I just purchased from eBay what was advertised as a Laser 128EX. It arrived in great condition and functions. However, it doesn't think it's an EX, but rather a regular Laser 128. The "Red-Label" on the front says Laser 128 without the EX. I've seen this before, and others have mentioned the same. However, the data label on the bottom of the case clearly says Laser 128EX.
The case doesn't looke like it's been messed with, so the likelyhood that someone put a regular MoBo into a case that was half 128 and half 128/EX is low, but of course not impossible.
The system boots to "Laser 128 ROM 5". So that's a concern. Unlike the innards, the ROM is much easier to swap out and could have been done so by a previous owner (as to why is anyone's guess). Would the "EX" paper label on the bottom be sufficient to attempt to replace the current ROM with an EX ROM? Would I damage the system if the MoBo is indeed a regular 128 and not an EX if I did that? Where would I find an EX ROM to begin with?
Thanks!
The 128EX/2 boot banner would say EX/2, but both the 128 and 128EX boot banner only said Laser 128. The paper label on the bottom is pretty meaningless . The metal badge on the case is normally correct, but who really knows 40 years later. The same ROM chip will work in either the 128 or 128EX.
The best way to test the 128EX features is to hold down the 1,2 or 3 key when booting to change speeds from 1 MHz, 2.8 MHz or 3.6 MHz on the EX. If you have an EX you will hear higher pitched beeps at higher speeds. If you hear the same beep, then it is probably locked at 1 MHz and is a plain 128.
You should be able to create a 6.0 ROM on a 27C256 EPROM if you wish. The ROM images are available at https://reneeharke.com/roms.html