Re: Transferring files to a IIgs

[andrew.webber4@virgin.net (Andrew Webber)]

"Paul Grammens" <grammens@svn.net> wrote in message news:<3e07cdee@news.svn.net>...
> "Robert Walker" <Robert.walker67@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:qxNN9.75432$_S2.38693@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> > I have, and love my IIgs and II fleet, however I grow tired of programming
> > in basic for them. I am an avid PC user, and I have never used a Mac
>  before
> > and want to transfer files to my IIgs. I hear some Macs will recognize PC
> > disks, and maybe I can use a mac as a go between (a local store is selling
> > power mac 6100s for $49). Is it wise to use this method, or is there a
> > better way of transferring files from my PC to my IIgs?
> >
> >
> 
> You have a number of options.  If you have a comm program for your IIgs, all
> you need to add is the proper null modem cable. Connect one end to your PC's
> serial port, the other to the IIgs's serial port. You can use Hyperterminal
> on your PC. Start with a low bit rate, like 2400 for testing purposes.
> I use "Agate", an old 8 bit Apple II shareware comm program available in the
> archives.  It works reliably for me at 9600 bps.  One big advantage of this
> is you don't have to deal with file-forking and file type changes which
> happen when running your archives thru a Mac.  If you have ShrinkitGS this
> is not a problem, it can doesn't care, but 8 bit utils have problems. There
> is a util called Unforkit that can remove forks so they can work on 8 bit
> Apple IIs....
> 
> I also use Macs. The best are older ones with SuperDisks, which can create
> bootable ProDos disks. The Power Mac you mention probably has a newer drive
> that can read ProDos disks but can't write them.  You can still link it to
> your IIgs with a printer cable, and transfer files via Appletalk. There are
> even more ways, such as via an external SCSI hard disk or Zip disk, if
> you've got a SCSI card for your IIgs.
> 
> This is all confusing at first, but personally, it was fun figuring it out
> and getting it working. Of course that's not everyone's idea of fun!
> -Paul

The method I use is using my PowerMac 7300/166 with OS 8.6 (anything
higher I find won't actually write - just locks the system). The
floppy drive will happily read and write prodos disks at 800k and
1.44. This is great for the IIGS emulator Bernie (ver 3) as it will
let you use the Mac floppy as a device and actually let you read and
write to it within the emulator as well as boot. Almost as good as the
real thing ;-).

I mainly use PCs and one other method I have used is to purchase an
Apple 3.5 Disk Controller ($29.99 on ebay at moment - allow 1.44MB
drives) and I upgraded my 800K drives to 1.44MB Superdrives by
changing the insides (I think there are still some of these on ebay at
moment - $12.99). Within GS/OS 6.01 you can only read dos disks, but
if you buy MUG (pwatson@bigpond.net.au - think its $10) it will let
you read and write DOS disks on your Apple IIGS

Hope that helps

Andrew