Re: What is an Apple IIgs worth?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

John McCormick writes ...
> 
> I saw a IIgs (don't know how much memory etc) with no keyboard but did
> have a color monitor for $45. Is this a good price??

     Turn ON the monitor, wait about 15 seconds, then, turn ON the 
computer. If there is a ROM-01 or ROM-03 notice near the bottom of the 
screen and the display looks okay (before you get the 'unable to start 
ProDOS' message), $45 may be an 'okay' price.

     If the display is messed up or you do not get a ROM-01 or ROM-03 
notice, forget it. (For sure, you would not just buy the monitor and GS 
'off-the-shelf' with no power-up test.)

     You do not mention whether the GS includes any disk drives or 
whether it comes with a mouse. If there is a disk drive, try booting a 
a known-good ProDOS-8 diskette. If it does not boot, forget about buying 
the machine.

     Unfortunately, the most likely ROM-01 flaw, a temperature-sensitive 
ADB Controller IC which causes Error 0911 crashes, may not show itself 
during a short power-on check. You need to attach a KB and power-up the 
machine in a cool room a few times and, then, power-up and experiment 
with CTRL-OpenApple-ESC accesses to the CDA Menu and with running various 
programs for a few hours. If there are no 0911 crashes during any 
power-ups or boots or CTRL-OpenApple-ESC accesses to the CDA Menu or 
during extended trials, the ADB IC is likely to be okay.

     Open the case and check for any evidence of gunk (from Coke or 
coffee spills or exposure to flood waters). If you find any, buying the 
machine without a thorough, extended use-test _after_ cleaning, is not a 
good idea. If there are any cards in Slots, find out what they are.  

     For an Apple ][ user who has some idea of where to find items like a 
KB, drives, mouse, etc. at sane prices, around $45 is a fair price for a 
clean, working GS ROM-01 'box' with a working monitor. For a newbie, it 
may be best to shop around for a complete system.

     You should expect to end up shelling out around $150 for a complete 
basic ROM-01 system in good condition ('box', monitor, KB, mouse, 2 3.5" 
drives, 5.25" drive) with no memory expansion, no accelerator, no stereo 
board, no MockingBoard, no sound digitizer input, no high-speed modem, no 
SCSI interface, no hard disk, no CD-ROM drive, no Zip Drive, no 
System-Saver GS cooler/line-protector, minimal software, and minimal 
documentation.

     An up-to-date, fully-'loaded' GS system is a whole different 
ballgame. In good condition with good documentation plus a basic 
collection of GS utilities, productivity wares, and games, it could 
easily sell for more than any PC '486 system and quite a few Pentium 
setups.

   
Rubywand