Re: Apple IIgs New User info

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Boris Net3 wrote:
> 
> I need to find a Copy of Apple's GS/OS for the Apple IIgs...I really need some
> help finding it...Because I am buying one, and it has nothing on it..
> 
> 


     First, below is some basic GS information which may be helpful. It
is an excerpt from the csa2 FAQs. 

(Csa2 FAQs ref.  http://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/Faqs
or  ftp://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/2/apple2/Faqs)


>>

011- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs

     The IIgs (or "GS") represents a giant leap in the Apple II line. 
It can still run //e software, but has a better processor (16-bit), a
new super-hires graphics mode, a toolbox in ROM (just like the Mac), a
32-oscillator Ensoniq sound chip, and a base speed of 2.8MHz.

     GS can run DOS 3.3, ProDOS, Pascal, and any other OS the earlier
8-bit models can run; but, it does not support the original Apple
casette tape 'OS'. GS is the only A2 machine which can run GS/OS--
currently known as "System 6". System 6 is a sophisticated 'mouse and
windows' OS which looks very much like the Macintosh OS and PC Windows.

     The first GS's were released in the Fall of 1986. The batches
produced until mid-late 1987 became known as "ROM 00" machines after
release of the "ROM 01" models. (When you boot a ROM-01 GS, the startup
screen shows "ROM Version 01"; when you boot a ROM-00 GS the startup
screen says nothing about ROM version.)

     At the time of the ROM-01 chage-over, Apple supplied a
ROM-00-to-ROM-01 upgrade service free. It consists of swapping in a new
ROM and a new Video Graphics Controller ("VGC") IC. ROM-00 machines
which have not had the upgrade can not run modern GS software-- the ROM
must be upgraded.

     The VGC upgrade is not required for software compatibility, and is
not needed for all machines anyway. It is supposed to fix cosmetic
problems in monochrome double-hires graphics mode (pink flickering or
fringing on what is supposed to be a black and white screen).  On some
machines the VGC swap also fixes some color combination problems in
80-column text mode.

     Whether via the upgrade or original purchase of a newer GS, by late
1987 nearly all GS users were 'on the same page'. That is, we had the
ROM-01 platform with its base 256kB RAM plus the official Apple 1MB
Expansion Memory Board plugged into the Memory Expansion Slot for a
total of 1.25MB of fully-accessible system RAM. For the next couple of
years, practically all GS software was designed to launch from 3.5"
diskette under "ProDOS-16" and to fit within the 1.25MB of RAM everyone
was assumed to have installed. 

     In 1989 Apple introduced the "ROM 3" GS-- the startup screen shows
"ROM Version  3". (No ROM-02 GS was ever released). ROM-03 is,
generally, not regarded as an "upgrade". The only major improvement over
ROM-01 is more base RAM-- you get 1MB instead of 256kB. This is a very
nice benefit. It means that a ROM-03 with a 4MB Mem Exp Board will have
5MB of fully accessible RAM whereas a ROM-01 can have 4.25MB of
fully-accessible RAM. In effect, the ROM-03 owner gets a 'free' 800kB
RAM disk.

     Chiefly, ROM-03 is a 1989 re-do of ROM-01 featuring more
streamlined hardware. Very few ROM-01 owners felt any urge to move to
ROM-03. (Upon booting, the current system software applies in-RAM
patches matched to each ROM version to achieve nearly identical
operation.) Even today, the vast majority of installed GS's are ROM-01
machines. 

     The 1990's have seen wide adoption of four major GS enhancements:

OS- After years of foot-dragging, Apple finally produced a decent 16-bit
GS operating system with release of System 5.0. Within a few years this
evolved into today's System 6 (System 6.01). System 6 has won wide
acceptance as a relatively stable OS which, at last, allows GS users to
access many of the features of GS computing promised back in 1986.

Memory- Driven, in part, by the need for more memory to run System 6,
4MB became the standard size of installed Memory Expansions. Except for
school GS's and GS's taken out of circulation and tucked away in
closets, the old Apple 1MB Expansion Boards have long ago been replaced
with 4MB boards.

Hard Disk- As with memory, the size of newer versions of GS/OS supplied
a strong push toward adding a hard disk. Software was becoming larger,
too, and there was so much of it that making everything work from
diskette became impossibly cumbersome. Lower HD prices, attractive SCSI
interfaces such as RamFAST, and low-cost, easy single-card solutions
such as the Focus "Hard Card" have helped make the hard disk a standard,
expected peripheral on today's GS.

Acceleration- Few commercial software offerings actually sought to push
GS users to higher speeds; and, as a result, users went for years
feeling no great need for Applied Engineering's expensive Transwarp
accelerator. The arrival of Zip Technology's lower-cost, improved design
ZipGS board together with a clear need for more speed to handle System 6
sparked a nearly "overnight" acceleration revolution. Today, most GS's
in regular use run at 8MHz or better.     

Recommended basic configuration: 4.25MB (ROM-01) or 5MB (ROM-03) of
total system RAM; RamFAST SCSI + 200MB or larger hard disk OR 200MB
Focus Hard Card drive; 9MHz/32k ZipGS or better accelerator board;
Stereo Card; two 3.5" and two 5.25" diskette drives. --Dan DeMaggio,
Rubywand, David Empson

<<


     As you might guess, the current GS operating system, System 6.0.1,
is somewhat larger than earlier versions. Practically speaking, you will
need at least the 4MB RAM expansion to run System6 from RAM disk and use
popular GS wares like Platinum Paint. (A utility named "Flash Disk" can
auto-load System6 from diskettes to RAM disk at power-up.)  A better
setup is to run System6 from hard disk (e.g. one of the Focus Hard Card
drives from Alltech) and have 4MB RAM.

(Alltech ref.  http://www.allelec.com  Ph: 619-724-2404) 

     A minimum GS system that will run many older wares and still
deliver a decent operating system is a ROM-01 GS (either upgraded from
ROM-00 or originally ROM-01) with the Apple 1MB Memory Expansion board,
two 3.5" drives, and at least one 5.25" drive which boots GS/OS 5.04
(now called "System 5.04") from 3.5" diskette. (Still, if you buy any
memory expansion board, go ahead and get a 4MB board. Alltech sells such
a board.)

     If you download a GS operating system, one of your first questions
is likely to be "How do I get it to my GS?" If your GS comes with _no_
software, the answer is, probably, that you don't. The easiest way to
transfer stuff is via a NULL modem connection between your net computer
and your GS; but, this requires running some telecom program (e.g.
ProTerm, Modem MGR, etc.) on your GS and having GS-ShrinkIt ready to
unshrink files.

     I'm pretty sure Alltech still sells their Focus Hard Card drives
pre-partitioned with the current System6 installed. (If you call
Alltech, you can ask Tony Diaz to make sure.)  Assuming they do, this is
a nice way to get System 6.0.1 and take care of the need for a hard
disk.

     Of course, you can obtain some system software, GS-ShrinkIt, and
telecom wares from members of a local Apple II User's group-- IF you can
find any. Otherwise, to avoid lots of hassle, your best bet is to order
either System 6.0.1 or, for a minimum setup, System 5.04 from Byte Works
for $24. (I do not know whether Mike includes GS-ShrinkIt and other
basic freeware/shareware utilities with his System mailouts. It won't
hurt to ask.)

(Byte Works ref.  http://hypermall.com/byteworks/bwad.html  ph:
505-898-8183)

     Once you've got your GS running a decent operating system, it will
be much easier to add more software goodies.


Rubywand