Re: SATURN 32K RAM BOARD

[gabe123@freeshell.org (Max Smart)]

mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon) wrote in message news:<20030322050558.22973.00003052@mb-bd.aol.com>...
> In article <fbb3caaf.0303211746.fe84c22@posting.google.com>,
> gabe123@freeshell.org (Max Smart) writes:
> 
> >> >I installed the card but i dont know how to use it.  I tried peeking
> >> >and poking at those memory locations but nothing happened and
> >> >sometimes it freezes and i have to reset.  Also, what does the swithc
> >> >on the back of the card do?
> >> 
> >> In general, "you" _don't_ use it--it is used by system software and
> >> a few applications to provide additional capabilities and additional
> >> space.
> >> 
> >> For example, if you boot a DOS 3.3 System Master, it will automatically
> >> load whichever BASIC is not on the main board into the first 16KB
> >> bank of the card.  If you have a ][+, Applesoft is on the main board
> >> ROMs, so this will give you Integer BASIC.  (This may or may not
> >> be of much interest to you.)
> >> 
> >> You can also now use ProDOS version 1.x, which makes good use
> >> of the first 16KB bank.  Pascal requires thr first 16KB bank (and was
> >> the original reason for the "Language Card"s existence).
> >> 
> >> If you use some disk copy programs, they will find the extra memory
> >> and use it to reduce the number of disk swaps.
> >> 
> >> It is unlikely that you would use Appleworks on a ][+ (there are some
> >> extension packages that support it), but if you do, you will find that
> >> your "desktop" is 16KB richer because of the _second_ 16KB bank
> >> (ProDOS uses the first).  (Assuming that Appleworks has a memory
> >> manager module that can use >16KB slot 0 cards--ISTR that it does.)
> >> 
> >> There are some "DOS relocators" which will load DOS 3.3 into the
> >> first 16KB bank, giving you somewhat more memory for Applesoft
> >> or other programs.
> >> 
> >> The card is not directly usable from Applesoft, but it is a useful
> >> addition to a ][+, since much later software (particularly ProDOS)
> >> requires it to run.
> >> 
> >> -michael
> >> 
> >> Check out amazing quality 8-bit Apple sound on my
> >
> >
> >Thanks.  I have a prodos boot disk from my apple ][c.  How can i run
> >prodos on the ][+.  I also can't put the card in slot 0 because i have
> >a rom card in there.  Also, should the switch be in the up or down
> >posistion?
> 
> First, I don't remember what the switch on the Saturn 32KB card does.
> Hopefully, someone here will know.
> 
> Second, you don't need a ROM card if you have a RAM card--the
> RAM card provides Integer BASIC functionality when a DOS 3.3
> System Master disk is booted (and ProDOS is not compatible
> with Integer BASIC).
> 
> Remove the ROM card and replace it with the RAM card, appropriately
> changing the DRAM chip that you plug the 16-pin DIP jumper into
> so that it is clear of slot 1.  (Usually, this is the DRAM chip closest
> to the power supply and closest to the rear of the machine.)
> 
> If the version of ProDOS that you have is not too recent (v2.x requires
> a 65C02), then you should be able to boot it on the ][+.  I'm assuming
> that you have a 5.25" disk controller card and a disk drive attached
> to it.  ;-)
> 
> -michael
> 
> Check out amazing quality 8-bit Apple sound on my
> Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/


I ou the card in a tried to boot from a prodos 1.5 disk.  It came up
and said prodos 1.5 and other thigs instead of the usual
"memory/configuration error".  But, it wouldn't do anything after
that.  it was just stuck and i could only reset it.