Merlin Mail upgrade memory ?

[AndrePa]

Hi,

I have Merlin mail R7.4 ( 4 port ) conected to Magix 2.1 via 012T/R.
I totally reset this thing ( Hyperteminal, init ), since it seamed slow if covered multiple calls at the same time, plus I had to change several mailboxes anyway.
Then for what every reason I opened up this thing, it has 4 pcs of 256K Simm modules for memory ( 31 pin I think ). Dose any one know/ or tried installing 1Meg simms, or even 4M simms?
My guess is 1M should work, (most 286 coputers took 256/1M simms) but I dont want to fry this thing either. I have a few old 1Meg/4meg simms laying around from an old servers.

Andre

 

[Pepperz]

Never had to thnk about memory on a Merlin Mail. Never added memory to the card. It may be somethig you have to live with. Some are just slow. I don't even know if it would address the extra memory if it were there. There aren't that many processes that are simultaneous that would require the memory anyhow. (it's not Microsoft!!) If you just wanted to tinker, OK, but otherwise, probably not a good use of time. (Time + expense of memory + hassle factor = used Merlin Messaging?), they typically answer faster.

Pepperz@charter.net

 

[kristiandg]

I would think it would be just fine. It runs DOS if I recall correctly so it truly is "just a computer". Extra memory won't fry it unless the memory is defective. Worst case is it wouldn't boot and you'd have to put the old ram back in.

Kris

 

[AndrePa]

Yes Pepperz, I agree Merlin Messaging would be the ticket, but no extra $$$, as far as the RAM, I have it laying around.
Kristiandg, You're right Merlin Mail is a 286 computer with hard drive, and two brooktrout voice cards w/Lucent Eprom.
I will give it a try in the next few Days, I'll let everyone know the outcome.

Andre

 

[drewmich]

Andre,

There is no real advantage in attempting to upgrade the memory on the old 286 Merlin Mail R7.4. The speed issue is more related to the hard drive access speed and limitations of the 286 processor speed and there are few changes that can be made to it to "speed" it up.

I recommend just upgrading to a Merlin Mail R3.05 (Y2K compliant version) which is going to be your best solution for the cheapest $$$$.

Sooner than later the power supply or drive will be failing on this older MM so it might be wise to be proactive and upgrade before that time. We can help if you need the MM R3.0 4 port.

Andrew Roach
President - Drew Telecom Group, Inc.
Lucent Voice Mail-Component-Transtalk Repair Specialists
Lucent/Avaya Telecom Brokers/Resellers
drew@triton.net
269-685-5400 - voice
269-685-5500 - fax

 

[kristiandg]

I wonder. If you had an old 386 or 486 lying around, if you could just put the HD and voice boards into that and use it.

Hmmm..

Kris

 

[drewmich]

Nice thought ... but the Partner and merlin Mails have a number of proprietary components that are required for the units to work properly - from the speed of the simm memory chips on down to the programming on the Bios chips and Brooktrout voice card chips.

These units have been a workhorse for AT&T/Lucent/Avaya over the years and with the new style motherboards they released in 1999, with newer hard drives, they are even better - more reliable.

Andrew Roach
President - Drew Telecom Group, Inc.
Lucent Voice Mail-Component-Transtalk Repair Specialists
Lucent/Avaya Telecom Brokers/Resellers
drew@triton.net
269-685-5400 - voice
269-685-5500 - fax

 

[Pepperz]

Many "cheap" voice mail systems are lying around all over the place. All one needs is a 286 or better computer, voice cards, (many on market) and software. You can put something like this together for $1000 on up.

Pepperz@charter.net