contains the most common items reported. Anything that is not compatible with virtual memory is not compatible with RAM Doubler 8.
If you suspect a problem is related to RAM Doubler 8, disable RAM Doubler 8 through the following methods to isolate the problem:
1) Disable RAM Doubler 8: Hold down the tilde (~) or ESC key during boot and see if the problem occurs. If the problem persists, this indicates that RAM Doubler 8 is NOT involved.
2) Disable other extensions: If you use System 7.5 or later, see if the problem occurs with RAM Doubler 8 only by holding down Shift+Option. This loads RAM Doubler 8 only and disables all other extensions. If the problem goes away by booting with Shift+Option, this could indicate an extension that may need to be updated to a current version or reinstalled to address the conflict.
3) Try Virtual Memory: Turn on virtual memory in the Memory control panel, which is another form of extended memory, and see if the problem occurs. If the problem persists then other software is conflicting with extended memory and is likely to have problems with RAM Doubler.
RAM Doubler List Server: Users with an electronic mail address can subscribe to the RAM Doubler List Server to receive, through electronic mail, current information about RAM Doubler 8 including notification of new updaters. To Subscribe: send email to majordomo@connectix.com with 'subscribe ram-doubler-list' in the body of the message, or subscribe on the web at http://www.connectix.com/connect/list.ram.html
