Table of Contents for this issue:
Re: Classic Macs - upgrade HD problems
Re: Classic Macs - upgrades
Re: Classic Macs - upgrade HD problems

What type and configuration of ram do I need to bring my Classic 2 Mb up to 4/8/10 Mb?

Only configuations possible for Classic are 1/2/4. Requires a special memory adapter/board which you must have in place to get to 2 MBs. (Only 1 MB is soldered to board.) Add two 1 MB 30 pin SIMMs (150MHz are okay) to the empty slots on the expansion card and adjust the jumper on the motherboard. Most memory suppliers will provide you with detailed information about the install. There are some 3rd party boards out there that will enable you to break the 4 MB barrier, but I'd invest my money in a Classic II or SE/30 before buying one of these.

What is the best version/release of System 7 I can use on my Classic (after upgrading)?

Apple officially recommends 7.0.1 w/7-up; I concur. Leanest OS and fairly stable. Might also try RamCharger (Opti-Mem) and run as few INITs and add-on exts as possible. Unfortunately, Ram Doubler is not an option on 68000 Macs.

I have a Mac Plus (2.5 Mb) - unused at present and a Mac Classic (2 Mb). (Yes, I have a 40Mb PowerMac at work, but lower-tec (and usefully smaller) stuff at home!).

Hey, don't knock those systems 8-) I use PowerMacs at work also, but at home all I have is a Plus (4/20), SE (4/40) and Color Classic (6/160).

What type and configuration of ram do I need to bring my Classic 2 Mb up to 4/8/10 Mb?

The Classic is only expandable to 4Mb maximum. There is 1Mb soldered on the mainboard and a proprietary connector for an Apple expansion board (part #M6361LL) which has 1Mb RAM and 2 30-pin SIMM sockets on it. You can put two 256K or two 1Mb 30-pin SIMMs in it (rated 120ns or faster).

What is the best version/release of System 7 I can use on my Classic (after upgrading)?

System 7.5 has a recommended minimum of 8Mb RAM. I run System 7.1 on my 4Mb Mac SE. System 7.0 is available for free download from Apple (in convenient bite-sized 800K disk images).

Midi interfaces and midi programs for 6800 Macs?

They exist, but I can't give you a name off the top of my head. Any standard RS422-to-MIDI interface will do you hardware-wise, I have seen an SE being used for MIDI scoring, but I can't remember the name of the program (it was about 7 years ago 8-).

Web access (and especially web telephony) for 6800 Macs?

WWW access is no problem; I've run FreePPP and an oldish version of NCSA Mosaic on my 4Mb 68000 SE (problems exist with high-speed modems, you may need to lower DTE rate). I suggest you browse info-mac. However, the models you're talking about lack internal microphones; their audio system is output-only. They are also not grunty enough for voice telephony. Classic II would be the absolute bare minimum, and even that probably wouldn't work.

I don't know most of the hardware you have there (except the 512Ke) but the answer to this question :

2) Do I have to change the interleve on the APS to work?

is "No". If you have the wrong interleave set, you will experience appalling performance, but the drive will work without other problems.