Re: AppleColor Monitor 100 with the IIgs

[Michael J. Mahon <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Tempest <tempest@atariprotos.com> wrote:
> On Jul 12, 3:06 pm, "Bill Garber" <willy4...@garberstreet.com> wrote:
>> "Tempest" <temp...@atariprotos.com> wrote in message news:a741ba9e-
>> 
>> 321e-4915-9804-736dcb5f3...@b35g2000yqi.googlegroups.com...
>> On Jul 12, 11:45 am, "Bill Garber" <willy4...@garberstreet.com>
> > wrote:> "Tempest" <temp...@atariprotos.com> wrote in
> > messagenews:c5d15ddb-
>> 
>> 8e08-4c5e-8164-b30e356b3...@d37g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Jul 12, 3:31 am, mdj <mdj....@gmail.com> wrote:> On Jul 12,
>>> 1:48 am, MdntTrain <j...@cimmeri.com> wrote:
>> 
>>>>> Sounds like this changes the monitor from a 4-line RGBI input
>>>>> to 3-line RGB input -- which if digital would be 8 colors --
>>>>> but as the IIgs is analog out, and the monitor expects digital
>>>>> in, I wonder how the signal levels are dealt with.
>> 
>>>> The AppleColor Monitor 100 is actually an analog monitor to
>>>> which a RGBI digital converter was added. Flipping the switch
>>>> disables the the converter allowing the analog signals to flow
>>>> straight through.
>> 
>>>> Matt
>> 
>>>> So it works just fine as a IIgs monitor then?
>>>> I'm going to have to try that. How is the signal quality?
>> 
>>> According to the Apple II Compatibility Guide (P/N A2F2204),
>>> the AppleColor Monitor 100 is not compatible with the Apple IIGS.
>> 
>>> For the many owners of the AppleColor Monitor 100 who are
>>> upgrading their IIe's to the Apple IIGS, but who want to
>>> avoid having to purchase a new monitor, there is a workaround.
>> 
>>> Inside the AppleColor Monitor 100 on the main PC board, almost
>>> directly under the neck of the CRT, there is a slide switch
>>> labeled "16 color/8 color".
>> 
>>> To make the AppleColor Monitor 100 work with the Apple IIGS,
>>> set the switch to the 8 color position, and use the cable
>>> provided with the Color Monitor 100 (svc part # 590-0194-A)
>>> to connect it to the the Apple IIGS. This configuration makes
>>> all colors available.
>> 
>>> Apple Computer, Inc. takes no responsibility for any damages
>>> incurred, real or implied, that may result from this change.
>> 
>>> Right, that's the text of the article.  What I want to know
>>> is how well does it work?  I may have to just try it tonight
>>> and see for myself.
>> 
>> Of that I have no clue, so if you do, please, let us know.
>> 
>> Just to remind you of something you may have seen here at several
>> intervals in time, be careful of what you touch in there. Lots of
>> high voltage even with it unplugged for a few days. As a matter
>> of fact, I am not 100% sure, but I believe that I have heard that
>> it is safer plugged into the wall, as it provides a ground in case
>> you do touch something.
>> 
>> And, remember, one hand in the pocket prevents a complete circuit
>> between you and the other side of you.   8^)
>> 
>> Good Luck.
>> 
>> Bill
> 
> My AppleColor 100 hasn't been plugged in in over 3 years, I think all
> the residual voltage is gone by now.  I'm also hoping that the switch
> is in an easy to reach place.  I've never opened one up before so
> we'll have to see.
> 
> Tempest

You are correct--nothing to worry about. 

There's no high voltage at the "neck" end of the CRT.  Just be careful
not to break the glass neck.

It's actually safer unplugged--the "plugged in" thing applies more to
low voltage digital devices, where it can help prevent ESD damage, but
even in that case it's not a big deal. 

BTW, you may need to cycle that switch back and forth several times to
clean its contacts--it's been a long time since they were "wiped".

-michael  -  NadaNet 3.1:  http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon