Re: Help in upgrading a Apple IIgs

[mattack@area.com (Matt Ackeret)]

In article <pliethen-1907971534100001@msn28tc5.gdinet.com>,
Peter Liethen <pliethen@globaldialog.com> wrote:
>It is a ROM 01 IIgs, with 1.25 megs or RAM (Expanded with a Applied
>Engineering GS RAM III) I want to expand the IIgs to atleast 2.25 megs,
>4.25 would be the best. It also has a Datalink 2400bps modem in slot 2.
>Now, on with the questions.
>
>#1. Where can I buy RAM new for my setup? What is the cost? It coudn't be
>more that $9 a meg.

Does it use SIMMs or individual DRAMs?  If 1 meg SIMMs you should be able
to find them dirt cheap used from Mac users..  They're filling up drawers
by the ton nowadays.  individual DRAMs you should be able to buy at any 
computer/electronics store, or order over the web.

(Side question -- anyone know what 1 meg * 4 DRAMs for the RAMFast should
cost? I've thought about getting those again..)

>#2. I have a AppleTalk network. Can I integrate the IIgs into the network
>and access files of a Macintosh hard drive?

Yes, definitely.  Though only via Localtalk.  If the Mac and the rest of
the stuff is all Ethernet-connected, you'd need to run some bridge software
on the Mac to let the GS see the other things (and leave the Mac on all the
time).  If it's all localtalked already, just get a PhoneNet connector for
the GS and hook into the network.

>#3. What would I need to add a standard external SCSI hard drive?

a RAMFast SCSI card (the fastest) or an Apple DMA SCSI card (used).
I *think* you can get RAMFasts new, though with the demise of EGO, I'm
not sure.  Check Nathan Mates' FAQs-up-the-wazoo. (That's a compliment)

>#4. Can the IIgs be sped up without overheating the system, and without
>replacing RAM and other things?

Yeah.  The accelerator just caches some things and goes through the 
"normal access" to memory, so doesn't actually *talk to the ram chips
themselves* faster than the regular processor.  (I still think someone 
should make an accelerator that puts the RAM *on the accelerator*.  Then
only talking to video RAM and slots, and whatever rest of the stuff in 
bank 0 isn't emulated on the card.. That would be *so much faster*.)

>#5. Can I use a ADB-powerd modem on the IIgs?

DEFINITELY.  I use one of these.  This is so incredibly cool to not have
*another* thing to plug in.  This is a way cool idea.  (Were there ever
modems that were powered from the RS232 connection?  or are these modems 
very very very specially designed low power components that didn't exist?)
-- 
mattack@area.com