Re: New IIgs owner.

[Mike Pfaiffer <mike@digitalcivilization.ca>]

Alex Eisenhut wrote:

> Hi everyone, I just got a IIgs off eBay with a 3.5 and 5.25 drive,
> keyboard, mouse, no monitor. I'm new to this system and I have
> never worked with Apple products before.


	Everyone has to start somewhere...

> I need some resources to get this thing working! I seem to be
> missing system disks. I understand I need something called GS/OS
> System 6.0, I downloaded it but I have NO tools on the PC to work with
>  sit files, even less an idea how to get the files on to floppy. I am
>  looking on the Web, but there seems to be a lot less info on the GS 
than on say the C64.


	The .sit are Stuffit files (Mac format). If you are using a PC you will
not be able to put the information on floppies. Your best bet would be
to contact an Apple// user group in your area to get them to put the
system software on floppies for you. It's kind of a chicken and egg kind
of thing.

	Another solution would be to try it from a Mac. Format the disks as
Prodos (800K) and transfer the information there.

> The IIgs does work, all I get is the Apple logo flying back and forth.
> CTRL-big rectangular button throws me into some sort of monitor. I'd
> like info on this as well!


	The computer requires a copy of the operating system to access some
features. Unlike PCs or Macs it can operate without one. There are some
programs in the ROM. There is a BASIC intrepreter and an assembler.

	If you have the "]" prompt, you are at the Applesoft BASIC prompt. From
here you can type and run your BASIC programs. If you are at the "*"
prompt, this is what we call the monitor prompt. This gives you direct
access to your computers RAM and ROM. It also gives you limited access
to some of the hardware. You can use various tricks to access everything
else.


> Also where to get ROM images, I have v1.0.


	There are ROM images on the net for people with emulators (they also need
to own an actual GS in order to legally use them). In the case of the
actual hardware, you are stuck with what you have.


> Apple's site has less info than I'd like...


	That's putting it politely.

>Oh well. Do they still
> copyright the IIgs stuff?


	Sure do. Considering some of the people working there deny there even was
an Apple//, they aren't likely to come after anybody.

> Thanks!
> Alex
>
	Save yourself some trouble (but not money). Look for a hard drive and 
controller.


				Later
				Mike





--
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Digital Civilization magazine: http://www.digitalcivilization.ca    |
|   http://members.shaw.ca/pfaiffer = Mike Pfaiffer (B.A., B.Sc.)      |
| See my web page before you think about spamming me. I charge cash.   |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
----- BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK -----
Version: 3.12
GCS/G/IT/PA/SS d s+:- a? C++ UL L++ W++ N++ o+ K- w(---) O+@ M++@ V PS+
PE !PGP t+ 5+ X R tv b+ DI+++ D++ G e++* h! r-- !y-- UF++
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> > than on say the C64.


	The .sit are Stuffit files (Mac format). If you are using a PC you will
not be able to put the information on floppies. Your best bet would be
to contact an Apple// user group in your area to get them to put the
system software on floppies for you. It's kind of a chicken and egg kind
of thing.

	Another solution would be to try it from a Mac. Format the disks as
Prodos (800K) and transfer the information there.

> The IIgs does work, all I get is the Apple logo flying back and
> forth. CTRL-big rectangular button throws me into some sort of
> monitor. I'd like info on this as well!


	The computer requires a copy of the operating system to access some
features. Unlike PCs or Macs it can operate without one. There are some
programs in the ROM. There is a BASIC intrepreter and an assembler.

	If you have the "]" prompt, you are at the Applesoft BASIC prompt. From
here you can type and run your BASIC programs. If you are at the "*"
prompt, this is what we call the monitor prompt. This gives you direct
access to your computers RAM and ROM. It also gives you limited access
to some of the hardware. You can use various tricks to access everything
else.


> Also where to get ROM images, I have v1.0.


	There are ROM images on the net for people with emulators (they also need
to own an actual GS in order to legally use them). In the case of the
actual hardware, you are stuck with what you have.


> Apple's site has less info than I'd like...


	That's putting it politely.

> Oh well. Do they still copyright the IIgs stuff?


	Sure do. Considering some of the people working there deny there even was
an Apple//, they aren't likely to come after anybody.

> Thanks! Alex
>
	Save yourself some trouble (but not money). Look for a hard drive and 
controller.


				Later
				Mike





--
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  Digital Civilization magazine: http://www.digitalcivilization.ca    |
|   http://members.shaw.ca/pfaiffer = Mike Pfaiffer (B.A., B.Sc.)      |
| See my web page before you think about spamming me. I charge cash.   |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
----- BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK -----
Version: 3.12
GCS/G/IT/PA/SS d s+:- a? C++ UL L++ W++ N++ o+ K- w(---) O+@ M++@ V PS+
PE !PGP t+ 5+ X R tv b+ DI+++ D++ G e++* h! r-- !y-- UF++
------ END GEEK CODE BLOCK ------