GUS Daily Digest            Wed, 25 May 94  9:37 PST     Volume 13: Issue  22 

Today's Topics:
						  A few games to try
						Basic Sound Questions
						CPU and games - ACT II
						  Dune ][ revisited
						   Gravis in Europe
				  GUS + Fs5a + Gateway 2000 PCI 486
							Gus0041 disks
				  GUS Daily Digest V13 #21 (2 msgs)
						 Just to let you know
					 Os/2 drivers! Hurry Gravis!
					   Patch to WAV conversion
				 Please help with install of GUS0041
							   PROPATS
		 Ultrasound MAX - got one, now disappointed and angry

Standard Info:
	- Meta-info about the GUS can be found at the end of the Digest.
	- Before you ask a question, please READ THE FAQ.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 10:33:15 +0100 (BST)
From: Toby <T.W.Nichols@hertfordshire.ac.uk>
Subject: A few games to try

If you are interested in games with decent GUS sound check out the following.

Megamadness decent game where you have to bash blocks with rotating 
balls. Quite good nice music.

The Horde, Cool game defend your villagers from the horde creatures who 
want to eat *everything* , great music, bit difficult tho.

The settlers, Very good game where you have to get your settlers to build 
a settlement. The demo I have I patched with the AIL32 bit drivers, 
Sounds pretty good.

Cheers,
# | \        /  ~~|~~ /~~~\ !   !      {} ............................ | #
* <  \  /\  / /~\ |   |     |---|  /\  {} Pessimism? It'll never work. > *
# |   \/  \/  \_/ |   \___/ !   ! /~~\ {} ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ | #

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 11:17:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: DMC5483@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Subject: Basic Sound Questions

Two basic questions, Ive seen messages about them before but I didnt
really pay attention to them  then. Now I would like to play them...
WITH SOUND
Links386 

and 

IndyCar Racing
(Ive tried megaem but it just resets the computer)
Anyone who can help, please.

Also could someone send me a copy of the glist? Or tell me where I can get it??

thanx - Dave

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 20:37:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Peter C. Chien Jr." <pchienjr@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: CPU and games - ACT II

Since you work for AMD, it's natural to feel defensive about their 
product.  But even you must agree that even if a chip is very compatible 
with Intel, it can't claim to be 100% completely compatible for all time 
unless it uses the microcode of the actual chip, which of course has to 
be licensed.  I think you took my statement out of context, as I was 
replying to someone with a problem with a protected mode game, and I made 
my statement based on a readme file of a patch that Psygnosis made.  The 
file said the patch was for non-Intel CPUs and even the Pentium -- basically 
anything that's not an Intel 486.  The readme file did not make any 
reference to motherboard designs (although I agree more problems are 
created by motherboards).  Anyway, the programmers attributed the problem 
to the CPU when the game couldn't run on all PCs.  I suppose they know 
what kind of routines they employ that cause the conflicts.  Then 
LucasArts made a patch for Rebel Assault which replaced the DOS extender 
with an older version.  I think DOS extender problems are linked to CPU 
registers, not a motherboard.  (One of ID's DOOM patches also replaced 
the extender with an older version.)  So, according to the 
programmers' point of view, when the game doesn't run on all PCs, the 
problem is the CPU.  Maybe AMD chips are more compatible, which explains 
the lack of problems you experienced, which then I should have kicked 
myself for not getting an AMD CPU.  :)  If you don't believe me about CPU 
problems, then please read the readme file by Psygnosis.  P.S.  Thanks 
for the AMD-Gravis hookup. :)

Peter

Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 16:44:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: David.Roberts@amd.com (Dave Roberts)
Subject: Protected mode games

> Date: Sun, 22 May 1994 10:07:53 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Peter C. Chien Jr. <pchienjr@earthquake.berkeley.edu>
> To: rock@POOL.Informatik.RWTH-Aachen.DE
> Subject: Protected mode games
> 
> I assume 486-40 is the Cyrix DLC chip.  In general, I have arrived at the 
> conclusion that non-Intel CPUs may have problems running protected mode 
> games, since I have problems with my IBM 486-SLC2/50.  My own experience 
> is that I couldn't get the CD game Microcosm to work properly.  It would 
> crash, and it uses protected mode.  Then Microcosm came with a patch for 
> that, it runs longer, but still crashes.  I know it's not the UltraSound, 
> because I would play the game without any sound, and it still crashes.  
> Rebel Assault is another problematic game.  In general, if a game uses a 
> DOS4GW.exe extender, use v1.8 of it and copy over the problematic 
> version.  Game may then work.  (Older DOS extenders are found with the 
> Rebel Assault patch, or older games like Syndicate.)  Also, don't bother 
> loading HIMEM.SYS and EMM386, because these may conflict, plus DOS4gW 
> doesn't need them.

Ummm... as an employee of a company that makes a great number of
non-Intel CPUs (;-), I'd like to ask that people not generalize the
way you do in your second statement.  I've run protected mode games on
AMD CPUs (both 386 and 486) and have never had any problems with the
CPU and any protected mode games.  I *have* had problems with
motherboards, however.  I can't say whether the Cyrix or IBM designs
have any problems, but I wouldn't be on it.  If they had, you'd have
heard a lot more screaming when those designs first shipped.  Frankly,
games are often one of the best test vehicles out there.  They beat on
the hardware in very interesting ways.

I'd bet that your problems may be related to some motherboard quirks
that the particular games bring out.

Anyway, in the future, please cite specific examples and don't
generalize beyond your experience.  I can't speak for Cyrix or IBM but
AMD CPUs have always served me well.

Dave Roberts
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
I/O and Network Products Division
david.roberts@amd.com

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 09:56:34 +0200 (MET DST)
From: ralam@cs.vu.nl
Subject: Dune ][ revisited

In yesterdays digest someone had a problem with Dune ][. Why don't
you just use Megaem, it works fine with me, all you have to do
is edit the dune.cfg to get it to accept the Sound Canvas as Music
and the SB as Sound Cards, I dont have the exact file here by hand,
but I've you really need it I can look it up

Remco Lam

ralam@cs.vu.nl

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 May 94 12:35:44 +0100
From: nguyen@eerie.fr (NGUYEN Francois                   )
Subject: Gravis in Europe

I hope Gravis people are reading the digest....

I am desperately trying to get a 16 bit daughter board for my GUS.
However, as Gravis products (except joysticks and joypads) are pretty seldom
found in shops (in fact, I have never seen any GUS in any shop) I called
Logitech this morning who WAS the importer. 

They told me they were not importing Gravis stuff anymore as they
also have their own  range of joysticks and sound boards. They also told me
that it was not just in France, but in the whole Europe, and did not
know who was (if any) the new importer I should call.

When I bought my gus last year, i ordered it direct from the official 
logitech reseller but now, I thing it will be pretty difficult 
to get anything from them.

So, as a conclusion, Here is the situation in Europe for gravis
products:
the joysticks are famous, said to be the best in the world.
The GUS sound card is kind of a myth for most people, and CL is the only
known solution, especially since they created their own company in
France (used to have an importer).

I tell as many people as i can about the gus, but the fact is was
almost impossible to buy one was kind of a brake for them while they approve
it is a great sound board.
So please Gravis, wake up, do commercials in europe, in order to sell
more: It will be good for you, it will be good for us, and for those
that will buy it. I am sure that people would buy gravis, 
IF THEY KNOW YOU DO EXIST.

When the AWE was introduced a few months ago, many gaming magazines
wrote large reviews about it, they only mentioned the gus saying it was
the same kind of technique (wavetable synthesis) but that was all.
I am not sure they ever seen one for real (I mean hear one). Maybe it
could be a good move to send them a gus for testing, and have better
reviews.....

I am opened for any comments. Just hoping that gravis will hear
the european users voices in canada...


							 \|/
							(o o)
		   _____________oOO__(_)__OOo_______________
				Francois Nguyen: nguyen@eerie.fr
				 er424@cleveland.Freenet.Edu
			   nguyen@axposf.pa.dec.com
 

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 94 23:06:31 GMT
From: martinv@volerich.demon.co.uk (Martin Volerich)
Subject: GUS + Fs5a + Gateway 2000 PCI 486

 Does anyone have any experience in getting the FS5a with the 
 GUS (+16bit rec bd) up and going on the Gateway 486-DX2-66P, which 
 is a PCI box. 
 
 I have to go into the CMOS settings on the Phoenix bios and change 
 my LPT1 port over to using IRQ5. Any IRQ7 setting produces rubbish 
 sounds. I am using the standard settings for the GUS which does 
 not give me problems elsewhere. SBOS 3.81 loads in both cases. 
 
 Anyone else been through this? BTW FS5a runs very nicely once set 
 up on this box, but then again so did FS3 and FS4 on my old 386-20 
 Toshiba! 
 
 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
 Martin Volerich           Tel: 44-923-222637
 24 St Leonards Close      Fax: 44-923-460062
 Bushey               CompuServe: 100016,2421
 Herts WD2 2DB, UK
 ---------------------------------------------
   Internet: martinv@volerich.demon.co.uk
 *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
 

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 22:59:07 +0100
From: TIM A BYE <TIMAB@dhhalden.no>
Subject: Gus0041 disks

We are two students who recently installed the 0041 disks from 
Gravis. Is it correct that these disks corrupts windows? 
Both of us are now having major trouble with "insufficient memory 
messages" after installing the new drivers.
Any solutions?

Tim.
												   
	0DH          -- Tim Alexander Bye --- Oestfold Distrikts Hoeyskole
 MultiMedia    ----- Tvetervn. 2b ------------ Os Alle 11  3.IT ------
69 - 186563  ---1344 HASLUM -02 123020----- Timab@sofus.dhhalden.no --

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 15:37:04 -0400
From: ap641@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Hank Leukart)
Subject: Re: GUS Daily Digest V13 #21

>Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 14:22:05 -0700
>From: Scott.Jordahl@Eng.Sun.COM (Scott A. Jordahl)
>Subject: Re: 32-bit Sierra drivers
>
>There is a LARGE patch available from the Sierra BBS for GK, both a CD
>and floppy version (Sorry, can't remember the file names). Have you
>installed it?  I too installed the 32bit driver with my CD version GK.
>The MIDI sounds GREAT, but the problem I've been having is that the DAC
>voices (characters talking) cut in-and-out. Does anyone have a
>quick-fix solution for this problem?

	The MIDI and DAC works okay on mine, although I do get the
*occasional* sound cut out.  Hasn't been too much of a problem,
but it IS there.
-Hank

--
----------- Hank Leukart ------------ |   "Official" DOOM FAQ v5.6 Writer
--- (ap641@cleveland.freenet.edu) --- |   FAQ by E-mail or "ftp.uwp.edu"
 ------------------------------------ |     "Official" DOOM FTP Site:
 ------------------------------------ | infant2.sphs.indiana.edu: /pub/doom

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 94 22:56:20 +0300
From: Yossi Oren <LIOREN1@WEIZMANN.WEIZMANN.AC.IL>
Subject: Re: GUS Daily Digest V13 #21

>Date: Tue, 24 May 94 11:04:30 EDT
>From: Akintunde Omitowoju <ZAO1@ETSU.EAST-TENN-ST.EDU>
>Subject: PAT to raw samples
>
>Hello GUSsers,
>I was wonder whether there are any programs that convert the .PAT sample
>files that come with the GUS to raw sample files.  Any info would greatly
>be appreciated.  Thanks!!! =)

PAT2RAW (ba-dum, TISH!) does that.  It's probably FMJ, the way these things
go.
HTH,
Yossi.

+---+-----------------------------------------------------------+---+---+
| = | Yossi Oren, Al-Daf Technological Mercenaries.             | v | ^ |
+---+-----------------------------------------------++----------+---+--+|
|LIOREN1@weizmann.weizmann.ac.il (or just @weizmann)||GUS-sound that's ||
|The people are with the Golan Heights!             ||worth hearing!   ||
+===================================================++=================++

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 94 13:47:29
From: paul.malcolm@gravis.com
Subject: Just to let you know

TO: gus-general@mail.orst.edu

Just to Let You Know #13
------------------------

There is a lot of information in here. So be ready for a long one <grin>

Gravis Analog/Pro and MicroSoft Flight Simulator Pac
 ---------------------------------------------------
TORONTO:   AED
VANCOUVER: AED
OTC BBS:   GRVSF

	  Advanced Gravis Announces "Flight Pac" and "Flight Pac Pro"
 Gravis Analog or Analog Pro Joysticks with Microsoft Flight Simulator

	 First ever combination of top selling entertainment products.

Vancouver, British Columbia -- May 23, 1994 -- Advanced Gravis Computer
Technology Ltd. of Burnaby, British Columbia today announced the Flight
Pac and Flight Pac Pro, a combination of two leading flight/gaming
products, the Gravis Analog or Analog Pro Joystick and the Microsoft
aviation program Flight Simulator.  The Gravis Analog and Analog Pro
Joystick are the first products ever to be sold together with the #1
selling PC consumer title in history, the Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Flight Pac and Flight Pac Pro begin shipping May 23 and will be
available only for a limited time.

To create an appealing offer, Gravis will enhance the two products
with "Flig t Pac" stickers and special packaging, all shrink-wrapped
to create distinctive, eye-catching retail units.  In addition,
Gravis will provide shelf talkers and ad slicks for retail promotions.
"Flight simulation is a fast growing niche of the computer games market.
This combination of two complementary brand name products at such a low
price point should prove to be a highly appealing package for those
consumers looking for the excitement of computer aviation aerobatics,"
said Bryan Del Rizzo, marketing communications executive for
Advanced Gravis.

Flight Pac, at a suggested retail price of $69.95, combines the thrill
of Flight Simulator's photo-realistic scenery and authentic flight
sounds with the precision of the Gravis Analog Joystick.  The Gravis
Analog Joystick features a foam-padded pistol grip handle, three fire
buttons and eight adjustable handle tension settings.  Since its
inception nearly ten years ago, the Gravis Analog Joystick has drawn
rave reviews from both users and publications including Computer
Shopper which rated it "the world's best joystick."

Flight Pac Pro features the Gravis Analog Pro Joystick, designed
specifically for flight simulations and action arcade games.  Gravis
Analog Pro sports five fire buttons, eight adjustable handle
tension settings and built-in throttle control that turns the Microsoft
Flight Simulator into a high altitude, hold onto your hat, sky soaring
adventure.  Flight Pac Pro will have a suggested retail price of $79.95.

"Both products are immensely popular individually, and combined, we
expect this package to be a huge hit," said Advanced Gravis President,
Grant Russell.  "The Gravis Analog and Analog Pro Joysticks are natural
companions for the Microsoft Flight Simulator.  Our joysticks are well
known for their superior engineering and quality construction and Flight
Simulator creates the most vividly real aerial experience on land.
Together, it's a marriage made for the heavens."

In addition to the Gravis Analog and Gravis Analog Pro Joysticks,
Advanced Gravis Computer Technology Ltd. also designs, manufactures
and markets high quality microcomputer peripherals including the new
Phoenix Flight & Weapons Control System,  PC GamePad, MouseStick II,
Mac GamePad, and UltraSound MAX, a true wavetable synthesis audio card.


UltraSound MAX Released
-----------------------
The UltraSound MAX is now shipping. The first units went out on
94/05/13 and we are already back ordered. You should see MAX units
on your local retail shelves within the coming weeks. The MAX
has a suggested retail price of $299US.

Some of the highlights and differences between the MAX and the
base UltraSound are:

	 - 16-Bit recording
	 - 4:1 ADPCM compression
	 - 512K of on-board RAM standard
	 - 3 CD-ROM data/audio connections for Mitsumi, Sony and Panasonic
	 - Simultaneous record and playback (using two different DMAs)
	 - MicroSoft Sound System compatible
	 - V3.53 software (see explanation below for description)


TORONTO:   AED
VANCOUVER: AED
OTC BBS:   GRVSF

				 Advanced Gravis Ships UltraSound MAX

	Wavetable Synthesis Audio Board Features 16-bit, 48 kHz Recording,
			  3 CD-ROM Interfaces and 3D Holographic Sound

Vancouver, British Columbia -- May 13, 1994 -- Advanced Gravis Computer
Technology Ltd. has announced it is shipping the latest addition to the
UltraSound line of high quality computer audio boards, the UltraSound
MAX.  With the introduction of UltraSound MAX, Advanced Gravis has
taken wavetable synthesis audio to new levels satisfying discriminating
audio enthusiasts, gamers and musicians.  The UltraSound MAX offers
16-bit professional recording capabilities along with CD quality
playback and immersive 3D Holographic Sound.

The UltraSound MAX offers realistic sound reproduction based on digital
sampling of real sounds.  Gravis' choice of a high quality analog to
digital converter and low noise board design helps to reduce the hiss
and noise during recording, and puts the performance of the UltraSound
MAX at the level of professional audio boards typically costing
hundreds of dollars more. UltraSound MAX also offers three types of
compression, including ADPCM, 4:1 16-bit A-Law and u-Law, which
reduces the disk space-crunch associated with digital recording by
a factor of up to four.  Simultaneous recording and playback up to
48 kHz is also supported.

UltraSound MAX features a unique RAM based wavetable system.
Developers and consumers can edit any of the existing instrument
and sound effects patches or they can create new sounds that can
supplement the standard General MIDI patch set of 192 instruments.

The DOS and Windows 3.1 software installation is completely automatic.
The configuration takes users through the installation and set up, and
even allows for multiple DOS configuration files.

"The UltraSound MAX represents Gravis' commitment to producing high
quality, yet economically priced multimedia solutions," said Grant
Russell, President of Advanced Gravis. "We've included some important
hardware features such as dedicated DSP's, simultaneous record and
playback in stereo, and 3 CD-ROM interfaces.  To enhance an
otherwise powerful product, we've even included a copy of this year's
hottest computer game, DOOM."

The Gravis UltraSound MAX works with all 386 and higher IBM PCs and
compatibles.  It features a 5.6 megabyte General MIDI patch set,
512K of onboard memory and supports applications for Windows 3.1,
MPC2, Sound Blaster, Roland and Windows Sound System.  The
proprietary CD ROM interfaces are designed for single or double speed
drives from Sony, Mitsumi and Panasonic.  The suggested retail price
of the UltraSound MAX is $299.95 U.S.

In addition to UltraSound MAX,  Advanced Gravis Computer Technology
Ltd. also designs, manufactures and markets high quality microcomputer
peripherals including the new Phoenix Flight & Weapons Control System,
Gravis Analog Pro Joystick, PC GamePad, MouseStick II, and Mac GamePad.


New Gravis Joystick Announced - Phoenix
 --------------------------------------
TORONTO:   AED
VANCOUVER: AED
OTC BBS:   GRVSF


 Advanced Gravis Launches the Phoenix Flight and Weapons Control System

			 New, Sleek and Sexy Two Handed Joystick Features
				  46 User Defined Button Functions

Vancouver, British Columbia -- May 17, 1994 -- Advanced Gravis Computer
Technology Ltd. today announced the release of Phoenix, a radically
designed flight controller and joystick that offers consumers a wide
array of fully programmable flight and weapon control settings in a
unit that is plug 'n' play compatible with virtually all PC flight
games currently on the market.

Phoenix's unique asymmetric angular design was specially developed
as a total flight control system including analog and digital
throttle and rudder control in addition to 46 independent, user
defined, button functions.  Its sleek angular lines, industrial
textured surface, low profile base and navigational control arm
announce a new generation of flight controllers.

"This is the first flight controller that offers such easy-to-program
yet sophisticated controls for fire buttons, throttle and rudder
controls, aileron and elevator controls all in a device that PC users
can be confident is completely compatible with all their favorite
games," said Ron Haidenger, product manager.

		Fully Compatible and Easily Programmable

Other flight control products often require direct support from game
software.  Phoenix needs no special software support in the program
other than for a basic PC joystick and keyboard.  This means Phoenix
is plug 'n' play compatible with the latest and future flight simulator
and space combat games.  It can be used as a joystick with the simplest
of games or as a sophisticated controller with the most complex flight
and space simulation programs.

As flight controllers have become more sophisticated, some brands
require the skills of a rocket scientist to program the fire buttons and
maneuvering controls.  Advanced Gravis has solved this problem by
providing the Phoenix Control Console, a DOS based, windowing interface
through which flight enthusiasts can easily define and program button
functions and maneuvering controls.  In addition, the Phoenix
installation program performs a thorough system diagnostic to ensure
that the computer is free of common installation problems and confirms
that Phoenix is correctly installed.

	 Two-Handed Action

Phoenix's unique design combines an 8 button joystick with a multi-fire
navigational control arm for two handed maneuvering and firing.  With
one hand on the joystick, users manipulate the ailerons and elevators
to control pitch and yaw, while at the same time guiding the speed and
direction using 

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 20:39:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Peter C. Chien Jr." <pchienjr@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: Os/2 drivers! Hurry Gravis!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 13:47:04 
From:paul.malcolm@gravis.com
To: pchienjr@ocf.Berkeley.EDU
Subject: Os/2 drivers!


TO: pchienjr@ocf.berkeley.edu


T>        I want UltraSound drivers for OS/2.  When are they coming out?

 I haven't been inform of a release date for these drivers except that 
they are been work on. You might try to use one of the 3rd party drivers 
for now if you so desire.

Paul Malcolm
Advanced Gravis
Tech Suppoort/Sysop
E-mail:paul.malcolm@gravis.com
Fidonet:1:153/978
---
~ CMPQwk #1.4~ UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 09:58:10 GMT
From: Clarke Brunt <CLARKE@lsl.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Patch to WAV conversion

>I was wonder whether there are any programs that convert the .PAT sample
>files that come with the GUS to raw sample files.

