Unknown Apple 2 cards

From: Ernest <ernestls_at_attbi.com>
Date: Thu Jun 5 10:29:01 2003

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org]On
> Behalf Of peter tremewen

>
> I might be wrong but I have a feeling if your talking Z80 in the
> apple you looking at a CPM adaptor. Next generation apples have the Z80
> built in as a co-processor.... That if I remember correctly..... I have
> several mother boards, some with the Z80 and others without. The
> first time I saw something like this it was inside a machine without the
Z80
> mounted on the mother board.....

It's a Z80 add on. The Apple II's used the 6502 but these Z80 cards could be
added to allow the use of CP/M. There were a few Apple II clones that had
the Z80 built-in (both the Z80 and 6502 on the motherboard,) and even some
that had the Z80 as the main processor on the MB, with an add-on 6502 w/ROMs
card that would allow the system to function as a regular Apple II system.
There was even at least one clone that had the 6502 and Z80 on the MB but
the ROMS were on a separate card. I assume that they were built that way so
that they could pass through customs easier.


> > ROM Card: No idea what this is; presumably the 6 ROMs (2716 chips)
> > contain utilities that could have been accessed under software control?
> > No idea what the switch at the rear edge of the card does either.

It's a simple ROM card. These were built during the transition from Integer
Basic to Applesoft Basic. The card would have Applesoft and sometimes
additional ROMS like the Programmers Aid ROM, etc. These cards were usually
used on earlier Apple II systems, since later models had Applesoft built in.
Also, these ROM cards could be used in clones for the same reason, and
having the ROMs on a separate card would again make moving the clones
through customs easier. The switch was to allow you to select the different
ROMS.

> > Card with remote pushbutton switch ("unknown_03.jpg" on the
> > website): All TTL logic on board, ROM is a 2716 chip. Underside
> > is labelled "Wild card". Anyone seen one of these or know what it is?

> I have never seen anything like this one before, but if it is as
> sugested by another member a "Hacking card" then I'd also love to
> hear from anyone else who may have further info. This sort of "Unusual"
> plug in would be an interesting addition to my collection. I'll keep my
> eyes out for more info, might even do a bit of research at the local TAFE
> myself.......

Yeah. It's a WildCard. I have a boxed WildCard II but I've never used it.
These cards were often used in conjunction with a 128k RAM add-on card. If I
remember correctly, the card allows you to capture the contents of your RAM
and view it, or save it to disk, etc. I think that the main purpose was to
be able to edit/save whatever program is loaded in memory, whether it's copy
protected or not. You could edit out the copy protection part, and then save
the edited program to disk.

E.
Received on Thu Jun 05 2003 - 10:29:01 BST