Re: Mice and the IIgs

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

In article rkneusel@post.its.mcw.edu writes...

>I was recently given an Apple IIgs (ROM 01, 512k RAM, color monitor) that
>"locks up" when I boot the System Utilities disk that came with it.
>Actually, two came with it.. version 3.1 and 5.x and neither work.

    First off you should really consider expanding the memory of this system
to at least 1.25 MB (just populate the memory board inside with 256Kx1 chips
which can be found for literally pennies these days). Even more memory is a
better idea, but a full megabyte will let you run most software.

    It sounds like you have System Software disks there, avoid using version
3.1 which is not only very outdated, but extremely slow to boot and sluggish
in general. System 5.0.2 (the second release of GS/OS) uses more up to date
toolsets, much faster and a true 16-bit OS. Both should startup on your 512K
system but you'll need more memory to do anything useful (or use the latest
System Software release, version 6.0.1).

>The system boots (off the 3.5" drive, no HD) and comes up in the Finder but
>the mouse will not move from the corner.  If I put a disk in it is mounted so
>the program is still running.  There is a faint "click" coming from the
>computer at this time.
>
>I _know_ the mouse works because the IIgs Tour disk uses it without trouble.

    It sounds like you have slot 4 set to override the virtual slot the IIgs
mouse maps itself to. Go into the built-in Control Panel (press and hold down
Apple-Control-Esc) go into the 'Slots' option and check the setting for slot
4. If it says 'Your Card', change it to 'Mouse Port' and then reboot. The
mouse should then work under the Finder.

    The "clicking" sound coming from the speaker is normal, that is a side
affect of the Finder trying to poll the floppy drives (if you have a 5.25
drive connected, you'll notice the light will briefly blink in sync with
the sound). Outside of the Finder program this will not happen.

>While I'm at it.. what is the most highly recommended SCSI card for the IIgs?

    The RamFAST SCSI card, available from Sequential Systems. It is the only
SCSI board still being sold today, though fortunately it is the best one out
there (you can find pricing information on: http://www.sequential.com). The
card offers DMA, very fast access time (especially under ProDOS 8), term
power and on-board ROM firmware with built-in utilities for formatting,
partitioning and setting up SCSI devices. It also contains drivers in ROM,
so there is no special software required to use it.

    The only drawback is it is not compatible with some of the more recent
SCSI hardrives (e.g. Quantum Fireball) because those require that the host
device provide a SCSI ID, which the RamFAST does not. Also there have been
many ROM updates put out out, but that may not be an issue any longer since
version 3.01f has been out for over 2 years and it is unlikely at this
point there will be anymore (unfortunate since the older version 3.01e
ROM was more stable and reliable).

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca