Section 3: Installing the M54E2

System Memory

System memory devices, commonly known as SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Modules), are necessary to operate the M54E2 system board. The M54E2 has eight SIMM sockets and can be upgraded to 512 Megabytes of RAM. This section will explain the type of SIMMs supported, list the rules of adding memory to the M54E2, give some examples of common memory configura- tions, and show how to physically install the new SIMMs.

SIMMs Supported

The M54E2 supports 72-pin, 60 or 70ns SIMMs in the following configura- tions:

4MB (1MBx32/36) 8MB (2MBx32/36) 16MB (4MBx32/36) 32MB (8MBx32/36) 64MB (16MBx32/36)

NOTE: For long term reliability, Micronics recommends using SIMMs with tin-plated contacts. The use of gold-plated contacts may conflict with the tin- alloy on the SIMM socket.

Upgrading Rules

The following is a list of rules to follow when upgrading SIMMs. If you follow these rules, your upgrade should be trouble-free:

Use 70ns or faster SIMMs.

Upgrade SIMMs one bank at a time. Each bank must contain two SIMMs of the same size and preferably from the same manufacturer. For example, to add 16MB of memory to the system board, install two 8MB SIMMs into the same bank.

When installing SIMMs, start with Bank 0 and work your way up (0,1,2,3).

M54E2 System Board Manual

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