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Tips
& Tricks |
Problem:
Pairs of SIMMs and the ASR-X PRO August
2002 ~ One of the enhanced features that
distinguished the ASR-X PRO from the original ASR-X
was the increased RAM capacity: the X PRO will
accommodate a pair of user installed SIMMs as
opposed to a single SIMM in the black X. A
long standing problem affecting the ASR-X PRO has
prevented some X PRO users from exploiting the
maximum memory capacity. It's unknown to me how
wide spread this problem is, i.e., what percentage
of X PRO models suffer from this defect. This
problem does not affect the original
ASR-X. The
problem would manifest in the ASR-X PRO though odd
or erratic behavior - typically, the X PRO would
refuse to boot, or crash immediately thereafter,
when pairs of SIMMs were installed. When the issue
first came to light in early 1999 it was assumed to
occur only when matched pairs of 32 MB SIMMs were
installed as this was the most common upgrade made
to the X PRO. There
was much discussion whether the problem was
specific to using EDO or non-EDO SIMMs, but for
every X PRO successfully using pairs of EDO SIMMs
there would be others successfully using pairs of
non-EDO SIMMs. To further complicate matters, two
users could purchase the identical make & model
type of SIMMs and yet one user would meet with
success where as the second might not. Many
participants on the ASR-X list provided
specifications for the SIMMs being used in their X
PRO and this information was passed along to
EMU/ENSONIQ who, at the time, were actively
researching the issue. In October 1999 EMU/ENSONIQ
publicly acknowledged an issue with 66 MB of RAM in
the ASR-X Pro. You may read their response
here.
Notice the revised specification excludes EDO
SIMMs. I've never agreed with this revision as I've
used EDO SIMMs without incident for over three
years in my X PRO. The X PRO Reference Manual
clearly states either EDO or non-EDO may be used in
the ASR-X Pro. The
problem persists to this day - and since the X PRO
is discontinued don't expect a resolution anytime
soon. On occasion an X PRO owner will report to the
ASR-X list they have experienced difficulties with
pairs of SIMMs installed. Contrary to our initial
assumption the problem does not appear to be
limited to matched pairs of 32 MB SIMMs. ASR-X PRO
models affected by this defect will display
symptoms of erratic behavior whether the pairs of
SIMMs are of matched or mixed
capacities. As
of this writing, August 2002, word of mouth has it,
i.e., unsubstantiated information, that E-mu Tech
Support implies the problem is the result of a
defective SIMM Socket on the ASR-X PRO motherboard.
They will refer you to TheSoniq (pronounced Tee
Sonic) in Santa Clara, CA for PARIS, ZR76, ASR-X
Pro, FIZMO, or Avista parts: E-MU
/ ENSONIQ has transferred its Ensoniq service
function to TheSoniq. I've
yet to read a report from a user who has had an X
PRO serviced by TheSoniq. I have read a report from
a ZR76 user who was satisfied with the repairs
affected by TheSoniq to his keyboard (which was
under warranty at the time.) If you have
information to share on this subject feel free to
email
the details to ASRXCITE. EDO
vs. non-EDO SIMMs (Redux) August
2002 ~ I purchased two identical, EDO SIMMs
separately, but from the same online vendor
(Buy.com), about six weeks apart from each other.
The first SIMM was purchased and installed
late-March '99 and the second in mid-May '99. The
price was slightly less for the second purchase -
RAM prices fluctuate often. My ASR-X PRO has never
exhibited any of the erratic behavior as reported
above. The
Description: 8MBX32
EDO 32MB 72PIN NON-PARITY TIN LEAD The
manufacturer is PNY
Technologies
and the model number is: 328006ES52T16 Prior
to making my purchase I researched a variety of
SIMMs available from PNY and found a page at their
website that provided a break down of model numbers
as text descriptions for the SIMMs. The model
number listed above breaks down as: x32
Non-Parity 72 Pin, 8 Megabit Density, 60ns, EDO,
SIMM, 5v, 2k Refresh Rate, Tin Lead, 16 Physical
Chips used on the module. If
you check page 105 of the X PRO Reference Manual
you'll see the above falls within the ASR-X memory
specifications. I
made a visit to the Kingston
web
site and there too is a search tool which permits
the user to enter the necessary criteria to
determine eligible SIMMs. A
quick check of the Viking
Components
and the Peripheral
Enhancements
web sites reveals similar functionality as that of
PNY and Kingston for determining SIMM types. You
should be able to determine the correct SIMM type
for your ASR-X / X PRO in advance by visiting the
manufacturers web site. Make certain to check with
your retailer for details regarding their return
policy. Many online vendors charge a restocking fee
for returned memory products. Rubber
Chicken Software
offers many accessories and upgrades for Ensoniq
samplers. I'm uncertain whether they still offer
RAM upgrades for the ASR-X / X PRO.
<<
Are the SIMMs in the ASR-X parity or non parity,
and what's the difference? >> To
which I replied: "No
offense intended, but you've phrased the question
incorrectly. The
ASR-X will accept either Parity or Non-parity SIMMs
so the question should be: are the SIMMs installed
in *your* ASR-X parity or non-parity? Here's
a link to articles on Memory Errors, Non-Parity,
Parity and ECC Memory, etc. that you might find of
interest. This will explain the
difference: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/ram/err.htm To
summarize, an x32 72-pin SIMM is typically
non-parity while an x36 72-pin SIMM is typically
parity. At its most basic definition, Parity is
simply a form of error detection." |
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