Re: drives and interfaces (3.5"), etc.

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Norman Lightfoot <jumptoconclusions@yahoo.com> wrote:

> If someone could confirm for me whether the following combination will work
> or not in a IIe Platinum, I'd appreciate it greatly:
> 
> 3.5 floppy drive:        model #A9M0106
> 3.5 interface card:     model #IF-98, ASCO 505 (Liron)

No, that combination won't work.  The A9M0106 is the Apple 3.5 Drive.
In order to use it on a IIe, you have three options:

- The "Universal Disk Controller" (from Central Point Software).

- Apple's "Apple II 3.5 Disk Controller Card", also known as the
SuperDrive card.

- A PC Transporter (which won't work as well as the other two).

The card you describe (the "Apple 3.5 Floppy Disk Drive Interface Card")
only supports the UniDisk 3.5 (part A2M2053).

> If not (as I suspect), for best performance should I seek a different
> interface card or floppy drive unit?

You can change either the drive or the card, depending on what you can
find.

For best 3.5" drive performance on a IIe, you need the SuperDrive card
and either this drive or a SuperDrive.

> Oh, and are 3.5" floppy discs still available that will work with these old
> 3.5" drives?

They should be, but probably won't be as cheap as they used to be.  You
just need double density 3.5" disks.  (Some people might suggest that
you use high density disks with one of the holes covered up, but this is
likely to be unreliable.)

> Also, I have this card called "communication card" by apple (670-X003-__).
> I suspect this is a parallel or printer card.  Is it?  Is it worth anything?

The "communication card" is one of the predecessors of the Super Serial
Card.  It is a serial card, intended for use with a modem.  If I
remember right, it uses the 6850 ACIA chip.  It is rather limited in
functionality, and is worthless except to a collector.

> PS: Are II+ clones worth anything these days?

Only to a collector.

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz