Re: Apple IIe Computer Woes

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

cpjndonnag@aol.com (CPJnDonnag) wrote:
>Recently, we acquired a couple of OLD Apple 11e Computers from our
>school, as they were upgrading.
>The problem is, we didn't get monitors, and were instructed that with the
>right cables, we could hook them up to the kids' TVs.  I went to good old
>Radio Shack and picked up (as instructed by the salesman.....) a couple of
>Electronic TV/Game switches.  The plugs seem to fit in all the right
>places, but that's about it.   Although we can see a very, very fuzzy MECC
>image in the background, it appears to be mostly static, not a computer
>image.

Donna, is that switch an RF Modulator?  If so, it is going to give a
very poor picture.  If your TV was made within the last seven years or
so, then it should have RCA phono jacks.  Get a phono cable and plug
one in into the IIe's video out port and the other directly into the
TV.  This should give you a better picture.  However, the only way to
get a picture clear enough to see an 80 column text screen that IIe
word processors such as AppleWorks use is to get an NTSC monitor.  These
should be pretty cheap these days.  Radio Shack _should_ have them since
they are often used as surveillance monitors.  Used ones should be even
cheaper.  Alltech Electronics is another good source for IIe compatible
monitors (see http://www.allelec.com/).


>Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this work, AND where to get old
>floppy As, not to mention a printer which will hook up to it.
>THANKS for your feedback!!
>Donna G

Alltech Electronics (http://www.allelec.com/) carries such peripherals.
In addition, most parallel printers should work, including most models
of HP DeskJets and LaserJets.  These printers work well with AppleWorks.
For older software, you'll want a printer with Epson emulation.  The
Canon BJC and the Epson Stylus are two printer types that seem to have
such emulation, and such emulation was optional on older DeskJet models
(500 and 550).

-Scott G.