Re: A couple of newbie questions

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Richard T. Waters writes ...
> 
> I recently got an Apple IIc.
> .... 
> 1) If I want to hook this upto my TV, can I just use the cable from my
> old original nintendo or atari?  I suspect this may not work, since I
> recall having to choose between channel 3 or 4 when I hooked those up.
> If this will not work, what do I need?
>

     It will not work. The only video output of Apple II+, IIe, and IIc 
is composite video intended to drive a "composite video monitor" such as 
the Amdek Color-1. It can, also, go into the Video Input (Yellow plug) of 
a VCR or to the Video Input of a modern TV. It cannot go to the Antenna 
Input of a TV or to the typical "TV/Game" switch.

     If you can find the RF Modulator module for IIc, it will plug into 
the back of the computer and provide an RF signal which you can run to a 
TV's Antenna Input or to a TV/Game switch connected to the Antenna Input.

     For practically all games, most Apple-compatible composite color 
monitors, a modern TV with Video Input, or the RF Modulator + TV will 
work fine. You get good color and ample clarity for 40-column text, 
hires, and color double-hires.

     At least one Apple brand composite monitor is said to provide good 
display of 80-column text. Otherwise, you will need a decent monochrome 
composite monitor to be sure of getting clear display for 80-column text 
and monochrome double-hires.   

 
> 2)  I understand that while the nine pin mouse/joystick port has the
> same form as the PC serial port, the pinouts are not the same.  Are
> the pinouts the same as the old Atari/Commodore  64 joystick ports? If
> so can I use my joysticks and paddles from them?
>

     The quick answers are No and No. The Commodore 64 joystick port and 
the Apple II 9-pin joystick port are very different. The joysticks are 
different, too. C-64 sticks are, basically, 8-way switches. Apple II and 
PC sticks use potentiometers to deliver continuously variable resistances 
corresponding to stick X and Y position.

 
> 3) Do I need to clean the floppy drive head(s)?  I have a 5 1/4
> cleaner disk which requires me to put a few drops of Alcohol on it and
> then do a directory on my IBM-PC.  Can I insert the disk in the IIc
> and do a CAT or will I screw up the disk drive? ....
>

     You do need to clean the floppy drive head. A 5 1/4 Cleaner Disk 
works fine. It is the usual way to clean Apple II 5.25" drives. The R/W 
head of Apple II 5.25" drives is on the bottom; this is the side of the 
Cleaner Disk which needs to be open when doing cleaning. 


Rubywand