There may be other ways, but I remember noticing a while ago that if you
load a patch into Patch Maker Lite, then it creates .WAV files in the TEMP
directory for each of the samples. I can't remember if you have to perform
any particular operation in PMaker - perhaps an option to sound the samples -
before it does this. Normally, it deletes these WAVs when it is closed,
but you can copy them to some other filename while it is still open...

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 94 23:40:53 PDT
From: Erik Teose <erikt@esto.pen.tek.com>
Subject: Please help with install of GUS0041

Good day, gussers,

I'm having a problem with installing the software in the gus0041 package. This
is a totally clean installation, so I shouldn't be having the problems that
Phat has pointed out (i.e. putting gus0041 over an existing version of 
software).

The problem is that the installation doesn't modify my config.sys or 
autoexec.bat files, even though I asked it to. The installation even made
backup copies of the files (into config.01 and autoexec.01); the Windows
files were backup up also, but those files were modified (win.ini, system.ini,
control.ini).

Anybody run into this before? Any ideas on what's going on?

Thanks for any info.

Erik Teose
erik.teose@tek.com

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 09:27:02 +0200 (METDST)
From: Marco Valentini <valentm@dsi.unimi.it>
Subject: PROPATS

PROPATS are great patches that you can use in place of some gravis patches.
It come from a ENSONIQ keyboard and it is more realistic than standard 
patches.
The only problem is duo to it needs new driver, so any program has some
problem with it: Power chord from gravis did't works with it, Session works
very good.
With new driver it is possible to create two bank: one with new patches
other with old ones, the only problem is that I hadn't find a program
that support more than one bank.
Someone knows one of this? It seems that session support more than one
bank but tring with bank 1 give me the patches of bank 0.
so you have to choose new patches but < programs compatible with gravis or
old patches and wore sound.

-- 
	 | / / /Marco Valentini/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |
	 | /Computer Science Dept./ / / E-mail: valentm@ghost.dsi.unimi.it/|
	 |Univ. Statale - Milano - ITALY / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / |

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 17:52:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: mikebat@netcom.com (Mike Batchelor)
Subject: Ultrasound MAX - got one, now disappointed and angry

It arrived today.  I unpackaged it, pulled out the shiny anti-static bag,
opened it, and just about fell out of my chair.

I knew it would be equipped with only 512K, but that should not have been
a problem, since I have a standard GUS already populated to 1Mb.  The
Ultrasound MAX, however, does not take 256x4 DIP packages.  It does not
take SIMMs, or even SIPPs.  Are you ready for this?  

It takes 256x16 SOJ 40-pin surface mount DRAM.  You think it's hard to
find 256x4's anymore?  Try finding one of these puppies.  You can't,
unless you spend three hours chasing NEC's 800-phone tag chain, until you
get your local NEC distributor, who may or may not carry them.  Luckily,
mine did.  They're $32 for the 80-ns part, no 70's or 60's available at
all.  There's a 60ns part already soldered on the MAX, with the empty
socket that is likely to be empty for quite a while.  My distributor has
them "in a weird place, I'll have to check on this" and Gravis doesn't
have them at all, at any price, and the sales dept. has no idea when they
will be available, or what the price will be.

Bottom line is that NONE of the modules I have so far composed will play
on the MAX, for lack of memory.  The smallest I have made so far needs
600K.  Nausicaa.mid won't play on the MAX.  Beethoven's 5th mids won't
play.  Not at full quality anyway.  It sounds worse with games because of
the 512K patch mapping vs. 1Mb map.

I am VERY TORQUED about this.  The MAX is in its box gathering dust now, I
am still using the regular GUS, at least it has 1Mb.  Gravis marketing is
at COMDEX this week, and lucky for them, too, because if any of them had
answered the phone they would be treating their blistered ear right about
now.  This is ridiculous, choosing a virtually unavailable package for the
memory upgrade, and not even having it ready to ship (even at the
certainly sky-high price they will charge whenever it does become
available).  

Boo hiss!!!

-- 
Mike Batchelor      | UseLinuxUseLinuxUseLinuxUseLinuxUseLinuxUseLinuxUseLinux
mikebat@netcom.com  | xuniLesUxuniLesUxuniLesUxuniLesUxuniLesUxuniLesUxuniLesU
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plug 'N' Play:  A specification invented by Microsoft and Intel which
enables a computer and its operating system to create hardware conflicts
without user intervention.

No more jumpers to misplace!  The computer will misplace them for you.

------------------------------

End of GUS Daily Digest V13 #22
*******************************
