ProDOS, Apple ][+, and Autostart ROM Language Card

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ProDOS, Apple ][+, and Autostart ROM Language Card

I have an Apple ][+ with what I believe is the Autostart ROM Language Card.  When I try to boot ProDOS 2.4.2 date 18-JAN-18, it reports "REQUIRES 64K."  I know ProDOS places itself into the Language Card space.  Does ProDOS recognize this card as memory?  I tried to write to all of the memory locations $C080 to $C08F and I could not crash the computer while in the monitor, which I do not know if it's a good test.

Thanks,

Dan

 

 

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You should run somehting like

You should run somehting like XPS Diagnostics which you can get on Asimov, etc.

 

 

 

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Is there a version of XPS for

Is there a version of XPS for the ][+ ?   I see a version on there for the IIe.

Just to confirm, ProDOS 2.4.2 should work with a Apple Language Card on a ][ +, correct?

 

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I don't know why it wouln't

I don't know why it wouln't work.  Can you try an older version of ProDOS?  I thought there was a version of XPS for the ][+, but my memory is old...  Maybe I'm mistaken or it just isn't on Asimov.

 

The Apple Dealer Diagnostics for the ][+ would also be good.

 

 

 

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Oh...  I just did a bit of

Oh...  I just did a bit of googling...  the older version of XPS for the ][+ was called Apple Cillin...  That is on Asimov...

 

 

https://mirrors.apple2.org.za/ftp.apple.asimov.net/images/disk_utils/diagnostics/

 

 

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Another easy test is to boot

Another easy test is to boot up a DOS 3.3 System Master and see if IINTBASIC loads to the language card.  If not, it isn't being detected.

 

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I think I may have identified

I think I may have identified the problem.  The 74LS20 chip may be faulty.  I have one of those TTL chip testers and it correctly identified a 74LS20 I removed from the Apple ][+ motherboard, but not the one I removed from the language card.  So it likely needs replacement.  The other chips I removed from the language card and tested were identified correctly.

 

I'll replace the chip and see if it fixed it.  Thanks,

 

Dan

 

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Sounds like a plan.  Luckily

Sounds like a plan.  Luckily most 74LS chips are pretty easy to find.

 

 

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If ProDOS says that it

If ProDOS says that it requires 64 K to operate then it cannot find the upper 16K in the language card.

 

You can use Locksmith 6.0 to test to see if it can also see the langucage card.

Locksmith's language card detection is almost impeccable - that is, if it can't find the upper 16K then there is certainly an issue with the card.

If it can see the upper 16K then it's memory tests are second to none.  

 

I have a language card that is temperature sensitive.  It simply does not work at all when it's cold.

Leave it on for 5 minutes, though and it passes every single test you throw at it and works perfectly with all software.  Strange but true.  I've given up trying to troubleshoot it.  I just let it warm up and then go...

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baldrick wrote:If ProDOS says
baldrick wrote:

If ProDOS says that it requires 64 K to operate then it cannot find the upper 16K in the language card.

 

You can use Locksmith 6.0 to test to see if it can also see the langucage card.

Locksmith's language card detection is almost impeccable - that is, if it can't find the upper 16K then there is certainly an issue with the card.

If it can see the upper 16K then it

That's really weird.  I've had plenty of devices which quit working when they got hot, but never seen one which had problems anywhere near room temperature.  I am truly curious which chip or discrete component is the culprit...  maybe a capacitor or resistor?  Very odd.  I'm assuming you probably replaced all the chips and that made no difference.  Some of the components like resitors and poissbly capacitors can change values as they heat.  Perhaps one is off-value until warned up to operating temprature.  A resistor would be fairly easy to measure.  I don't have a good way to measure capacitors in-circuit, but maybe someone else does.

 

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