Re: Uploading System 6 via a PC?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Richard Nurse writes ...
> 
> 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?

     Probably, you will want to start with GS/OS 5.04. It is more compact 
than System 6 and will get you into real GS computing with minimum hassle.
 

> .... 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
> 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).

     When you unshrink a file intended for GS via Nulib, do the resulting 
files retain their resource parts? I do not use Nulib and do not know. You 
should be able to transfer many smaller for-GS .SHK files via NULL modem to a 
small RAM disk and have enough space to run a bare bones GS/OS 5.04 (e.g. use 
a small Launcher instead the Finder, etc.). GS ShrinkIt can unpack the files 
to 800k diskette. 


> 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?

     I don't know about 800k images. Larger wares are usually uploaded as 
.shk or .zip files. 

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

     S16 files are programs that can be run under the earlier GS 
operating system called "ProDOS 16" and under GS/OS (which includes ProDOS 
16). They do not run under 8-bit ProDOS (often called "ProDOS 8")-- e.g. 
ProDOS 1.1 - 2.03. . 
 

> 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? If so, what should the J1/J2
> jumpers be set to? Does the RAM all need to be the same speed (the top half
> is 150ns).
>

     It's okay to use faster RAM for the expansion. For 512k, the lower 
set of pins should be jumpered. From 512k, your next expansion is to 1MB 
(bottom row filled). For 1MB, both sets of pins should be jumpered. 

     On the other hand, adding a 4MB memory expansion card is not all that 
costly. Your GS would be a _much_ better, easier to use machine.


Rubywand