Re: Apple 2GS ... Starting from scratch- Getting 'Getting Started' software from the net

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Cabell writes ...
> 
> Thanks.  I downloaded a group of files that all have the extension .SDK.
> How do I build 2GS bootable disks from them?  I have both a MAC and PC
> here.
> 
 ....

     It sounds like you may be starting out with nearly no Apple II software.
If this is the case, you may not have a way to transfer .sdk files. (An .sdk
file is a whole-disk ShrinkIt archive file which unshrinks to a 5.25" or 3.5"
diskette-- by the way, these should be DD, not HD, diskettes.)

     One way to get started is to download the ADTgs package and use ADT to
transfer .dsk disk images from the PC to the IIgs (where they are written out
to 5.25" diskettes).  A huge collection of Apple II software is available in
disk image form. ADT will let you get DOS 3.3 and ProDOS disks with many good
Apple II utilites, games, etc.. For instance, you can get a general-purpose
telecom program which will let you transfer .sdk, .shk, and other kinds of
files. You can also get ShrinkIt v3.4 for unshrinking .sdk files to diskette.

     ADTgs v.91 includes the Apple IIgs (ADT) and PC (adt.exe) parts of ADTgs
along with directions for transferring the Apple IIgs part to the IIgs.

     You can find ADTgs as ADTgs91.zip on USA2WUG and Ground at ...
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/USA2WUG/Utilities/  or
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/upl2000/Feb/   .


     All that is required for this 'bootstrap' approach is a NULL modem
connection to transfer the Apple II part of ADT to your IIgs and DOS 3.3
running on the IIgs so that the ADT program can be saved and run. You do not
need to have a terminal program running on the IIgs to transfer ADT because it
is sent at low speed as Text to the IIgs modem serial port-- i.e. the PC 'types
in' the program pretty much the same way you would and ends by sending a DOS
3.3 save command. (Again, details for doing this transfer are included in the
ADTgs package.)


     A NULL modem connection is a direct link between the IIgs modem serial
port and a PC COM port using modem cables connected to a NULL modem adaptor:

IIgs serial port <--modem--> [NULL modem] <--modem--> PC serial port
                    cable    [ adaptor  ]    cable

     NULL modem transfers are discussed in the FAQs at ...
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2T1TCOM.html .


     In case you do not have DOS 3.3, it can be transferred via a NULL modem
connection using a Text send. DOS 3.3 Dump is DOS 3.3 in an Apple II Text file.
The purpose of the the dump file (dos33.dmp) is to make it possible for users
without DOS 3.3 and without any Apple II telecom program to obtain DOS 3.3 from
the net. Your IIgs must have a 5.25" drive and the target diskette must by a DD
(double density) type. 

     You can find DOS 3.3 Dump as dos33dmp.zip along with a companion Text
directions file on Ground and USA2WUG at ...

ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/upl2000/Mar/  or
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/USA2WUG/Utilities/ .


     Once you get ADT going on your IIgs, it will not be long before you have
replaced it with a general purpose telecom utility. (Even disk images are
easier to transfer via ZLink or Modem MGR.)  If you download and transfer the
.dsk files you find on the Ground archive at
ftp://ground.ecn.uiowa.edu/apple2/useful.stuff/Disks/ you will have what you
need to transfer any IIgs software you like.



Rubywand