Apple III Floppy Emu

[zezba9000]

So was reading people got the official Floppy Emu working on Apple III with a converter cable.

However I see Chinese Floppy Emu devices that expanded on Floppy Emu and work in Apple II computers.

My question is doesn't anyone know if the card interface is the same on Apple III and Apple II for disk drives?

Wonder if this would work on Apple III: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Floppy-Disc-Drive-Emulator-with-Disk-ii-interface-for-Apple-ii-iie-iic-Laser128/143672823651

 

[bibilit]

The floppy disk is basically the same on both units. 

Only the analog board is different between the Apple II and III. 

Don’t know if can help. 

 

[waynestewart]

This may help

https://www.applefritter.com/content/and-floppy-disk-replacement

 

[zezba9000]

So I made a cable based on this: https://www.bigmessowires.com/2017/01/25/floppy-emu-on-the-apple-iii/#comment-236297

Would be nice if someone would test this on Apple III+.

It works on internal and external drives BUT sadly you can't boot from external drive on Apple III so I want to see if there is a way to make an Apple IIc like adapter for Apple III.

So the "Steve Chamberlin" the FloppyEmu dev says the Apple IIc adapter re-routes the enable signal from the internal to the external disk and vice-versa. So maybe its possible to do the same thing with Apple III.

I can only find the pin-layout for Apple II but not Apple III: https://www.apple.asimov.net/documentation/hardware/misc/Apple II Disk Pinout.txt

Anyone know where I can find similar pin-layout for Apple III?

Here are pictures of the cable working allowing FloppyEmu to run on Apple III

 

[zezba9000]

Made it so I can boot from external floppy port. Getting parts to finish it with a switch etc but it works great.

Same concept as the FloppyEmu IIc adapter that swaps the drive-enable lines.

 

[NJRoadfan]

This might be of interest: https://github.com/robjustice/soshdboot

 

[zezba9000]

This might be of interest: https://github.com/robjustice/soshdboot

Interesting but the solution I've adapted from FloppyEmu IIc converter is much simpler and works at the hardware level.

 

[zezba9000]

Finished my Internal to External converter complete with two-way switch just like IIc had.

I can now boot from external port with FloppyEmu or flip a switch and boot from internal.





Here is the switch that changes from internal to external drives.



Or I can disconnect converter box and just use system like normal by connecting these two wires (drive enable leads).



Also added cooling fan as I read these computers had overheating issues.

Also added heatsinks on chips that got super hot on the motherboard.

 

[zezba9000]

Sharing some images I never shared of this running stuff off FloppyEmu and pre-switch-box test where is hard swaps drive-select lines.
I'll update this thread with better directions of how to make this box etc. As well as what chips get super hot in the Apple III and should have heatsinks on them.

 

[jajan547]

I have iii+ it is currently sent out for some repairs but when it comes back I will be doing this and I'll come back with my results Id imagine it should work the same.

 

[zezba9000]

Looks like there is a improved adapter someone made for Apple /// + FloppyEmu

Reference links

GitHub - ThorstenBr/AppleIII_diskII: Adapter to connect an Apple III to an Apple disk ][ or FloppyEmu drive

Adapter to connect an Apple III to an Apple disk ][ or FloppyEmu drive - ThorstenBr/AppleIII_diskII

github.com

Floppy Emu on the Apple III | Big Mess o' Wires

www.bigmessowires.com

Connecting Apple III to FloppyEmu | Applefritter

www.applefritter.com

I hope someone sells Ebay kits for this

 

[jajan547]

Looks like there is a improved adapter someone made for Apple /// + FloppyEmu

Reference links

GitHub - ThorstenBr/AppleIII_diskII: Adapter to connect an Apple III to an Apple disk ][ or FloppyEmu drive

Adapter to connect an Apple III to an Apple disk ][ or FloppyEmu drive - ThorstenBr/AppleIII_diskII

github.com

Floppy Emu on the Apple III | Big Mess o' Wires

www.bigmessowires.com

Connecting Apple III to FloppyEmu | Applefritter

www.applefritter.com

I hope someone sells Ebay kits for this

I would be all for making these kits, I can try and make a batch. If you do plan on using this method with a III it’ll work fine but if you use a III Plus you will need to adapt it to a DB19 connector. I suppose you could just use the internal connector on a iii plus bit then you will not be able to use the internal Disk iii drive. Let me put a order in for some stuff and see if I can’t make some.

 

[pball52998]

I would be all for making these kits, I can try and make a batch. If you do plan on using this method with a III it’ll work fine but if you use a III Plus you will need to adapt it to a DB19 connector. I suppose you could just use the internal connector on a iii plus bit then you will not be able to use the internal Disk iii drive. Let me put a order in for some stuff and see if I can’t make some.

When I get my /// working... I'd definitely be interested in a kit!

 

[ScutBoy]

I would be in for a kit for this as well!

 

[jajan547]

I would be in for a kit for this as well!

Gotcha I’ll get a list tonight

 

[Huxley]

I would be all for making these kits, I can try and make a batch. If you do plan on using this method with a III it’ll work fine but if you use a III Plus you will need to adapt it to a DB19 connector. I suppose you could just use the internal connector on a iii plus bit then you will not be able to use the internal Disk iii drive. Let me put a order in for some stuff and see if I can’t make some.

Hi @jajan547! I'm a little late to this party, but if you're still making kits, I'd love to by one (or two, if you have an extra to spare). Let me know!

Thanks,

Huxley

 

[jajan547]

Hi @jajan547! I'm a little late to this party, but if you're still making kits, I'd love to by one (or two, if you have an extra to spare). Let me know!

Thanks,

Huxley

I don’t have any at the moment but I have a friend due to be bringing some stuff in. I believe he has 5 and these will likely be ready say the 15th so PM me and we can work something out.

 

[jajan547]

I have the kits in case anyone wants them I only have three.

 

[lisa2]

I have the kits in case anyone wants them I only have three.

If you are in the US then I would like to buy one kit. Please PM me.
Rick

 

[jajan547]

If you are in the US then I would like to buy one kit. Please PM me.
Rick

Will do.