CMD Home | Subscribe | Index | 1997 Index | CM Trading Post

Table of Contents for this issue:

64 pin Ram
Re: RADIUS SE/25 Accelerator
Re: On the net with 2 Megs of RAM?
Re: Mac Web 2.0 source
Recipe Programs
MAC SE and ethernet
MacWeb Once and For All
Re: Help with Mac IIci and Sys 7.5.3
Re: Q605/excel/FPU error
SE/30 ADB ports out
Re: RADIUS SE/25 Accelerator
Where do I find WriteNow v. 1.00?
Re: How can I speed up a IIfx?
Re: Q605/excel/FPU error
plus motherboard
PMMU for Mac II
Making Your Macintosh Happy
imagewriter II set up and cables
IIvx VRAM


Subject: 64 pin Ram
Sent: 1/26/97 5:24 PM
Received: 1/26/97 5:27 PM
From: Robert Carr
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Hello,

A friend recently gave me some RAM which he salvaged from a defective RIP off of a
networked copier. The RAM itself is 2 4 meg 64 pin SIMMS. It has the
following markings - "M5M44400AJ 352TF03-8","HCTD0", "927446 068 0511-00Z
02705500145 9421"

My question is does anyone know if this can used in a Mac II FX? If so, I would be
interested in trading or donating it to someone who could use it.

Thanx,

Robert Carr


Subject: Re: RADIUS SE/25 Accelerator
Sent: 1/26/97 11:54 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:34 AM
From: Chris Adams
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Here is the problem. It [a Mac SE] boots the [RADIUS SE/25] accelerator
with the little Radius promo window, then the happy-mac, but siezes and rapidly flashes the
Welcome Window. The SE (4/200 with 7.1) works fine without accelerator
installed. I have no manual and don't know if the problem is with jumper
settings. There are 6 sets of 3-pin jumpers. I've changed them one at a
time, causing different effects; usually errors that preceed the Radius
promo window. Now I'm back at square one. Does it just sound like a bad
board? Extensions off doesn't help either.

When this accelerator first came out the Mac world was still on System 6.
Radius had to update the ROMS on the accelerator board so it could work
with Systems 7.0 to 7.1. Even with the latest ROMS, 7.1 is the highest you
can go. Sounds like you've got the old ROMS.

I think you can download System 6.0.8 from Apple, if you don't already have
it, so you could try that. Or Radius *might* still upgrade the board, at a
price.

Also, there's a couple of extensions you need. Radius used to have the
"Accelerator 2.9" package available at ftp://ftp.radius.com/ - maybe it
still does. You could also try http://www.radius.com/. If not, email me.

The RADIUS SE/25 has a 68020 chip and will speed up the SE a *lot* - with
System 6.x it should fly.

This accelerator has prompted queries here before so, list moderators
permitting, here's a FAQ from Radius (bear in mind that it's old). It might
be good to get it into the archives...

*******************************
Radius Mac Plus/SE Accelerators

Q: Can I run System 7.5 with the Radius Accelerator?

A: No. Radius Accelerators are NOT compatible with System 7.5 and there
are no plans to update the ROMs or software for 7.5 compatibility. The
latest version of the operating system you can use with a Radius
Accelerator is System 7.1 for a Mac SE, or System 7.0 with the Mac Plus.

Q: What is the current version of the ROM chip and software for my
Radius Accelerator 25 SE?

A: The current version of the ROM for a Radius SE 25 accelerator is 2.1.
The current version of the software is Accelerator 2.9. These versions
of the software and ROM are necessary for running any Mac OS up to System
7.1 on your accelerator. If you do not have these latest versions, they
can be obtained by calling 800-977-7060 and ordering item 630-0158. If
you only require the software, all necessary files can also be
downloaded from America Online, CompuServe, eWorld, AppleLink, and
Internet at ftp.radius.com, as well as from the Radius Online BBS at
408-541-6190.

