Re: Normal 5.25" disks to GS?

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Paul Dunkel <pdunkel@cc.hut.fi> wrote:

> Is it possible to put a normal disk drive card to the GS' slot? I mean
> those older ones? Should do some setups, or something? Is there any
> special slot?

Yes, it is possible to do this.  There are a few points to consider,
though:

1. The card should be in slot 4, 5, 6 or 7.  If you put it in slot
   1, 2 or 3, you will not be able to use it with the system speed
   set to "Fast", except as a data-only drive under GS/OS.  If the
   system speed is set to "Normal", then it will work fine.

2. The slot containing the Disk ][ card must be set to "Your Card"
   in the Control Panel.  This means you will lose the built-in
   function of the slot (in most cases).

3. If the Disk ][ card is included in the slot sequence for booting,
   it will cause the boot sequence to hang (not continue to the
   next slot) if there is no disk in the drive.  With a 5.25" drive
   connected to the IIgs disk port, booting can continue from lower
   slots if there is no disk in the drive.

   This mainly affects your setting for "Startup Slot" - unless you
   are normally booting from the 5.25" drive, make sure the card is
   either in a slot higher than your setting for "Startup Slot", or
   is in a slot lower than the slot from which you normally boot.

It is possible to make (or maybe even buy) a cable which lets you
connect an old Disk ][ to the IIgs disk port (at the end of the chain
only).  I wrote an article on how to do this, which is available on
Nathan's web site.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail Mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand