Re: My first IIgs, what works and what wont ?

[Eric Shepherd <sheppy@sheppyware.net>]

in article zuSl5.2557$By6.36402@news1.online.no, Vidar "Hawk" Olavesen at
olavese@online.no wrote on 8/14/00 6:34 AM:

> I just got a CPU only. NTSC. I see the boot up screen and it says ROM
> version 01. Are the keyboards special keyboards ? Will my Apple II 5 1/4"
> drives work with it ? Has it Basic in ROM, doesn't seem like it, unless my
> unit is defective ? Anyplace to get software, cables (null modem for
> transferring from PC for example), PD software, keyboards or other
> accessories ?

- Keyboard: The Apple IIgs was the first computer built to use the ADB
keyboard and mouse; you should be able to use almost any such.  There are
always plenty for sale on eBay if you don't have these.

- Your Apple II 5.25" drives will work.  If your drive is a Disk ][ or
compatible, you'll need to plug in your Disk ][ Controller Card in slot 6.
Then go into the Control Panel on the IIgs (hold down the option key when
you turn it on, choose the Control Panel option from the menu), go to the
Slots option, and set slot 6 to "Your Card".

- BASIC is in ROM.  It won't go into BASIC unless you put it there, and you
can't without a keyboard.

- You can find accessories and software on eBay, or by asking on
comp.sys.apple2.marketplace for what you need.  There's also a nice trade
and sales section on the Apple II forum on the Delphi online service; access
is free and it's a little less free-for-allish than this newsgroup.

- If you have a Mac, you can download system disks from Apple's FTP site
(ftp.apple.com, then go into the Apple Support Area, and the Apple II
section therein).  If you don't have a Mac, you'll need to buy system disks;
fortunately they're not expensive.  Visit http://www.byteworks.org for
information.

> Any tips and hints welcome. How much RAM in it ? Anyway to find out ?

Open it up.  There's a RAM expansion slot in the front right corner.  If
it's empty, your ROM 01 IIgs has 256K of RAM.  Otherwise it has more; you
can find out exactly how much by opening the Control Panel as mentioned
above and choosing the RAM Disk option; it will list your total RAM size.

You can find lots of Apple II information and links at
http://www.a2central.com.

Welcome to the fun (and sometimes a little crazy) world of the Apple II!

-- 
Eric Shepherd
Editor
A2Central.com