Re: Some IIGS Questions

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

c@mindspring.com (c) wrote:

>I recently pick up a IIGS from a neighber's trash. I just hate to see an
>Apple Computer getting trashed.  I would like to spend some money to get
>this machine to work. Here are my questions:

Ouch, that hurts.  The computer has some features of a Mac, Amiga,
Atari ST, Commodore, and 8-bit Apple II bundled into one.  It has
a very powerful wavetable synthesis chip for its time (the late 1980s)
that was unequalled in any of the above computers mentioned.  It
does not deserve to be treated so.  The 16-bit CPU is comparable to
an 8Mhz 286 in speed, but there are accelerators that can replace
the processor with one 6 times faster.

Any computer that can run Wolf 3D does not deserve to be dumped.
;-)

>0. Can anyone tell me how much RAM is in this machine ?

Probably 256K to 1MB.  If you want to get use out of it, that should
be bumped to at least 4MB.  Sequential Systems,
www.sequential.com, sells one memory card that maxes out at
4MB and another that can go from 4MB to 8MB.  Alltech Electronics,
www.allelec.com, sells a memory board that can take 1MB SIMMs
once common in Macs and 386 PCs, expandable to 8MB.

>1. What monitors can be connected to it ?  Where can I get them ?

An Atari ST or Amiga monitor are alternatives to the standard IIGS
AppleColor RGB.  The Second Sight card from Sequential can
interface with SVGA monitors, but it is not perfect for all software.

>2. What hard drives are compatible ?

EIDE and SCSI.  Alltech sells an IDE hardcard called the Focus.
The base model goes for $59, I think.  It is said the controller can
run larger drives if you replace it.  SHH Systeme makes a
Turbo MicroDrive filecard that can do DMA and drive HDs up to 4GB
in size.  The Ramfast and the Apple High Speed SCSI are both
good SCSI controllers.  The Ramfast is still available from
Sequential, but the Apple HS is still worth considering used.
If you can find any number of ink jet or laser printers made by HP
or having standard postscript, and you add drivers, you can get
very nice print.

>3. What software titles are outthere and where I can buy them ?

You have your classic AppleWorks, now at v5.1.  Also there is
an "AppleWorks GS" graphical version that shares features with
old versions of Mac Microsoft Works (like v2, I think).  With a
control panel, Pointless, it can use Mac TrueType fonts.  Then
there is GraphicWriter III, a very good DTP program.  ProTERM and
Spectrum will give you VT100, ANSI, Zmodem, and more.

Either FAQs would point you to the sources and directions to it
have been provided somewhere else in this thread.

>4. There is a card inside with the words "PC Transporter" etched on it.
>Can anyone tell me what It does ?

It is a Turbo XT hardware emulator.