Cosmo's latest . . .

[Cosmo]

We managed to get the board out and take some pictures. © 1983 board, upgraded with Tektor Oy's FINNMAC board with 1Mb RAM and SCSI. I'll add some close-up pictures later. Interesting wiring going on.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Definitely a case of availability, the 128k boards were very reasonably priced from Shreve back in the day. I bought one to do the "solder a socket to the legs" version of installation for a NewLife board in my 512k. I kept the better board for backup in case I borked something. I must have messed it up, as I took it to Tekserve. They sorted it out and my friend had the techsinstalled four keychain SIMMs to bring it to 2.5MB for free. They said it was a very interesting board.

I don't understand the point of downgrading a useful 128k to it's original, semi-usable state. One that was "factory" upgraded to a useful configuration, having more memory, better FDD and especially the SCSI upgrade, is a far more significant addition to a collection than the memory deprived, floppy-swap saddled standard issue 128k, IMHO. Let's face it, had the 128k's GUI not been so revolutionary, the watered down Mac might not have lasted until the 512k real deal shipped. Without the external FDD, the 128k was only just barely a viable product in terms of usability, even the 512k was annoying enough without a second FDD in my experience.

No hate mail please, these are just my opinions, YMMV.

But they are based upon actually having used Fontographer on a 512k at home to digitizing logos, when an SE/1MB/20MB was the main Production Machine at the shop.

 

[MinerAl]

So are there 512ke/Plus ROMs on the upgrade or on the Logic Board?

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

If:

External (from Mac Plus) 800k -drive boots up to 6.0.5 from 800k disk and shows 1024Kb RAM.

I'm pretty sure the ROMSs need to have been upgraded, dunno though, 128k lore is not really my thing.

But ISTR buying the (ROMs inside) 800k external(?) upgrade for my 512k->128k/NewLife run at a CatMac/Hackintosh.

 

[Cosmo]

Yes the ROM's are from Plus indeed.

ROM HI = 342-0341-A - Apple '83-'85

ROM LOW 342-0342-A - Apple '83-'85

What comes to originality, i'd prefer an original 128k. I do have an 512ke, Plus, SE/30 etc for enjoying more RAM and easier usage of disk media (800k) and SCSI. If there's use of Apple II - there's use of original 128k Mac as well

I'll post few closer pictures of the board tonight.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

Dunno, what you have there is far more rare and even farther more useful than a stock 128k. Much more historically, significant, IMHO.

 

[Cosmo]

Few closeups:

 

[Cosmo]

Dunno, what you have there is far more rare and even farther more useful than a stock 128k. Much more historically, significant, IMHO.

If we are talking about machines in Finland, seems that stock 128k is way more rare. I've heard from several first hand sources that a lot of (nobody can say what rate or %) original 128k's were upgraded to either 512k or "Plus". Historically interesting and that's why worth keeping.

I'd still prefer stock 128k.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

I agree that a 128k is more historically significant than one with a mundane 512k/512ke/Plus off the shelf Apple upgrade. But a 128k MoBo with modifications such as yours trumps a stock 128k. Rare, intact upgrades not available from Apple enhance a 128k's rarity, removing them leaves just a hacked up 128k MoBo. It looks like your board would allow for an FPD Card to be installed as well. Now that would be historic as an early DTP workstation . . .

. . . something a stock 128k could never aspire to be. }

 

[Cosmo]

It looks like your board would allow for an FPD Card to be installed as well. Now that would be historic as an early DTP workstation . . .

Where do you see that? 8-o

 

[Cosmo]

Picked some great condition and clean joysticks, one Apple //e & //c -model with manual and one "Joystick 600" boxed with manual and adapters from the same guy who i got the Apple ][ software disks and games last week. He might have some manuals and magazines as well.

That "Joystick 600" lists as Compatible with :

- IBM PC / Compatibles

- Apple II, IIt (means of cos, II+)

- Apple IIc, IIe

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

It looks like your board would allow for an FPD Card to be installed as well. Now that would be historic as an early DTP workstation . . .

Where do you see that? 8-o

It looks like you have clearance to add the Killy Klip/VidCard to the CPU where it is already raised up on that daughtercard. You'd likely need to modify the sheet metal if the resulting assembly is too tall, but it would be worth it if you can come up with a working FPD or TPD. [}] ]'>

 

[Cosmo]

Got these from Don Worth, author of the Apple ][ book "Beneath Apple DOS".

Book:

Beneath Apple DOS (by Don Worth and Pieter Lechner)

- Signed for me by Don Worth!

Macintosh Plus - accessory-box parts:

C-Tape:

- Macintosh Plus - A Guided Tour

3.5" disks:

- Software Sampler - An Intro to Machintosh Applications - MacDraw - MacWrite - Mac Project - Mac Paint

- A Guided Tour

- Paper supplement for the Software sampler - funny, it looks like an floppy disk when folded!

 

[Macdrone]

Wow, just wow. I am speechless. Congratz.

 

[olePigeon]

That is awesome!

 

[Cosmo]

Part of a trade i made today, an working Apple ][+ . Just needs some cleaning up obiously. Oh man this is good find, these are really rare to be found over here!

Apple ][+ (board made in 8011, Revision 4)

with ASCII keyboard layout

48K RAM installed

230V PSU

SUP "R" Mod II -board installed

Disk ][ -interface card

Disk ][ -drive

Sanyo DM5912CX monitor (green/black) with anti-glare-guard

12 pcs of 5.25" disks in a plastic container, by looking at the labels they contain a lot of school stuff. Will image them tomorrow with CFFA3000-card.

Books:

- Basic Exercises for Apple (Sybex: J.P. Lamoitier, 1982)

- DOS Version 3.2 Quick reference book (missing covers)

- Apple ][ reference manual (1979, covers with lots of wear)

- The Applesoft Tutorial (1979)

- The Applesoft Tutorial (1979)

- The Apple Tapes - Introductiory Programs for the Apple ][ Plus (1979)

- Apple ][ - Basic Programming Manual (1979)

- Applesoft Basic

This machine comes originally from some High-school in Kuopio, east part of Finland.

 

[mcdermd]

Green slots are cool!

 

[Macdrone]

They do give it character.

 

[Cosmo]

It was quite suprise that the slots were green. First thought that jumped into my mind was "it's an Rev.0" board.. but second after i remembered the differences Oddly that SLOT 6 connector is later type, maybe it's been replaced later. I need to clean up the machine and check the board from the otherside.

Bad luck with the disks, none of them were readable anymore. Even they were storaged in a plastic box ment for storage.

 

[Macdrone]

Strange are you sure its not the drive? I have disks that look like they were outside in the weather since 1984 and they work. A few bad spot/programs but not horrible.