Apple IIgs Info Page

IIgs is the most powerful of the Apple II computer line, capable of emulating an older Apple II to be able to use the largest software base available at that time. It runs native at 2.8 MHz and can shift down to run at the native speed of an original Apple II (1 MHz) when necessary for emulation.

The IIgs has a bunch of built in hardware ports that occupy 'slots' when they are enabled. This is because the original Apple II only had expansion slots for devices not already built into the computer. This makes the devices built into the IIgs backwards compatible with older software for the II series. It also means you have a choice to make because if an option is on, you can not (usually) put a card in the associated slot. The great news is that you did not have to purchase all these hardware features separately.

For example, I have a voice card in slot 1, so I do not have use of the printer port. The caveat to that is that you can enable or disable the built in device and reboot if you need one or the other. I decide before I boot up as to which I will be using, the slot device or the port device and set the port/slot accordingly in the control panel where the computer looks to see what you want on. (Press OpenApple-Control-Escape to get to the control panel)

IIgs Slots, right to left:

Memory expansion Slot:
DMA compatible up to 4 Megs of expansion RAM. Most folk will not require more than 4, many boost it beyond that and lose DMA compatibility. (There are some exceptions.) Better to have 4 meg DMA than 5 Megs not.

Slot7/ AppleTalk Firmware:
Normally slot enabled. The firmware for Appletalk allows either the printer or modem port to be used for AppleTalk networking. On Rom3, the firmware is enabled at slot1 or slot2 instead, this will only need to be enabled on the Rom3 if you have old software requiring the firmware in slot7.

Slot6/ 5.25 inch controller firmware for smartport:
Normally firmware enabled for use of 5.25" drives plugged in to the smart port.

Slot5/ 3.5 inch controller firmware for smartport:
Normally firmware enabled for use for 3.5 inch drives plugged in to the smart port.

Slot4/ mouse firmware:
Normally firmware enabled for mouse to be used on ADB port. On Rom3, firmware still available through toolbox calls even when in slot mode.

Slot3/ 80 column firmware:
Normally firmware enabled. Sometimes used by alternate video cards or cards requiring no firmware like an accelerator.

Slot2/ Modem port firmware/ Appletalk port:
Normally modem port enabled.

Slot1/ Printer port firmware/ Appletalk port:
Normally printer port enabled.

Optimal configuration:

In my opinion is this: (In order of preference)
4 Meg ram
Focus Hard Drive, SCSI Card for CDs/ Zip drives/ Hard drives
CPU Accelerator
Appletalk for Mac HD and Printer access
GS/OS 6.01, Connectivity to world
Second Sight VGA card
Rom 3

Ports:

ADB: used for keyboard and mouse

RGB Video: used to connect an RGB monitor for crisp clear displays

Composite Video: for backwards compatibility with original Apple II monitors and NTSC video display units (TVs)

Smartport: Allows up to seven storage devices to the IIgs. Normally used for 3.5, 5.25 inch floppy drives, there is at least one known smartport hard drive. (Power limit at 5 devices)

Definitions:

DMA: is Direct Memory Access, it is used to by other storage devices to to bypass the CPU and place information directly into memory. This is faster because it requires fewer steps to move the memory form one place to another.

Control Panel: where you can tell the computer what ports and firmware or slots you want active.

Firmware: is computer instructions stored in the hardware of a device.

Ports: A physical socket on the back of the IIgs to attach peripherals.

Slot: A physical socket inside the IIgs that accepts expansion cards.

Toolbox calls: Firmware routines built in to the ROM of the IIgs.

This Page was Authored and is Copyrighted by Ed

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