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Archive-name: apple2/faq/part1
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 2008/10/01
URL: http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html
Apple II Frequently Asked Questions: Main Hall 1 ... Start Here!
Csa2 FAQs-on-Ground ref: Csa21MAIN1.txt rev127 October 2008
The Csa2 (comp.sys.apple2) Usenet newsgroup Apple II FAQs and Resource
files originate from the II Computing site, 1997-2008.
Mirrors- GS WorldView (formatted Text) also maintains copies
of the FAQs Resource files.
http://apple2.org.za/gswv/a2zine/faqs/
Text and HTML-ized Text versions are maintained by FAQs mirrors
around the world-- ref. the news.answers pure Text MIT archive.
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/comp.sys.apple2/
Note: To correctly view tables and diagrams in Text files, use
a fixed spacing Font such as CoPilot or PCMononspaced (IIgs)
or Roman 12cpi (PC).
The HTML version of the FAQs is maintained on the II Computing site.
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html
____________________________
Csa2 Apple II FAQs Main Hall
Revision 127 Update: 1 October 2008
Welcome to the comp.sys.apple2 newsgroup Frequently Asked Questions!
This file is called "Main Hall" because it's your starting-off point for
accessing the Apple II FAQs.
You can peruse a listing of all FAQs questions in Main Hall-2; OR,
you can check out some 'getting started' and 'what's where?'
Questions & Answers here.
There have been a few revisions since the September 1, 2008 release.
These include the usual updates to the various site listings.
Thanks to those who have suggested modifications and posted answers
or sent contributions which have been incorporated.
As always, feel free to send information pieces, diagrams, etc. for
both established and new FAQs Q&A or resources. Ideas, suggestions, and
FAQs content contributions can be emailed as Text or attached as .zip
files or they can be uploaded to Ground's Faqs/uploads folder (as soon
as it's back on-line).
Best wishes to all Apple II users!
Jeff Hurlburt, 1 October 2008
rubywand at (no spam) swbell.net (Include "Apple" in the message title.)
General Apple II and Getting Started Q&A
001- What is a FAQ?
002- What is comp.sys.apple2 and how can I read/post messages there?
003- What software do I need to get started and how do I get it?
004- How and where do I download and upload Apple II files?
005- Where can I get Apple II information, software, books, and parts?
006- What is an Apple II: The KIM
007- What is an Apple II: The Apple I
008- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][ and Apple ][+
009- What is an Apple II: The "Black Apple"
010- What is an Apple II: The Apple //e
011- What is an Apple II: The Apple //c and IIc+
012- What is an Apple II: The Laser 128EX and 'EX/2
013- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs
014- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIe Emulation Card
015- What is an Apple II: The Trackstar Apple II Emulation Card
016- What is an Apple II: Emulators
017- Apple "][", "Apple II", "Apple //"-- which is correct?
018- What is "8 bit" and "16 bit"?
019- How can I tell what version my computer is?
020- Suppose I just want to start using my Apple II Now!?
021- Where do I find out about Apple II users' groups?
022- How can I find out more about using and programming my Apple II?
023- Where can I find out about Apple II developers?
001- What is a FAQ?
A "FAQ" is a "Frequently Asked Question". The Csa2 FAQs is a collection of topics files and resource files which seeks to supply answers to questions about the Apple II series of computers and Apple II computing. --Rubywand
____________________________
002- What is comp.sys.apple2 and how can I read/post messages there?
Comp.sys.apple2 (Csa2) is a USENET newsgroup. Messages posted to these newsgroups spread to many thousands of servers and millions of readers throughout the world.
Most Internet Service Providers support posting and reading newsgroup messages via popular browsers like Netscape and Internet Explorer. A few internet sites also provide free access to newsgroups and allow posting messages. Two are Google and Mailgate. Google also allows searching for information in an archive of newsgroup messages which goes back to 1981. (For links see Q&A 001 in MAINHALL4.txt.)
There are several newsgroups in the Csa2 and related families, all concerned with Apple II series affairs. They provide a forum for users to compare notes, ask questions, and share insights.
comp.sys.apple2 (Csa2) - Discussion plus questions & answers
relating to all Apple II computers
comp.sys.apple2.comm - Communications and networking related
issues
comp.sys.apple2.gno - Discussion of GNO/ME, a UNIX-like
multi-tasking environment for IIgs
comp.sys.apple2.marketplace - Buying, selling, and promoting
Apple II and related products
comp.sys.apple2.programmer - Discussion relating to any aspect of
programming the Apple II
comp.sys.apple2.usergroups - Discussion relating to Apple II
users' groups
comp.binaries.apple2 - Public Domain software, shareware, and
freeware for Apple II's in Text-encoded
(binscii) form.
comp.emulators.apple2 - The unofficial 'Apple II games stuff'
newsgroup features discussions of
Apple II games as well as of Apple II
emulation on PC, Mac, and other
platforms.
comp.sources.apple2 - A newsgroup for the posting of Apple II
source code
alt.emulators.ibmpc.apple2 - Discussion about the use of Apple II
emulation software/hardware on a PC.
--David Kopper, Dan DeMaggio, David Empson, Al Kalal, Rubywand
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003- I'm an Apple II beginner. What software does a newbie need
to get started and how do I get it?
If you bought an Apple II with no software at all, then, at the very least, you will need to get diskettes which boot DOS 3.3 and ProDOS (which pretty well means you need to have a disk drive). Here is a listing of basic stuff to get ...
o- DOS 3.3: DOS 3.3 is an old but a good operating system for software on 5.25" diskette. There is a _lot_ of Apple II software on DOS 3.3 diskettes. To write and save programs, etc. under DOS 3.3 you want a disk which boots DOS 3.3 and lets you get to a BASIC prompt. Once in BASIC after booting DOS you will be able to CATALOG the diskette, and LOAD, RUN, SAVE, ... programs. DOS 3.3 commands are described in more detail in the Csa2DOSMM Q&A.
Commercial game disks often do not allow you to get to a BASIC prompt. Disks with programs from other users, software from Apple user groups, and copies of Apple's System Master disks will, usually, let you get to BASIC either by exiting a program or by doing a Reset. (See Q&A 020 below for more about this.)
o- ProDOS: Practically all of the above applies to ProDOS. ProDOS is the newer Apple II DOS which allows having sub-directories. It works with 5.25" and 3.5" diskettes as well as hard disks and other large media. (See Csa2DOSMM Q&A for more about ProDOS.)
Note: Diskettes used with an Apple II should be double-density (DD) diskettes. High-density (HD) diskettes sold for PC's will not work reliably in Apple II disk drives.
o- Copy II Plus: This is the standard general purpose disk/file management utility. Good versions for working with both DOS 3.3 and ProDOS disks are Version 7.1 and 7.2.
o- A telecom utility: an Apple II telecom utility (e.g. ZLink, ProTerm, ...) together with a serial interface board (or built-in serial port) lets you transfer the Apple II files you download on the net from your PC or Mac to your Apple II.
o- ShrinkIt: Most Apple II files are maintained on the net as shrinked files (.shk files) or on shrinked disks (.sdk files). ShrinkIt v3.4 is the standard utility for unshrinking these files; it requires a 128k Apple IIe or later Apple II. Earlier versions of ShrinkIt work on Apple II's with less than 128k memory.
Aside from Apple II user friends, there are many places you can get the above, as well as all sorts of other Apple II utility, game, etc. software:
1. Apple II Users' Groups maintain software libraries of utility and games diskettes you can copy. (See Csa2USERGRP.txt.)
2. Some schools and universities have Apple II areas where you can copy system and utility diskettes.
3. Many sellers of original and second-hand software advertise on the comp.sys.apple2.marketplace newsgroup and/or maintain web sites you can browse. Be sure to check the listing of vendors presented later on.
4. If requested via email, regular posters to Csa2 will often send one or more 'getting started' diskettes which will boot DOS 3.3 and/or ProDOS and which include some copy, telecom, etc. utilities plus games. (Expect to pay mailing and materials costs.)
5. The Apple II archive sites listed below maintain large collections of software which you can download via PC or Mac and transfer to your Apple II.
--Rubywand
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004- How and where do I download and upload Apple II files?
How: By far, the easiest and quickest way is to access software sites on the net using a PC or Mac. Files can be moved to and from your Apple II via a NULL modem connection with the net computer. If you use a Mac, you may have the option of transferring the files via a ProDOS or HFS diskette or an HFS Zip disk. (For details on hardware, file transfers, downloading, and uploading, see the Telecom-1 and Telecom-2 Q&A.)
Where: Today, most users upload software, info files, etc. to one or more of the major Apple II ftp software archive sites. Other options include comp.binaries.apple2 and BBS systems. The software archive sites are good places from which to download software. In addition, some software vendors, developers, and Apple Computer make software available for download at their sites.
--Rubywand
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005- Where can I get Apple II information, software, books,
magazines, and hardware?
A good place to look is Csa21MAIN3.txt ("Main Hall-3: Apple II Web Sites") ...
For places to buy systems, parts, boards, and software, see Q&A 005.
Or, see http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs3VENDORS.html
For places to get books and periodicals, see Q&A 006.
Or, see http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs3VENDORS.html#021
For places to get Apple II information and software on the net, see general and/or game-specific Q&A.
Or, see http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs4MAJORSITES.html
or http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs7GAMESITES.html
If you are looking for a specific piece of utility or system software, check Csa21MAIN4.txt ("Main Hall-4: Get It- Links to popular software packages") ...
For links to File handling utilities, see Q&A 001.
Or, see http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2FLUTILS.html
For links to Telecom wares, see Q&A 002.
Or, see http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2T1TCOM.html
For links to System software, see Q&A 003.
Or, see http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2DOSMM.html
or http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2APPLICS.html
or http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/csa2pfaq.html
For links to specific emulator packages, check Csa2APPLICS.txt ("Applications") Q&A 003; or, see http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/Csa2APPLICS.html#003 .
--Rubywand
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006- What is an Apple II: KIM and SYM
My Ex bought a KIM in ... had to be 1976, 'cause that's the year we
split. He played Hunt the Wumpus on it. I couldn't see the point of
messing with those red LEDs at the time.
Nancy Crawford, Csa2 post on 27 December, 1995
KIM (for "Keyboard Input Monitor") was a 6502 'development system' release in 1976 by MOS Technology. A single board with six 7-segment LED displays, it soon had a wide following of avid experimenters who wrote programs like Jim Butterfield's "Lunar Lander" and Stan Ockers's "Hunt the Wumpus" and published numerous articles in magazines like Byte and KiloBaud describing hardware add-ons.
Another 6502 based board was SYM from Synertek Systems. It arrived two years after KIM near the end of the 'computer experimenter' era. SYM offered a speaker and more extensive interfacing capability, including support for a CRT display.
KIM and, to a lesser extent, SYM, were the introductions to 6502 computing which would, in a few years, lead many to become Apple II users. -- Rubywand and Tim Aaronson
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Related FAQs Resources: R010APPLE1.GIF (gif picture file)
007- What is an Apple II: The Apple 1
The original Apple was not much more than a board. You had to supply your own keyboard, monitor and case. It sold for $666.66, but now they are worth much more as a collector's item.
For Apple 1 pics and more information, ...
Applefritter Apple 1 Owners Club
http://www.applefritter.com/apple1/index.html
Dr. Tom's Apple 1 Pics and Info
http://apple2.org.za/gswv/gsezine/GS.WorldView/ at (no spam) APPLE.HISTORY/
Faqs Resource File R010APPLE1.GIF at ...
http://apple2.org.za/gswv/a2zine/faqs/R010APPLE1.GIF
--Dan DeMaggio, Charles T. Turley
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008- What is an Apple II: The Apple ][ and Apple ][+
The II and II+ are the computers that launched the Apple II line. They have the 6502 microprocessor, ability to do Hires and Lores color graphics, sound, joystick input, and cassette tape I/O. They have a total of eight expansion Slots for adding peripherals such as the Disk ][ controller, MockingBoard, serial I/O, and printer interface. Clock speed is 1MHz and, with Apple's Language Card installed, standard memory size is 64kB.
The distinction between the ][ and ][+ is the installed ROMs. The ][ starts you in the Monitor program and includes in-ROM Integer BASIC. The ][+ has the AutoStart ROM which tries to locate and boot a diskette upon startup and defaults to Applesoft BASIC which is included in-ROM. Many ][ owners upgraded to the ][+ ROMs.
Apple ][ and ][+ computers can run thousands of games, utilities, and other programs created to run under Apple DOS-- chiefly, DOS 3.3. Both machines can, also, run under ProDOS through v1.9 so long as the software does not require features of an "enhanced" 128k IIe. For instance, you can run Appleworks if you have more than 128K RAM installed and a program called PlusWorks. However, the ][ can not run BASIC programs under ProDOS since Applesoft must be in ROM.
Recommended configuration: 16K "language card" (in Slot 0), an 80-column video card (not the same as a //e Extended 80-column card), shift key modification (a wire running from shift key to game port), modified character ROMs to display lower case, composite color monitor, Disk ][ controller card, two 5.25" Disk ][ or compatible drives, parallel printer interface card, and parallel-interface printer. You can add memory beyond 64k in various ways, but many programs that "require 128K" probably will not work
, no matter how much RAM you have. You can also add accelerators like the SpeeDemon or Rocket/Zip. --Dan DeMaggio, David Empson, Rubywand
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009- What is an Apple II: The "Black Apple"
Bell & Howell marketed the "Black Apple" made by Apple. It is an Apple II+ done in black with some extra audio/video connections to fit with projectors, etc. made by B&H-- mainly for use in the classroom. A nice feature is the "handle" attached to the back. It contains a few power outlets, allowing the CPU, Monitor, etc., to be controlled with one switch. Evidently, 5000-10,000 units were produced. --Coaxial, Mike McGovern, Rubywand
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010- What is an Apple II: The Apple //e
The //e comes in two flavors: Enhanced and unenhanced. When you start your computer, the unenhanced IIe displays "Apple ][" at the top of screen; the Enhanced IIe displays "Apple //e".
Apple made an Enhancement kit to upgrade an unenhanced to Enhanced by replacing 4 chips: CPU 65C02, Video ROM includes MouseText, and new Monitor/Applesoft ROMs. Some places used to sell a IIe Enhancement kit for $20.00.
The current IIe operating system is ProDOS-8. (The IIe can also run DOS 3.3, earlier DOS's, and Pascal.) A lot of ProDOS software requires an Enhanced //e, and sometimes 128K, too.
A IIe Enhancement Kit does not include any extra RAM. You can expand a 64k IIe to the standard 128k required for a fully Enhanced IIe via an Extended 80-column card. It plugs into the Aux Connector on the motherboard. Alltech ($19.00), and MC Price Breakers ($14.95) sell such cards.
Except for being able to type and display lower-case characters, the unenhanced IIe is very similar to the II+. A 128k Enhanced IIe adds a number of features including 80-column firmware and 16-color double-lores and double-hires display capability.
The Apple //e remains useful for four major reasons:
1) It runs AppleWorks, a simple to use, yet sophisticated Spreadsheet/Word Processor/Database.
2) It can run many games and other entertainment software products.
3) There were many Apple II's in schools and a ton of Apple II educational software is available.
4) It is was and will always be a _Personal_ computer. You can learn as little or as much as you want, and nothing stops you from learning about every nook and cranny in it. Ask any big name programmer in MS/DOS or Mac where they learned to program. Most of them taught themselves on a good ol' Apple II.
Recommended configuration: Extended 80 Column card (gives you 128K) or RamWorks (512K to 1MB RAM), Enhancement kit (for unenhanced IIe), and a composite color monitor which can display decent 80-column text, Super Serial card, Disk ][ controller card, two 5.25" Disk ][ or compatible drives, parallel printer interface card, and parallel-interface printer. A Hard Drive is recommended if you use a lot of different programs. Heavy Appleworks users should add the hard disk, extra RAM, and a 4MHz or better accel
erator (like the Rocket Chip, Zip Chip or TransWarp). --Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand
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011- What is an Apple II: The Apple //c and IIc+
The //c and IIc+ are compact 'luggable' versions of an Enhanced //e, with many built-in 'cards'. Included are 2 serial ports, a mouse port, a disk port and 128K of RAM. Support for the original Apple cassette tape I/O is gone. The //c has a built-in 5.25" drive while the IIc+ has a built-in 3.5" drive.
The IIc+ has a built-in accelerator that runs at 4MHz (vs. the //c's 1MHz) making it the fastest Apple II as well as faster than any of the A2 clones. (To boot your IIc+ at 'regular', 1MHz, speed, include the Escape key in the usual boot keypresses-- i.e. OpenApple-CTRL-ESC-RESET.) The IIc+, which was introduced after the IIgs, also allows daisey chaining the GS Apple 3.5" drive along with 5.25" drives.
The //c and IIc+ run just about all of the DOS 3.3, ProDOS, "128k" software, etc. that an Enhanced //e runs plus the few //c-only software releases. However, the use of certain locations for storing system variables and ROM differences means that //c series machines will not run a number of old games designed for the ][ and ][+ which the IIe and IIgs will run.
Even though //c machines don't have slots, you can still add extra memory (there's room under the keyboard) and a hard drive (through the disk port-- a bit slow by ordinary standards, but usable. Hard to find though.. Was made by Chinook). There is also a for-//c "D" version of MockingBoard you can plug in to get much improved sound and music from software supporting the board, and a module you can attach to convert output to RF for using a TV as a monitor.
Recommended configuration: A composite color monitor which can display decent 80-column text, 1 MB RAM, and, maybe, a hard drive. For the //c, add a second 5.25" drive; for the IIc+, add a second 3.5" drive and two 5.25" drives. --Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand
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012- What is an Apple II: The Laser 128EX and 'EX/2
While not made by Apple, these Lasers can run just about anything that an Enhanced //e can run. They are as luggable as a //c and include built-in 'cards'. They are also fast; the entire motherboard runs at 3.6MHz. If you want to use a card in the single expansion Slot, you may have to disable the internal UDC (for 3.5" drives) or the internal 1MB memory expansion.
Unlike the EX model, which supports one additional disk drive, the EX/2 supports as many daisy chained drives as a IIgs and has a built in BRAM control panel for saving settings. The EX/2 also has a built in 3.5" disk drive, a MIDI port, and a video port which can support analog RGB and digital CGA monitors as well as an LCD display. --Supertimer, Dan DeMaggio
____________________________
Related FAQs Resources: R024GSSPECS.txt (text file)
Related FAQs Resources: R002WOZGS.GIF (gif picture file)
013- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIgs
The IIgs (or "GS") represents a giant leap in the Apple II line. It's 65C816 microprocessor can switch to 6502-emulation mode for running 8-bit Apple II software favorites, while, in native mode, it runs 16-bit GS applications. GS delivers new super-hires graphics modes, a toolbox in ROM, a 32-oscillator Ensoniq sound chip, and a max base speed of 2.8MHz. Base RAM memory is 256kB (ROM-01) or 1MB (ROM 3) expandable up to 8MB.
GS built-ins include modem and printer serial ports good for up to 230k baud, Disk Port supporting two 5.25" and two 3.5" (800k) drives, RGB and composite video outputs, enhanced and 'old Apple' sound, ADB bus for keyboard and mouse, game port supporting two two-button joysticks, clock/calendar, and battery RAM to retain user settings accessible via the Control Panel. (To get to the Control Panel press OpenApple-Control-Escape and select "Control Panel".) There is more about Apple IIgs specifications
in the FAQs resource file R024GSSPECS.txt.
The IIgs can run DOS 3.3, ProDOS, Pascal, and any other OS the earlier 8- bit models can run. In 8-bit or "emulation" mode, it works much like an enhanced //e, even down to supporting nearly all of the old monitor routines and softswitches. One notable difference is that users must go to 64k Bank $FF (e.g. FF/F800 - FF/FFFF) to view monitor ROM contents. In the default (Bank $00) area, an F800L etc. monitor command shows code in the "Language Card" RAM. Like the //c series, it does not support the ori
ginal Apple cassette tape I/O.
GS is the only Apple II machine which can run GS System (sometimes called "GS/OS"). GS System and Toolbox routines make it possible for the System Finder program to deliver a sophisticated 'mouse and windows' environment which looks very much like PC's Windows. The current version of System is System 6.0.1.
The first GS's were released in the Fall of 1986. The batches produced until mid-late 1987 became known as "ROM 00" machines after release of the "ROM 01" models. Many ROM-00 owners took advantage of Apple's offer to convert their machines to ROM-01 via swapping in chips. By 1989 the ROM 3 GS was released. It is essentially a ROM-01 with 1MB base memory and several minor enhancements. Few ROM-01 owners moved to the ROM 3.
