The RAM
RAM types
The serial chip is a NEC uPD42832C. This is a 32K pseudo-static RAM chip. These chips are like dynamic RAM but have the ability to retain data under a standby voltage (around 2V) with a self refresh circuitry.Dynamic RAM chip are incompatible. Static RAM chip can be use without any problem. The replacement is recommended because their power drain is the lowest (1/10 ratio).
RAM socket
The motherboard layout has 32 pins. It is tracked for a 128K chip. On issue 4 machine a 32K chip is soldier using the 28 low pins. Here is the socket pinout from the component side view.
+--------------+POE |1 +--+ 32| VCCA16 |2 31| A15A14 |3 30| VCCA12 |4 29| WEA7 |5 28| A13A6 |6 27| A8A5 |7 Z88 26| A9A4 |8 RAM 25| A11A3 |9 PCB 24| POEA2 |10 23| A10A1 |11 22| CEA0 |12 21| D7D0 |13 20| D6D1 |14 19| D5D2 |15 18| D4VSS |16 17| D3 +--------------+This table describes the 128K chip pinout and Blink signals.Pin Chip Blink Pin Chip Blink1 POE POE 32 - VCC2 A16 MA16 31 A15 MA153 A14 MA14 30 [CS] VCC4 A12 MA12 29 [WE] WRB5 A7 MA7 28 A13 MA136 A6 MA6 27 A8 MA87 A5 MA5 26 A9 MA98 A4 MA4 25 A11 MA119 A3 MA3 24 [OE] POE10 A2 MA2 23 A10 MA1011 A1 MA1 22 [CE] IRCE (internal RAM chip enable)12 A0 MA0 21 D7 MDH13 D0 MDA 20 D6 MDG14 D1 MDB 19 D5 MDF15 D2 MDC 18 D4 MDE16 VSS GND 17 D3 MDD
Internal RAM upgrade
It is easily possible to upgrade the internal RAM to 128K. For a 512K upgrade some hardware modification are needed. The OZ version 4 is the only one able to recognize a 512K internal upgrade. For a 128K upgrade you can put a Toshiba TC551001 static RAM chip. Obviously, a backup of your Z88 is required before upgrading.
Disassembly the box without batteries. Deconnect the two keyboard ribbons, the screen ribbon. Put your motherboard on a dry table without metal. Unsolder the old chip. Solder a 32 pins flat socket, and insert the new chip. You will have to cut some plastic structures (like an X) in the keyboard plastic support.
For a 512K upgrade, you will have to wire the A17 and A18 pins with a link directly to address lines on to corresponding slot connector pins.
Replacing the old 42832 Ram will spare your battery life time. The slowest rams consumes the least (120 or 150 ns). For example :
Size Chip Type Speed Power (mW) Manufacturer(K) (ns) Act/Stdby32K (PS) uPD42832C -15L (150) 220 / 2.75 Nec128K (S) TC551001BPL -10L (100) 27.5/ 0.02 Toshiba512K (S) TC554001BPL -70 (70) 50.0/ 0.30 Toshiba128K (PS) TC518128PL -12 (120) 275 / 0.55 Toshiba512K (PS) TC518512PL -10 (100) 275 / 1.00 Toshiba128K (PS) HM658128ALP Hitachi512K (PS) HM658512LP Hitachi512K (S) BS62LV4006PCP55 -55 (55) 290 / 0.15 Brilliance Semiconductor, Inc.(PS=Pseudo-static RAM chip, S=Static RAM chip)