Re: Was a ][+ user, now a //e user, question! :-D

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article "Kris \"Xanfan\" Lane" <kris@jerseycape.com> writes...

>I've used an Apple ][+ computer for the last 6 years, and I just
>won an Apple IIe computer, and I have a question I need to
>know....
>
>The ][+ had a Disk ][ drive with a card controller in slot 6. I
>don't think the IIe came with a drive controller, because when
>I tried to plug the drive into the IIe, I couldn't find the card for  it.
>The question is, Where do I plug the card into,

    Generally a 5.25 controller will go into slot 6, as this is
where the majority of software will expect it to be. You can of
course install it in any other slot (excluding slot 3), as the
Apple II scans all the slots starting from 7 and works its way
backwards until it finds a bootable device.

    If you inserted it in slot 6 (with a Disk II attached) and
the drive refuses to spin up, try inserting the card in a lower
slot and see if that works. I have seen cases where the pins in
a slot have become so loose cards cannot make a proper contact
(in fact that happened to slot 6 on my Apple II Plus and I had
to have a new slot soldered in). One note, if you remove the
drive from the controller card, make certain that the pins on
the card line up with the holes on the ribbon cable connector
(do not overlap them, or you will damage the card and floppy
drive. Make sure all 20 pins are inserted, and not backwards
either).

> and how do I remove and insert the card? (I've never done it before).

    Well before you do any card removal or insertion, there are
two important steps you must follow: First, TURN OFF THE POWER
and wait a few seconds, failing to do so can most likely result
in damage to the card and/or computer. Next step, discharge any
static electricty lingering on your body; to do this simply
touch something metal and grounded (the powersupply inside the
computer is perfect for this, if plugged in to the wall).

    To extract a card, grab the top edges of the card, firmly
gripping it between your thumb and index finger on both hands.
Then pull vertically upwards on one end, and then a little
on the other end. Keep pulling UPWARDS in a kind of rocking
motion until it slides out (do *not* rock it side to side).
Inserting a card is just done in reverse. Line up the card
with the slot and then push downwards, pushing a bit on one
end and then the other, slowly, until it is firmly inserted.
Make absolutely certain the card is fully inserted before
you switch the power on, you can press along the top edge
gently with the palm of your hand--it should be level.

>Also, the IIe (which incidently is one of the first IIes, not the
>updated 1987 model), has a lot of ports in the back of the
>machine. (The ][+ had none it seems!) On a typical Apple IIe,
>what are ports 3, 7, and 10 used for? I was told that the system
>had a few cards installed, so any help would be great.

    These are just port hole covers, there for expansion.
Many cards have cables that need to exit the case, or in
some cases, have a connector attached to the back of the
case to plug things in (e.g. serial, mouse, SCSI). You
just pop out the plastic cover when you need to insert
a cable or DB-connector in that place.

    The numbers don't really correspond to anything,
though there are different sized openings available:
4 ports each for DB9, DB19 and DB25 type connectors,
giving you 12 port openings in total. In comparison,
the Apple II Plus had just V-shaped slots openings
that you could run cables and wires out through, but
not mount connectors.

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca