I have three cards with no docs.
I need to know the switch and jumper settings to configure the cards for the Apple IIe.
The first is the California Compter Systems Asyncronous Serial Card (CCS ASI-1, 7710 A).
The second is an SSM AIO II card.
I also have an Electro Arts Modem-80.
I have tried using a cross-over cable with a PC laptop to try and connect, but it's still not working.
Would appreciate any help.
With any luck, the dip switches are the same as the Apple Super Serial card. Documentation for the Apple Super Serial card can be found by doing a search on the web. I think the dip switches can be overridden in software by sending certain codes (hopefully the same as the Apple Super Serial card, again I refer to any documentation you can find.)
If it's not the same as the Apple Super Serial card then you might have to go by trial and error until something works!?!
Flipping each dip switch or sending codes to the card. baud rate, data size, parity, stop bits, null vs. terminal, and other settings need to match the computer at the other end.
null vs. terminal:
- if this set one way you don't need a "cross over" or null modem. the "cross over" cable won't work.
- if it set the other way your "cross over" cable will work.
- I think this is labelled wrong (in reverse) on my Apple Super Serial card
Speed:
Also, I had more luck using slow speeds at first 2400 baud or 300 baud until I figured out more about the serial communications. The Apple II may have problems just "keeping up" to speed at 9600 baud. Although I managed to use 19200 baud, once I got everything set properly:
- settings on the other computer to match
- dip switches (or settings through software) set correctly
- fast communications software on the Apple II (written in machine language to "keep up") or "pacing" software on the other computer to wait long enough for the Apple II to keep up and process commands.
I think that my communication method is "syncronous" as opposed to "asyncronous" and this makes a difference -- which ever is which "syncronous" vs "asyncronous". I think one of them uses interrupts (or callbacks) whereas using my method things just need to "keep up" to speed. I am not a big fan of interrupts. Anyone know more about this?
I don't think these cards are even close to the SSC.
I am bidding on a SSC on ebay right now out of frustration.
I'll post the switch configuration in hopes that I can still get them working.
I did go through the exercise of trying the switch combos in sequence, but no joy. Though I wasn't aware of the null vs terminal. I thought that was hardwired on the early cards.
The 7710 was "patched" on the back with two strands of wire-wrap, which I vaguely remember people did to provide hand-shake. I tried both with and without these connections, no joy.
The AIO II has separate parallel and serial printer and separate general parallel and "Modem" connectors, all on one card.
The CCS 7710A is closest to the Super Serial, but there only four dip switches.
The Modem 80 Card has two edge connectors - one on the bottom edge for the Apple, the other on the back edge for use with the TRS-80 Model 1 (for which it was originally designed...).
The California Computer Systems AIO-1 has one set of four dip switches marked "baud Rate" B0-B4.
The header for the cable is marked "DCE" - Data Terminal Equipment??
There are two program ROMS aboard.
This one is a 6850 based card. It might be close to the *original* Apple Serial Card?
This card has the four outputs described earlier: two Serial, two Parallel.
It's a Motorola 6821 based card. Contains a 2716 eprom, a 6850 and 14411 as the main ic's.
A sixteen pin header with jumpers selects the baud rate, each pair is marked 110 thru 19200.
There is an "Option Area" of jumpers A thru G with no further markings.
There is a single jumper next to the ROM chip marked ROM/RAM.
There is a single jumper marked "interupt".
The problem here will be the "Option Area" which is likely where the hand-shake and DCE/DTE get set??