> -----Original Message-----
> From: cctalk-bounces_at_classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctalk-bounces_at_classiccmp.org]
> On Behalf Of Dave Dunfield
> Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2004 3:55 AM
> To: cctalk_at_classiccmp.org
> Subject: Help with Apple2 clone "Orange Peel"
>
> Hi,
>
> I am trying to resurrect a dead Apple2 clone for a friend.
>
> This machine is called "Orange Peel", and is packaged as a
> small rectangular box with three slots accessable on one
> end by sliding back the top, and a separate keyboard.
> I believe the machine is running, at least it clears video
> memory to zero (familier '_at_' pattern) on powerup, but goes
> no further - the ROM/RAM configuration seems odd:
>
> The main board contains 8 4564 DRAM's along with video
> and I/O circuitry etc.
>
> The CPU lives on a separate board which is suspended above
> the mainboard on long, hard-to-insert pins.
>
> The CPU board has 7 sockets. At one end is a single 2716
> EPROM chip labled "New boot", near the other end of the
> line is a label on the board which reads "2kb/2716" - this
> suggests that the whole line should be ROM's (which would
> be consistant with other apples), however the remaining
> sockets contain 5517 CMOS RAM's !!! - clearly there is no
> other code on this board.
>
> Inside the "New Boot" ROM, the only strings I can see are:
>
> FBPASIC OR INTBASIC FILE REQUIRED
> INSERT APPLICATION DISC AND PRESS ESC
>
> This suggests that it loads basic from disk and would not
> have it in ROM.
>
> So - I have a bit of a paradox : the "2kb/2716" label suggests
> ROM's, and the 64k of RAM on the mainboard also indicates that
> all the RAM is on the lower board, however the ROM strings
> suggest that this may be the only ROM.
>
> Perhaps it loads code from the disk into "Pseudo-ROM" 5517 bank?
> (If so, anyone got the disk code)?
>
> The fact that several of the riser pins were not inserted and
> bent under the CPU board indicates that someone with low skills
> "worked" on this system at one point. The fact that the attached
> power cord was cut off indicates that it was given up on ... so
> I cannot assume that it is configured correctly.
>
> Is anyone familier with this system? Can anyone tell me if the
> CPU board accepts RAM or if it should be ROM? If so, does anyone
> have the proper code? If it loads the RAM's from disk, does anyone
> have the disk?
>
> Regards,
> Dave
Hey, Dave
That sounds like a very interesting clone, and like you said, I suspect
that someone hacked the thing up badly. But... it can probably be
repaired. Does the "New ROM" card have any wires going from it to other
chips on the mainboard, or does it simply plug into an empty ROM socket
on the mainboard?
I would love to see some photos of that system, especially some pics of
the mainboard.
Ernest
http://www.apple2clones.com
Received on Sat Jul 17 2004 - 23:29:32 BST