Intel's Above Board Plus, With 2MB
                       Copyright 1989 David W. Batterson
 
     When you move to a larger home or apartment, you usually have little
trouble making use of the extra space.  Sometimes you move again, to an even
larger place, when you outgrow that space.
     It's the same with PC memory.  The original IBM PC had 64K, later boosted
to a whopping 128K!  Even though typical PC clones come with 640K now, that is
not enough for many applications.
     My AT-compatible has 1MB RAM, with 384 reserved (as an option) for
"Shadow RAM." The Shadow RAM feature lets you execute system and video BIOS
through RAM, increasing performance.  This leaves me with only 640K.
     If you use high-end CAD, graphics or desktop publishing programs, you
already know that they require more RAM.  Publisher's Paintbrush, Ventura
Publisher and PageMaker, for instance, can't be used efficiently without
additional memory.
     One of the easiest (though not inexpensive) ways to add memory is with
Intel's memory boards.  The one we reviewed is the Above Board Plus (model
PCMB4325), with 2MB.
     There are many PC users who've never even popped open the case to look
inside.  Not to worry if you haven't, because Intel provides an excellent
installation guide for the Above Board Plus.
     The Above Board Plus provides three kinds of memory:  conventional,
expanded and extended.  The board comes with instructions and software which
help you decide how to allocate the extra memory.
     If your system has only 512K, you definitely need to use 128K to bring
your conventional RAM up to 640K.  Extended memory isn't used for most DOS
applications (Framework II/III and AutoCAD can use it).  It's used mainly for
OS/2, XENIX, VDISK RAM disk software & similar uses.  Nor can 8088- or 8086-
based PCs use extended memory.
     Programs that support Lotus/Intel/Microsoft Expanded Memory Specification
(LIM EMS) use expanded memory.  You cannot use EMS with OS/2 or XENIX.
     The board installation is performed in logical steps, and you should
experience no difficulty if you follow the instructions to the letter.
     Unlike most other add-on boards, you don't have to bother with DIP
switches.  Instead, the hardware settings are done by the software program
called SETBOARD.
     SETBOARD works automatically, unless your system runs at 10MHz or higher
(which ATs do).  In those cases, you must use the "manual setup."  I had no
problems with it.
     Next you must run your own computer's setup program if you will be adding
conventional or extended memory.  I skipped this step, as I didn't require
either one.
     The next step is optional, but highly recommended.  That's the TESTAB
program, which does a diagnostic check on the board's RAM chips.
     Now it's time to run the INSTALL program.  Among other things, this easy-
to-use software alters your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files automatically.
It sets up EMS memory, and lets you add one or more RAM disks and a print
buffer if you want them.
     Another optional program to run is CHKMEM; it tells you the size of
conventional, extended and expanded memory in use, and how much available.
     After the installation procedure was completed, I tested the Above Board
Plus with several applications, including AlphaWorks, Professional Write,
Freedom of Press, and PC Tools.  It worked flawlessly with each one.
     This was one product I hated to send back after the evaluation period
ended.  It was like moving back to a cramped apartment after having lived in a
roomy house.  I'll miss that EMS!
     The Above Board Plus comes with a five-year warranty.  Now comes the
nitty gritty pricing information.  As of this writing (May '89), the suggested
list for this particular board is $1995.  Check with discount mail order firms
for the current best price, as RAM chip prices keep bouncing around.  They are
dropping at this point, so that's good news.
     For more information, contact Intel Personal Computer Enhancement
Operation (PCEO), 5200 N.E. Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, OR  97124; phone
800-538-3373 or 503-629-7354.
                                       #
     David W. Batterson is a computer journalist/reviewer who lives in Palm
Springs, CA.  Send comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.