The first GS's were released in the Fall of 1986. The batches produced until mid-late 1987 became known as "ROM 00" machines after release of the "ROM 01" models. When you turn ON or force restart* a ROM-01 GS, the startup screen shows "ROM Version 01"; on a ROM-00 GS the startup screen says nothing about ROM version. *(Press OpenApple-Control-Reset to do a forced restart.)
The original GS's came in cases marked "Limited Edition" with Steve Wozniak's signature. Often, these are referred to as "Woz GS's". (See FAQs resource file R002WOZGS.GIF for a picture.) Only about 50,000 ROM-00 IIgs's had the "Woz" signature. A relatively small number of users chose Apple's option to upgrade their //e's with a motherboard swap. Introduced in early 1987, the upgrade included "IIgs" labels which users could substitute for "//e" in the case insert.
At the time of the ROM-01 change-over in 1987, Apple supplied a ROM-00- to-ROM-01 upgrade service free. It consists of swapping in a new ROM and a new Video Graphics Controller ("VGC") IC. ROM-00 machines which have not had the upgrade can not run modern GS software-- the ROM must be upgraded. Alltech (760-724-2404; http://allelec.com ) is a good place to check for a ROM-01 'upgrade kit' consisting of the 01 ROM. (Price: around $30.00)
The VGC upgrade is not required for software compatibility, and is not needed for all machines anyway. It is supposed to fix cosmetic problems in monochrome double-hires graphics mode (pink flickering or fringing on what is supposed to be a black and white screen). On some machines the VGC swap also fixes some color combination problems in 80-column text mode.
Note: ROM-00 machines can boot disks which start System up through Version 3. (Booting these disks typically starts by displaying some version of "ProDOS 16".) The downside, of course, is being unable to boot modern versions of System and use software which needs to run under the later versions. On the other hand, a number of very early products run under versions of System which have no patches for ROM-01 or ROM 3. Original diskettes for these products will boot correctly only on a ROM-00 GS.
Whether via the upgrade or original purchase of a newer GS, by late 1987 nearly all GS users were 'on the same page'. That is, we had the ROM-01 platform with its base 256kB RAM plus the official Apple 1MB Expansion Memory Board plugged into the Memory Expansion Slot for a total of 1.25MB of fully- accessible system RAM. For the next couple of years, practically all GS software was designed to launch from 3.5" diskette under "ProDOS-16" and to fit within the 1.25MB of RAM everyone was assumed to have
installed.
In 1989 Apple introduced the "ROM 3" GS-- the startup screen shows "ROM Version 3". (No ROM-02 GS was ever released). The only major improvement over ROM-01 is more base RAM-- you get 1MB instead of 256kB. This is a very nice benefit. It means that a ROM 3 with a 4MB Mem Exp Board will have 5MB of fully accessible RAM whereas a ROM-01 can have 4.25MB of fully-accessible RAM. In effect, the ROM 3 owner gets a 'free' 800kB RAM disk.
As Mitch Spector notes in his listing of ROM 3 features (in the "Hardware Hacking" FAQs), the newer GS offers a number of other nice pluses with the only significant minus being incompatibility with a few older GS programs and pre-System 5 versions of GS System. Chiefly, ROM 3 is a 1989 re- do of ROM-01 featuring more streamlined hardware and more built-in firmware.
Since System 5, booting GS System applies in-RAM patches matched to ROM version 1 or 3. The patches, located in System/System.Setup/, are TS2 for ROM- 01 and TS3 for ROM 3. This achieves nearly identical operation.
Very few ROM-01 owners felt any urge to move to ROM 3. Even today, the vast majority of installed GS's are ROM-01 machines.
The 1990's saw wide adoption of four major GS enhancements:
OS- After years of foot dragging, Apple finally produced a decent 16-bit GS operating system with release of System 5.0. Within a few years this evolved into today's System 6 (System 6.0.1). System 6 has won wide acceptance as a relatively stable OS which, at last, allows GS users to access many of the features of GS computing promised back in 1986. Although any ROM-01 or ROM 3 IIgs with at least the 1MB Apple Expansion Memory card installed can boot a fairly decent install of System 6 from diskette, the f
act that it is likely to use at least 800kB of RAM somewhat limits the applications which can be run, especially on the ROM-01 GS.
Memory- Driven, in part, by the need for more memory to run System 6, 4MB became the standard size of installed Memory Expansions. Except for school GS's and GS's taken out of circulation and tucked away in closets, the old Apple 1MB Expansion Boards have long ago been replaced with boards adding 4MB- 8MB.
Hard Disk- As with memory, the size of newer versions of System supplied a strong push toward adding a hard disk. Software was becoming larger, too, and there was so much of it that making everything work from diskette became impossibly cumbersome. Lower HD prices, attractive SCSI interfaces such as RamFAST, and low-cost, easy single-card IDE solutions such as the Focus "Hard Card" and SHH Systeme "Turbo" cards have helped make the hard disk a standard, expected peripheral on today's GS.
Acceleration- Few commercial software offerings actually sought to push GS users to higher speeds; and, as a result, users went for years feeling no great need for Applied Engineering's expensive Transwarp accelerator. The arrival of Zip Technology's lower cost ZipGS board together with a clear need for more speed to handle System 6 sparked a nearly overnight 'acceleration revolution'. Today, an accelerator running at 8MHz or better is considered, very nearly, to be a necessary IIgs enhancement.
Recommended configuration: ROM-01 or ROM 3 with 4MB or 8MB Memory Expansion board-- i.e. at least 4.25MB (ROM-01) or 5MB (ROM 3) of total system RAM, RamFAST SCSI + 120MB or larger SCSI hard disk OR 120MB or larger HD-on-a-card IDE drive (e.g. Alltech's Focus Hard Card or SHH's Turbo IDE series) with System 6.0.1 installed, 8MHz/32k TransWarp or 9MHz/32k ZipGS or better accelerator board, Stereo Card, Imagewriter II printer, two 3.5" and two 5.25" diskette drives.
A minimum GS system that will run many older wares and still deliver a decent operating system is a ROM-01 GS with the Apple 1MB Memory Expansion board, two 3.5" drives, at least one 5.25" drive, and Imagewriter II printer, which boots System 5.0.4 or System 6.0.1 from 3.5" diskette. --Dan DeMaggio, Rubywand, David Empson, Supertimer, Randy Shackelford, Hal Bouma
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Related FAQs Resources: R028LCA2CARD.TXT (text file)
014- What is an Apple II: The Apple IIe Emulation Card
This is a '//e on a card' plug-in which lets you run Apple II software. The card fits into Mac LC and some subsequent machines that have the LC Processor Direct Slot (PDS) and which support 24-bit memory addressing.
Many of these cards are sold today without documentation. In case you've just plugged one into your Mac Color Classic, etc., it will help to know that pressing Command-Control-Escape gets you to the Preferences panel.
The Apple IIe Emulation Card is actually more like a //c because the card is not an expandable machine like a //e. There is a place on the back of the card to plug in a Y-cable to which you can attach a Unidisk 3.5" disk drive (white, A2M2053) and/or an Apple 5.25" disk drive (platinum, A9M0107) and a joystick.
Because the graphics are handled by the Mac, animation may be slow if you don't have a decent Mac. For more information, see FAQs resource file R028LCA2CARD.TXT. --Dan DeMaggio, David Empson, Owen Aaland, Edward Floden, Liam Busey, Phil Beesley, Joan Sander
____________________________
Related FAQs Resources: R022TRKSTAR.TXT (text file)
015- What is an Apple II: The Trackstar Apple II Emulation Card
A TrackStar is a single board Apple 2 computer that plugs into a PC Clone with at least one ISA slot or into an IBM PS/2 computer. The most advanced models, Trackstar E and Trackstar Plus, work like an enhanced 128k //e.
Trackstar can run Apple II software from virtual "trackstore" disk images, virtual hard disk, and, with Apple II disk drive plugged, Apple II diskettes. (With the correct cables, it can use some Apple II diskettes in compatible PC 5.25" drives.)
For more about Trackstar boards, software, and setup, see FAQs Resource file R022TRKSTAR.TXT.) --Bill Whitson, Michael Kelsey, Mike "Moose" O'Malley, Rubywand, Wayne Stewart
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016- What is an Apple II: Emulators
An Apple II emulator-- also called an "emu"-- is a program which lets a PC, Mac, etc. work like an Apple II and run Apple II software. Usually, the Apple II software is in the form of a "disk image" file-- a kind of virtual diskette. For more about Apple II emulators and where to get them see Q&A 003 in Csa2APPLICS. --Rubywand
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017- Apple "][", "Apple II", "Apple //"-- which is correct?
"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.
"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with _old_ Apple II 's. The "//" usage is associated with the c and newer e models.
"II" is widely accepted as 'okay' for all Apple II models. (And "II" and "A2" are commonly used for referring to series-wide products, etc. as in "II software", "A2 programmers", ... .)
The generally preferred machine designations are ...
Apple ][ or Apple II for pre-II+ models
Apple ][+ or Apple II+
Apple IIe for non-enhanced IIe computers
Apple //e for 128k enhanced //e computers
Apple //c
Apple IIc+
Apple IIgs or GS or best (if you have the fonts for a small "GS") IIGS
--Rubywand
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018- What is "8 bit" and "16 bit"?
Number of bits usually indicates how big a chunk of data a computer's main microprocessor can manipulate. The Apple IIgs is based on the 65C816 microprocessor and is considered to be a 16-bit machine. Previous Apple ]['s are based upon pure 8-bit microprocessors such as the 6502 and 65C02. These are considered to be 8-bit machines. Sometimes II+ or IIe or IIc software is called "8-bit software".
The 65C816 is a member of the 6502 family which includes expanded registers and adds many new commands while retaining the ability to go into 8- bit mode. So; the GS can run most 8-bit wares designed for older Apple II machines as well as newer 16-bit wares. Meanwhile, 8-bit machines are pretty well limited to 8-bit wares. --Rubywand
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019- How can I tell what version my computer is?
Apple II
Upon Reset, the original Apple II starts you in the system monitor looking at the "*" prompt. It allows step execution of machine code and has Integer BASIC in ROM. The major division between kinds of Apple II is Revision 0 and Revision 1. The Revision 1 motherboard adds a number of features including a few which are easily observed:
Power-On Reset: The computer automatically does a Reset when turned On.
More hires colors: To the Black, White, Violet, and Green available on a Rev0 machine, Rev1 adds Blue and Orange.
Color Killer added: Full-text displays are black&white without the color fringing and tinting you see on Rev0 machines.
Apple II+
All Apple II+ machines have the Revision 1 or higher motherboard and the Autostart ROM. On power-up the Apple II+ does a Reset and displays "APPLE ][" at the top of the screen. If a disk drive is connected, the II+ will try to boot a diskette. The Apple II+ loses some monitor features (like instruction stepping) and in-ROM Integer BASIC found in the earlier Apple II; but, it gains the more powerful Applesoft BASIC in ROM. A II+ Reset normally leaves you in BASIC looking at the "]" Applesoft BASIC prom
pt.
Apple IIe
You can usually tell a IIe from a II or II+ by the nameplate. On models with the classic Apple II case but no nameplate, you can check the keyboard. IIe models include a key embossed with the outline of an apple called the "OpenApple" key located near the bottom left corner of the keyboard. (All later Apple II's have this key, too; but, they do not look anything like a II, II+, or IIe). A few IIe models produced for third parties may have some other special-logo key in place of OpenApple.
Within the IIe series, the major division is between Enhanced and unenhanced IIe models. Look at your computer while booting. If it says "Apple ][", it is not enhanced. The enhanced computers will say "Apple //e".
Today, "Enhanced IIe", "//e", and "128k Apple IIe" are used interchangeably because nearly every Enhanced IIe has an Extended 80-Column Card plugged into the 60-pin Aux Slot (which adds 64kB of RAM). Technically, an Enhanced IIe is defined by the presence of three or four IC's: the 65C02 microprocessor (replaces the 6502), new Character (or "Video") ROM which includes MouseText characters, and new monitor firmware in ROM.
If a IIe has the 65C02 microprocessor, it is probably an Enhanced IIe. If your IIe is not enhanced, you can do the enhancement yourself with an "enhancement kit" consisting of the four chips you need to swap in.
The last significant upgrade to the IIe series came in 1987 with the release of the Extended Keyboard //e. This model is a 128k Enhanced IIe-- it comes with an Extended 80-Column Card plugged into the Aux Slot-- which adds an 18-key 'numeric keypad'. It also replaces the eight on-motherboard RAM chips with two 64kx4 IC's; and, it replaces the two BASIC/monitor ROMs with a single large ROM.
Quite a lot of later 80's 8-bit software, including all double-hires software, requires a 128k Enhanced IIe. (If you have a //c, IIc+, IIgs, Laser 128, or Franklin Ace 2000-2200, you have good to at least decent Enhanced IIe compatibility.) Unfortunately, a small number of early-release IIe's can not be upgraded to handle double-hires. Check the serial number on the motherboard (in the back, by the power-on led). If it is 820-0064-A, you must change the motherboard to upgrade (unless you have the PAL
video output version).
The IIe was produced in very large numbers and sold around the world in countries with different power systems using different video standards. So, it is not all that unlikely that you may need to check a bargain IIe to make sure it will work in your home using your monitor. The two major video output formats you may run into are NTSC (used in the US, Canada, Japan, and most countries with 60Hz power, except Brazil) and PAL (used in Australia, most of Europe, and most countries with 50Hz power). One w
ay to tell which video standard a IIe uses is the location of the Aux Slot. If it is on the side of the motherboard near the power supply, you have an NTSC model. If it is in line with Slot 3, you have a PAL model.
Apple //c and Apple IIc+
Go into Basic and type "PRINT PEEK (64447)" and press return. If it says 255, you have a very old //c. This model is known to have problems producing accurate baud rates for serial communications. It's been many years since the //c was released; but, some long-time Apple dealers may still perform the upgrade for a nominal fee. (Tell the dealer that the Apple authorization number is ODL660.)
If PRINT PEEK (64447) displays 0, you can use 3.5" drives, but you don't have the memory expansion connector. If it says 3, you have the memory expansion connector and can plug in extra memory. If it says 4, you have the latest model of the //c with the memory expansion connector and other upgrades.
If PRINT PEEK (64447) displays 5, you have an Apple IIc+. The IIc+ also has "IIc Plus" silk-screened in dark gray onto the upper right corner of the case.
Apple IIgs
There are 3 major versions of the GS: Check the initial power-up screen. It will probably say ROM-01 or ROM 3. If it does not say either, you have a ROM-00 model. You must upgrade a ROM-00 machine in order to run current system software. The ROM-01 has 256K on the motherboard, while the ROM 3 has 1 MB on the motherboard. Most of the enhancements of the ROM 3 are added to the ROM-01 simply by booting up with current system software. --Dan DeMaggio, CreatSltn, Steve Leahy, Nathan Mates, Bevis King, Davi
d Empson, Jeff Blakeney, David Wilson, Rubywand
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020- Suppose I just want to start using my Apple II Now!?
Okay; suppose you have zilch info, do not feel like looking through the FAQs, and want to start Now. The following _may_ be all you need to get going with some game or utility from diskette:
o The Disk Controller Card for Apple ][, ][+, and IIe goes into Slot 6 (next to last Slot on the right when viewed from the front). Drive 1 plugs into the top connector with the ribbon side of the cable plug facing out. Plug in the cable(s) before plugging in the card so that you are sure the connector and plug line up correctly.
o On the IIgs, the 3.5" drive(s) plug in first, then, the 5.25" drive(s).
o Unless a hard disk is installed, most Apple II's try to boot a diskette and start DOS 3.3, ProDOS, or GS/OS when turned ON. (On the old Apple ][ you can type in 6 Control-P RETURN to boot from the Monitor, assuming your Controller Card is in Slot 6. To press Control-P, press and hold Control, then P, then release both keys.)
o Most, but not all, diskettes are bootable. If one diskette doesn't boot, try another. If no diskettes boot, use a Radio Shack Head Cleaner diskette to clean the drive head(s).
o If the prompt you see is ], you are in Applesoft BASIC; > indicates Integer BASIC; and * indicates the Monitor. If both Integer BASIC and Applesoft are in memory, you can enter FP to switch from Integer to Applesoft and INT to switch from Applesoft to Integer. To go from either BASIC to the Monitor, enter CALL- 151. To start the current BASIC from the Monitor, enter Control-B. To go back to BASIC with program and variables in tact from the Monitor, enter Control-C.
o Except for the ][ and most ][+'s, you must press Control-RESET to do a Reset.
o To boot a diskette when viewing a BASIC prompt, you can enter PR#6 to boot a drive associated with Slot 6-- usually a 5.25" drive-- and PR#5 to boot a drive associated with Slot 5-- usually a 3.5" drive. --Rubywand, David Empson
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021- Where do I find out about Apple II Users' Groups?
Especially for beginners, a user group is an absolute golden of software, information, and bargain hardware.
Several Apple II users groups continue to meet, especially in major cities and on university campi. If a local group listing is 'missing' from your phone book, check for a Mac users group-- a number of Apple II groups have merged with their Mac counterparts.
For more info and links, see Csa2USERGRP.txt or see the links at http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs9USERGROUPS.html .
____________________________
022- How can I find out more about using and programming my Apple II?
You can peruse the newsgroup FAQs Q&A Contents page. You can also check out the Apple II Major Sites page (Csa21MAIN3.txt).
All Apple II's come with some version of BASIC installed in-ROM on the motherboard. The original Apple II's have Integer BASIC. Starting with the II+ model, all Apple II's have floating-point Applesoft BASIC in ROM. Owners of early Apple II's can load in Applesoft or plug in a card with Applesoft ROMs.
There are several good places to find out about Apple II BASIC programming:
Apple II Textfiles
http://www.textfiles.com/apple/
Byte Works (new IIgs GSoft BASIC)
http://www.byteworks.org
Ground
http://www.apple2.org.za/mirrors/ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/MiscInfo/Applesoft/
http://www.apple2.org.za/mirrors/ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/MiscInfo/Programming/
http://www.apple2.org.za/mirrors/ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple8/Beagle.Oldies/
The comp.sys.apple2.programmer newsgroup and Csa2P FAQs
for programming Q&A plus more links
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/csa2pfaq.html
Besides BASIC, you can load and use many languages including Fortran, Pascal, Modula, C, Logo, Forth, Assembly, and others. The Apple II "Monitor" included in-ROM lets you enter 6502 and (on a IIgs) 65816 machine language programs. IIgs owners can also create Hyperstudio and HyperCard stacks. For more information and links go to the comp.sys.apple2.programmer FAQs (see URL above).
There is really no substitute for having the technical manual for your particular Apple II or clone. The manual for the ][ and ][+ is the Apple ][ Reference Manual. For the IIe and IIc you want Apple's Technical Reference Manual for your machine. For the IIgs you will want, at least, the IIgs Hardware Reference and IIgs Firmware Reference.
Naturally, you will want to get manuals and materials covering DOS, ProDOS, BASIC, and many other areas relating to your Apple II. Below is a decent 'getting started' sampling:
General Apple II
Apple II Reference Manual from Apple
Apple II User's Guide by Poole, Martin, and Cook
Note: Third Edition, 1985 (Apple II User's Guide for APPLE II Plus
and APPLE IIe) is completely revised to include ProDOS coverage
Beagle Bros "Peeks, Pokes, and Pointers" (poster) by Beagle Bros
The Apple II Circuit Description by Winston D. Gayler
Understanding the Apple ][ by Jim Sather
What's Where in the Apple II? by William F. Luebbert
Applesoft BASIC and Assembly Language
Assembly Lines: The Book by Roger Wagner
BASIC Programming Reference Manual from Apple
Programming the 65816 Including the 6502, 65C02, and 65802
by David Eyes and Ron Lichty
65816/65802 Assembly Language Programming by Michael Fischer
DOS, ProDOS, and GS/OS
Apple IIgs GS/OS Technical Reference (Apple/ Addison-Wesley)
Beneath Apple DOS by Worth & Lechner
Beneath Apple ProDOS by Worth & Lechner
Exploring Apple GS/OS and ProDOS 8 by Little
ProDOS Inside and Out by Doms and Weishaar
ProDOS Technical Reference Manual (Apple/ Addison-Wesley)
The DOS Manual from Apple
Some technical manuals and other materials can be obtained in original or reprint form from Byte Works and Kula Soft. Major book sellers, such as Amazon list many Apple II books. For current Kula Soft, Byte Works, and other seller links, see Vendors Q&A in Csa21MAIN2.txt or go to ...
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs3VENDORS.html#020 .
Though most Apple II books are out of print, many sellers will search for and, with luck, locate the book you want.
Apple II manuals and other books also turn up for sale on Csa2 newsgroups like comp.sys.apple2.marketplace, at used book shops, and at local Users Group swap meets. Some manuals and other items, such as Reference Cards and posters (usually in Text or HTML form) are available for downloading at the major Apple II archives and other support sites. (See Q&A 005 above.)
You may be able to find a local Apple II users' group or a group on-line that you like. Besides knowledgeable users, you will often find a software library stocked with useful software. (See Csa2USERGRP.txt.)
Another good resource is a subscription to an Apple II newsletter or magazine; and, don't overlook collections of major Apple II magazines published through the 1980's (e.g. inCider, Nibble, Computist, etc.). They are virtual encyclopedias covering many areas of II computing. For current publishers and net sites which offer on-line copies of back issues see Q&A 005 above.
Often, the easiest, quickest way to an answer for some Apple II question is to 'just ask it' on comp.sys.apple2 and/or another Csa2 family newsgroup. There are no Csa2 rules about posting to just a newsgroup which deals with a particular topic or making sure your question is hard enough or reading the FAQs first. Supplying information is the main purpose of the newsgroups. -- Rubywand, David Wilson, Tony Cianfaglione, Steve Sanders, Terence J. Boldt, Wayne Stewart
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023- Where can I find out about developers of Apple II and II-related products?
For current information on developers and software/hardware products see ...
GS WorldView's "Developers at Work" pages
http://apple2.org.za/gswv/a2zine/Sel/A2DevelopersAtWork.htm
Postings on Csa2 newsgroups
news:comp.sys.apple2
A.P.P.L.E. 'zine news
http://www.callapple.org/
A2Central.com, including "A2 News and Notes" 'zine
http://www.a2central.com/
http://lamp.a2central.com/
For information on classic A2 game developers see ...
The Giant List
http://www.dadgum.com/giantlist/list.html
--Rubywand |
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:15 am |
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Archive-name: apple2/faq/part3
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 2008/10/01
URL: http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs1START.html
The comp.sys.apple2 Usenet newsgroup Apple II FAQs originate from
the Ground Apple II archive, 1997-2008. Administrator: Steve Nelson
Csa2 FAQs-on-Ground ref: Csa2ACCEL.txt rev127 October 2008
Accelerators
001- What are the correct settings for a ZipGS?
002- Why should Appletalk Delay be disabled with a ZipGS?
003- How do I set up a Transwarp on my IIe?
004- Is there a way of disabling Transwarp for games?
005- What are specs & jumper settings for a vintage SpeeDemon?
006- How does the SpeeDemon rate as an accelerator?
007- My SpeeDemon accelerator board seems to run hot. A fix?
008- How should the DIP switches be set on a v3.03 SpeeDemon?
009- How can I get a 'Cache Hit' indicator for my ZipGS?
010- How can I program the ZipGS registers?
011- How can I set up a ProDOS sys file to turn my ZipGS OFF/ON?
012- Is there some ZipGS mod that will improve performance?
013- I have a 7MHz ZipGS. How fast can the board be pushed?
014- What Oscillator freq corresponds to what upgrade speed?
015- How do I experiment with different oscillator frequencies?
016- How do I modify my ZipGS to accept the new "skinny" RAM chips?
017- Is it really necessary to increase board voltage
018- What kind of performance increase can I expect?
019- How can I modify my ZipGS for more cache and more speed?
020- Do I need new GALs to speed up my TransWarpGS?
021- How does a TWGS cache upgrade compare with a speed upgrade?
022- How can I upgrade my TWGS to 32k cache?
023- How can I upgrade TWGS speed?
024- What kind of RAMs do I need for a TWGS or ZipGS speedup?
025- How can I tell the firmware version of my TWGS?
026- For my TWGS, do I need the 2B GAL to use a SCSI interface card?
027- Why are my ZipGS settings via the Zip CDA forgotten?
028- What do the check-marks mean in the ZipGS CDA?
029- Why don't my ZipGS settings match DIP switch settings!?
030- I have a ZipGS. Sometimes my GS 'hangs' on power-up. Why?
031- The speedup has led to system crashes. What's the problem?
032- A new accelerator board has led to crashes. What's the problem?
033- How can I get a display of IIgs speed?
From: Marc Sira, David Empson, Rubywand
001- What are the correct settings for a ZipGSx? I've tinkered
with "CPS Follow", "Counter Delay", and the like but have
no idea what I'm actually doing.
Bank C/D Cache Enable-- Leave this at the default setting (SW1-1 set to ON).
This tells the Zip if it's OK to cache bank-switched RAM (the old language
card area). Zip's own docs say "there is no known software requiring this";
but, that is why it's there, in case somebody ever finds software that doesn't
like it you can try setting it the other way.
Correct "Misc Settings" CDA panel display*: C/D Cache Disable Off
Defeat Paddle Delay-- The delay is necessary for playing most 8-bit games
which use paddles or a joystick. Recommended setting is to have the delay
active (SW1-2 set to OFF) unless you feel like experimenting.
Correct "Misc Settings" CDA panel display: Joystick Delay On
Defeat AppleTalk Delay should always be enabled (SW1-3 set to ON). The
desktop will run much slower with the delay active. The reason most people
needed it was for AppleTalk under System 5, and now there is an init on tybalt
that fixes that. System 6 fixed the problem but requires CPS Follow to be
enabled for the fix to work.
Correct "Misc Settings" CDA panel display: AppleTalk Delay Off
Defeat Counter Delay is present so that the ZipGS can be set to avoid the
delays needed to pass one of the IIgs diagnostic self-tests. When set OFF, the
ZipGS will "deaccelerate" (it temporarily ignores that any data can be read
from the cache instead of the motherboard) for about 5 milliseconds any time
you read one of the Video Counters. The delay lets the IIgs get past the
particular self-test. Otherwise, the recommended setting is SW1-4 set
to ON (delay inactive).
Recommended Correct CDA "Misc Settings" panel display: Counter Delay Off
Defeat CPS Follow should always be disabled (SW1-5 set to OFF). This lets
the ZipGS automatically 'follow' the IIgs-- e.g. when it switches to "Normal"
speeds the ZipGS is disabled. This is a requirement for a reasonable amount of
timing-critical software. If CPS Follow is not active you will have problems
with Disk ]['s and System 6's AppleTalk driver and anything else that expects
the Zip to slow down to 1MHz when the IIgs is instructed to slow down to 1MHz.
For instance, border text demos (like the FTA XMAS demo) won't work. Expect
weird things to happen if you play with this one.
Correct CDA "Misc Settings" panel display: CPS Follow On
ZipGS Enable-- The card should normally be enabled (SW1-6 set to ON).
SW1-7 and SW1-8 should be set to correspond to the size of your ZipGS's
cache memory. (see below)
SW2-1 through SW2-7 set access speed for Slots 1-7. Set the switch OFF for
slower access to the corresponding Slot. This is generally only needed for
a small number of cards that are speed critical but not IIgs-aware. 5.25" disk
interface cards are covered by the CPS FOLLOW option (1-5) if they are in
slots 4 to 7.
I have found that it is necessary to enable the delay for slot 6 when using a
3.5" drive connected to the IIgs disk port. There are a few rare cases in
which a long timed operation is performed in fast mode, and the ZIP throws the
timing out unless this delay is enabled. In my case, I had some strange disk
errors with certain disks until I enabled this delay.
Defeat Speaker Delay lets you turn off the delay required for "old Apple II"
1-bit sounds to play the way they would on 8-bit Apple II's or on a IIgs which
is unaccelerated. Since the delay is necessary for getting correct sound from
most 8-bit games, I recommend having the delay active (SW2-8 set to OFF).
Recommended Correct CDA "Misc Settings" panel display: Speaker Delay Off
*Note: Display refs are for ZipGS CDA version 1.3.7 (ZipDAv137shk.zip at
http://apple2.org.za/gswv/a2zine/System/ ).
Summary
The normally recommended SW1 settings are identical to the
factory default settings except for SW1-4 ...
ON x x x x m m
OFF x x m m
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1- Cxxx/Dxxx Cache: ON= enabled.
2- Defeat Joystick delay: OFF= allow delay.
3- Defeat AppleTalk delay: ON= no delay.
4- Defeat Counter Delay: ON= no delay. Set OFF to pass
IIgs diagnostic self-test #05 ("Speed Test").
5- Defeat CPS Follow: OFF for floppy drives to work.
6- ZipGS enable: ON. Set OFF to allow powerup boot in
slow mode.
7 & 8- Set these to installed Zip cache memory size:
ON ON 8k
ON OFF 16k
OFF ON 32k
OFF OFF 64k
The factory default SW2 settings are ...
ON x x x x x
OFF x x x
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
SW2-1 through SW2-7 control whether a card in Slot 1-7 is accessed
at full speed (set ON) or "normal" speed (set OFF)**.
SW2-8 sets Defeat Speaker Delay. To play 'old Apple' music and
effects correctly, the switch should be OFF to permit the delay.
**Note: Whether or not a particular card can work without a slow-down is
something you can determine by experimentaton. This is easiest using the
ZipGS CDA accessed via the Desk Accessories menu (OpenApple-Control-Escape).
The CDA settings are not permanent. Once you find the settings you like,
you can turn OFF the computer and set the switches on the board to match
the settings that work best.
____________________________
From: Todd P. Whitesel
002- Why should Appletalk Delay be disabled with a ZipGS?
Because it saps performance every time an interrupt occurs.
The Appletalk delay was originally called the "Interrupt Delay" but they renamed it at the last minute because somebody actually tried an 8/64 on an Appleshare network and it dropped packets like crazy.
With "Appletalk delay" on, every time an interrupt occurs your Zip will disable acceleration for 5 ms, just like it does with the paddles and the speaker and the others. This is a significant effect because with VBL interrupts going you have one every 16 ms, so your Zip spends nearly 1/3 of the time not accelerating you.
Why this "fixes" appletalk: in system 5 and earlier (including the ROM appletalk code), there are software timing loops which assume 2.8 mhz operation. As you speed the system up, it gets more and more likely to drop incoming packets because it thinks they are being sent too slowly to be correct, when in reality the appletalk code is timing out too fast.
Why the Appletalk delay is not a complete solution: a full-size Appletalk packet that you'd get from a file server takes about 14 ms to transmit. The Appletalk delay covers the first 1/3 of the packet, the VBL interrupt covers at most another third of the packet, but nothing is guaranteed to keep acceleration off for the whole packet. If you speed the Zip up more, say to 10/64, it starts dropping long packets no matter what.