Q: What software is necessary to use my Radius Accelerator and where can
I obtain it?

Accelerator 2.9 can also be downloaded from America Online, CompuServe,
eWorld, AppleLink, and Internet at ftp.radius.com, as well as from the
Radius Online BBS at 408-541-6190.

Q: How do I determine the ROM version that I am using?

A: On startup, you will see the Radius Accelerator opening screen. The
version of the ROM on your accelerator is the number in the lower right
hand corner the opening screen.

Q: How can I temporarily disable my Radius Accelerator?

A: If you are a using a Mac Plus accelerator, you can only disable the
Accelerator by removing it from your Macintosh. If you are using a
Macintosh SE accelerator , you can disable it by restarting your Mac
with the mouse button held down. Keep the mouse button down until you
see the dialog box containing the Master Switch as well as switches for
the Code and Data caches. Click the Master Switch button to the position
labeled "OFF" to disable your accelerator.

Q: My mouse cursor is abnormally large, how do I return it to normal
size?.

A: You can toggle the cursor size between enlarged and normal size by
moving the mouse pointer to the menu bar and double clicking.

Q: I just reinstalled my Operating System and now I can't print. The
sound coming out of my Macintosh is distorted and broken up. What could
be wrong?

A: Make sure the version of the file named "Accelerator" located in your
System Folder is version 2.9. Accelerator 2.9 can be downloaded from
this page, from America Online, CompuServe, eWorld, AppleLink, Internet
(ftp.radius.com), or the Radius Online BBS at 408-541-6190.

Q: Can I install the ROM update for my Accelerator ?

A: ROM updates for a Radius accelerator are not user installable, so you
will need to bring the Mac into a Radius Authorized service center. All
hardware installation and ROM update must be done by a Radius Service
Center. You can obtain a list of Radius service centers in your area by
calling 800-227-2795. This list will be published on the web in the very
near future.

Q: I just installed a new hard disk and my system keeps crashing. What's
wrong?

A: Certain software which formats the hard disk can cause compatibility
conflicts with the Radius Accelerator. Radius recommends a program
entitled Silver Lining or FWB's Hard Disk Tool Kit to format hard drives
that will be used with an Accelerator.

Q: I'm using Quicken and Excel and my numbers are not adding correctly.
Why is this happening?

A: Remove the file entitled "RADIUS MATH" from your System Folder and
restart. RADIUS MATH attempts to speed up calculations by reducing the
number of decimal places a program calculates from 30 down to 15.
Certain applications are expecting all 30 decimal places, which can
cause numbers to round off incorrectly when Radius Math is installed.

Q: When I use my Radius Accelerator with Aldus Freehand, the line and
fill functions don't seem to work. What should I do?

A: Using the Classic/SE/Plus Display control panel, set the Enlarged
Menu Fonts to the Regular (smaller) size.

Q: Whenever a Mac Plus or SE running System 7.0 is networked with other
Macs running System 7.1, those Macs refuse to startup. What's happening?

A: Make sure that the file named "Accelerator" is installed in the
System Folder.


Subject: Re: On the net with 2 Megs of RAM?
Sent: 1/26/97 11:53 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:34 AM
From: Joseph L. Puente
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

From http://www.pacificcoast.net/macfaq3.html

* Mac Plus, 4 MB RAM, 20 MB harddisk, (2400-)14400 modem, System
7.0.1* and MacTCP 2.0.6 are the practical minimum requirements for
PPP connections. Only MacPPP 2.0.1 currently works on 68000 macs.

I've gotten on the Net successfully with my plus using System 7.1 booting
off of a ZipDrive with only *2.5MB* of RAM. Works fine with just e-mail,
etc, though MacWeb pushes it... turn off those graphics and your just fine.

Check it out at http://home.acadia.net/userpages/intense/bill.htm

-Joe


Subject: Re: Mac Web 2.0 source
Sent: 1/26/97 11:56 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:34 AM
From: Chris Adams
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Michael Blazer wrote:

I checked out the February issue of MacWorld, as suggested by a couple of
posts on this list, but found no CD. I assumed that maybe the CD was only
included in the U.S. (I'm in Canada). Now I see that there's some question
as to whether it was the Feb. or January issue. Can anyone clear this up
definitively?

I also tried picking up MacWeb 2.0 from
http://www.eden.com/~arena/jagshouse/macweb.hqx
as the proprietor of that site suggested, but seem to have gotten MacWeb
1.00A3.2 instead.

Obviously there is some kind of world-wide conspiracy to prevent me from
getting version 2.0! Can anyone help me out here?

I believe it *is* the Feb edition - looks like you missed it.

The URL http://www.eden.com/~arena/jagshouse/macweb.hqx is wrong - that's
an old version, as you found out. I don't recall the exact URL now, but if
you try http://www.eden.com/~arena/jagshouse/ you'll get a list of all
the files in the directory and see one called something like macweb2.hqx.

*HOWEVER* there was a problem (solvable) when I downloaded it. The .hqx
suffix tells your browser the file is binhexed and should be downloaded in
7-bit text format. In fact it *isn't* binhexed - it's a binary archive,
probably Stuffit. Downloading a binary using 7-bit totally corrupts the
file. I emailed the site owner and he *may* have fixed it by now.

The safest thing is to try and force your browser to use binary mode
despite the file's .hqx suffix. What I did (with MacWeb 1.1.1E) was to edit
"helper" settings so that the MIME-type "application/mac-binhex40" used
binary transfer. When you've got the file, don't forget to change the
setting back to the 7-bit/text default.

All this, of course, is part of the conspiracy. But the file *is* there,
and it works. Good luck!

Chris Adams.


Subject: Recipe Programs
Sent: 1/26/97 10:10 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:34 AM
From: Dan Simonson
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

I purchased a recipe program for my wife some years ago called "Mangia"
from Upstill software. It is a full featured "cookware" program, and I
think they have a website at either www.mangia.com or www.upstill.com.

The program comes with a lot of recipes- however, I found entering new ones
to be a pain, only because cooking terms are so imprecise that the program
makes you work hard to standardize everything in its dictionary. However,
your efforts are returned in that it can resize recipes, print out a shopping list, and many other useful features.


Subject: MAC SE and ethernet
Sent: 1/27/97 12:38 AM
Received: 1/27/97 9:34 AM
From: Joe Tantalo
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Subject: MAC SE and ethernet
Sent: 1/25/97 2:54 PM
Received: 1/26/97 10:04 AM
From: creatink
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Recently, an organization that I freelance for had a SE crash. It was the
hard disk and we have not been able to access it to recover any infor
mation. This is not the problem.

The SE was used soley to run a BBS and the incoming files were removed
daily. We immediatly connected a hard disk and installed System 7.0.1. I
installed the BBS software. and it is running fine.

The problem is that the SE cannot se the ethernet. (Yes, they do have an
ethernet board.) I specifically installed the network/ethernet software. It
still cannot see the ethernet. Any suggestions?

When you say you installed the Network/Ethernet software, do you mean the
7.0.1 stuff? If so, consider that the particular brand of ethernet card
you have may need a driver. Take it apart and find out the brand name, and
get the driver from the Web site.

Joe


Subject: MacWeb Once and For All
Sent: 1/27/97 1:53 AM
Received: 1/27/97 9:34 AM
From: Jag
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Subject: Re: Mac Web 2.0 source
Sent: 1/23/97 11:57 PM
Received: 1/24/97 9:09 AM
From: Michael Blazer
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

I checked out the February issue of MacWorld, as suggested by a couple of
posts on this list, but found no CD. I assumed that maybe the CD was only
included in the U.S. (I'm in Canada). Now I see that there's some question
as to whether it was the Feb. or January issue. Can anyone clear this up
definitively?

I also tried picking up MacWeb 2.0 from
http://www.eden.com/~arena/jagshouse/macweb.hqx
as the proprietor of that site suggested, but seem to have gotten MacWeb
1.00A3.2 instead.

Obviously there is some kind of world-wide conspiracy to prevent me from
getting version 2.0! Can anyone help me out here?

Reply:

Classic Mac users:

I have Mac Web 1.1.1, 1.00A3.2 (Alpha) and 2.0 at my web site
Http://www.eden.com/~arena/jagshouse/Shareware.html

All the files there can be unstuffed with Stuffit Expander 4.

I also have lots of shareware and freeware for Classic Macs.

Enjoy

JAG


Subject: Re: Help with Mac IIci and Sys 7.5.3
Sent: 1/27/97 7:14 AM
Received: 1/27/97 9:34 AM
From: Steve Dropkin
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

I just upgraded my Mac IIci to System 7.5.3 (20 MB ram, 1.2 GB SCSI internal
disk, ROM ver 1660, FPU and MMU, and ram_cache NuBus card)

[snip]

So, it appears that AOL 3.0 corrupted the partition map on the 1.2 GB
harddrive. I orginally used the default partion setup, which means that I
didn't define any partions. Can I re-define the partitions to repair the
damage and not lose the data/program contents on the disk?

[snip]

Any ideas, or suggestions about good disk repair tools or drive recovery
firms?

You could try Norton Utilities 3.x ... IME a tool that has pulled a lot
of bacon out of a lot of fires. Unfortunately, Norton does not include
the partitioning software that came in NU 2.x, and despite my success
with using 2.x modules like Directory Assistance w/7.5.3, I couldn't
recommend your doing this.

LaCie's SilverLining disk utility also allows "soft partitioning," and,
if I remember correctly, so does APS's PowerTools. You might see if
either of them (or a competitive product, like FWB's) is available
separately. This could be a little dicey, though. Good luck!


Subject: Re: Q605/excel/FPU error
Sent: 1/26/97 2:08 AM
Received: 1/27/97 9:34 AM
From: Mike Schechter
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

1. Yes
2. No, if any SW that requires an FPU works, then it's ok.
I've never heard of an FPU going slightly flaky.
3. SoftwareFPU is great - if you don't have an FPU, or if you
have a PPC and older SW specifically looks for an '882.
(then use PowerFPU, not SoftwareFPU)

BTW, as you may guess from reading whatever is in the TIL's
the copro not found is not neccesarily an FPU- the 68k archtecture
is dsigned for multiple coprocessors such as the 68332 timing/control
processor, or array proccessors (sorry,can't remember #). Becuase of
this, the coprocessor trap call takes a coprocessor ID number,
Any call to a coprocessor that is not ack'd rsults in the F-line error.
Most appl's will report this as "co-processor not installed".
Also note that if my limited memory serves me the coprocessor call
machine code is 0000 1xxx where xxx is the coproccessor ID.
Howveer you can see that a zero byte followed by a byte with the high
bit set is sorta commonly found in memory, so if an app crashes
and starts executing data, it's pretty easy to get a coprocessor call
to an non-existant coproccessor ID.
(many years ago I usd to write code to integrate 56001DSP's
with the 030's and '882's in Mac IIx's)

My questions are:
1. Am I correct in my interpretation that the FPU error is
_usually_ caused by a quirk in the application's code, and in my policy
that ignoring it is the best policy?
2. Do the errors on my IIfx likely indicate a hardware problem?
3. Does anyone have any experience -- good or bad -- with SoftwareFPU?


Subject: SE/30 ADB ports out
Sent: 1/26/97 11:49 AM
Received: 1/27/97 9:35 AM
From: Philip Bradley
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

HELP! HELP!! HELP!!!

The ADB ports on the back of my SE/30 are OUT.
Computer boots fine, but no responce from my mouse or keyboard.
Booting from Emergency disk or Disk Tools - same thing, can't get the
cursor to move.

Apple tech literature very thin on this. Have examined the
motherboard, can see no damage. Mac II's have a fuse in the ADB line,
but the SE/30???

What to do? Apple says go to an authorized dealer. What do you
think?

Phil


Subject: Re: RADIUS SE/25 Accelerator
Sent: 1/26/97 5:58 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:35 AM
From: Tim Scoff
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Subject: RADIUS SE/25 Accelerator
Sent: 1/25/97 2:45 AM
Received: 1/25/97 10:49 AM
From: wan2fly
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Subject: RADIUS SE/25 Accelerator

I've learned a lot from this group and really appreciate it. I've come
across enough Mac carcasses to have assembled half a dozen working
machines and have played Robin Hood with them. Usually deserving
youngsters get them. It gives these guys the exposure they will need in
this changing world. One particularly deserving kid started going to the
used/flea markets. He came back with this accelerator. I'd love to help
him make it work.

Here is the problem. It boots the accelerator with the little Radius
promo window, then the happy-mac, but siezes and rapidly flashes the
Welcome Window. The SE (4/200 with 7.1) works fine without accelerator
installed. I have no manual and don't know if the problem with jumper
settings. There are 6 sets of 3-pin jumpers. I've changed them one at a
time, causing different effects; usually errors that preceed the Radius
promo window. Now I'm back at square one. Does it just sound like a bad
board? Extensions off doesn't help either

Talk to you later, keep in touch

I have an SE with a full page Radius monitor. The card is not
compatible with system 7, but it works perfectly with system 6. Maybe the
card will work if you downgrade to 6.0.8.

Tim Scoff
http://www.nb.net/~casper/


Subject: Where do I find WriteNow v. 1.00?
Sent: 1/26/97 6:43 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:35 AM
From: Hans Trygve Jensen
To: ClassicMacs, classic-post@hitznet.com

Dear fellas!

Last week I got a Mac Plus-upgraded 512Ke along with some really old System
6.0.3 and a few elderly programs. These files were stored on a 800 K
floppy, stucked in a partly damaged external floppy drive. Luckily, I was
able to put the system on a new floppy but couldn't move one program,
WriteNow - version 1.00. : Probably due to some bad blocks or something.
Later I got the floppy repaired, and after some hours with lots of sweat
and shaky hands I fixed the drive too. But WriteNow is gone. And since I'm
getting 3 more classic Macs in the months to come, I plan to set up a
"museum" with systems and a few famous programs from different periods on
each Mac. So does anyone now if or where I could get hold of this
particular version of WriteNow, I guess one of the 1st programs made by
NeXT. (But I stand corrected; I've been using Macs for only three years.)
Thanks for any hints. It would be great to rebuild the exact old Macscape.
And if you good folks know of any ftp sites with systems older than System
6 and other classic programs or editors, please give me/us a holler. So far
I've discovered only System 6.0.7.

Best regards,

Hans Trygve Jensen


Subject: Re: How can I speed up a IIfx?
Sent: 1/26/97 8:53 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:35 AM
From: Andrew R Melnyk
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

At 5:16 PM 1/26/97, Truls Hanholm Wang-Johannessen wrote:

Hi friends,
I use a IIfx (a uppgraded II) with 1,3 GB HD and 8 MB RAM.
It s a grate MAC, but a little bit slow.
Do anyone know how to speed it up in a cheep way?
Can I make a PowerMAC of it?

Thanx.

Truls (and another poster re IIfx),

The IIfx is the end of the line for upgrades. However it is quite fast if
you load up its memory, (8 4MB are still easy to get and gives you 32MB, in
principle you can load more but availability of larger SIMM for the IIFX is
a problem) and clean up the system. I run mine with OS7.5.5.

