Installation manual

Chapter 5
RAM DISKS
A RAM disk is perhaps one of the best ways to utilize the extra memory on
the MultiRam RGB card. With Checkmate’s software you may take part or
all of the memory and make it into an 'electronic disk drive’. That is, the
Apple //e will see the RAM as a large disk drive and most of the standard disk
drive commands will work with it There are a few exceptions; a drive speed
test will fail, volume copies to or from the RAM disk are not allowed, you
can not boot the RAM disk, and copy protected programs can not be put on it
Most other functions of the disk utilities work just fine. Chapter Sin the
“MultiRam software Manual” explains the limitations and advantages.
Chapter 6 goes into the ProDOS RAM disk and chapter 7 explains the DOS
3.3 RAM disk.
Advantages of using a RAM disk include the ability to use multiple-disk
applications without doing any disk swapping. Also, since the information,
resides in high speed RAM, the programs execute much faster than they do
from the slower mechanical disk drives. An example is having Beagle
Brother’s QuickSpell™ and AppleWorks loaded into the RAM disk, (408K of
programs) and still having a desktop of several hundred K. Spell checking a
20K file takes about ten seconds with no disk swapping! SQUIRT, the
program selector, allows you to switch easily between several non-related
programs on the RAM disk.
The instructions provided here are intended for individuals who are using their
own systems, copy utilities and application programs. The “MultiRam
Software Manual” explains RAM disks in depth as well as how to use them.
CREATING THE RAM DISK
The MultiRam disk that came with the MultiRam RGB has several utilities
on the back side. If you have not booted up this side, now would be a good
time. You may try the options while they are being explained.
page 37