This latter problem was why I originally wrote ZipTalk. It required a slot delay to be enabled (in, say, slot 6 or 7), and before each appletalk packet was received I tweaked that slot -- slot delays are 50 ms, so the Zip stays unaccelerated way past the end of the packet and everything works. (I also patched packet sending, to be safe.)
In system 6 Apple fixed things correctly in the appletalk drivers. I removed the code from ZipTalk and released what remained as ZipFix. As of 6.0.1, the cursor flicker problem was fixed by apple in the control panel, so now you only need ZipFix for the GS/OS SET_SYS_SPEED hook, which nobody seems to use.
______________________________
From: Jeff Brielmaier
003- How do I set up a Transwarp on my IIe?
Bank1: Sw 1-7 -> Change to OPEN if there is a memory card that uses the "Langauge Card bank switching technique". (Normally CLOSED)
Bank1: Sw 1-7 -> Change to OPEN if the plug in card must be accessed at 1 MHz (Normally CLOSED. OPEN for Floppy diskette controllers)
Switch 8 on both Banks: Sets the power up speed of Transwarp
Bank1 Bank2
3.6 MHz OPEN OPEN <<Normal>>
1.7 MHz CLOSED OPEN
1 MHz OPEN CLOSED
1 MHz CLOSED CLOSED
----------------------
004- Is there a way of disabling Transwarp for games?
Press <Esc> at power-up will disable Transwarp completely until the next power off/on cycle.
A better way is to write a 01 to $C074. This will slow Transwarp down to 1 MHz without disabling it completely. Writing a 00 to $C074 will restore Transwarp to it's 'fast' speed.
____________________________
From: Rubywand
005- I recently bought an "M-c-T SpeeDemon" board. It's dated 1984
and draws a small apple on the screen after power-up. What kind
of cache RAM does it have? There's a place for jumpers near the
top of the card. Is there a way to control this thing through
software or hardware?
Your card may be a slightly later model. (I've never noticed ours draw a hires apple on the screen-- darn it!) Possibly, McT came out with a revision aimed at 128K IIe's.
The RAMs on our vintage model SpeeDemon are 100ns 2048x8 9128's (for a total 8K of pretty speedy cache).
I once asked McT about the jumper block you mention, they said the jumper is set at the factory to adjust on-card timing and to Leave It Alone. (On our card, the jumper block has 5 pairs. The pair 2nd from the top is jumpered.)
There is also a jumper pair near the bottom middle of the card. This is the Speed Jumper. Jumper it if you want 'demon to slow down for I/O accesses to Slots 4 & 5. (The 'demon always slows for Slot 6 I/O ($C0E0 - $C0EF.)
According to the "Manual" (a folded card), pressing PDL-1 (Closed-Apple on a IIe) upon power-up will engage a self-test. Pressing ESC at power-up will turn OFF the card and allow running at normal speed. To turn OFF the card later on, do a POKE (49152+256*S) where S= Slot # of the slot the card is in; then, press RESET.
You can put the 'demon into any Slot; but, if you put it in Slot 0 (Slot 3 in a IIe), the card will not respond to any KB shut-off commands.
------------------------
006- How does the SpeeDemon rate as an accelerator for II+ and IIe Apples?
In terms of raw performance (once you arrange for cooling), SpeeDemon may be the best of the 4MHz accelerators for early II's. I've never noticed any compatibility problems and the approx. X3.5 speed increase puts real 'snap' into your machine's response. (Besides, it's great for games like Elite!)
------------------------
007- My SpeeDemon accelerator board seems to run hot in my II+.
Is this normal? Should I add cooling?
Indeed, the 'demon is a power gobbler-- roughly 1.5A as I recall-- and some of the IC's run hot. When the board bombed after one long session, we cut out a square section on the back of the II+ and added a mini-fan, just to blow air across the 'Demon board. This ended the heat problem.
____________________________
From: Douglas M. Howell
008- How should the DIP switches be set on a version 3.03
SpeeDemon board?
This is from the 1-page manual that comes with the card:
For owners without a Bank Switch Language Card in thier Apple, the first seven DIP switches control the access speed of the following:
switch 1 -- controls -- slot 1
switch 2 -- " -- slot 2
switch 3 -- " -- slot 3
switch 4 -- " -- paddle/joystick port
switch 5 -- " -- slot 5
switch 6 -- " -- slot 6
switch 7 -- " -- slot 7
OFF indicates slot/port is accessed at High Speed.
ON indicates slot/port is to Slow Down for access.
All slots that can be accessed at High Speed and all empty slots should have the corresponding Dip switch set to "OFF" (this is the non-bank switch setting).
Special Note about Switch 4:
Switch 4 on the SpeeDemon DIP switch no longer controls the access speed to slot 4. It now controls how the joystick and paddles are read.
If switch 4 is in the "ON" position, the SpeeDemon will slow down to normal Apple speed for 50 milliseconds each time the joystick is accessed. This allows the software to read the joystick or paddles correctly. If switch 4 is in the "OFF" position, the SpeeDemon will not slow down when they are accessed.
Access to slot 4 is always at SLOW (normal) Apple speed.
Certain programs, such as Appleworks, use the joystick location, even when the joystick is not in use. If dip switch 4 is set to "ON" then these programs will not show any speed for some functions, such as calculations and sorts. Therefor, unless you need youysticks for your applications, switch 4 should be set in the "OFF" position.
If you have a Bank Switch Card (extended 80-col card, Ramworks II, Titan Saturn 128k card, excetera..) set switch 8 to the "ON" position.
Bank Switch Language Card Location:
Dip Switches 1-3 encode the location of your Bank switch language card. Use the following table to find the appropriate setting for your machine:
Dip Switch Bank Switch Card Location
1 2 3 Slot #
--- --- --- ------
off off off 0
off off on 1
off on off 2
off on on 3
on off off 4
on off on 5
on on off 6
on on on 7
If you have two bank switch cards in your system, one must reside in slot 0. The other must be in the slot selected by DIP switches 1-3 above.
Special Note: Because the first three switches are used to encode the location of the Bank Switch Language Card, you can no longer control the speed of all the slots. Specifically you can not control slots 1,3, or 6. These slots woll now always run Fast except for slot 6 which will always run Slow.
Special Note: The slot that the SpeeDemon card resides in should be set to the "Off" position
____________________________
From: Will Baguhn
009- How can I get a 'Cache Hit' indicator for my ZipGSx?
This latest ZipGSx modification is pretty straightforward. When I decided I wanted a Cache HIT light instead of a Cache MISS light, I went to Rat Shack and bought a pack of Green LEDs (I like green. Blue or Orange will work just as well.)
I tried adding an inverter to the circuit but it just didn't want to play (obviously a cache HIT is the opposite of a cache MISS, and the LED on the board lights up for cache MISSes). Through the experimenting, I found that I could get the LED to light as desired without any "extra" hardware except the LED itself.
Simple mod: solder in the Anode of the LED to the Anode of the Cache Miss. Solder the Cathode to the Cathode of the Power LED.
(Even easier way to say it: there are four solder points for the existing LEDs. We use the two in the middle. The long lead goes to the yellow side, the short to the red. position as is comfortable. I can only guess that this would be a nice thing to attach to the TURBO light on the front of a tower case, should anyone ever mount a IIgs/ZipGSX inside a tower case... (also, it might be nice to turn SW1-6 OFF and connect the pins to the TURBO button on front. I don't know how useful it would be, but it m
ight come in handy one of these days...)
____________________________
From: David Empson
010- How can I program the ZipGSx registers?
ZipChip GS Special Registers Ex ZIP Technology, 12 October 1990
Registers must be unlocked before they can be accessed (see $C05A). Locking them will re-enable the annunciators.
Writing to any I/O location $C058-$C05F (whether registers are locked or unlocked) will reset delay in progress.
$C058 R No operation
$C058 W Write any value to force power-on/reset bit to COLD (forces
next reset to restore ZIP registers to defaults/switch settings).
$C059 R/W 76543210
*....... Bank Switch Lang Card cache disable=1/enable=0?
.*...... Padl delay (5 ms) disable=0/enable=1 $C070/$C020
..*..... External delay (5 ms) disable=0/enable=1
...*.... Cntr delay (5 ms) disable=0/enable=1 $C02E/$C07E
....*... CPS follow disable=0/enable=1
.....*.. Last Reset warm? READ ONLY
......*. Hardware DMA READ ONLY
.......* non-GS (0)/GS (1) READ ONLY
$C05A R 76543210
****.... Current ZIP Speed, 0=100%, 1=93.75%,..., F=6.25%
....1111
$C05A W Write values as follows:
$5x Unlock ZIP registers (must write 4 times)
$Ax Lock ZIP registers
other Force ZIP to follow system clock (disable card)
$C05B R 76543210
*....... 1msclk - clock with 1 ms period
.*...... cshupd - Tag data at $C05F updated
(read $C05F to reset)
..*..... Bank Switch Language Card cache (0), don't (1)
...*.... Board disable - 0=enabled, 1=disabled
....*... delay in effect (0=ZIP, 1=Slow)
.....*.. rombank (0/1) - not in development version
......** Cache RAM size (00=8k, 01=16k, 10=32k, 11=64k)
$C05B W Write any value to force ZIP to current speed
(i.e. enable card)
$C05C R/W 76543210
*******. Slot 7-1 delay enable (all slots 52-54 ms)
.......* Speaker delay enable (5 ms)
$C05D R Current 65816 bank
$C05D W 76543210
****.... Set ZIP speed, 0=100%, 1=93.75%, ..., F=6.25%
....**** Don't care
$C05E R Read last Tag data written and force the next write
to create a trash tag value.
$C05E W No operation
$C05F R Read last Tag data written and reset cshupd.
Note: apparently any write to a ZIP register
(unlocked) will clear cshupd, but cshupd
says that this location must be read.
$C05F W No operation
----------------------------
011- Is it possible to set up a simple ProDOS-8 application
(SYS) file which turns the ZipGS OFF or ON?
From the usual BASIC prompt, get into the Monitor (e.g. CALL -151) and type in the following code to turn OFF the ZipGS ...
2000:A9 50 8D 5A C0 8D 5A C0 8D 5A C0 8D 5A C0 8E 5A
2010:C0 0A 8D 5A C0 20 00 BF 65 1D 20 00 00 04 00 00
2020:00 00 00 00
A 2000L should look something like this ...
2000: A9 50 LDA #$50
2002: 8D 5A C0 STA $C05A ; write $50 to $C05A four times to
2005: 8D 5A C0 STA $C05A ; enable access to the ZIP registers
2008: 8D 5A C0 STA $C05A
200B: 8D 5A C0 STA $C05A
200E: 8E 5A C0 STZ $C05A ; write $00 to $C05A to disable ZIP
2011: 0A ASL = SLOW mode
2012: 8D 5A C0 STA $C05A ; write $A0 to stop accessing ZIP
2015: 20 00 BF JSR $BF00 ; Do a ProDOS QUIT call
2018: 65 $65
2019: 1D 20 $201D
201B: 00 00 BRK $00
201D: 04 00 00 00 00 00 00
Use the following commands to save it:
CREATE SLOW,TSYS
BSAVE SLOW,TSYS,A$2000,L$24
To enable the ZipGS (= FAST mode), simply change one byte:
200F:5B
(this changes the STZ $C05A to STZ $C05B)
CREATE FAST,TSYS
BSAVE FAST,TSYS,A$2000,L$24
____________________________
From: William Baguhn
Reference: FAQs resource file R005SPLITC.GIF (pic file)
012- Is there some ZipGSx mod that will improve performance
without going to a faster crystal, etc.?
There is; you can do the ZipGSx Split Cache Mod. As your manual explains, Zip GSX speed comes from having a faster processor which can access code and data from its high-speed cache RAM. The standard 'GSX has a unified cache, which means data and code have the possibility of overlapping. If the cache controller sees a need to bring in a lot of code, it will go to main memory and bring in up to 64k of code (or 16k in a 16k cache system) and, possibly, overwrite useful data.
The reverse is also true. If the controller feels that a lot of data needs to be brought in, it will cache the data, and, possibly, overwrite useful code, causing another slowdown when the code needs to be fetched again.
With a split cache, the code and data segments no longer overlap. Caching code cannot overwrite data, caching data cannot overwrite code. The drawback is that only 32k of data and 32k of code can be cached at once (in a 64k system), but usually this provides for more speed than being able to cache a 64k mix of both.
To do the mod, you'll need a ZipGSX version 1.02 with either 16k or 64k cache on it. If you're not sure exactly what board you have, it's pretty straightforward to figure things out: open the computer and look at the Zip. The board revision is silkscreened on just beneath the processor.
The cache size can be determined from the DIP switch settings. However, a simpler guideline is look at the TAG/DATA sockets and count the number of chips. If there are only 2 chips, you have either an 8k or a 32k cache. If there are 4, then you should have 16k or 64k.
To modify your Zip for the Split Cache, you'll need a good hobby knife that can cut the traces without damaging the board underneath too badly, as well as two or three small lengths of wire. You will also need a good pencil-style soldering iron, desoldering pump or braid, and high quality rosin core (NOT acid core) solder. I use Radio Shack's .032 60/40 rosin core solder. Kester makes excellent quality solder which is sold at many electronics supply shops.
There is a potential of damaging expensive and delicate hardware. For example, when cutting a circuit trace be careful not to cut deeply, lest you cut a trace in the next layer of the circuit board. If you're not experienced with cutting traces or soldering on circuit boards, find an old board and take some time to practice.
The actual mod is very simple. Steps 1-3 and 5 are for all boards. Step 4 is for 16k cache boards only. (Note: The picture in FAQs resource file R005SPLITC may be helpful for doing these mods.)
1. Locate J6 and J7. They are both blocks of 3 pinholes, which may or may not have been soldered-in, near the bottom of the board next to connector J1, where the gray cable attaches.
2. Cut the SMALL trace between pins 2 and 3 of both J6 and J7. This trace is on the back (solder side) of the board.
3. Solder in a piece of wire between pins 1 and 3, of both J6 and J7. A wire that has been bent into a U shape before soldering seems to work best, both for ease of installation and aesthetic value.
4. 16k systems ONLY: (See the "16k" insert on the picture in FAQs resource file R005SPLITC.) Cut the trace between pins 1 and 2 of J8 on the top side of the board. (J8 is below the Cache SRAM sockets) Then, solder a piece of wire between pins 2 and 3 of J8.
5. Set the DIP switches appropriately. The DIP switches needing to be set are SW1-7 and SW1-8, they control the cache size. SW1-7 should be OFF for 64k, ON for 16k. SW1-8 should be ON.
Reversing these changes is fairly easy. If you decide that the performance change was detrimental, simply desolder the wires that you installed, and solder in wires to replace the traces that were cut.
I found that the split cache sped up my system notably, especially under the Finder and other desktop applications. Improvement was much less noticeable under text applications. (I haven't checked affect on compiling speed, yet.)
----------------------------
From: Rubywand
I tried the split-cache mod on my 10MHz/64kB ZipGSx. Before/after timings were done for several tasks including Scrolls through Finder windows, Scrolls and Find/Replace through Coolwriter (super-res) and Appleworks (plain text) documents, and Platinum Paint fills.
Timing differences were very small-- usually within the error normally experienced when clicking a stopwatch for repetitions of identical events. Where a difference was observable, it favored the unified 64kB cache.
Evidently, at least on a 64kB board, the ZipGS does a fairly good job of managing the unified cache. Possibly, the mod comes out ahead in some tasks not sampled; or, it may work better on 16kB boards.
____________________________
From: Richard Der
013- I have a 7MHz ZipGS. How fast can the board be pushed without
getting new SRAMs or a new CPU? What parts do I need?
You may be able to get it to run at up to 10MHz by just replacing the oscillator with a faster one for less than two dollars!
I have a Zip GS that came as a 7/32 and was used at 7MHz for a long time. The board came with a socketed oscillator, so one day I swapped out the 28MHz oscillator for a 36MHz one. The computer booted up at 9MHz. When the 36MHz osc was replaced with a 40MHz osc, the Zip ran at an amazing 10MHz!
Your mileage may vary, though. The GS that this upgraded Zip resides in has a high output power supply. Still, considering these oscillators cost $1.39 each, it is worth getting three or four and trying an oscillator swap alone first. If a faster oscillator alone won't do the trick, then a faster CPU and/or faster cache chips may be necessary.
Good Luck!
____________________________
From: Frank M. Lin
014- What Oscillator freq corresponds to what TWGS/ZipGS operating speed?
For TWGS and ZipGS, the crystal oscillators runs at 4 times the speed of the 65816. Below is a chart showing osc and corresponding TWGS or ZipGS speed.
Osc Frequency MHz TWGS/ZipGS Speed MHz
28 7
32 8
33.3333 8.3333
36 9
40 10
42 10.5
46 11.5
48 12
50 12.5
55 13.75
60 15
My understanding is that, if you over-clock a CPU. It just won't function. You can't damage it. As the disclaimer said, do it at your own risk. I have tried to run my TWGS at 20 MHz, system won't boot at all. No damage.
----------------------------
015- How do I experiment with different oscillator frequencies?
Most of the following is from a piece on ZipGS upgrading by Long. It is also a useful guide for TranswarpGS owners.
The ZipGS can use three types of crystal oscillators: the common 4-pin "full size" oscillator module (about the size of a 14-pin TTL IC), a 4-pin "half size" oscillator module (also used on TWGS), or an on-card circuit with a separate crystal (little 2-pin metal canister). To be able to use a separate crystal, your ZipGS must have a resistor at R1 and capacitors at C13 and C14. These three parts are often omitted from Zips which use an oscillator module.
If your accelerator does not have a socket for the oscillator module, you should probably install one (14-pin for ZipGS; 8-pin for TranswarpGS). Experimenting with different frequencies will be much easier. (If your ZipGS has eyelets for a 16-pin socket*, leave the top two pins open.)
On ZipGS boards, only 6 of the 14 socket pins are connected (picture A). The Ground (GND) pins 1, 4, and 7 are connected together. The Power pins 11 and 14 are connected together; and, pin 8 is the module Output. Full size oscillator modules use pins 1, 7, 8 and 14 (refer to picture B). Half-size oscillator modules use the bottom four pins (4, 7, 8 and 11; picture C).
TranswarpGS uses an 8-pin socket intended for holding a half size oscillator module (picture D).
Make sure the module is oriented with the marked end (usually having a dot, squared corner, and/or notch) facing upward. Make sure the module is oriented with the marked end (usually having a dot and/or notch) facing upward. The lower two pins of the module should be in the lowest two pins of the socket.
WARNING: The oscillator may be damaged if installed incorrectly.
ZipGS
* x x * _______
GND 1 o o 14 POWER 1 |o \ 14
NC x x NC | |
NC x x NC | FULL | ______
GND 4 o o 11 POWER | SIZE | 1 |o \ 8
NC x x NC | | | HALF |
NC x x NC | | | SIZE |
GND 7 o o 8 OUTPUT 7 \______/ 8 4 \_____/ 5
(A) (B) (C)
TranswarpGS
______
GND 1 o o 8 POWER 1 |o \ 8
NC 2 x x 7 NC | HALF |
NC 3 x x 6 NC | SIZE |
GND 4 o o 5 OUTPUT 4 \_____/ 5
x - no connection (NC)
----------------------------
016- How do I modify my ZipGS to accept the new "skinny" RAM chips?
With a little modification you can make a Zip with wide sockets accept both the wide (600 mil) and the newer 300 mil skinny 32k x 8 Static RAMs (SRAMs). Ground yourself then carefully pry out the static rams. Look at the socket and you will notice two or three horizontal bars holding both sides of the socket together (Picture D). Carefully snip those out (wire cutters work well for snipping plastic). This will expose a column of holes. Now, solder in half of a socket.
Refer to Picture E below. Plug your skinny SRAMs into the left and center columns making sure the notch on the static ram is facing up-- i.e. toward top edge of board. (Applying power with a chip incorrectly socketed could damage the chip.)
_______ Added center strip
Snip out |
___ ___________ Skinny RAMs plug in here
| | | | notched end facing up.
____ ____ _ _ _
|o __V__ o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o|__o__|o| |o| |o| |o|
|o _____ o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o| o |o| |o| |o| |o|
|o|__o__|o| |o| |o| |o|
|o _____ o| |o| |o| |o|
(D) (E)
-----------------------------
017- Is it really necessary to increase board voltage
to do a TWGS/ZipGS speedup?
