Re: SuperDrive Controller in GS's Slot 5 - no RamDisk anymore?

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

apple2e <mcs6502@gmail.com> wrote:

> By setting Slot 5 to "My Card" you have disabled the on-board Smartport
> firmware which controls UniDisk 3.5 and Apple 3.5 drives attached to
> the motherboard drive port. As this firmware also controls the RAMdisk
> and ROMdisk virtual devices you have also disabled them.

If memory serves, there is a native GS/OS driver for the IIgs Ram disk
in System 6, and this might allow the RAM disk to be used even if Slot 5
is set to "Your Card".  You wouldn't be able to use the RAM disk to boot
the computer or access it in ProDOS-8.

> Yes, moving the card to another slot is what you need to do. Do you
> still use 5.25" drives? If not, slot 6 is the one to use.

That was also my solution.  I used 5.25" drives so rarely that I just
switched slot 6 to Disk Port and rebooted (temporarily losing access to
the SuperDrive) on the occasions I needed 5.25".

> Slot 4 is another option if you do not need a mouse for 8 bit programs.

Assuming you have a ROM 3 IIgs.  In ROM 1, the slot 4 mouse firmware is
required for the native toolbox to access the mouse.

> Slot 1 or 2 are the final options if you only need one serial port.
> Don't use slot 3.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz