SE/30 and Lapis ProColorServer 24 (Not 24X)

[iantm]

I came across a Lapis ProColorServer 24, which has less VRAM installed than the 24X. I'm wondering if it's as simple as installing more chips to expand the capabilities of the card.

I'm not familiar with these kinds of chips. I think they are Zip ram? There are four missing from the left bank. 4x256 =1,024 which would be more than enough to run a larger 1152x840 display in 16- or 24-bit color on top of the ram that's already in place.

It might not be this simple, it might require flashing some chip on it with whatever is on the 24X — as far as I can tell it's the most obvious difference between the two. The chips are different manufacturers, but I question how much of a difference that makes. It seems like for product efficiency they might have simply taken the 24X and stripped out the RAM to make it less capable and therefore cheaper, or they made the 24 first with the intention of expanding later.

ProcolorServer 24X


ProColorServer 24

 

[mmaseda]

I have the same board as you so I’ll be following this thread. One thing I notice in the pictures is the 24X has all the jumpers removed in the upper left corner.

 

[iantm]

According to at least one knowledgeable member… if I can dump the ROM from the 24x and burn to a fresh eprom + pop in zip ram… you can transform the other card.

Don’t know when I’ll get around to that (I have no eeprom tools) but at some point I’ll try!

 

[iantm]

I just received it and the ProColorServer 24 works! Except it's stuck at 640x480 and the software driver I have for the 24X doesn't load (crossed out at startup).

@mmaseda are you able to switch resolutions with yours? If so, would you mind sharing the software driver you use?

I assumed this card would be able to still switch resolutions, albeit at lower bit depths than the 24X.

 

[mmaseda]

Yes, I was able to changes resolutions on my 24. I’m away on a trip until Tuesday but I pretty sure I got one of the drivers off the Macintosh Garden to work.

 

[iantm]

Oh good — that give some some hope this card isn't damaged in some way. I'll dig around and see what drivers I can find for now.