Hello everyone,
I am new here, so first let me introduce myself quickly: I'm Thomas, 34yo, living in the south of France. I have recently acquired an Apple IIe, after giving away my father's one to a museum 15 years ago... something that I deeply regret today!
1. Identifying it properly
I'd like to have some help in trying to identify it more precisely. I wasn't aware of all the "e" variants: IIe, IIe + enhanced kit, //e, etc. Mine is a PAL model sold in France. The references printed on the motherboard shows that it is supposed to have a "standard" un-enhanced 6502 CPU. However its boot message says "Apple //e" so its seems like it is a 65C02 CPU. The keyboard LED says "65C02" (as it was on Apple //e sold with such CPUs, if I understand correctly), not "enhanced" (like the sticker sold in the upgrade kit).
I have gathered the relevant part numbers:
Model Number: AS2064F
Serial number: 2A2S2 322547
Motherboard: 820-0073-B (© 1982)
PSU: Serial A2M0030 n˚ 517018
PCB data: / installed chip:
CPU: 6502A / NCR 65C02A (609-0380113)
CD ROM : 341-0135 / 342-0304-A
EF ROM : 341-0134 / 342-0303-A
Keyboard ROM : 341-015X / 341-0326A
Video ROM : 341-016X / 342-0274-A
AIIE 80COL/64K card : 820-0067-B & 607-0103-(F)
It came with a 80col/64K memory expansion, a Super Serial card, a mouse interface, and a UniDisk drive.
The body features a switch under the keyboard to toggle the character set from US-ASCII to the local (french) one. Could it be that the casing has been replaced by an enhanced model?
2. Quirks to fix
The 'V' key doesnt' work: it doesn't produce anything. I believe the soldering might have gone bad, I will try to re-solder it.
If I type too quicky, sometimes incorrect characters are added (I can reproduce it): typing POUR writes POU*R. Weird!
If I power cycle the machine, the screen shows garbage. I have to unplug it and wait at least 10 seconds, and it starts working fine again. Maybe it was normal? I've read about capacitors issues and Rifa components that should be replaced. I'll have a look inside the PSU.
Thanks!
Thomas
If I type too quicky, sometimes incorrect characters are added (I can reproduce it): typing POUR writes POU*R. Weird!
Sounds like rollover?
If I power cycle the machine, the screen shows garbage. I have to unplug it and wait at least 10 seconds, and it starts working fine again. Maybe it was normal? I've read about capacitors issues and Rifa components that should be replaced. I'll have a look inside the PSU.
That happens if you power cycle quickly, but you shouldn't have to actually unplug it.
Looks like owad, over IRC, helped me figure it out, thanks to this link: https://finapple.hho.fi/finapple/index.php/2016/09/page/2/
Outside english-speaking countries, it seems Appled didn't use the "enhanced" sticker because no one would have understood its meaning.
So, I have a regular french IIe with a regular "non-english" enhanced kit ;-)
Rapid power cycling can prevent the RAM from completely discharging.
What you are seeing is the effects produced from improperly cleared RAM.
As the 4164 chips get older they start to experience RAM persistence where they retain internal charges for long periods of time which prevents power-off memory clearing.
You can force the RAM to clear on startup by holding down the open-apple key.
Instead of rapid power cycling I'd recommend using the cold-boot keyboard combination of CTRL-OPENAPPLE-RESET, which does the same as a power cycle.
I think that you will find that if you start using the computer regularly the RAM persistence issue will start to go away on its own. This has been my experience on several machines. Old 4164s do this often.
Also, since your machine has already been enhanced I'd recommend keepign it that way and resist the urge to downgrade it back to what it was originally.
It will be somewhat less useful. Some software won't run properly unless it's enhanced.
CTRL-OPENAPPLE-RESET is not the same as a power cycle. Especially if the computer is frozen. But holding down the OA key while powering on should always do the trick. If you get tired of this, you might look into the ROMXe which will also eliminate the issue.
Thanks for your replies!
Indeed, Ctrl-OpenApple-Reset is better than power cycling. I'll keep in mind the memory persistence issue.
Not a problem for me - I was just worried something might be bad.
I have no urge to un-enhance it, I plan to keep it that way, it's perfect for me. :-) I am awaiting the delivery of a Mockingboard v2.2 sold on ReActiveMicro. I also added one of their PSU replacements, since original PSUs don't seem to age very well. Given the shipping cost, better put as much stuff as possible in the box. A second UniDisk 5.25' is also on its way, which will make for a very good setup to start with I believe!
I wish to try playing with CP/M and a Z80 card too. but for now it's a bit too expensive for me.
Thomas