ImageBuffer by OrangeMicro for Apple ImageWriter II printer 😁 🖨 💭

retr01

Senior Tinkerer
Jun 6, 2022
2,473
1
793
113
Utah, USA
retr01.com
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! :D👏

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? :)

1664247748519.jpeg
1664248250409.jpeg


 

Attachments

  • 1664247734702.jpeg
    1664247734702.jpeg
    179.3 KB · Views: 60
  • 1664247759152.jpeg
    1664247759152.jpeg
    230.9 KB · Views: 73
Last edited:

skate323k137

Tinkerer
Mar 7, 2022
130
103
43
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,
 

retr01

Senior Tinkerer
Jun 6, 2022
2,473
1
793
113
Utah, USA
retr01.com
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,

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

retr01

Senior Tinkerer
Jun 6, 2022
2,473
1
793
113
Utah, USA
retr01.com
It looks like I have several of those chips. :D

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?

1664252027313.jpeg
 

skate323k137

Tinkerer
Mar 7, 2022
130
103
43
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: retr01 and jajan547

retr01

Senior Tinkerer
Jun 6, 2022
2,473
1
793
113
Utah, USA
retr01.com
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

Tinkerer
Mar 7, 2022
130
103
43
Rather simple procedure really. Just always watch pin1.

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

 

skate323k137

Tinkerer
Mar 7, 2022
130
103
43
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

Senior Tinkerer
Jun 6, 2022
2,473
1
793
113
Utah, USA
retr01.com
Hey, would this kit work? It also comes with a keyboard key puller, which I thought would be nice, especially with the ADB keyboards.