Re: Apple IIGS Questions

[spector@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) writes...
>
>In article <9MAY199417392203@acad3.alaska.edu>,
>Mr. Spock <faso101@acad3.alaska.edu> wrote:
>> 
>> 	I have some GS questions for you guys, as I'm considering getting one.
>>
>> 1. Is is true that the later ROM versions of the GS provide better
>> compatibility with old Apple II software (I'm mostly interested in
>> the games)
>  
>ROM 1 emulates it by rapidly copying this area of memory into bank $E0
>if you turn on the "Alternate Display Mode" in the classic desk
>accessories menu.  This won't work with programs that lock out
>interrupts, and it slows the computer down quite a lot!
> 
>ROM 3's "Alternate Display Mode" simply enables the appropriate bit in
>the shadow register.

	I've found a handful of games that fall under this catagory.
DataSoft's "The Goonies" doesn't require that you activate 'Alternate
Display Mode' before booting on the ROM 3 -- the ROM 01 is does (otherwise
you get the infamous "2"s covering the entire screen. :)

>Other than that, I'm not aware of any specific improvements in
>compatibility with old software.

	Actually this is untrue. Broderbund's "Dazzle Draw Slide Show"
disk runs just fine on the ROM 3, but crashes on any ROM 01 configuration.
I also noticed the original "Lode Runner" loads a bit further on the ROM 3
(right up to the title-screen) where as on the ROM 01 it won't boot at all.
In light of that it only seems logical there are more, however few, 8-bit
software titles more compatible with the ROM 3 IIgs.

	Hmmm, on another note, here's a list of programs I've not been
able to run on _either_ the ROM 01 or ROM 3 IIgs: 

-Apple Logo (original 1979 release)
-Karateka
-Drole
-Hardball (works with "Pre-Boot" though)
-Lode Runner 
-One on One
-Minit Man
-Serpentine
-Ultima III
-Randamn
-P.F.S. Filer (Dos 3.3/Pascal ver)

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

Mitchell Spector
sb_spec@pavo.concordia.ca / spector@vax2.concordia.ca