Re: Was just handed a Apple//gs for free...now what?

[volkmar.friauf@koeln.netsurf.de (Volkmar Friauf)]

Hello Ralph,

first of all: Welcome to Apple II :)

Ralph E Wagner <lawrew@inreach.com> wrote:

> I do have a disk utilites floppy from a Machintosh //se, its on a HD
> disk, when I put that in a bootup, its
> ejected out. Which leads to to believe that the disk drive is a 2D.

The Apple IIgs has a different processor (65C816 instead of 68K or PPC)
and a different OS (GS/OS instead of MacOS) than the Macintosh, so you
can't boot an Apple IIgs using a Mac startup disk.
GS/OS 5.0.4 and 6.0.1 are available somewhere on ftp.support.apple.com,
take note to download the .hqx files because they can easily be
converted to disks on a Macintosh. Make sure you have Stuffit Expander
and Apple DiskCopy handy.

>     1) Is this error, saying its looking for the bootup disk or is there
> a problem in the disk drive connected?

All of this :) It simply means that the IIgs can't find a proper startup
disk. This may be due to the disk _or_ to the drive - you have to figure
out yourself...
 
>     2) Is the disk drive a 2D or HD...and how can I tell.

All standard IIgs disk drives are in 2D format. HD drives can only be
used if some certain expansion cards are installed - so, as you have no
expansion card besides your memory card, you probably have 2D disk
drives.

>     3) Where can I get a bootup disk

See above.

>     4) Is there any utilites out there that will allow me to download
> files with my PC, or a SunSparc Station,
>          and transfer them into a Apple format? (until I can get the
> Apple//gs online and hooked to the internet)

Well, that's kind of a tricky job because neither Suns nor PCs support
the IIgs disk formats. If you have a Mac, it's easy because Mac OS 7.5
and up supports the IIgs disk format, and GS/OS 6.0.1 supports the Mac
disk format, but with other machines, you are bound to null-modem-cable
transfers, or you could try to hook up your IIgs to the internet.

Have a look at Apple II FAQs available on the net:
      http://www.visi.com/~nathan/a2/#faqs
      http://209.100.61.57/A2.FAQ/
      ftp://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/Faqs/

>     5) Can I network my Apple//gs, to my PC and SunSparcLX...what do I
> need?

The Apple IIgs has AppleTalk built-in, so you can network it to a PC if
you can find an AppleTalk card for PCs. Again, have a look at the FAQs
for further reference.
Personally, I advise you to use a null-modem cable and terminal programs
- they do the job easier, cheaper and faster, even they are not as
comfortable as a steady network connection.

Good luck!

Volkmar

-- 
"Die Staatsanwaltschaft hat nun Anzeige gegen Max Brym von der Muenchner
PDS wegen 'Raedelsfuehrerschaft beim oeffentlichen Vortragen des
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n.brauns@link-m.de (Nick Brauns) in <6hf8PVz2QdB@link-m54.link-m.de>