Re: Shift-key modification?

[John H Maxwell <maxwell@acsu.buffalo.edu>]

Hello Group,
    I purchased my ][+ in Aug. '81 and used the shift-mod to upgrade
my system. I ran a wire from the appropriate point on the keyboard
PC board to the unused connector which goes down to the main board
and ran a wire under the main system board to the PB2 connection
of the game socket. No visible wires to get in the way and never
had a problem with graphics programs. While I never used Applewriter,
Applewriter II or Bank Street Writer, I did use Magic Window and
the horrible 40/70 graphics screen to (barely) see 70-column text.
I added AE's Z-80 Plus and AE ViewMaster-80 shortly thereafter and
still had no problems with the mod.
    Sorry about being so vague about the exact points on the kbd
PCB, but it was a long time ago and since upgrading my sister's
][+ in '84, I never gave the mod another thought, especially not
a reversal. I have seen many other wires with test clips going from
under the keyboard to the game socket, and figured that my way was
a bit more work, but worth not seeing nor messing with the wire
was worth it. I can dig up my notes as to which kbd connector pin
is unused and the rest of it, if anybody is interested. Contact
me directly and I'll send e-mail of the details.

    Just my two cents, take care,
       -John

Stephen Shaw wrote:

> On Tue, 25 Sep 2001 19:43:45 GMT, Mike Pfaiffer wrote:
>
> > Ernest wrote:
> >
> >> What is the "shift-key modification," on the Apple II+? How do you do it?
> >>
> >> Thanks.
> >>
> >> Ernest
> >
> >       Actually it is a fairly simple procedure. It only works with a
> > couple of applications. It amounts to running a wire from one of the
> > exposed pins of the keyboard connector (check your manual to determine
> > which one) over to button 2 of the paddle controller. The result allows
> > certain programs to input lowercase. Of course you need an 80 column card
> > or software which uses graphics in order to actually *see* lowercase.
> >
> >                               Later
> >                               Mike
> >
> Beware of doing this though. Try and put a switch in the connections. The
> reason : Some word processors use (I think) the graphics screen (Applewriter or
> Applewriter II or Bank Street Writer - I can't remember which) if this mod is
> in you get a black "block" on the screen which is caused by the mod.
>
> --
> Veni, Vidi, Visa - I came, I saw, I shopped a little!

--

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