Re: Trackstar 128 Problems - Please Help

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Mike writes ...
> 
 ....
 
> I have actually seen you post these links before, and I have read all of the
> information - and while they contain lots of useful information - there doesn't
> seem to be help on my specific "Please Wait !!" problem.
> 
> A question I should probably ask - as I have a nagging suspicion - is do I need
> an Apple Monitor or some other monitor hooked up to the Trackstar card ?  This
> isn't clear in the manual.

     First, my experience is with a Trackstar E card; but, it probably applies pretty
well to other versions.

     Trackstar requires either a cable to patch PC video to the board or a separate
composite monitor connected to the usual RCA-type video output plug on the Trackstar.

     The patch cable sends PC video output to the Trackstar and the PC monitor
connects to the Trackstar. This lets Trackstar use the monitor for displaying its
output; or, the board can just pass through regular PC video when Trackstar is not
active. A notable catch in all this is that, according to another user, the monitor
needs to be an old digital type.

     My Trackstar E is in a 33MHz '486. The PC uses a VGA monitor; so, I have a
composite monitor connected to the Trackstar.

     In order to get a clear, stable display on the composite monitor, it was
necessary to do a minor mod to the Trackstar to adjust video output level. This mod
is described in one of the Q&A I listed. Depending upon your particular composite
monitor, you may not need to do the mod.

     Regarding the "Please Wait" message-- this may be something that gets left on
the PC display when the Trackstar starts up its display. Since, at present, you have
no Trackstar display, it's hard to know whether Trackstar is waiting for you to press
some key.


 ....

> 
> I also don't know about the role of my PC drives.  Do these need to be also
> connected to the Trackstar ?  If they are connected to the Trackstar, do they
> function exactly like an Apple ][ floppy drive or are there some
> incompatibilities ?

     There is a way to connect your PC 5.25" drives to Trackstar using a weird cable
and plug setup. Not all PC drives will work-- your manual probably talks about this.

     Evidently, the 5.25" PC drives connected to Trackstar can still function okay
with your PC.

     As for A2 compatibility; I'm fairly sure the drives simply function as PC drives
which Trackstar is able to use with PC diskettes-- i.e. it can save and load files to
diskettes in the drives. The PC drives can not read or write standard Apple II
diskettes.

     Whatever, like you, I did not get any cables with my Trackstar and have not
tried to connect a PC 5.25" drive to the board. There seems to be no good reason to
mess with the PC's 5.25" drive(s).

     You can do very nicely with an Apple Disk ][ drive connected to your Trackstar.
This drive plus a couple virtual 5.25" "Trackstore" drives (which are simulated on
your PC hard disk) plus a 10MB virtual hard disk (also simulated on your PC hard
disk) gives you access to your Apple II diskettes and plenty of disk space and
flexibility.


> 
> I checked out the FTP site mentioned in one of the Trackstar help files (on the
> links you mentioned) at
> 140.142.225.27 in /pub/trackstar - but this no longer exists.

     Yes, I know. This is why mention of the site was deleted from the updated Text
version of the FAQs resource file. (Now, the html version of the file on my site has
been updated, too.)




> Do you know where
> else these files might be located :
> 
> TS128.621.zip           TrackStar 128 drivers v6.2.1
> TS128.622.zip           TrackStar 128 drivers v6.2.2
> TS128.623.zip           TrackStar 128 drivers v6.2.3
> TS128.overlay.zip       TrackStar 128 keyboard overlay
> TS128.manual.zip        TrackStar 128 manual for in .pdf
>

     No. As far as I know, all of the Trackstar stuff available to users is on
USA2WUG. If you could upload the files from your Trackstar disk to, say, Asimov, it
would help to expand the collection of Trackstar materials. It would, also, make it
easier for other users to help you get started.


 
> At home, I have an old 486-DX-33 as well, which I will try the Trackstar card in
> tonight as well.
> 
> I will also try the Trackstar E software as well as the Trackstar v6.2 software.
> 
> I really hope someone can help - particularly with the "Please Wait !!" problem
> above.
 ....

     Getting a composite monitor connected and working with your board will be a big
help. The files from USA2WUG may help, too.



Rubywand