With the new 14 MHz parts, you should not need to mess with the voltage at all. It _may_ be necessary to increase voltage at 15-16MHz and will likely be necessary at higher frequencies (e.g. 20MHz).
-----------------------------
018- If I do a TWGS/ZipGS speedup mod, what kind of performance
increase can I expect?
This is just to give you a rough estimate of how much faster you might be able to achieve...
BenchMark v5.0 results:
CPU Stock TWGS TWGS TWGS ZipGS ZipGS ZipGS
Version ROM 01 1.8s 1.8s 1.8s 1.0.2 1.0.2 1.0.2
Cache/Spd 32k/15 32k/15 32k/15 64k/?? 64k/?? 64k/??
Clock Spd 2.8 15 13.75 12.5 16 15 14
======= ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Sieve 410.00 99.00 108.00 117.00 98.00 99.00 110.00
String 1151.20 270.00 292.00 303.67 259.00 262.00 282.00
Float 1 472.00 92.33 87.00 111.33 123.00 128.00 135.00
Float 2 1535.00 317.00 394.00 381.67 395.00 415.00 432.00
Fibinacci 2006.00 605.00 634.00 645.33 507.00 523.00 548.00
Integer 1553.40 307.00 330.00 346.67 420.00 431.00 443.00
Dhrystone 236 1136 1063 1000 NA NA NA
* 1351 1183 1282 NA NA
* Dhrystone v1.1 re-compiled under ORCA/C v2.0.1
System Software 5.0 QuickDraw II improvement test:
Stock //gs: 5648 ticks
TWGS 15 MHz: 1332 ticks (over 4x faster than stock)
If you look at the numbers, a 12 MHz or faster TWGS/Zip will make everything just about 4x faster than a stock //gs.
____________________________
From: Scott G.
019- How can I modify my ZipGS for more cache and more speed?
The process described below is very simple. It aims for a speed of 12.5MHz (or better) with 64k cache.
First, you will need one of the new Western Design Center 14MHz 65C816's. Students, teachers, and professors can order the IC in single quantities directly from WDC ( http://www.wdesignc.com ). Otherwise, the minimum order is $100. Price is about $20 each.
adapters: Nearly all of the newer, faster 32k x 8 SRAMs are in skinny 300-mil packages. If you would rather not modify your ZipGS for the skinny SRAMs, Digi-Key stocks 28-pin 300-mil to 600-mil adapter sockets from Aries Electronics for about $12 each (Aries no. 1106396-2 . You can plug a 28 pin SRAM into the 300-mil adapter socket and the adapter in turn plugs into the 600-mil socket on the Zip. (If you have some spare sockets lying around, you can build your own cheap, but that's another story.)
2-4 32k x 8 SRAM chips: There are many sources for 32k x 8 SRAMs and several types that will work. I got mine (HM62832-15, $5 each) from JDR Microdevices. You'll want 15ns in the Tag RAM sockets. Up to around 12.5MHz, you want 70ns or faster Data RAM. If current cache size is 64k, your old TAG RAM chips will, usually, work as Data RAM and can be transferred to the Data sockets. Otherwise, go ahead and get two 25ns-35ns 32k x 8 SRAM chips for the Data RAM.
Data RAM should always be slower than Tag RAM. Barry Rees posted his experiences on this matter (that Data should be significantly slower than Tag) and I found that the original Tag chips were fast enough.
A "full size" oscillator module: Digi-Key, JDR, Mouser, ... have these. Divide oscillator speed by four to get Zip speed. JDR has the OSC50.0 (50MHz oscillator), which will make a 12.5MHz Zip. The oscillators are cheap enough to get two or three for experimenting with higher speeds.
So, you just plug your Tag and Data RAM chips into the Digi-Key adapters and plug the adapters into the Tag and Data sockets of the Zip. Then, you install the new 65C816 and oscillator and make sure DIP switch 1-7 and 1-8 are both set OFF (for 64k cache). That's it, done completely without soldering.
ZipGS boards vary. On some you may be able to go above 12.5MHz by just plugging in a faster oscillator. On others, you may have to choose between getting faster Data RAM or settling for a lower speed. The new 65C816 is rated for 16MHz and many users have gone to 14MHz and above. For speeds above 12.5MHz, the usual recommendation is to get Data RAM rated at 35ns or better.
For a step-by-step guide, download my ZipUpgrade.SHK HyperCard stack at
http://www.apple2.org.za/mirrors/ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple16/ in the
Hypermedia/Hypercard/ folder.
----------------------------
From: Wayne Stewart
I've sped up several ZipGS's and always topped out at 12 or 12.5MHz until I replaced the 74F00 on the board with a 74HC00. I'd strongly suggest taking the ZipGS as far as you can with plug-in parts, which'll likely be to about 12MHz; then, give the 74HC00 swap-in some thought.
____________________________
From: Scott G. and Andrew Roughan
020- Do I need new GALs to speed up my TransWarpGS?
Probably not. The new 14MHz 65C816's available from WDC make it generally unnecessary to swap in new GAL chips to go to higher speeds. In fact, one user with the faster GALs already installed reports that his TransWarpGS would not work until GAL 3E was replaced with an older GAL 3A.
If you are attempting to use an older 65C816-- e.g. a 10MHz chip released in the early 1990's-- then, it may be necessary to upgrade the GALs (especially GAL 3A) to run reliably above 10MHz. Due to variations in boards and parts, about the only way to find out is to experiment.
----------------------------
From: Henry S. Courbis
A source for upgrade GALs is GSE-Reactive at http://www.gse-reactive.com/.
____________________________
From: Rubywand
021- I have an 8kB TransWarpGS. How does a cache upgrade compare
with a speed upgrade?
John Link charted some comparisons in 1991 involving nine setups: no-TWGS, and 7, 8, 9, 10mHz boards before and after the 8kB-to-32kB cache upgrade. He used three benchmarks:
1. time to calculate page breaks in a 218-page Appleworks document
2. time to scroll through a 39-page Awks-GS document
3. time to compile 4800 lines of MD-BASIC source code
For a 7mHz 8kB TWGS, the speed gain for the 32kB cache upgrade is roughly 33% to nearly x2.5 plain GS speed.
For a 10mHz 8kB TWGS, the speed gain for the 32kB cache upgrade is roughly 33% to about x3.25 plain GS speed.
His charts shows that a 7mHz TWGS with the 32kB cache performs slightly better than a 10mHz TWGS with 8kB cache on tests 1 and 3; it is a bit slower on test 2.
----------------------------
022- How can I upgrade my TWGS to 32k cache?
SHH Systeme ( http://www.wbwip.com/shh/ ), a German company, sells the cache upgrade piggyback board in various states of 'do-it-yourself' readiness. The ready-to-go version is $69 (+ $14 S&H). It includes three 32K cache RAMs (62256-15 or equivalent) and can support speed upgrades to 14MHz or better.
SHH does not automatically include the firmware ROM. If your firmware version is not v1.7 or v1.8, you will also need to order the v1.8 EPROM which SHH sells for $12.
____________________________
From: Scott G., Andrew Roughan, Rubywand
023- How can I upgrade TWGS speed?
The process is very similar to that described earlier for the ZipGS. That is, you swap in a new 14MHz 65C816, a higher speed oscillator module, and, possibly, faster 32k x 8 SRAM chips. As mentioned in Q&A 020, you should not have to upgrade to faster GAL chips. Users with the newer GAL 3E in place may actually need to swap in an older GAL 3A.
According to a 1992 Appleworks Forum article by John Link, you can get to 12.5MHz with an older 10MHz 65C816, a 50MHz oscillator, and 35ns SRAM without upgrading to the faster GAL chips.
As with ZipGS, TransWarpGS speed = Osc Speed divided by 4. One difference is that the TransWarpGS oscillator module is of the "half-size" kind. Another is that, if RAM is upgraded, the usual practice is for all three to have the same speed rating. If you do the SHH cache upgrade, there should be no need to worry about replacing SRAM.
TransWarpGS boards vary just as do ZipGS boards. Some can be pushed to higher speeds than others. If you decide to do a speed upgrade, get two or three oscillators to allow for some experimentation.
For a step-by-step guide, download Scott G's TWGSupgrade.SHK. HyperCard stack. (See Q&A 019 above)
----------------------------
From: Wayne Stewart
I have a TransWarpGS with rev A GALs and a rev 1.5 ROM. It came as 7mhz with an 8k cache. It was pretty unstable when I recieved it, so I put in a spare 14mhz 65c816 I had which stabilized it. Since I had a lot of rectangular oscillators from my ZipGS upgrade experimenting, I made up an adapter so I could use them in the TransWarp. With those two changes it's running at 14mhz.
----------------------------
From: Andrew Roughan
It's time (June 2003) for an update on this article. I have recently purchased some more oscillators from Clarke & Severn Electronics. They can now provide custom programmed oscillators in 1/2 TTL packages for AU$6.98 each.
I am currently running my ROM 3 system at 14Mhz. I have a Transwarp GS with ROM 1.8S and the 32k cache from Applied Engineering (35ns SRAMs). The GAL versions are TWGS1A1, TWGS2B1, TWGS3B1, TWGS4B1, TWGS5A1, TWGS6A1, TWGS7A1, TWGS8A1. I have the 14Mhz 65816 available from WDC. I have not purchased faster SRAMs or modified the power supply.
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From: Rubywand
024- What kind of RAMs do I need for a TWGS or ZipGS speedup?
If you upgrade your accelerator RAM, go for fast 32k x 8 Static RAM in a 28-pin Dip package. If your RAM sockets are "skinny" (about as fat as a typical 74xx TTL IC), you want a 300-mil wide package. Otherwise, you will need a 600-mil wide IC or a socket adapter for 300-mil (or do the socket mods described earlier in this FAQ).
Fast 600-mil package 32k x 8 SRAMs are fairly rare. However, the IDT71256 is supposed to be available at good speeds (25ns-40ns) in a 600-mil version from Integrated Device Technology.
The selection of 300-mil 32k x 8 SRAMs is much larger: Cypress's CY7C199, Hitachi's HM62256, ... .
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From: Sandy
025- How can I tell the firmware version of my TWGS?
With the IIGS turned on, press CONTROL-Apple-ESCAPE And go to the Transwarp CDA The ROM version will be displayed on the screen.
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From: Mitch Spector
026- Do I need I need the 2B GAL for my Transwarp-GS to use a
SCSI interface? If I do, where can I get one?
The TWGS-2B GAL was a | | |