Questions and Answers
Copyright (c) 1996 Apple Users' Group, Sydney
Republished from Applecations, a publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia.
Source: Comp.Sys.Apple2
Q. I bought an Apple IIc and would like to open the case to do some major cleaning of the housing. I tried removing all the screws, but the case didn't open easily so I'm wondering how to do it properly.
A. Use a thin dull knife or a thin screwdriver and insert it just in front of the "B" key. The best tool is a chip puller made by the ZIP Chip people it is about 3/8" wide 2" long and has about 1/16" of its tip bent to form an "L". There is a plastic latching mechanism that you must "pop" to get the case apart. If it is broken in the process it is not a problem as it is redundant to the screws. Most of the time the latch survives the process.
Also try sticking a flathead screwdriver in the crack between the top part and the bottom part of the case right about where the RCA video jack is and pried the back panel out enough to clear the ports. Once the back is past the ports, the top comes right off. It's a little easier on a beige key IIc since the back panel is a separate piece from the top. On a grey key IIc the top and back are a single piece.
When putting it back together, line up the catch at the front of the case and pull out on the back panel so it goes over the ports, then squeeze the halves together.
Q. I need a null modem cable between a GS and a PC. Id like to transfer some files and when GS/TCP becomes available Id like to use my PC as a router (ppp).
I need help about how to transfer ASCII files and possibly entire Dos 3.3 and ProDOS disks from my IIc to Mac using a serial connection. I'd like to know which type of cable and how to configure communication programs.
A. Pinouts for quite a number of Apple II connectors, including the serial ports on a IIc, and GS/IIc+/Mac/PC are available on the web. Just drop by http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~nathan/a2stuff/pinouts.html and take a look. To make a simple serial cable (no handshaking, but that shouldn't be necessary for 4800 or 9600), just connect the grounds on both sides, and swap the TD and RD lines on each side (Transmit on one side is the Receive on the other.)
Configuration on both sides should be the same: 4800 or 9600, 8n1, no hardware handshaking.
Q. I have an Apple IIe with an 80 column card, I just tried running a copy of ProTerm on it and it says I need a 65C02 Processor. Anyone know anything about that?
A. ProTerm requires an enhanced IIe, or at least the upgraded processor from a IIe. To enhance your IIe you need an Enhancement Kit which consists of the 65C02 processor and an updated set of PROMS. You might be able to find an upgrade kit from Alltech Electronics at 619-721-7733.
You should purchase an enhancement kit. An unenhanced IIe is just a II+ with an auxiliary card slot. Enhancement brings you up to the level of the IIc.
Q. I wondering if there is a program that will take a BASIC file and print out a listing into a text file?
A. Load in your BASIC program and ensure that it does not have a line 0. If it does, renumber it so that it doesn't. Type in this line of code (all one line of code; only hit return after the 'END'; use '?' as an alias for 'PRINT').
0 PRINT CHR$(21): TEXT:HOME:D$ = CHR$ (4):INPUT "File Name?";A$: PRINT D$"OPEN"A$: PRINT D$"WRITE"A$: POKE 33,33:LIST 1- : PRINT D$"CLOSE":TEXT:END
Once typed in, just 'RUN' it and the listing will be written out to the file name that you specify.
To make things even more convenient, use a text editor to enter the above line and save it as BASICTOTEXT. Whenever you wish to use it, load your program and then EXEC BASICTOTEXT, that way you won't have to type in the line all the time.
Q. I am experiencing what must be a common problem for GS users, and possibly for the older Mac users. My gs, through years of use, is turning from it's Factory color, Platinum Gray, to a beige that is just beginning to resemble the //e. This color change is due to dust buildup on the monitor, cpu, and disk drive casings. I've seen extreme cases at my local Junior High School, where their GSes have become badly discolored due to neglect. I think, in my case, that a mildly damp cloth will do the trick, but in case it doesn't, what cleaning fluids (standard supermarket stuff) can I use to clean the cases without damaging them or rubbing off the letters silkscreened on?
A. This is quite common with any Apple hardware I've purchased used. However, I don't think the cause is dirt or dust, it's more a case of excess exposure to direct sunlight. Another cause is certain types of indoor lighting (type used mostly in schools and offices) or cigarette smoke, all three can badly discolour the plastic.
The best solution, which does no harm to the textured finish, is to soak a rag with Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) and wipe the plastic with that. An old toothbrush is helpful too, dip it in alcohol and firmly rub over case with small circular motions (not over logos or lettering though, just lightly run a damp cloth over that).
In one case, I purchased an AppleColor RGB display that was more or less beige color. That annoyed me, so I used Comet (an abrasive bathroom cleanser) and literally scratched off most of the discolored plastic. I wouldn't recommend this, but it got my monitor looking closer to platinum than beige. :) I would never do it to a CPU case though, rubbing alcohol is as far as I go for that.
Q. Can an Apple IIe mouse card work on a Rom 03 Apple IIgs?
A. The original IIgs mouse support (ROM 00 and ROM 01) was specifically designed to allow the use of a IIe mouse card, so that a IIe user upgrading to a IIgs could plug in their mouse card and continue to use their mouse, rather than having to fork out money for an ADB mouse.
In the ROM 00 and ROM 01, the ADB mouse is controlled by the slot 4 mouse firmware. If you disable this, then you lose all access to the mouse, from GS/OS and ProDOS-8. However, if you install a IIe mouse card (in any slot, as long as it is set to "Your Card"), then that mouse can be used in all ProDOS-8 and GS/OS applications. (There may be some programs which assume the IIgs mouse is always in slot 4, or bypass the firmware and try to use the ADB mouse directly. These programs would not work with a IIe mouse card.)
If the ROM 03 IIgs, Apple rewrote the mouse firmware. The ADB mouse is controlled directly by the IIgs toolbox (Miscellaneous Toolset), and the slot 4 mouse firmware uses the toolbox code. (The ROM 00/01 is the other way around - the toolbox calls use the slot firmware.)
This means that for a ROM 3, if you set slot 4 to "Your Card", you can still use the mouse in GS/OS programs, but you cannot use it in ProDOS-8 programs. I have my system set up this way.
If you install a IIe mouse card into a ROM 3, then that mouse will be available to ProDOS-8 applications, provided they use the standard firmware entry points (which are the same for the IIe card, the IIc and IIgs). You should set slot 4 to "Your Card" to avoid confusion with the ADB mouse.
GS/OS programs will not use the IIe mouse on a ROM 3, but they will continue to work with an ADB mouse.

THIS CONTENT COPYRIGHT © 2007, APPLE MACINTOSH USERS' GROUP, SYDNEY
Permission has been obtained to make this material available on the Internet.

Permission is hereby granted for non-profit user groups to republish this content.
PLEASE CREDIT THE AUTHOR AND THE SOURCE: Applecations, publication of the Apple Users' Group, Sydney, Australia

THIS PAGE COPYRIGHT © 2007, ANDREW ROUGHAN