Mini-FAQ: floptical and the //'s (was: Re: Floptical)

[fmlin@netcom.com (Fist of Fury)]

>What are my options for purchasing a new VHD disk drive.  I only have an
>Apple HS SCSI card, but I will upgrade to a RAMfast before I get the
>floptical.  

--
Mini-FAQ (frequently asked questions): floptical and the //'s

Last updated: 12-24-93 (first release)


:::::::::: disclaimer

Feel free to distribute this anywhere you think it might be of help.

I make no gurantee about any of the information provided below.  I've
tried to make them as accurate as I can.  I will not be reponsible
for anything.

Le me know if any information is incorrect and/or misleading.

you can reach me at:

Compuserve,
GEnie,
America Online,
ProLine  with Internet feed,
METAL/FV with Internet feed,
Internet: fmlin@netcom.com
OggNet:	  capsule, user #6 @ House of Games
FutureNet: capsule #9 @ Boycot BBS (#9@#8)

:::::::::: table of contents

Search for next topic by scanning for ~~, or ~~<topic number>.

1. Which Apple // can use the floptical?
2. Which RamFAST ROM version do I need?
3. Where can I buy the latest RamFAST ROM's?
4. Which drivers do I need for the Apple SCSI cards?
5. Where can I get Richard Bennett's freeware drivers?


:::::::::: common questions & answers

~~1. Which Apple // can use the floptical?

	With the Apple //gs, you can use the Apple SCSI card rev. C,
	Apple High-Speed SCSI card, or RamFAST SCSI card.

	With the //gs, you can use the floptical to read and write:

	720k MFM formated disks (usually MS-DOS)
	1440k MFM formatted disks (usually MS-DOS)
	~21mb VHD disks (like a SCSI device)

	With the //e, you can only use RamFAST.  I believe you can only
	use it as a 21mb drive.  A floptical will be a decent main drive,
	or a pretty good backup media.


~~2. Which RamFAST ROM version do I need?

	You need 3.0k or later to have floptical support, but some of
	them have bugs with the floptical support.  So be sure to get
	the latest 3.0.1e ROM.
	
	3.0.1e fixes some floptical bugs, and also allows the mounting
	of ISO-9660 (high-sierra format) CD-ROMs.


~~3. Where can I buy the latest RamFAST ROM's?

	TMS and LRO both might carry them.  I do not know about their
	prices though.  Try them at (800) ASK-4TMS, and (800) ASK-4LRO.

	Your best bet is to order from Sequential Systems directly at:

	Sequential Systems, Inc.
	1200 Diamond Circle
	Lafayette, Colorado 80026

	sales: (800) 759-4549
	customer service: (800) 999-1717

	Each ROM is $7.50 + $1 shipping.  Be sure to specify for rev. C
	or rev D. RamFAST, and if you have a //e or //gs.


~~4. Which drivers do I need for the Apple SCSI cards?

	For rev. C or High-Speed, you can use Richard Bennett's freeware
	drivers.  If you bought the floptical drive from Tulin, they
	also come with Tulin's drivers.
	
	Latest version of Richard's drivers is 1.0.


~~5. Where can I get Richard Bennett's freeware drivers?

	It is available for FTP on cco.caltech.edu.  If you have problems
	locating it and/or no FTP access, mail me, and I'll post to 
	comp.binaries.apple2 or send you a binscii mail.


{end of floptical mini-faq}

-- 
frank m. lin
fmlin@netcom.com