Re: Apple emulator for IBM

[me@here.com (me@here.com)]

On 2 Jul 1998 04:49:30 GMT, fernande@internet1.net wrote:


>
>Does anybody know if the Trackstar needs a driver?
>

Yes it does need software.   I have it, it's less than 30k zipped.  I
can email it to you if you like.

The following is a Trackstar faq that I downloaded from Bill Whitson's
ftp site.  I just tried to connect to it but couldn't.

******************************************************************************

The TrackStar FAQ v1.3.1
Last Update: 5/15/97

This FAQ is maintained by Bill Whitson <bill@booster.u.
washington.edu> Please mail any addition or corrections
directly.  An updated version of the FAQ is always available
via anonymous FTP at 140.142.225.27 in the directory
/pub/trackstar as ts.faq.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
presented is correct and complete but this a document is in
a state of constant revision and much of the info is second
hand.

Note that the author of this FAQ posesses only a Trackstar
128 and cannot necessarily verify information regarding other
models.

1. What's a TrackStar?
   1.1 What kind of Apple does it emulate?
   1.2 What models were made?
2. Does it work?  Well?
   2.1 How compatible is it?
   2.2 Can it transfer Apple <-> PC files?
3. How can I get one?
   3.1 How much is it worth?
4. What do I need to run a TrackStar?
   4.1 What do I need for a disk drive?
   4.2 What operating systems will it work with?
5. What did the TrackStar originally come with?
   5.1 What's the latest driver version?
6. I just got a TrackStar board with no ccessories...
7. Pinout Diagrams

1. What's a TrackStar?

A TrackStar is a single board Apple 2 computer that plugs into
an expansion slot in a PC Clone.  With this board (and an A2
disk drive) a PC can run Apple II software.

1.1 What kind of Apple does it emulate?

That depends on the model.  The TrackStar uses the original
ROMs - liscensed from Apple.  The rest of the hardware is fairly
standard.  Running a TrackStar is essentially the same as
running an Apple II and is even superior to some of the better
Apple clones as it uses the original ROMs.

1.2 What models were made?

Model           Emulates    Interface    RAM    HD Support
----------------------------------------------------------
TrackStar         Apple II+   8-bit ISA    64K    No
TrackStar 128   Apple II+   8-bit ISA    128K   No
TrackStar +      Apple II+   8-bit ISA    128K   No
                             or MCA
TrackStar E     Apple IIe   8-bit ISA    128K   Yes

TrackStar Computer?  There has been rumor that a full
TrackStar computer system was made.  I have never seen one
or had it's existence confirmed.

2. Does it work?  Well?

It works very nicely.  It's two major faults (which
aren't too much of a problem): 1. It's ability to use
PC drives is not impressive.  It is only an effective
Apple II with an Apple II disk drive attached.  2. It's
ability to use a PC monitor is not terribly impressive
either.  A composite monitor attached to the port on
the card is much better.

2.1 How compatible is it?

Given that I've not found any software that it won't run
I would have to say it's very compatible.  It has a 
strange bug that sometimes causes programs to display on
a slightly compressed screen.

2.2 Can it transfer files Apple <-> PC

Yep.  It works great for that.  I used to use it to
make disk images of A2 disks on my PC.  It has been
pointed out that some of the serial transfer programs
written to faciliate the creation of disk images for
A2 emulators are just as easy or easier than using the
TrackStar.  The major advantage of the TS is that you
don't need to keep an Apple 2 around.

3. How can I get one?

Careful searching and liberal applications of cash.
Diamond Computers (today Diamond Multimedia) made them,
but it's no longer manufactured or supported. Radio Shack
sold them for a while - which is where mine came from.