Re: Apple IIe newbie needs help

[ad406@detroit.freenet.org (Avi S. Drissman)]

In a previous article, mdolecki@csi.compuserve.com (Mark Dolecki) says:

>Hi folks.  I just picked up an old Apple IIe for $15 the other day, and
>I was wondering if someone can give me a little more info than was in the
>FAQ.  I know what the thing can do (used to use them alot a few years ago),
>but I don't have any documentation for it.
>
>1. What are the ports on the back?  I have a printer port (serial or
>parallel?), two tape jacks, an RF video out, and a DB-9 port.  What is the
>DB-9 port?  Is it a serial port, and can I use it to connect via null modem
>to my pc or amiga?

The printer port is from a card plugged into a slot, probably slot
1. Parallelity or seriality depends on the card. The DB-9 is a joystick
port, not serial. No, you can't use it to connect to anything.

>2. Is there a Apple Basic manual online somewhere?  I don't have any comm
>software for this thing, and I want to write a quick file transfer routine
>to get me going enough to transfer something beter.  I have Applesoft(?)
>Basic on a Prodos 1.1.1 disk.  I really just need to know how to access a
>serial port.

I don't know about online manuals. That's probably against copyright
laws, but that's never stopped other people before. Anyone?

Accessing the serial port (if the card _is_ a serial card) depends on
the card, so no generic instructions can be given.

On your disk, Basic.System is really a program that adds disk
commands to Applesoft BASIC which is in ROM. By the way, Prodos 1.1.1
is old. If you want anything newer, maybe ftp ftp.apple.com, or
join a local Apple II user group. Then again, join the user group
anyway. The spirit of sharing and helping others at a user group,
is IMHO one of the greatest things there is.

>3. The FAQ didn't mention what the advantages were for upgrading to an
>Enhanced IIe.  What are they?  Also, about how much does the kit cost?
>me by until I can download something better... :-)

Enhancement gives you a new processor (6502 --> 65C02) and new
ROMs. It's needed by some programs and utilities. You should get it
while you still can. Where? Ask your local Apple dealer. (ROTFL)
Or ask at your user group, or maybe someone here will post some info.

>Thanks in advance,

You're welcome.

>Mark Dolecki                    CIS:  70004,3235
>mdolecki@csi.compuserve.com     I don't speak for CompuServe!

--Avi D.
-- 
Avi Drissman            Internet: ad406@detroit.freenet.org
+---------------------------------------------------------+
All opinions in this message are mine only and usually have
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