Re: Apple /// questions - yes, I can count!

[shack@deimos.frii.com (Randy Shackelford)]

In article <342B5FD2.55B9@quality.NOSPAM.net>,
The Blue Meanie  <bluemeanie@quality.NOSPAM.net> wrote:

>I recently acquired an Apple ///+ (yes, the plus belongs there).  It has
>the newer //e-style keyboard, and apparently 256K was installed at the
>factory.
>In addition, this particular one came with a brand new(!) 5 Meg ProFile
>and controller, a Universal Parallel Interface Card, the Titan ///+// and
>///+//e pair of cards, and an AppleColor 100 RGB monitor (the motorized
>tilt one).  It looks to be about as well-equipped as a /// could ever be,
>save for the ProFile being 10 Megs.  I want to do the computer justice by
>keeping it in active use.  In order to do this, I have a series of
>questions I need answered.  Any CONSTRUCTIVE input is welcomed, either in
>personal e-mail or in the group.

I have both a 256K III and a III plus. Pluses come with 256K, and the III
was upgraded. It is said that pluses can go to 512K, but no one seems to know
if there was ever an upgrade made to this amount.

I have a profile card in each, and a 5 mb drive to share between 'em. It has
most of my III software on it. I also have a Monitor 100 for my //e but have
never tried it on the IIIs. How's the picture on it?

>1> I have begrudgingly come to terms with the fact that the current
>set-up will not boot from the ProFile, but it's REALLY annoying.  Is
>there a change that can be made to either the computer or the ProFile
>controller to allow it to be the boot device?

The hardware is set up only to boot from the internal floppy, no way 
around it.

>2> SOS does not seem to have a "quit" mechanism like ProDOS 8 does.  Is
>there a program-selector style application that will allow me to launch
>an .interp file of my choosing, hopefully from the ProFile?
>
>3> In the absence of both the ability to boot the ProFile and a selector,
>it would seem that the ProFile is resigned to simple data file storage.
>What would be the logic of having 5 Megs of fixed storage that can't be
>used to run applications from?

I have a copy of Quark Catalyst with my IIIs, which you boot from floppy
and get a Prosel style program selector for apps on the hard disk.

>4> I have VisiCalc /// (with manuals), which appears to be copy-
>protected.  Considering the age of these disks, I would like to make a
>copy to keep in reserve.  Is there a bit-copier for the Apple ///
>somewhere?  If there's a program selector available (as mentioned in #2),
>is there any way to remove VisiCalc's protection and have it installed on
>the ProFile (with the original tucked away in storage, of course)?

Catalyst also allows installing protected software on a hard disk.

>5> I have no software or documentation relating to the Titan ///+// and
>///+//e cards.  I understand these give reasonably good 64K Apple ][+ and
>128K(?) unenhanced //e compatibility (as opposed to the 48K ][/][+
>Emulation disk included with the ///).  Does someone have a set of
>manuals and disks for these cards they would sell me?  Can the cards be
>modified to behave as an enhanced //e instead?  I figure the CPU in the
>/// can be changed to a 65C02 pretty easily, right?  What else might be
>required?

AFAIK, the Titan card only emulates a 128K unenhanced //e. All III stuff
predates the enhanced //e.

>6> I have the Apple drivers for the UPIC, but no documentation or cable.
>Has anyone got instructions and pinouts for this card?  A cable maybe?

Dunno

>7> There was a precursor to AppleWorks called 3EZ Pieces (WP, SS, DB,
>file-card motif) available for the Apple ///.  Considering how bad the
>AppleWriter /// I have is (blech), and that VisiCalc is copy-protected, I
>would like to acquire 3EZ Pieces.  Can anyone sell me disks and manuals?

I have 3 E-Z Pieces, but dunno where to get copies these days. Don't want
to get the dreaded P word flying around any more than it is.

>8> There is apparently a better Operating System than SOS (not too hard
>to do) available for the /// mentioned in the FAQ along with the name of
>the author.  What is not mentioned is WHERE to get this OS.  Can anyone
>point me to a place to get/purchase this new Operating System?

Dave Ottalini is Mr. III pretty much. He helped me scare up a III plus,
which is a pretty rare bird. It was in production perhaps five months.
What's your serial #? Mine is 7800-something.

>9> I have two Disk /// external disk drives from an Apple ///(non-plus).
>However, the ///+ has a DB-25 external disk connector, not a DIP-20.
>Rather than hunt for Disk /// drives with DB-25 connectors, which are
>likely near impossible to find, can I alter these Disk ///s to connect?
>Pinouts of the DB-25 and the DIP-20 would be sufficient, since I'm handy
>with a soldering iron.  Or does someone have two Disk ///s with DB-25s
>they'd trade for my Disk ///s with DIP-20s?

People say that there was an adaptor for III pluses to use Disk IIIs, and
all Disk IIIs have the 20 pin molex style plug. Fat chance finding the
adaptor these days I'd say.

>10> Anyone got a set of ProFile low-level format ROMs and software they'd
>sell me?  Just in case...

I have the controller card from a gutted profile and it looks to have the
formatting chip, but got no software.

>11> Are there any real Apple /// "power users" or "gurus" out there that
>would be willing to share their knowledge of how they've made good use of
>their machine and what it's really capable of?
>
>That's it.  I know that's a lot to ask, but I really do want this machine
>to do something other than just sit like a museum piece and look cool.
>It'll never replace my //e or IIgs, of course, but I'd feel bad if it
>just rotted away.

Well mine are mainly for gee-whiz value/nostalgia, and are attic dwellers
at the moment. Kinda cool to bring down and tinker with 'em from time to
time though.
-- 
Randy Shackelford                                 
shack@frii.com