Re: Have ROM 00 //gs, seeking upgrade.

[Mitchell Spector <mitch2gs@hotmail.com>]

llewsirCttaM@gmail.com wrote:

>Willing to trade ROM chip... but I mean, it's ridiculous trying to find
>the upgrade.  I just called Apple and the converstation was almost
>exactly:
>
>Apple Tech: Hi, how can I help you today
>Me: Yeah, I have a really old Apple //gs that I was hoping to get some
>parts for
>Apple Tech: Excuse me?
>Me: (louder) I have an Apple //gs that I wanted some parts for.
>Apple Tech: Is that a computer?
>Me: ... yes
>Apple Tech: How old is that!?
>Me: About 20 years
>Apple Tech: Well we don't have anyone that could help you with that, I
>could find a local authorized Apple specialist in your area.
>Me: I was just there, they didn't know what I was talking about either
>Apple Tech: Well maybe I could find another one
>Me: Don't bother, I'll figure it out myself.

    I had an almost identical conversation with the local Apple dealer
15 years ago, trying to obtain the free upgrades for my high school's
Apple IIGS. In the end I was only able to get support by printing out
copies of Apple's upgrade program notices and having them verify 
with Apple Canada.

    These days it's understandable, keeping in mind the free ROM and
VGC upgrade program was phased out over 10 years ago (March 31,
1995 to be exact). Apple then put out a notice they were no longer
offering support or parts for a few years later, so even if you wanted
to pay it is no longer available. 

>I've seen some ROM 01's and 03's that were just stupidily expensive
>(and Sun remarketing wants $400 for one with 256k RAM!!!).  I was
>wondering if anyone was willing to trade.

    I've seen Apple IIgs motherboards selling on eBay for $10 or less.
The ROM 00 to 01 upgrade is just a simple chip swap, you just need
"342-0077-B" (the original ends in "-A"). Faulty VGC's end in a "-A" 
or "-1" suffix (only very early Apple IIGS motherboards had them).

    Since I already have three ROM 01's machines, I've been meaning
to downgrade one back into a ROM 00 since I have the chip on hand
(if anyone has a faulty VGC to pass on, I wouldn't mind that as well). :)

Mitchell Spector