Re: I have a IIgs. So now what?

["Polymorph" <polymorph69@hotmail.com>]

On Mar 2, 10:50 am, "roughana" <andrew.roug...@writeme.com> wrote:

<snip>

> I'm not sure of the key combos off the top of my head. I'm sure
> someone else does though:
> -Enter the Control Panel and change settings

<Control><Open Apple><Escape>

> -Do a machine self test CTRL-ClosedApple-Reset
> -If you have a ROM3 then you can get the production crew to shout
> "Apple II" at you

<Control><Open Apple><Option><N>  IIRC will either shout "Apple
II" (ROM3) or just display the designers (ROM1)

but without a 3.5" drive or a hard disk (or CF equivalent), you are
pretty limited in what you can do.

Having been in a similar predicament to you about 12 months ago (when
I got my 1st IIgs), things I would definately advise you save your
pennies for:

1) you are definately going to need a 3.5" drive (even just to install
GS/OS)
2) a memory card if you don't already have one (these are getting more
expensive all the time). If you can, avoid the cheaper Apple 1Mb RAM
card which is pretty prolific, as it really isn't enough RAM for the
*good* versions of GS/OS (System 5 & 6). Go for at least 4Mb. Also, if
you are tempted to buy a memory card that is not fully populated,
expect the DRAM's to be virtually impossible to source; and if/when
you do, they will more than likely be very expensive (probably more
expensive than a populated card). How do I know this? Because I did
exactly that - bought an unpopulated card thinking chips would be
cheap (hehe..."cheap as chips").....how wrong I was. Maybe Bill will
start making his RAM-4-GS boards again? <nudge><nudge>   ;-)
3) I recommend one of the CF hard disk alternatives (I've got a CFFA
from Rich Dreher). These allow you to run an emulator (running at high
speed) on your Wintel or Mac and create a hard disk image that is
loaded with all of your favourite programs/games and then copy that
disk image directly onto your CF card. Then plug the CF card back into
your IIgs (or //e) and you're good to go. The CF card storage devices
are also

Of course there are many other things that people find desirable -
like SCSI cards, Superdrive controllers, Accelerators, etc etc. But
the demand and rarity of these items usually puts them out of reach of
us hobbyists (especially if you're married <grin>). You probably know
all this anyhow, because the same is true for A2 models other than the
IIgs.

I have only just got my CFFA card just after Christmas, and am now
starting to see the real potential of the IIgs because I can install a
whole swathe of Applications and give them all a test drive.

That's my 5c worth (we don't have 2c in Oz anymore....hehe).

cheers,
-p