I’m trying to find a 128k or preferably 256k cache stick that matches this form factor. It’s like a large 80 pin SIMM almost. It’s a Gateway 2000 with a Micronics VLB motherboard. I’d like to upgrade to 32mb of ram but am cautious of doing so with only 64k of cache!
It's possible that board might be configurable, the LY 62256 (there may be equivalents, is a 32kx8 with the same pinout - 26 changes from CE2 to A13 and 1 changes from NC to A14), If the present / missing R positions could be traced, it may be possible to re-chip it to 256k
Also, try upgrading the RAM and then CACHECHK - it might tell you only the first so much is cached, or it might be ok
Matth79 wrote on 2025-05-25, 22:16:It's possible that board might be configurable, the LY 62256 (there may be equivalents, is a 32kx8 with the same pinout - 26 changes from CE2 to A13 and 1 changes from NC to A14), If the present / missing R positions could be traced, it may be possible to re-chip it to 256k
Also, try upgrading the RAM and then CACHECHK - it might tell you only the first so much is cached, or it might be ok
I’ll have to rerun Cachechk because I got to take a screen shot but this is sysspeed I think it was. It would be awesome if I could upgrade this card. I’ve got somewhat decent soldering skills just don’t know about what to replace and where haha
Just another attempt to get some eyes on this. I’ve searched high and low and nothing. Did manage to accidentally find proprietary cache for my AST 486 in the process haha
9646gt wrote on 2025-06-03, 09:26:Just another attempt to get some eyes on this. I’ve searched high and low and nothing. Did manage to accidentally find proprietary cache for my AST 486 in the process haha
Came across an old 1998 post from Gateway 'guru' Ben Myers...apparently there were only two sizes - 64 or 256K - and both had the same part number (only additional sticky label showed which size was which). Makes searching difficult and have yet to find a pic or listing for the 256K part
To quote...
J27 External cache socket 80-pin snap-in proprietary external
cache module (CACHE CARD), 64K or 256K bytes (Micronics part number is
the same, 09-00156, for both sizes; sticker on module and surface
mounted chips identify cache size.)
PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2025-06-03, 11:14:Came across an old 1998 post from Gateway 'guru' Ben Myers...apparently there were only two sizes - 64 or 256K - and both had th […]
9646gt wrote on 2025-06-03, 09:26:Just another attempt to get some eyes on this. I’ve searched high and low and nothing. Did manage to accidentally find proprietary cache for my AST 486 in the process haha
Came across an old 1998 post from Gateway 'guru' Ben Myers...apparently there were only two sizes - 64 or 256K - and both had the same part number (only additional sticky label showed which size was which). Makes searching difficult and have yet to find a pic or listing for the 256K part
To quote...
J27 External cache socket 80-pin snap-in proprietary external
cache module (CACHE CARD), 64K or 256K bytes (Micronics part number is
the same, 09-00156, for both sizes; sticker on module and surface
mounted chips identify cache size.)
Thank you that's extremely helpful and I appreciate it! I'll see if I can track one down but I doubt it. If not I'll have to swap to another VLB motherboard I have but really wanted to keep the stock board in there. I just don't think it's worth putting in the 486 DX4 100 I want to use with only 64k of cache as I'd like to run 32MB of ram and Windows 95
9646gt wrote on 2025-06-03, 12:09:PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2025-06-03, 11:14:Came across an old 1998 post from Gateway 'guru' Ben Myers...apparently there were only two sizes - 64 or 256K - and both had th […]
9646gt wrote on 2025-06-03, 09:26:Just another attempt to get some eyes on this. I’ve searched high and low and nothing. Did manage to accidentally find proprietary cache for my AST 486 in the process haha
Came across an old 1998 post from Gateway 'guru' Ben Myers...apparently there were only two sizes - 64 or 256K - and both had the same part number (only additional sticky label showed which size was which). Makes searching difficult and have yet to find a pic or listing for the 256K part
To quote...
J27 External cache socket 80-pin snap-in proprietary external
cache module (CACHE CARD), 64K or 256K bytes (Micronics part number is
the same, 09-00156, for both sizes; sticker on module and surface
mounted chips identify cache size.)Thank you that's extremely helpful and I appreciate it! I'll see if I can track one down but I doubt it. If not I'll have to swap to another VLB motherboard I have but really wanted to keep the stock board in there. I just don't think it's worth putting in the 486 DX4 100 I want to use with only 64k of cache as I'd like to run 32MB of ram and Windows 95
According to another old post from the same source, the 256K version was extremely rare even in 1998 (his business used to specialize in all things Gateway) so the chances of snagging one now are probaly not good.
PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2025-06-03, 13:39:9646gt wrote on 2025-06-03, 12:09:PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2025-06-03, 11:14:Came across an old 1998 post from Gateway 'guru' Ben Myers...apparently there were only two sizes - 64 or 256K - and both had th […]
Came across an old 1998 post from Gateway 'guru' Ben Myers...apparently there were only two sizes - 64 or 256K - and both had the same part number (only additional sticky label showed which size was which). Makes searching difficult and have yet to find a pic or listing for the 256K part
To quote...
J27 External cache socket 80-pin snap-in proprietary external
cache module (CACHE CARD), 64K or 256K bytes (Micronics part number is
the same, 09-00156, for both sizes; sticker on module and surface
mounted chips identify cache size.)Thank you that's extremely helpful and I appreciate it! I'll see if I can track one down but I doubt it. If not I'll have to swap to another VLB motherboard I have but really wanted to keep the stock board in there. I just don't think it's worth putting in the 486 DX4 100 I want to use with only 64k of cache as I'd like to run 32MB of ram and Windows 95
According to another old post from the same source, the 256K version was extremely rare even in 1998 (his business used to specialize in all things Gateway) so the chances of snagging one now are probaly not good.
that's a shame! Gateway was usually pretty good about not being so proprietary but I guess I'll be swapping boards out. Is this website you are referring to still available?
9646gt wrote on 2025-06-03, 14:38:PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2025-06-03, 13:39:9646gt wrote on 2025-06-03, 12:09:Thank you that's extremely helpful and I appreciate it! I'll see if I can track one down but I doubt it. If not I'll have to swap to another VLB motherboard I have but really wanted to keep the stock board in there. I just don't think it's worth putting in the 486 DX4 100 I want to use with only 64k of cache as I'd like to run 32MB of ram and Windows 95
According to another old post from the same source, the 256K version was extremely rare even in 1998 (his business used to specialize in all things Gateway) so the chances of snagging one now are probaly not good.
that's a shame! Gateway was usually pretty good about not being so proprietary but I guess I'll be swapping boards out. Is this website you are referring to still available?
Yes, it's the old Usenet newsgroup still up on Google Groups... https://groups.google.com/g/alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000/
Did find one old post on another site from 2013 of someone looking to buy the motherboard, complete with 256K cache card, so maybe there's still hope 😀
PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2025-06-03, 15:00:9646gt wrote on 2025-06-03, 14:38:PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on 2025-06-03, 13:39:According to another old post from the same source, the 256K version was extremely rare even in 1998 (his business used to specialize in all things Gateway) so the chances of snagging one now are probaly not good.
that's a shame! Gateway was usually pretty good about not being so proprietary but I guess I'll be swapping boards out. Is this website you are referring to still available?
Yes, it's the old Usenet newsgroup still up on Google Groups... https://groups.google.com/g/alt.sys.pc-clone.gateway2000/
Did find one old post on another site from 2013 of someone looking to buy the motherboard, complete with 256K cache card, so maybe there's still hope 😀
I can only hope! I even looked for another good 486 Gateway branded board with VLB and standardized cache but can't find one haha. All for he sake of that boot up logo...Sad 🤣. Thank you again and I will check out the group!
