Re: IIGS not recognising DOS 3.3 :(

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

Jeff Thomas <a2forever@usa.net> wrote:

> I have some Apple II Dos 3.3 software, but they refuse to boot on the
> 5.25" floppy disk drive hooked up to my Apple IIGS.
> 
> The disks are fine, I checked them on my Apple IIe and work. I also,
> disconnected and re-connected the 5.25" drive, as well as installing the
> drives from my IIe, but it still won't go! :(
> 
> When trying to boot, the drive sounds like the disk is faulty. I know,
> the drive is not the problem or the disk, for I tested them on my IIe.

So far, it sounds like a system configuration problem of some kind,
which is preventing the 5.25" drive from working properly.

Exactly how do you have the drive connected to the IIgs?  Is it plugged
into the built-in disk port?  If so, it must be connected _after_ any
3.5" drives which are also connected to the port.  You must also have
slot 6 set to "Disk Port" in the control panel.

If you are using a 5.25" controller card of some kind, it should be
installed in slot 4, 5, 6 or 7.  The IIgs will automatically detect a
5.25" controller in these slots and manage the system speed.

If you try to use a 5.25" controller card in slot 1, 2 or 3, it will
only work properly if the system speed is set to "Normal" in the control
panel.  If the system speed is set to "Fast", you won't be able to boot
from it, nor access it from any 8-bit operating system.  GS/OS will be
able to access it, as the GS/OS 5.25" driver knows to control the system
speed.

Do you have an accelerator of any kind?  If so, you may have it
configured incorrectly.

The Zip GS has a mode called "CPS Follow" (short for "CPU Speed
Follow"), which should be enabled for correct operation of 5.25" drives
(and various other aspects of the system).  This mode is enabled by
default, and is controlled by a DIP switch.

(I'd have to look up the documentation to refresh my memory on exactly
which switch - from memory, I think it is SW1-6, which should be OFF to
enable CPS Follow.)

I expect the TransWarp GS has a similar option.

Is this a DuoDisk?  There is a known issue with DuoDisks and the IIgs,
which requires a hardware modification to the DuoDisk in order for it to
work reliably.

> After inserting an Dos 3.3 disk, following the loading of System 6.0
> from the Hard Drive, it keeps wanting to re-format the disk to ProDos,
> which don't boot either, even with the necessary boot sector.

Check that you have the DOS 3.3 FST installed on your hard drive (in
*/System/FSTs).

Even if you didn't, GS/OS should at least recognise that the disk is DOS
3.3, and tell you that you need to install the FST.

It sounds like there is some kind of hardware problem which is
interfering with GS/OS's normal behaviour.  Check the details I
described above.  If everything is correct, then you may have a hardware
fault in your IIgs.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz