Am I making a mistake here?

[land@smart.net (E.G. Landers)]

	Friends...


	I'd like your advice on the following:

	Recently I purchased a IIGS for $125. I've since spent another
	$150 to equip it with a hard drive, mouse, modem, cables, etc.
	It came with 4megs and a scuzzy board but not Apple Works.

	I expect to receive delivery of "Graphic-Writer" tomorrow. My
	thinking is I'll more than likely forgo AppleWorks.

	My main need is a system that will do heavy word-processing and
	later some desk-top publishing.

	My problem is this: I'm discovering quirks in this system each 
        step of the way. Why is it, for example, that the hard drive 
	is seemingly not interfacing with the computer at once? This
	morning I got the message "Check your startup device" four times
	before the hard drive finally booted.

	Printers: I own a very old serial printer that doesn't seem to 
        interface. It's a NEC pc8023a-c. Perhaps this is because I've
	used the modem cable connected to the printer cable via a 
	"gender changer" then plugged into the printer port. Might
	the modem cable or gender changer be the problem here? Also,
	although the printer manual lists the printer as a "serial" 
	printer, it goes on to say that the printer's output is "parallel."
	What does this mean? And since we're on the topic of printers,
	can someone recommend a inexpensive laser?

	Keyboard: Not able to use my new mouse because it seems the keyboard
	connector for the mouse is no longer live. I thought solder points
	near it might need resoldering, did that, but still no soap. How
	can I get this connector to do what its suppose to?

	That's all for now. 

	EG Land

	land@smart.net