Re: Newbie booting up

["Keith Meyers" <keith@wwnet.net>]

As with any computer, to get something done you need an operating system.
Most IIgs programs (or Apple II disks in general) had enough boot code to
run games and utilities right off the floppy disks.  You probably don't have
any, right?  :-)  The IIgs also has a "Mac like" operating system called
System 6.0.1 which can be downloaded from here:

ftp://ftp.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/US/Apple_II/Ap
ple_IIGS_System_6.0.1/

The IIgs has some limitations in both hardware and software for reading
MS-DOS disks, although file transfers from a Mac are pretty easy.  The above
site has the IIgs System 6.0.1 disks in a Macintosh format, better find a
friend with a Mac to help you.  Format the disks as 800k ProDOS (the format
standard for Apple IIs); you'll probably need to come across some older DSDD
diskettes too, unlike today's HD floppies.

Also as with most operating systems, you'll get tired of swapping floppies.
System 6.0.1 can be installed to a hard drive, although interface cards are
getting hard to find.  One final option if you're willing to dump some money
in to your new IIgs is the FocusDrive from Alltech Electronics:

http://www.allelec.com/harddiap.htm

These drives do come with System 6.0.1 on them, so it's also an option if
you can't find a friend with a Mac to help you.

FYI, here's some interesting related sites:

IIgs games:
http://www.inwards.com/~fairway/

Apple II files:
ftp://ftp.apple.asimov.net/pub/apple_II/

Monthly newsletter amongst other stuff:
http://www.grin.net/~cturley/gsezine/

Later,
-Keith!




Deluxe wrote in message <38a5524b.827258109@news.connix.com>...
>Please help.
>I recently aquired an Apple IIgs from a local school system and would
>love to use it.  It came with all the periphials [mouse, keyboard,
>3.5" & 5.25" floppy drives, printer ] .
>
>Here is the problem.  I only have experience with PC's [ not exactly
>an expert with them either ] .  When I turn on the Apple a message
>appears on the sreen as follows: "check startup device".  Does this
>machine boot from a floppy and if so where might I obtain one?
>
>I appreciate any help I get from this group and will continue to
>monitor it.  I've long been an admirer of Apple but when it came time
>to buy a computer a few years ago I had to think of my son  and what
>he was working on in school which is why I went the PC route.  This
>Apple IIgs will be my play toy.  I believe it has the capacity to do
>everthing I want out of a computer.
>
>Thank you,
>Rich Provost
>rprov@connix.com