Re: My first GS

["BluPhoenyx" <bluphoenyx@a2central.com.remove-8aw-this>]

 To: Jcarlson1701
Jcarlson1701 wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> In an effort to expand my A2 horizons I recently got a ROM 01 GS from
> ebay. It's pretty much stripped without accessories (just the cpu).
>
> My question is, where should I start?

Start with the FAQ's here. http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html

> - I also got a memory expansion card which has 256k on it. Where can
> find the chips to bring it up to 1mb?

Can't help much with the chips but I suggest you look for a larger card. 
You can do a lot with the setup you have but you will run into 
limitations with the amount of ram available. There has been mention of 
a new ram card to be available soonish. You might find some info 
searching the newsgroups.

This is not to say the GS is useless with only 1 meg extra ram. All 8 
bit software should work and many earlier GS/OS programs were designed 
to work in smaller memory systems.

> - What is the highest version of GS/OS I can run on a ROM 01?

6.01 again, ram might be an issue but I think you might be able to boot 
a stripped down version. ie, limit desk accessories, init's et al.

> - Will a standard Mac ADB keyboard and mouse work with it?

Most will.

> - Will a //e 5 1/4" drive (19 pin) work with it? If so, what will the
> format capacity be (140k or 800k)?

Yes. 140k just like the 2e.

> - Other than the obvious things I need (keyboard/mouse, monitor,
> floppy drives, system software, more RAM, etc...) what else should I
> get to have a complete system?

I would suggest a CFFA based drive system. There are a couple available.

http://dreher.net/?s=projects/CFforAppleII&c=projects/CFforAppleII/main.php
or
http://www.gse-reactive.com/

GSE-Reactive has some other cool items you might want to put on your 
wish list.

Later, a uther card for ethernet access. The usefulness of this card 
depends on your needs and the software available. Some software is 8 bit 
but there is support for GS/OS in Marinetti.

And finally, a hefty amount of spare cash and common sense. Seems the GS 
and parts are going back up in price and EBay auctions seem to drive this.

Cheers,
Mike T
--- Synchronet 3.14a-Win32 NewsLink 1.85
A2Central.com - Your total source for Apple II computing.