I just won an auction on ebay for an Apple IIgs (rom version 3) with a 3.5 floppy drive, (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170120416244&rd=1&rd=1)
earlier this week i went to an old computer shop and picked up 2 beat up apple IIe's, a color monitor, and a Apple UniDisk 5.24 floppy drive with the intention of getting one of them up and running to fiddle around with and have fun. One of the IIe's power supply seems to output less then enough voltage and the LED power light comes on very dimly on both machines using that powersupply, the other power supply worked magnificently, on both motherboards,(one with a faulty keyboard so i didn't get anywhere with it, and the other i programmed a little in BASIC) until it stopped working, i replaced the switch and examined the board for busted capacitors and there were none. i have since given up on those two power supplys as i may be able to find one on Monday when the shop i got the iie's opens back up.
Now to my real question,
Since this IIgs is coming with 0 software, i assume it will boot into a assembly or basic prompt like the IIe, which is only useful to some extent, i am bidding on a collection of 40 some 5.25 floppys for the apple II, and non of them are OS/GS or prodos, but none the less i would enjoy some games so i hope to win. Without any software, what are my options for getting this IIgs running, i understand that you can transfer disk images and write them to blank floppy's with a serial interface card, but i would have to find a super serial card for the GS, and software to run the null modem connection correct? I am running a Mac Pro Desktop that doesn't actually have a serial bus, i assume there is some sort of USB-> serial adapter..
I've tired to be a good forum user and done a ton of searches, and read through the FAQ's but nothing works better then someone lending their brain full of info.
so
1. How do i acquire the things necessary to make my IIgs useful (operating system, applications etc) (super serial card, network card(does that exist?))
2. Will my Apple UniDisk 5.25 drive work with my version 3 rom IIgs (DB9 connection)
3. will the iigs be able to use my old keyboard and mouse from an old Mac IIvx (ADB interface)
Any input is appreciated, i won't be getting my IIgs for a while i just want to prepare!
Ian
I've been doing some reading, and i found ADTPro which i think will enable me to send ProDOS over audio cable, or a serial connection if i can rig one up with my Mac Pro, and then burn the ADTPro software to a floppy, then use it to get more disk images to write to floppys...
now i have to find a reseller of 800k DD 3.5in floppys...
Greetings,
Actually with the IIGS you don't need a Super Serial Card, you can use the built in serial port. You will need a USB to Serial adapter for your Mac. Download the latest version of ADTPro from the website and once you have the cables and Adapter it's a fairly simple procedure to get Prodos, and eventually GS/OS, onto the IIGS. After that it's just a matter of deciding what software you want to run and transferring it.
I'd suggest checking Ebay for the disks you need. I got a box of 500 5.25 floppies of of there for $50 a couple months ago. There are other places on the web you can also check for both 5.25 and 3.5 disks for your IIGS.
Yes, your Unidisk 5.25 drive will work with the IIGS and the Mac ADB keyboard and mouse will also work with it.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Apple II! Feel free to ask any other questions that come to mind and I'm sure someone will answer it. Remember the only stupid question is the one you don't ask.
Dean
Apple II Forever
awesome! i found 3 (oh yes count them three) DD 3.5 floppy's in a box for some old Mac IIvx software that i hope to use for the first few .dsk images i transfer,
If a piece of software was originally distrusted on 5.25in disks, does it have to be dumped to a 5.25 disk, or can i put everything on 3.5in disks if thats all i have?
Also, the ADTPro site has some images of the serial connection on the IIgs, which ports on the back are acutally Serial, only the 8-pin DIN port? or are there DB9 or DB25 ports that are available?
Somehow, i have a 8pinDIN->DB9 converter, that i think was used in the Mac IIvx at some point in time, and i have a DB9->DB25 converter, and i think i know of someone with either a db9 or db25 null modem.
Should i choke up 60 bucks for a USB -> 8pin DIN (and use and extenstion cable that i also have)
or should i find some way to get USB -> DB9 or DB25
I think once i get all the parts of this project together i'm gonna have it set and have some fun..
Bear in mind that .dsk images are typically the 140k, 5-1/4" variety. If you're using ".dsk" to mean any disk image, then we're ok. But 3-1/2" images are generally ProDOS order images, and end in .po or .2mg.
ADTPro will short-sheet an 800k disk and make it look like a 140k image. But if the OS on the 140k image is expecting to operate a Disk II, and instead it finds a 3-1/2" disk drive, things aren't going to work. If the game is a simple BRUN-able image, then it'll work no problem. But DOS 3.3 and 3-1/2" disks don't mix well. I think you'll be much happier in the long run if you get a Disk II. All the fiddly bits will "just work."
My intent on the ADTPro site was to aid your understanding of the ports. If it's not clear to you, it's important to me that I make it more clear for not only you but others that will come in the future. If you didn't read it all, then fair enough; maybe I need to shorten it somehow. Help me fix it.
To answer your question... the two mini-din 8 ports on the back of the IIgs are built-in serial ports. ADTPro only uses the modem port (and I circled it in yellow in the picture). An IIgs would only have a DB25 or DE9 on the back if someone installed a Super Serial card in it (which would be redundant).
What kind of computer are you going to connect the IIgs to? That will dictate what needs to be on the other end of the connection.
Yes indeed. That's the goal. But half the fun is getting there...
If you want to get a replacement power supply I recommend getting them from GSE Reactive He will even take your old ps off you hands They recycle the old case and use the plug in new power supplys. http://www.gse-reactive.com/product_info.php?products_id=56
I scrounged together a 8pin DIN to DB9, a DB9-> Db9 null modem adapter, and a Db9-> USB for about 40 bucks, so iv spent as much money on the computer as i have on cables, i also got a stack of 50 5.25 blank dS-DD disks, and 10 3.5 DD 800k disks for free, so im set for when the IIgs Comes in the mail, now im stuck without any real apple II equipment as now THREE IIe power supply's have failed
Ian
Is there a TCP/IP network stack that works with the UtherReal Network card, that could be interesting, an IRC client, or email would be fun.