Cheers,
Andy


Subject: Re: Q605/excel/FPU error
Sent: 1/26/97 11:27 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:35 AM
From: Rodney A. Hoiseth
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Hi, esteemed wizards.
Pardon the posting to the list on a "closed topic" (Jeff_Brooks-Manas's previous query and summary are
appended below) that is *not* time-critical, but I would like to confirm my
understanding of the "Floating point coprocessor not installed." error
problem.
If I'm not mistaken, Jeff's problem & summary is just the "short-answer".

I have a IIfx, which is equipped with a 68882 FPU, and I also am sometimes
plaqued by crashes with one of several variations of the "Bad F-line
instruction" or "No FPU installed" error message.
The way I interpret the problem, based on information found in various
articles in the Apple Tech Info Library,
http://til.info.apple.com/til/til.html, and reading I have done in the
past, the error is frequently a result of a quirk in the software and does
not necessarily indicate either the lack of an FPU nor a problem with the
user's OS. I.e., it can just be an irrelevant or cantankerous line in the
Application's code.

One TIL article, "'Bad F-line Instruction' Error" (these are my
titles--sorry I didn't record the TIL titles--I'll forward the entire
article to anyone who's interested in reading it) says, in part:
"In System 7.x, the "Bad F-line Instruction"
error is also referred to as the "Co-processor
Not Installed" or "No FPU Installed" error; in
System 6.0.7 it is referred to as the ID=10
error.

"F-Line instructions are used to access attached
processors, such as a floating-point math
co-processor. A bad F-Line instruction is a bad
Floating Point Unit (FPU) call. However, when
you see this on computers without FPUs, or in
applications that do not support an FPU, then
it is probably a spurious error. These messages
often indicate software related errors
generated by a program that has extraneous
program code. On very rare occasions a hardware
failure generates these errors."

I can't remember exactly where [in the TIL] I read it or specifically what
was said, but Excel and a couple of other applications were also mentioned
by name as having FPU peculiarities.

Another TIL article (my title: "'Type 11' & 'No FPU' Errors") says:
"6. Some users claim that installing the
shareware extension SoftwareFPU cuts down on No
FPU Installed problems. This extension emulates
the Motorola FPU (at a considerably slower
speed), thus preventing bombs from software
which incorrectly makes FPU calls. This may
alleviate no FPU Installed errors, but it
doesn't address the fundamental problem, namely
that some software is executing unexpected data
or making illegal calls to a non-existent FPU."

My questions are:
1. Am I correct in my interpretation that the FPU error is
_usually_ caused by a quirk in the application's code, and in my policy
that ignoring it is the best policy?
2. Do the errors on my IIfx likely indicate a hardware problem?
3. Does anyone have any experience -- good or bad -- with SoftwareFPU?

Reply to me, roth, and I'll summarize, eventually.

TIA
Rodney
(in Hayama Japan)

Previous posts:

At 12:27 97/01/26 -0800, Jeff Brooks-Manas wrote:

Thanks to the two wizards who confirmed my suspicion about the Quadra 605. It
doesn't have an FPU. I will try Sortware FPU first, before upgrading the
processor.

Thanks to:
Cesar Alsina
Mike Seinberg

Jeff Brooks-Manas
VAX/Network Engineer
SF Department of Public Health

At 09:45 97/01/26 -0800, Jeff Brooks-Manas wrote:
Wizards,

Here's something we can't figure out. A user with a Quadra 605l is getting
Crashes in excel. The error message is "Floating point coprocessor not
installed." Any ideas?

TIA, I will summarize.

Jeff Brooks-Manas
VAX/Network Engineer
SF Department of Public Health


Subject: plus motherboard
Sent: 1/26/97 11:28 PM
Received: 1/27/97 9:35 AM
From: Domingo Juan Robaina
To: hitznet.com!classic-post@cdp.igc.org

Hello all!

I'm needing to replace a plus mother for my first mac, but in my country
it is an impossible task.
Can anyone tell me where can I purchase one?
I'm living in Uruguay, so the seller must accept credit cards and mail
orders.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Domingo Robaina
Montevideo, Uruguay


Subject: PMMU for Mac II
Sent: 1/27/97 12:17 PM
Received: 1/27/97 5:45 PM
From: Tony Spinetta
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

From Classic Macs Digest 1.13:

Does anyone have or know where I can get an inexpensive PMMU (MC68851) for
a Mac II?

Bob Poland

Shreve Systems had them recently. My friends and I have ordered from
Shreve, and we've always been treated well. I think their URL is
www.shreve.com, but they often stock more items than they display online
or in print. Call 'em at (800) 227-3971.

BTW, I have no connections to Shreve Systems other than as a customer.


Subject: Making Your Macintosh Happy
Sent: 1/27/97 12:23 PM
Received: 1/27/97 5:45 PM
From: Tony Spinetta
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

I recently reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled all the software on
my IIsi.

While installing System 7.5 from Apple's original disks, the message
"Making Your Macintosh Happy" appeared in the dialogue box that reports on
the progress on the installation. The message popped up for a few scant
seconds in between the usually ephemera like "Installing Dinkledorf 2.6.7
Control Panel" and "Reading Splorch Configurement Script." (No, those
aren't verbatim :-) )

Does anyone know what the installation is doing to make a Mac happy at that
point? I'm wondering if this is the point where the machine's
"personality" is activated.


Subject: imagewriter II set up and cables
Sent: 1/27/97 12:30 PM
Received: 1/27/97 5:45 PM
From: Doug Metzler
To: classic-post@hitznet.com

A year ago I bought two mac pluses and two imagewriter IIs and gave them
to relatives in other states. The cables that came with each set
consisted of two cables that went from standard printer ports (8 pin I
think) to box that had two (each) ports that had only three (I think,
maybe 4) pins/port. There was a longer wire to connect the two boxes,
making each plus to imagewriter connection a three wire piece which
had only three (or four) pins/wires connecting on the middle wire.
(In case this is confusing, the wires were in series, not parallel).
The person who sold me these machines said they worked fine, and that,
in fact there were only three (or 4) active wires used to connect the
printer to the printer port. But since then, although the pluses are
running fine, the printers will respond to print commands but won't print
the correct characters. I now have one of the imagewriters home so I can
play with it along with a plus I have here. Do I in fact need an 8 pin/wire
cable? Is there an imagewirter II driver? (I looked in several places
but couldn't find anything other than an imagewriter and LC imagewriter
driver in any system 6 or 7 systems.) Is the three (or 4) pin connection
only for apple talk connections and not direct printer connections?
Is it a question of fonts? I had even less success with printing graphics
and someone said to me that the imagewriter didn't do graphics but I seem
to remember from the old days, that that was exactly the point of the
original imagewriters, that they did do graphics.
TIA
Doug


Subject: IIvx VRAM
Sent: 1/27/97 11:08 AM
Received: 1/27/97 5:45 PM
From: M. J. Friese
To: Classic-Post, classic-post@hitznet.com

Another question to any IIvx owners. I want to upgrade my VRAM. MacSecrets says I can go to 1mb by adding a 512k. Is this a special 512k VRAM or will the ones that are advertised work. Does it do anything to spped performance or will I just spen $30 or so?

I have a IIvx that I have upgraded. The factory VRAM is installed as two
256K SIMMs. You have to remove these SIMMs and replace them with two
512K SIMMs to upgrade. (I just hate throwing out perfectly good
equipment when upgrading.) The modification does not speed up the IIvx.
What the upgrade DOES buy you is thousands of colors. This makes JPEGs
display much much better. Normally I left my IIvx in thousands of colors
mode except when viewing greyscale pictures. When running thousands
color, you can only see 32 greys; in 256 color mode, you see nearly 256
greys.

 

CMD Home | Subscribe | Index | 1997 Index | CM Trading Post