Re: Apple IIGS w/ GS Apple mem card (1MB) & RAMFAST SCSI Card

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Terry Allen <hmag@ozemail.com.au> wrote:

> I have recently gotten hold of a GS, which consists of ROM 03 m/board
> w/1MB, plus drives etc...
>    I have downloaded the GS/OS 6.01 & a friend has given me some cards.
> Wonder if anyone can help with info or advice on this.
>    One card is the Genuine Apple IIGS Mem card which has 1MB as standard,
> so I suspect it's the latest model.

Well, not exactly.  Apple only ever released a single memory expansion
card for the IIgs, and you have it.  It was the minimum requirement for
the original IIgs motherboard (ROM 00/01) to have sufficient memory to
run native IIgs software.  It is a bonus in the ROM 3.

The IIgs (both versions) is designed to fully support up to 4 megabytes
of additional RAM in its memory expansion slot, and can support a total
of 8 megabytes (including the motherboard "fast" RAM) with some
restrictions.

To do this, you need a third-party card.  Have a look at what Alltech
Electronics has to offer (for example).  <http://www.allelec.com>

> When I plugged it in, it seems to cause an unusual problem. Appleworks
> will boot up fine & recognise that the machine now has 2 MB, but getting
> to the control panel by press OA-Control-Reset is proving difficult.

Whoa!  Control-Apple-Reset reboots the computer.  It does NOT take you
to the Control Panel.

Assuming that wasn't just a typo, there are two ways of getting to the
Control Panel:

1. Control-Apple-Escape.  This lets you change settings and resume where
you left off.  Some settings (slot changes, RAM disk) will not take
effect until you next reboot.

2. Control-Option-Reset.  This gives you a menu which lets you restore
default settings or enter the Control Panel.  Settings changes take
effect immediately, but the machine will reboot when you leave the
Control Panel.

> The screen comes up, but over a couple of the options, a string of
> checkerbox marks goes right across. Do you think I may have a faulty
> card.? I tried it without the jumper block, but the machine will not boot
> after this.

Hm.  Have you tried removing the card completely?  The ROM 3 is usable
without a memory expansion card, but some (larger) native IIgs software
will not work, and you will have to limit installed INITs, etc.

Try running a self-test, which is Control-Apple-Option-Reset.  It should
report System OK.

Also try restoring default settings in the Control Panel
(Control-Option-Reset, choose option 2 or 3 according to your desired
screen refresh rate).


I can't help with the RamFast question.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand