Just got myself a Apple IIe off eBay which had a PSU issue. Repaired the PSU and computer is now booting. I've run the self diagostic test and all looks good.
I now thought I'd build myself the ProDOS ROM from https://github.com/tjboldt/ProDOS-ROM-Drive
I've written the GamesWithFirmware.po to a 27C801 and verified ok. Have also tested all the logic chips and double checked my soldering - all good.
When I bootup the computer ProDOS starts but them seem to crash, at least it looks like a crash to me.
First off, should I just be able to plug in the card and boot and get the menu? (New Apple user here)
I'm booting and it looks like some debug info - Googled FF5A but not finding much. Does this point to some other issue I have the computer?
Can you boot DOS 3.3?
Also I would recommend running the self test first and then additional diagnostics if that gives you an "OK".
Check this thread here... https://www.applefritter.com/content/full-apple-iie-diagnostic
You can get XPS and other diagnostics off Asimov. If you need help with that let us know and we can give you pointers to where to get it.
I've run the internal diagnostics and get a kernal ok message.
The Apple came with a 128k expansion card. I've tried booting with and without the card, and also tried the ProDOS in different slots. Made no difference.
One other thing I've tried is loading some games from http://asciiexpress.net using the casette port and a ipad and it loads correctly.
I don't have disk drive (Or any floppy emulator) hence my reason for building the ProDOS.
What are my options for loading DOS 3.3 or xps diag dsk file? Do I need a Apple Disk ][ or some type of floppy emulator?
I just looked at the github for that card... apparently it doesn't support DOS 3.3 so that isn't an option. Not sure if it would be possible to run XPS off that.
You might want to get some more standard storage device that would allow you to run a more wide variety of disk images. There are a lot of choices...
Thanks, will look into that.
A couple of things to consider.
First, if you get a "Kernel OK" message then you have an un-enhanced IIe.
That might be a contibutor.
Second, you should try booting to ProDOS from traditional media (like a disk drive) to see if the issue is hardware related or software related.
Thirdly, there very well may be an issue with your ProDOS bootup card (although it's impossible to know without first considering the above).
Looks like I need to get a disk drive, as you said there are too many unknowns at the moment. Will hunt around but disk drives are getting impossible to find. Will also have a look for a floppy emulator though I hope it's not going to suffer the same fate. A disk interface card also came with the Apple so I'm half way there.
Floppy drives are easy to come by... they are all over on eBay. But FloppyEMU or wDrive are really good options.
Actally, I think gmc is correct. There are not that many Apple disk drive options on eBay under $100.
Plus, GMC, you should note the type of disk controller card you have - is it one with two 20 pin connectors? If so you'll need the "Disk II" (part # A2M0003) type metal encased disk drive.
If it has a short rainbow connector with a DB-19 connector you will need to find some "Apple 5.25" (Part # A9M0107) plastic cased drives. These are more plentiful.
There are adapters available to switch between the two connector types. I think you can find some on the Big Mess 'O Wires website.
(By the way, during my search I found way more options by searching the part number rather than searching for "Apple Disk Drive".
I've had no trouble buying Disk ][ or Apple 5.25" drive for between $50-$75 including shipping. A quick search shows several BIN in that range right now. If you are patient you can sometimes find them cheaper than that. A couple years ago they were all over the place under $50 including shipping.
Short answer ("tl;dr"):
Buy yourself an Apple IIe Enhancement Kit from ReActiveMicro, install it, and re-run the diagnostics.
https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/iie-enhancement-kit/
That may solve the whole issue immediately. If there's still a fault, the enhanced diagnostics will undoubtedly notify you with a message like "RAM 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0" (which means there's a faulty RAM chip in the second position from the left).
Long answer:
Your startup screen photo shows two anomalies that imply your Apple IIe has a faulty EF ROM chip:
Bad RAM could also contribute to the problem, but the non-enhanced Apple IIe's built-in diagnostics are not very effective at detecting bad memory.
So I suggest buying and installing the Apple IIe Enhancement Kit because it replaces your EF ROM with a new one, which will solve any problems that might arise from a faulty EF ROM.
And the enhancement includes improved diagnostics that employ a much more effective memory test, so it's a sensible step toward testing your RAM.
Just FYI, here a photo of what the ProDOS 2.3.2 startup screen should look like on an Apple IIe whose ROM is working correctly:
IMG_0691.JPG