Re: More on RocketChipII

[tturner@ecn.ab.ca ()]

Frank Townsend (ftownsen@iamdigex.net) wrote:
: I installed the chip into a memory-expansion-ready (? PEEK(64447)=3) IIc and
: was NOT awestruck with the increase in speed.

: I also ran Michael J. Mahon's Sound Editor (highly recommended!) and noted
: normal sounding playback of a digital clip, which I thought strange since
: Sound Editor requires that speaker accesses be slowed down in accelerated
: Apples.

: Does the RocketChip need to be switched-on somehow, or are there performance
: bottle-necks somewhere else that prevent me from seeing much obvious speed
: increase?  Other things I might be doing wrong?

--> From my RocketChip Installation Manual & User's guide:
    (Preliminary, November, 1988) Bits & Pieces Technology, Inc.

    2.0 RocketChip Features:
        * Operates 5MHz to 50KHz - 5 times faster to 20 times slower
          than the normal Apple speed of 1MHz.
        * Requires very little power - Less than 100mA.
        * Easy to install and does not require a slot.
        * Standard power-up configuration or can be
          programmed by the user.
        * Keyboard selectable special features.
        * Emulation of AE Transwarp speed setting protocol.
        * Accelerates all memory locations:
          - System memory (64K or 128K).
          - Auxiliary memory up to 1.6 Megabytes.
          - Expansion ROMs.
          - Peripheral card ROMs.
        * Accelerates all 80 column operations.
        * Non-standard configurations of the RocketChip are
          retained until the power is turned off.

    4.0 System Recommendations & Cautions:
        * If your floppy disk drive controller is not in either
          slot #5 or #6, you must use the Configuration program
          to set your floppy disk controller card slot to 1MHz
          by using APPLE.SLOT7-1. If you need to boot from the
          floppy disk that is not in slot #5 or #6, hold down
          the ESCape key during power up.
        * Do not use CACHE.SLOT7-1 or CACHE.EXP.ROM7-1 to
          accelerate an Apple SCSI, AE Ramfactor or any card
          that has bank-switched ROMs.
        * AUDIO.MUSIC and AUDIO.HIFI will slow down game play
          for any game that produces a lot of sound effects.
        * Any Apple II or II+ without a paddle/joystick attached
          will cold boot every time that CTL-RESET is hit. To
          delete this function, use IIPLUS.NOBOOT or install a
          paddle/joystick and then CTL-Z will provide a cold
          boot function.
        * RocketChip must run at 1MHz when using some CP/M cards
          and cards that employ DMA. Use the Configuration program,
          boot with ESCape, or CTL-RESET ESCape to set 1MHz.
        * Several configuration programs can be combined to make
          a pre-boot HELLO or STARTUP file for your unique system
          configuration.

    4.1 Holding down the ESCape key during power up forces the
        RocketChip to run at the normal Apple speed of 1MHz.

    4.2 Keyboard Selectable Options:
        The following modes of operation are activated following
        the CTL-RESET key press at the same time and this key
        sequence is followed by:
          ESCape     RocketChip runs at 1MHz.
          Return     RocketChip returns to 5MHz. or previously
                     set RocketSpeed.
          Space Bar  RocketChip runs immediately without
                     changing speed.
          CONTROL-Z  Cold Boot for Apple II or II+.
          CONTROL-D  Deletes 2 second pause after CTL-RESET.
          CONTROL-F  Restores 2 second pause after CTL-RESET.

    4.3 Software Speed Selection:
        The RocketChip speed can also be changed by using commands
        in Applesoft BASIC using Applied Engineering's Transwarp
        protocol.

          To get RocketSpeed(5MHz)  Type:  POKE 49268,0 <Return>
          To get Apple speed(1MHz)  Type:  POKE 49268,1 <Return>


    These seem to be the relevant parts of the RocketChip manual and
    my fingers are too tired to add any more.  I've been building
    one of those Sauder Computer desk/hutch combo's and my hands ACHE.
    'Night all...

--
E.A.G.L.E Librarian   A3 BBS:403/481-3133   email:tturner@ecn.ab.ca