1. If the FPM DRAM chip is replaced with a 64Mb, will the Firmware automatically utilize the additional space? Is the device x8 or x16?

2. Are the tuner modules (within the AM/FM tuner modules) 16 pin or 22 pin?

3. Is there a way to rid/change the MK2a of the RIO logo at boot time?

Questions 1 and 3 are answered in the FAQ at www.riocar.org , so please give that a read.

Question 2 is moot, because there's no way you could build your own tuner module. This probably should be a FAQ entry, too.

It is possible to make your own tuner... it is not really "difficult", but it would take a lot of time and be rather expensve and probably require several attempts.

Marius (Escort Cab + Mark II)

it would take a lot of time and be rather expensve and probably require several attempts

Sounds like a fairly good description of "difficult" to me...

Tony didn't say difficult, he said there was "no way."

Calvin

Hehe. It is quite a long way away from "There is no way".
The input to to the tuner is a standard multiplexed stream. "Any" radio chip desgned for a RDS radio would do, and you would need something to control it, probably a PIC, talking RS-232 to the empeg and I2C or something to the radio chip, and then a handfull of "glue logic" and some consideration to RF and Audio parts (noise for instance).

Hugo had a short comment somewhere.

The easiest way... is to get a radio with line-out which is controllable through the serial port (or an external panel) and plug it to the AUX-in.

Marius (Escort Cab + Mark II)

I found the 16Mb FPM DRAM in the spec, but I cannot find information on the device data bus width or attempting to upgrade it to 64Mb. Maybe I need my vision checked?

64MB FPM chips have more pins than 16MB fpm chips. Not an easy upgrade, and will generally require bootrom changes too.

Also, as has been pointed out, the player software won't recognise the extra memory.

Hugo

obviously, the gap between "no way" and "difficult" is a little fuzzy.
Would several attempts at a design for a tuner, that may or may not blow up your now irreplaceable empeg be classed as "difficult" or "no way" or how about "not with my empeg you don't sunshine"?
That could be the empeg equivelant of a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) !?
Thought I should ask......