Re: 'T.S.T.' - early Apple clone? Help!

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Barton Oleksy wrote:
> 
> I just picked this up yesterday thinking it was an early Apple model,
> but now I don't think it is.  There were two Apple stickers, but the
> only 'permanent' marking is a metal plate above the keyboard that says
> 'T.S.T.' within a blue diamond.  A pile of 5.25" floppies were included
> that all look like Apple software, and it ran all of them.
> 
> Upon bootup, there's a brief message at the top (center) of the screen
> saying 'T.S.T.' as well.  Once in a while (depending on the diskette) I
> can get to the ']' prompt, but most commands I've tried don't work (like
> CATALOG).  All I could get it to do was with the short-hand PRINT
> command ('?') to print back to the screen 'hello'.  (exciting, yes)
> 
> Also, holding down the Control and Esc keys dumps out 10 variable values
> of some kind.
> 
> Any help identifying this puppy?  Know any background info?  Thanks!

 ....


     There have been stories posted here about Apple II's modified to
work with software developed for a particular university or government
agency. Supposedly, there is some hardware or firmware mod affecting
disk I/O in order to prevent the disks used in the place from being
accessible via regular Apple II's.

     Have you tried booting standard Apple II diskettes on the machine
or tried booting some of the diskettes which came with it on a standard
Apple II?

     What does your special Apple II look like?-- i.e. does it look like
a normal Apple II which has been modified? Is the case entirely
different? Does it have any odd cards plugged in? ... Someone here may
have first-hand knowledge of such machines.



Rubywand