Re: Proterm and the //E

[Erick Wagner <wagnere@netcom.com>]

cybdiver@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us (Robert Rait) wrote:
>I have a //E with an 80 column card,  I just tried running a copy of
>ProTerm on it and it says I need a 65C02 Processor?
>Anyone know anything about  that?

I've been using ProTerm on an enhanced IIe, IIc, and IIgs so I
haven't noticed. I guess I kinda forgot that ProTerm might have
such a requirement.  You're probably using a fairly recent version
(3.x).  It's not uncommon that many "modern" Apple II 8-bit programs
require the 65C02 processor.

The 65C02 is a slightly more advanced version of the 6502 processor.
It uses CMOS rather than NMOS chip technology so it requires less
power and runs cooler.  The real reason that it is a requirement
for many newer programs is that several new instructions were added
to the chip.  These new instructions make it easier for programmers
to program and if used correctly will reduce the size of a program
(or allow new features to be added without increasing the size of
the program -- this requires rewriting some existing code).

I would discourage simply replacing the 6502 with a 65C02.  Sounds
like you need the "IIe enhancement" kit.  This is consists of 3-4
new chips for your IIe that replace the microprocessor, the
character set chip, and one or more ROM chips.  This enhancement
will make your IIe more like a IIc (except you must add extra
memory to bring it up to 128K or better).