Apple IIe does not work(?) if floppy controller card fitted...

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Apple IIe does not work(?) if floppy controller card fitted...

Hi all,

I have recently got an Apple IIe and it certainly has not been without problems!
Anyway, it seems to work now.

But when I try to use it with the floppy controller card inside, it does not allow me to type commands. I just get the "Apple //e" title atop my screen with no prompt...

Am I doing something wrong or could there be a problem?
If so, what can I do?

Thomas

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Joined: Dec 13 2005 - 08:40
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Re IIe

Hi,
First is the controler card pluged into a disk drive? Drive spin, light up?
No drive then, yes it might be looking for the drive. Can not seem to remember which keys will get you the prompt. Contol and Reset or Control and Escape should get you the square blinking promt. The * is in the monitor type call-155 or call-151. I a m sure some will correct me a make it more clear for you.

Take Care

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Joined: Sep 26 2005 - 12:38
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In my experience, Apple IIs w

In my experience, Apple IIs will not work if there is a DD controller card installed but no drives plugged in. I notice that you say that it will not work with the controller card inside, but you make no mention of a disk drive. If you don't have any drives plugged in, remove the card.

Thanks,

Chris

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thanks... panic over!

Thanks guys. Panic over. I don't (yet) have a drive for the IIe so that was the problem all along.

Does Anyone know a good place for geting apple IIe floppy drives other than ebay (because ebay in UK rarely has any Apple II stuff)?

Cheers,

Thomas

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Re IIe

Hi,
I have some drives, but shipping them from the U.S. is going to cost more than the drives.

Take Care,

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Re: thanks... panic over!

I don't (yet) have a drive for the IIe so that was the problem all along.

Yep, the card will try to spin the non-existent disk drive in an endless loop until it successfully boots (i.e. never).

This design is definitely a problem for Apples left plugged in and running with no floppy in the drive when the power fails. The computer will reboot when power is restored. Then the drive motor will run forever or until you come back from vacation, whichever comes first.

The IIc and IIgs fixed this by spinning an empty drive for a fixed amount of time before giving up and complaining.

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