Fun With IIgs Slot Assignments

["Tempest" <tempest@atariprotos.com>]

I'm currently setting up my Apple IIgs to replace my IIe, but I'm
having a little trouble figuring out how to handle the slot
assignments.

I have 5 cards that I'd like to carry over from my IIe:

- Uther Ethernet card
- Apple II High Speed SCSI card
- 5.25" Disk Controller (for maximum compatibility with older games)
- Mockingboard (for the internal speaker and Ultima games)
- Super Serial Card (for use with ADT)

I have two options I guess.  I have a Rom01 IIgs that I'd like to use
(for maximum compatibility), but I can got with my ROM03 IIgs if I have
to.  I know the ROM03 IIgs would free up and extra slot because of the
mouse.

Now the tricky part is figuring out where to stick my cards and not
disable something I need in the firmware.  As you know, the IIgs had
cards built into the firmware:


IIgs Firmware Cards
---------------------
Slot7/ AppleTalk
Slot6/ 5.25 inch controller
Slot5/ 3.5 inch controller
Slot4/ mouse
Slot3/ 80 column
Slot2/ Modem port / Appletalk port:
Slot1/ Printer port / Appletalk port:



So here's what I've come up with:


ROM01 IIgs
----------
Slot 7: SCSI Card
Slot 6: 5.25" Disk Controller
Slot 5: empty
Slot 4: empty
Slot 3: Mockingboard
Slot 2: Uther Ethernet
Slot 1: SSC

Now the only problem with this is that I think I've lost 80 column
video mode because I've put something in slot 3.  I also am forced to
put the mockingboard in slot 3, and I think most programs expect it in
slots 5 or 4.  Another Idea I had was:


ROM01 IIgs (alt)
-----------------
Slot 7: SCSI Card
Slot 6: Mockingboard
Slot 5: empty
Slot 4: empty
Slot 3: 5.25" Disk Controller
Slot 2: Uther Ethernet
Slot 1: SSC


But I'm not sure if the 5.25" controller can run from slot 3 without
any problems and I still don't have 80 column video modes (I think).



If I use my ROM03 IIgs I can do this arrangement

ROM03 IIgs
----------
Slot 7: Mockingboard
Slot 6: 5.25" Disk Controller
Slot 5: empty
Slot 4: SCSI Card
Slot 3: Empty
Slot 2: Uther Ethernet
Slot 1: SSC


This frees up slot 3 for 80 column mode, and moves my SCSI card further
down the pre-boot list (so it goes 5.25" -> 3.5" -> HD).  However I'm
not sure the Mockingboard being in slot 7 is any better than it being
in slot 3.  I could switch the SCSI card and the Mockingboard and get
this configuration:


ROM03 IIgs (alt)
-----------------
Slot 7: SCSI Card
Slot 6: 5.25" Disk Controller
Slot 5: empty
Slot 4: Mockingboard
Slot 3: Empty
Slot 2: Uther Ethernet
Slot 1: SSC


Which puts the mockingboard in the right slot, but makes the HD boot
first (which isn't a huge problem).  I think this may be my best
configuration, but I wanted other peoples opinions on this.