Re: Prodos 8 - Space?

[nathan@cco.caltech.edu (Nathan Mates)]

In article <3gn0rg$47g@panix.com>, Melvin The Wizard! <jodyk@panix.com> wrote:
>Anyway I need several feedbacks from you guys... Hopefully you guys can 
>answer me through the email. 

>1) what's the best memory size and safe size ? I do have 1.5mb ram card 
>but right now itis only 500k... Should I expand it ? OR should I get 3mb 
>ram ?

   On a GS, just like any computer, the more the better. The IIGS (Rom
01) has 256K on the motherboard; if your card has 512 more K, your system
has a total of 768K to play with. For modern GS stuff, that's just too
cramped to do anything useful. The latest System Software, System 6.0.1
recommends at least 1.5MB when run off a HD. You could mostly run
old system software and games off floppies with 768K of ram, but that's
pretty painful.

   Since 4MB cards have pretty much stabilized at about $120 or so,
I'd recommend scrapping that card, and picking up a 4MB card. That'll
give you 4.25 MB of ram to play with; more than enough for most
operations.  A good source for such cards, new, is Sequential
Systems. They have an 800 number, so call 800 directory assistance at
800-555-1212 for Sequential's number. Alternatively, you could see if
there are any 4MB cards being sold off on comp.sys.apple2.marketplace.

>2) Can the First Class Sider 20mb hard drive with the controller card 
>work on the IIGs from IIE w/o problem ?

   If it's a plain SCSI drive, it should work just fine. But, since
the earlier Sider drives were SASI, and had older controller ROMs,
things may get messy. Anyone want to fill in from experience?


>3) Where can I find the Prodos 8 ? Right now I am using Prodos 4.1 :(

   ProDOS 4.1? No such beast as far as I know. For the latest GS
system software (and ProDOS 8 as well), ftp over to ftp.apple.com and
take a look in /dts/aii/sys-soft. You'll need some binscii and
decompressors; consult the c.s.a2 FAQ for more info.

Nathan Mates



-- 
* Nathan Mates   http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~nathan/              <*>
* Ftp humor archiver: ftp to ftp.cco.caltech.edu, look in pub/humor *
* "Always listen to experts. They'll tell what can't be done, and   *
*  why. Then do it."  -- Robert A. Heinlein, Lazarus Long           *