Mac IIciLow End Mac Reader Specials
The Mac IIci took the popular IIcx design and modified it for 25 MHz performance. New features included built-in video and a cache socket. As with the IIcx, you need only remove the cover to access the SIMM sockets. When upgrading, be careful not to damage the SIMM sockets, especially if you are removing memory. Although the IIci shipped with 1 MB of memory, odds are pretty good it's already been upgraded beyond that point. Looking at the motherboard with the connectors to the rear and power supply in the right rear, you will see eight SIMM sockets. The four on the right are Bank A. The four on the left are Bank B. Memory must be installed in sets of four 30-pin SIMMs rated at 80ns or faster. (If you are upgrading a IIcx to a IIci, be sure to check RAM speed, since the IIcx worked with 120ns SIMMs.) The IIci accepts 256 KB, 512 KB, 1 MB, 2 MB, 4 MB, 8 MB, and 16 MB SIMMs, leaving a multitude of upgrade options. Contrary to other Macs, because Bank A is used for internal video, higher capacity SIMMs should always be in Bank B. (Apple states this in their memory guide, but does not follow this advice in listing configurations.) Bank A must always be populated. A 1 MB configuration has four 256 KB SIMMs in Bank A. A 2 MB configuration has 256 KB SIMMs in all eight sockets or four 512 KB SIMMs in Bank A. A 3MB setup has four 512 KB SIMMs in Bank B and four 256 KB SIMMs in Bank A. A 4 MB configuration can have four 1 MB SIMMs in Bank A or 512 KB SIMMs in all eight sockets. For 5 MB, install 256 KB SIMMs in Bank A, 1 MB SIMMs in Bank B. For 6 MB, install 512 KB SIMMs in Bank A, 1 MB SIMMs in Bank B. To reach 8 MB, you should have 1 MB SIMMs in each of the eight sockets. You can also use four 2 MB SIMMs in Bank A to achieve 8 MB. For configurations of 9MB, 10 MB, or 12 MB, install 2 MB SIMMs in Bank B and 256 KB, 512 KB, or 1 MB SIMMs in Bank A, respectively. You can reach 16 MB with four 4 MB SIMMs in Bank A or 2 MB SIMMs in all eight sockets.
After installing memory and reconnecting your drives, boot your Mac with extensions off (hold down the shift key) and check "About This Macintosh" under the Apple menu. If it doesn't give the expected number, you should reseat your memory. Once you know the upgrade is a success, pop on the lid and enjoy the extra memory. I suggest you increase the size of the disk cache for better performance.
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