Re: What are these old cards?

[Roy Miller <millers@inetnebr.com>]

Brian Kendig wrote:

> I've got a few Apple II cards, along with a IIe and a II+ which I'm working
> on restoring to their original condition.  It's been a very long time since
> I've worked with Apple II's; I'd appreciate some help identifying these
> cards I've got!
>
> - Three cards marked 'DISK][ INTERFACE CARD', which I know are for the
> floppy drives, but they have different part numbers: '650-X104', '650- 104',
> and '600-0037'.  All three are copyright 1978.  What's the difference
> between these cards?
>
> - One card labeled 'Microsoft Consumer Products SoftCard,' copyright 1981.
> I'm presuming this is the BASIC language card?

The Softcard is a Z-80 coprocessor card that will allow you to run (slowly) CP/M
software.

> The IIe doesn't need this,
> only the II+ does, right?

There are some issues with using it in a //e, but I don't remember what they
were, and if they were serious or not.

> There are four dip switches on the card in a
> light blue box, and all four are off -- what do these switches do?
>
> - Two identical cards labeled 'ROM CARD' with part number '600-_____-__'
> (really!).  They're copyright 1978.  They both have a big red toggle switch
> on the end.  What the heck *are* these?

BASIC language card - either for adding Applesoft in ROM to a ][, or Integer
BASIC to a ][Plus

>
>
> - A card labelled 'Mountain Computer Incorporated', with what looks like a
> speaker wire attached, and a socket for two AA batteries on the back.  Could
> this be a time/date clock card?
>
> - A single computer chip labeled '341-0036 8049' 'S(c) APPLE 79CHR'.  Any
> clue as to what this is for?
>
> - Bonus question: the Apple II+ has some cards in it which have cables which
> plug directly into chip sockets on the motherboard;

Sounds like a Language card or clone thereof - takes the Apple up to 64K - it
should be in slot 0.

Roy

> I'm loathe to take these
> cards out for fear that I'd never remember how to put them back in
> properly.  What cards typically come standard in an Apple II+?
>
> --
>   ____    |\/|                  Brian Kendig
>   \  /\   / ..__.     brian at enchanter net    You are in a maze of twisty
>    \/  \__\   _/    http://www.enchanter.net/   little passages, all alike.
>     \__   __  \_       Be insatiably curious.
>        \____\___\            Ask "why" a lot.