ImageBuffer by OrangeMicro for Apple ImageWriter II printer 😁 🖨 💭

[retr01]

I have been looking for memory expansion for my ImageWriter II printer for months. Finally, I picked the OrangeMicro ImageBuffer for $5 off eBay. Yay!

As you can see on the left side of the buffer card, it is half populated with DRAM chips. Right now, it has 64k, which is good for 20 pages. The maximum is 128k for 40 pages, for which I need to find two more 32k DRAM chips. Those are 256X1 Dynamic RAM chips, Texas Instruments TMS4256-15NL ZA1564 EP 8544.

Can anyone help me to find two of those to fill up to 128k?

​

 

[skate323k137]

If memory serves me (pun intended), do you have a IIGS Ram expansion (original) laying around perhaps? I believe it should be the correct RAM. I may have one in storage but they are easy to come by with everyone upgrading to newer cards in their IIgs. Otherwise the RAM ICs are in stock here for less than $2 US per chip,

41256P-10 DRAM Memory Vishay | Jameco

Order today, Vishay 41256P-10 DRAM. Products in stock and ready to ship. Quotes, samples and datasheets available at Jameco Electronics.

www.jameco.com

 

[jajan547]

Ebay seller has them for $4.56 a piece
LINK HERE

 

[retr01]

If memory serves me (pun intended), do you have a IIGS Ram expansion (original) laying around perhaps? I believe it should be the correct RAM. I may have one in storage but they are easy to come by with everyone upgrading to newer cards in their IIgs.

Ah, yes, I have the Apple IIGS 1 Megabyte RAM card. Let me look at it.

Otherwise the RAM ICs are in stock here for less than $2 US per chip,

41256P-10 DRAM Memory Vishay | Jameco

Order today, Vishay 41256P-10 DRAM. Products in stock and ready to ship. Quotes, samples and datasheets available at Jameco Electronics.

www.jameco.com

Great. Thank you! Just to clarify, those are 144x1. This card uses 256x1 DRAM chips. Still compatible?

 

[retr01]

Ebay seller has them for $4.56 a piece
LINK HERE

LOL. Not even an accurate picture.

This is a bit cheaper and probably will work. @skate323k137 posted the link above to Jamesco which is $1.75 each, but not sure about shipping.

1pcs TMS4416-15NL 16'384 WORD BY 4 BIT DYNAMIC RAM DIP18 | eBay

No any handle fees.

www.ebay.com

 

[jajan547]

LOL. Not even an accurate picture.

This is a bit cheaper and probably will work. @skate323k137 posted the link above to Jamesco which is $1.75 each, but not sure about shipping.

1pcs TMS4416-15NL 16'384 WORD BY 4 BIT DYNAMIC RAM DIP18 | eBay

No any handle fees.

www.ebay.com

Well if you can wait I’ll be ordering some chips next week.

 

[retr01]

It looks like I have several of those chips.

Hey @skate323k137 and @jajan547, those TMS4256-15NLA chips have the "A" at the end, while the TMS4256-15NL chips on the ImageBuffer card do not. I wonder whether that means not compatible. What is the "A"? An upgraded version of the same chip?

 

[retr01]

I just realized that the soldered-on DRAM chips are the NLAs and the NLs are socketed DRAM chips. But would the 10NL work?

 

[skate323k137]

Should be fine just capable of a faster speed. Like using a 100ns EPROM in place of an old 150ns. As long as the response time is equal or faster to the original spec, of course it doesn't operate any faster just is compatible.

 

[jajan547]

Yeah I’m hindsight that link I sent disregard that, complete garbage, my apologies.

 

[skate323k137]

Also it should not matter if you just took two chips to fill your new card or just take 4 matching ones from the sockets on your spare IIgs card.

 

[retr01]

Yeah, I just looked at the spec sheet from Texas Instruments back in 1983 and revised 1988:

 

[retr01]

Okay, my next step is to get ready for transplant surgery. I will need to gather:

• Ten blade
• surgical mask
• surgical gloves
• surgical drapes
• 100,000 lumens light

What else?

Okay, seriously, I have the soldering and computer precision tool sets. What does the tool to remove the chip from the socket look like? Do I need to ground myself with the wrist strap?

 

[skate323k137]

Rather simple procedure really. Just always watch pin1.

Static grouding is always good. Then a U shape IC puller should have you in business.

IC Chip Extractor Circuit ROM Mother Board Remover Puller Plier Tool PLCC U-Type | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for IC Chip Extractor Circuit ROM Mother Board Remover Puller Plier Tool PLCC U-Type at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[skate323k137]

And while you can use a thin flathead to loosen the ICs, I have had to repair too many boards from people slipping and taking out a trace. A proper IC puller will all but eliminate that risk, for less than $10.

 

[retr01]

So, what if the chip is more than 124 pins? A much bigger IC extraction tool?

And yes, I agree with you, @skate323k137. A proper IC puller is ideal. I remember seeing a yellow IC puller. Then I saw this!

Jonard Tools EX-2 DIP/IC Extraction Tool for Mircochips with 24-40 Pin​

Wow!

 

[jajan547]

I use a whia chip lifter but also have one of those tweezer shaped ones

 

[retr01]

And that one above from Amazon is cheaper than eBay, but minimum 24 pins. The ICs I have to extract is not even 24 pins. LOL.

 

[retr01]

Hey, would this kit work? It also comes with a keyboard key puller, which I thought would be nice, especially with the ADB keyboards.

Amazon.com: 9 Pieces Keyboard Lube Switch Puller Kit IC Extractor Switch Puller Key Cap Puller Elbow Tweezers Pointed Tweezers Flat Head Grease Brush Fine Head Grease Brush for Disassembly of Electronic Component : Automotive

Buy 9 Pieces Keyboard Lube Switch Puller Kit IC Extractor Switch Puller Key Cap Puller Elbow Tweezers Pointed Tweezers Flat Head Grease Brush Fine Head Grease Brush for Disassembly of Electronic Component: Bearing Pullers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

a.co

 

[skate323k137]

That should work just fine.