Re: Some questions about a2 upgrading

[Roy and/or Janet Miller <millers@inetnebr.com>]

**** **** wrote:

> Guys,
>
>     First off, I've just bought my first IIe recently, 80 column card in the
> aux slot, no

> manufacturer's name on it, assuming a standard apple card. Actually says 80
> column/64k memory on it. What total ram do I have then, 128k?

Yes.

> The first thing that jumps to mind is whether or not you could
> install a standard PC floppy... assuming someone hasn't made a controller
> for this yet, that might be within my abilities.

The creator of the LangeGS ethernetcard also sells cards to control PC floppy
drives

>
>     The second thought that I can't escape, is what exactly is it that keeps
> there from being a relatively cheap/simple VGA card for this? Am I right in
> understanding that not only is the seondsight expensive, but a GS only card?

Yes. And it is no longer in production.

>
> It seems to me that even the 40/80 column text modes could be displayed with
> a bit of trickery. A lookalike font,  and a coprocessor to repaint the vga
> buffer with a lookalike screen.

There was once a video card for the II that used the TI 9918a/9928 video chip.
The result was faster display, more colors, and 32 sprites. However, there was
very little software that used it (other than a neat LOGO) and it cost hundreds
of dollars. Since that was done, I suppose, in theory a VGA type card could be
done - but how to do it and ignore the Apple's own built in video is beyond me.

>
>     And of course, there is the question of how to beef up the power supply.
> I have noticed that several vendors sell aftermarket power supplies, are
> these refurbished, or even new? Are any of them enhanced in any way?

Jameco sold/sells a new power supply that provides twice the wattage as the
original II powersupply. I have one in my machine (will all slots filled,
including a 20 meg hard drive, Transwarp and one meg RAMWorks III, I need it!),
it has slots on top to allow the heat out, so there is an increased need for a
fan or to run with the lid off.

>
>     Another thing that I can't let go of, is a localtalk hub.

I thought localtalk was a peer to peer network, why would you need a hub? On the
other hand, there was the ability to have various "nodes" so perhaps a hub is
something that Apple once built?

>
>     Back to the floppy controller, suppose I were to design one... would it
> make sense to do this alone, or add a few things to it? I mean, if we're
> gonna be using up a slot, why not put either or both, a IDE controller

There is also, at least two IDE controllers availible for the II

> on
> it, or maybe even a ps2 mouse port? Heck, even a PC style joystick port

I have a number of PC style joysticks that also have Apple II connectors. I
would guess then, that it shouldn't be that hard to rewire a PC joystick so it
will work on a II.

Roy