Re: Where can I find the FAQ for the Apple //gs?

[nathan@visi.com (Nathan Mates)]

In article <6glrjh$f5j$1@gte1.gte.net>, John McCormick <johnmcc@gte.net> wrote:
>I just purchased an Apple //GS ROM 01 machine with 512k RAM and an 
>external 5 1/4" drive and 3.5" disk drive.

   You're not going to fine much GS-specific stuff that'll run on such
a configuration, except for very early games and some poor
software. Apple forgot to release the GS with a usable amount of ram
(tip: loading the system software from Apple should NOT run out of
ram), and people have been having to either buy enough addons to
truely take advantage of the machine's promised features, or use it as
a fast color //e. Most modern GS software wants 1.5-2MB RAM minimum,
and a HD is highly recommended.

>The only software I have ProDOS 8 2.03 what software would I need to take 
>advantage of the //GSs unique features?

   You can take a look at the csa2 FAQ, officially archived at
http://www.visi.com/~nathan/a2/faq/csa2.html or any official internet
FAQs site, section 5, for how and where to download Apple II software,
but as noted above, without more RAM (vendors listed in section 10.2;
some products listed in 4.2), you're less likely to be able to use any
of the GS stuff found online.

>Also I could not format a 3.5" diskette and wonder if ProDOS 8 2.03 can 
>format one or maybe the drive is broken?

   Formatting code is not part of the OS; it was removed to save space
and applications must manually do that. Which programs are you using
to format? If one of Apple's, the drive is most likely dirty or at
fault here, though you should remember that 3.5" drives are in slot 5,
not 6.

Nathan Mates
--
<*> Nathan Mates http://www.visi.com/~nathan/      <*>
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