Re: Uploading System 6 via a PC?

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Richard: please note that your news posting software has not been
configured correctly - you have no from or reply-to address!

In article <339cfe82.965653@news.demon.co.uk>, Richard Nurse wrote:
> I've just become the proud owner of a IIGS (they're pretty hard to come by
> here in the UK), but unfortunately it only came with a Prodos 8 boot disk
> (also containing UnShrinkit 2.0) , and a disk containing Proterm 2.1 
> Naturally, I'd like to get System 5 or 6, but what are my best options?

I see you only have one 800K disk, so this will severely limit your
options.   My best suggestion would be to buy a 4MB memory card (mail
order from Alltech Electronics, for example) and set up a RAM disk,
transfer the disk images to that, and use UnShrink 2.0 to extract them
to 800K floppies.

> Unfortunately, I don't have a Mac (though I can get occasional access to
> one), but I can XModem stuff between my PC and the IIGS. Is there a binscii
> decoder for the PC ( I've got Nulib, so I can unshrink .SHK files).

I wrote a quick and dirty decoder called DESCII (which I later turned
into a native IIgs version).  I can E-Mail it to you if you like.  It is
a UUENCODEd ZIPped EXE, if I remember right.

> I realise that I could send the binscii files to the IIGS and then
> un-binscii + unshrink them there, but I wouldn't have enough disk space
> for both the binscii'd file and the extracted files (I've only one 800k
> drive and not enough memory for a large RAM disk).

If you had at least 1.25 MB of RAM, you could set up a 1 MB RAM disk,
transfer the BinSCII file to that, decode it to an 800K floppy, delete
the BinSCII file, copy the .SHK file back to the RAM disk, and extract
it to another floppy.  (Ick!)

> I can use ADT to copy disk images from the PC via cable to the Apple's
> 5.25" drive - is there anything similar that copies prodos images from the
> PC to 800k 3.5" disks?

Sorry, can't help there.  I've had no experience with PC Apple II
emulators or associated software.

> What are S16 file types - presumably System 5 / 6 system files? (they don't
> seem to run under prodos).

Correct.  S16 is a "16-bit System" file, i.e. a GS/OS or ProDOS-16
application.  GS/OS has several other file types that are similar in
structure but have different purposes: EXE (shell executable programs),
PIF (Permanent Init File), TIF (Temporary Init File), NDA (New Desk
Accessory), CDA (Classic Desk Accessory), DVR (Driver), FST (File System
Translator), LDF (Generic Load File - not sure if the three letter
abbreviation is correct), CDV (Control Panel "device"), and probably
others that have slipped my memory.

> Finally, on the subject of memory, my RAM card contains 512K (just the top
> half filled). What are my options for expansion?  I assume that filling the
> bottom half with 41256's will make 1 Meg?

Correct.  Note that you must fill both banks - a 768KB configuration
does not work.

A better option would be to go out and buy a 4MB or 4MB/8MB card, as
that will probably cost less than the 41256's (unless you can scavenge
them from something else).  The last time I paid attention to the
prices, a 4MB card was about US$110, but they are probably cheaper by
now.

Note that with only 768KB (256KB built in plus 512KB on the card), you
cannot run anything later than System 5.0.2.  You need at least 1 MB to
run 5.0.4, 6.0 or 6.0.1, more if you want to run some large applications
(notably AppleWorks GS and HyperCard IIgs).

> If so, what should the J1/J2 jumpers be set to?

I can't answer that, as I don't have this card or any documentation for
it.  I have a picture showing a 256KB card with both jumpers off, but I
don't know if this is correct.

How are they set at the moment?  My guess is that one jumper will be
connected if 512KB is installed (but I don't know which one), both if
1MB is installed.

> Does the RAM all need to be the same speed (the top half is 150ns).

Try to avoid mixing RAM brands within one 256KB bank.  Otherwise, you
should be fine as long as you use 150 ns or faster RAM (120 ns is
probably more common).

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand