Apple EY5QGRAMKEEPER User Manual

Federal Communications Commission  
Radio Frequency Interference Statement  
The equipment described in this manual generates and uses radio frequency  
energy. If it is not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with  
these instructions, it may cause interference to radio or television reception.  
FCC I.D. Number: EY5QGRAMKEEPER  
This equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a  
Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of  
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These rules are designed to provide reasonable  
protection against radio and television interference in residential installation.  
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular  
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television  
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by  
one or more of the following measures:  
à
à
à
Reposition the receiver’s antenna. Also make sure the  
antenna wires are making good electrical contact.  
Use a roof-mounted antenna rather than a "rabbit-ear"  
antenna or an antenna mounted in the attic.  
Make sure that all electrical connections on the computer  
are secure and any shielded I/O cables are properly  
fastened.  
à
à
Move the computer away from the receiver.  
Plug the computer and receiver into separate electrical  
circuits.  
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television  
technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet  
prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:  
“How to Identify and Solve Radio-TV Interference Problems”  
This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office,  
Washington, D.C. 240402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.  
Warning: This equipment has been certified to comply with the limits for Class  
B computing device, pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules. Only  
peripherals (computer input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.) certified to  
comply with the Class B limits may be attached to this computer. Operation with  
non-certified peripherals is likely to result in interference to radio and TV  
reception.  
Applied Engineering is not responsible for any radio or television interference  
caused by unauthorized modifications to this equipment. It is the responsibility  
of the user to correct such interference.  
Use only the battery, battery cable, and transformer supplied with this product.  
Substitute items may cause interference problems.  
Limited Warranty & Disclaimer  
Applied Engineering warrants the RamKeeper and SlotMover against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 5 years  
from the date of original retail purchase and warrants the Gel/Cell battery against defects in material and workmanship for a period  
of 1 year from the date of original retail purchase. Applied Engineering also warrants that, under normal use, the magnetic media  
on which the software is stored is free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 30 days from the date of original  
purchase. Any misuse, abuse, or non-~ authorized alteration, modification and/or repair to the Applied Engineering product will  
void the warranty. This warranty will also be void if you use the /E product for any other purpose than its intended use. If you  
discover a defect, Applied Engineering will, at its option, repair or replace only the Applied Engineering product, provided you  
return the product during the warranty period, transportation prepaid, to Applied Engineering.  
This warranty applies to the original retail purchaser only. Therefore, please include a copy of the original invoice or  
a small service charge may be applied. If the product is to be Sent to Applied Engineering by mail, the purchaser will insure the  
package or assume full responsibility for loss or damage during shipping. Prior to returning the product for warranty consideration,  
call Applied Engineering Technical Support for a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number and shipping instructions.  
Even though Applied Engineering has tested the software and reviewed the documentation, Applied Engineering makes no  
warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the manual or the software; their quality, performance,  
merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. As a result, the software and manual are sold “as is,” and you, the purchaser,  
are assuming the entire risk as to their quality and performance.  
In no event will Applied Engineering be liable for loss or damages of any kind caused either directly or indirectly by the use or  
possession of its products, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. The Applied Engineering Warranty is for the  
Applied Engineering Product itself. In particular, Applied Engineering shall have no liability for any other equipment used in  
conjunction with Applied Engineering products nor for programs or data stored in or used with Applied Engineering products,  
including the costs of recovering such equipment, programs, or data.  
The warranty and remedies set forth above are exclusive and in lieu of all others, oral or written, express or implied. No Applied  
Engineering dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this warranty.  
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the  
above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other  
rights which may vary from state to state.  
This manual and the software (computer programs) described herein are copyrighted by Applied Engineering with all rights  
reserved. Under the copyright laws, this manual or the programs may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent  
of Applied Engineering, except in the normal use of the software or to make an archival copy. This exception does not allow copies  
to be made for others, whether or not sold, but all of the materials purchased (with all archive copies) may be sold, loaned, or given  
to another person. Under the law, copying includes translating into another language or format. You may use this software on any  
computer owned by you but extra copies cannot be made for this purpose.  
Applied Engineering cannot guarantee that you will receive notice of revisions to the software documentation or products  
described in this manual. Be sure to check with your dealer or Applied Engineering for information on possible updates. However,  
Applied Engineering reserves the right to make any improvements to Applied Engineering products without any responsibility  
toward upgrading previously released products.  
Apple and Apple IIGS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.  
AppleWorks, Apple IIGS Memory Expansion Card, DOS 3.3, and ProDOS are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.  
Applied Engineering and RamWorks are registered trademarks of Applied Engineering.  
Super Desktop Expander, AW 2 Expander, RamFactor, RamCharger, RamKeeper, Back Pocket, SlotMover, GS-RAM, and GS-RAM  
Plus are trademarks of Applied Engineering.  
IIGS System Saver is a trademark of Kensington Microware, Ltd. RamPak 4Gs is a trademark of Orange Micro, Inc. RamStackPlus  
is a trademark of AST Research, Inc. OnBoard is a trademark of OnThree, Inc. OctoRAM is a trademark of MDldeas, Inc. Radio  
Shack is a registered trademark of Tandy Corporation.  
©Copyright 1988, Applied Engineering  
Applied Engineering  
P.O. Box 5100  
Carrollton, Texas 75011  
Sales: (214) 241-6060 9 AM 11 PM (CST) 7 days  
-
Technical Support: (214)241-6069 9 AM  
-
12:30PM & 1:35PM  
-
5 PM (CST) Monday  
-
Friday  
(The Technical Support telephone lines cannot be accessed through the Sales department.)  
Table Of Contents  
-
Chapter One  
-
Getting Started  
1
Recommended  
1
One Memory Card on RamKeeper  
2
16  
16  
What Now?  
Others  
Chapter Two  
-
RamKeeper Firmware  
17  
17  
Loading the Firmware  
24  
More than 2 Meg  
Memory Map  
Checksum  
26  
27  
28  
28  
About RamKeeper...  
Quit  
Table of Contents  
I
 
Chapter Three  
-
Using the ROM Disk  
29  
29  
Location of the ROM Disk  
Chapter Four  
The Lights  
Battery  
-
The RamKeeper Power  
33  
33  
34  
Chapter Five  
-
A Brief RAM/ROM Tutorial  
35  
35  
RAM is...  
Chapter Six  
-
Memory Allocation  
37  
37  
Is a RAM Disk now obsolete?  
Chapter Seven - Æ Cache  
Requirements  
39  
39  
39  
42  
42  
ProDOS 8  
Setting the RAM Buffer Size  
About the Cache  
ii  
RamKeeper  
Chapter Eight  
-
AW 2 Expander  
45  
45  
46  
49  
49  
49  
49  
51  
51  
52  
Before You Even Think of Modifying AppleWorks...  
AppleWorks Modification Instructions  
About the New Features  
More Word-Processor Lines and Database Records  
Printer Buffer Option  
Buffer Size Option  
Multiple-Disk Save  
Saving Multiple Files to Disk  
Adding Multiple Disk Files to the Desktop  
Appendices  
53  
53  
A: Trouble Shooting  
Table of Contents  
iii  
iv  
RamKeeper  
Welcome to the Memory...  
So you want the most user friendly computer to be even  
more friendly? You did the right thing. If you already  
own an Applied Engineering RamFactor™ with  
RamCharger™ battery backup, you know the convenience  
of having your favorite programs already loaded into  
memory and ready to run as soon as you boot your  
computer. If you haven’t had this pleasure, now's your  
chance.  
TURN off your computer without turning off the  
memory; RamKeeper™ will battery back one or two IIgs  
memory expansion cards giving you instant access to  
programs stored in ROM. Simply stated: You can turn on  
your computer and enter your favorite programs in  
seconds without having to insert and flip disks.  
ELEPHANTS can’t compete with the amount of memory  
available through RamKeeper. Two cards connected to  
RamKeeper will be recognized as one big memory card  
(linear addressing) allowing up to 16 Meg of total  
memory. It supports most Apple® IIgs® memory  
expansion cards and allows you to divide the memory for  
use as a ROM Disk, RAM Disk, and system memory in 1K  
increments.  
VETERAN and novice computer card installers alike will  
breeze through the installation of the card. You don’t  
even have to insert a disk to configure the RamKeeper’s  
setup --the RamKeeper has its own built-in software  
(firmware) contained in a ROM (EPROM) of its own. The  
step-by-step instructions will ease you through installing  
the cards and configuring the memory.  
EXTRAS: With your RamKeeper, we’ve included AW 2  
Expander™, Applied Engineering’s popular enhancement  
package. The enhancements to AppleWorks™ include  
increased number of word processing lines and data base  
records, multiple disk save capability, on-screen time  
display and much more! The Expander disk also includes  
the Æ Cache™ program which greatly increases disk access  
speed for your Apple 3.5 Drives. With these great  
enhancement features, your RamKeeper rises from the  
ranks of the incredible to the level of the invaluable.  
Welcome  
V
 
NOTES and Warnings throughout the manual will help  
you to better understand what you’re dealing with. They  
appear as shown in the example below:  
*
Note: This indicates a special note or warning.  
Pay close attention to these entries.  
SOLVE most minor problems with the Trouble Shooting  
guide located toward the back of the manual  
HERE’S your chance to put more juice in your Apple. So  
turn the page and get started. You’ve got a lot of memory  
waiting.  
vi  
RamKeeper  
CHAPTER ONE  
Getting Started  
Required  
To use RamKeeper, you must have the following:  
à
An Apple IIGS  
*
Note: Due to physical constraints, a //e upgraded  
to a IIGS will not support a RamKeeper.  
à
At least one memory card. This memory card can  
be any one of the following:  
GS-RAM™ (any rev)  
GS-RAM Plus (any rev)  
GS-RAM 2 Meg Expander (any rev)  
Apple IIGS Memory Expansion™  
OctoRam™  
RamPak 4GS™  
RamStackPlus™  
OnBoard™  
*
Note: This list was complete at time of  
publication. Other IIGS RAM cards may work.  
Recommended  
Even though RamKeeper uses a switching power supply  
which keeps its operation cool, several powerful cards in  
your closed computer generate lots of heat. We  
recommend the IIGS System Saver from Kensington to  
keep it running cool.  
Possible Combinations  
RamKeeper allows you to attach memory cards in many  
different combinations. Some cards must be attached to  
the front side of the card. Others must be connected to the  
back. Still others require the use of the optional  
SlotMover. Determine if you'll be connecting one or two  
cards, then find your card(s) in the lists below to  
determine where to connect it (them).  
Chapter One - Getting Started  
1
 
One Memory Card on RamKeeper  
If you want to attach only one card to the  
RamKeeper, you will, in most cases, want to plug it  
into the Back Pocket™. This keeps slot 7 clear.  
Use the drawing below to help you determine if you  
can use the Back Pocket for your card or, if not,  
which connector you'll need to connect it to the  
front side of the RamKeeper.  
RamKeeper  
Back Pocket  
Slot Mover  
All GS-RAM cards  
GS-RAM REV C or later  
(including 2 Meg Expander)  
GS-RAM Plus REV 0 or later  
Apple IIGS Memory Expansion Card  
RamPak 4GS  
Card  
GS-RAM 2 Meg Expander  
Apple IIGS Memory Expansion  
RamPak 4GS  
RamStackPlus  
OnBoard  
OctoRam  
RamStackPlus  
OnBoard  
Front Connector  
All GS-RAM cards  
* Due to its large size,  
(except 2 Meg Expander)  
OctoRam will not fit on the  
back side of RamKeeper  
Single Card Options  
*
GS-RAM Note: GS-RAM REV A and GS-RAM  
Plus REV A cards require the optional SlotMover  
to keep slot 7 clear. The REV A cards have the  
silver pins extending from the black connector on  
the back side of the card just above the edge  
connector. If placed in the back pocket, these pins  
keep the card from fitting properly between the  
RamKeeper and the right side of the IIGS case.  
Although it is possible to cram the REV As into  
the Back Pocket, the pins may hit the metal of the  
computer case and short out the board(s).  
*
OctoRam Note: Due to its large size, OctoRam  
will not fit on the back side of RamKeeper. If  
you're connecting an OctoRam to the front side of  
the card, the last two memory rows must be  
empty. So, if you’re using 256K chips, you can  
only have 1.5 Meg of the card filled, If you’re  
using I Meg chips, you can have only 6 Meg filled.  
2
RamKeeper  
 
Two Memory Cards on RamKeeper  
When using two cards with the RamKeeper, the card on  
the back side of RamKeeper must have memory in  
increments of 512K. So, you can use cards with 512K, 1  
Meg, 1.5 Meg (i.e. GS-RAM), 2 Meg, 3 Meg, etc.  
The drawings below illustrate the combinations we have  
tested and know will work. While other combinations  
may work, the combinations below are the ones we  
support.  
RamKeeper  
RamKeeper  
RamKeeper  
Back Pocket (in 512K increments)  
GS-RAM REV C or later  
GS-RAM Plus REV 0 or later  
GS-RAM 2 Meg Expander  
Apple IIGS Memory Expansion Card  
RamPak 4GS  
RamStackPlus  
Slot Mover  
All GS-RAM cards  
(including 2 Meg Expander)  
Front Connector  
All GS-RAM cards  
OnBoard  
(except 2 Meg Expander)  
* Due to its large size,  
OctoRam will not fit on the  
back side of RamKeeper  
Slot Mover  
Apple 256K - I Meg  
RamStackPlus 256K - 1 Meg  
OnBoard 1 - 4 Meg  
OctoRam 256K - 1 Meg (256K chips)  
Back Pocket  
Apple 1 Meg  
RamStackPlus 1 Meg  
On Board 4 Meg  
Slot Mover  
Back Pocket  
RamPak 4GS 512K - 1 Meg  
OctoRam 1 Meg - 4 Meg (1 Meg chips)  
RamPak 4GS 4 Meg  
Chapter One - Getting Started  
3
 
Installation  
Use the pictures below to locate the parts referred to in the  
installation section.  
Transformer Light  
(Red and Green)  
DMA Card  
Connector  
Battery Light  
(Green only)  
Transformer  
Connector  
Front  
Memory Card  
Connector  
Back  
Memory Card  
Connector  
(Back Pocket)  
Cables and Connectors  
4
RamKeeper  
 
To install the RamKeeper, you'll need a Phillips  
screwdriver. Once you have it, follow the steps below:  
1.) TURN OFF THE APPLE’S POWER SWITCH.  
Never install or remove a card while the  
computer is on. However, you need to leave the  
computer plugged in throughout the installation  
to allow the power supply to discharge static  
electricity from your body.  
2.) Remove the cover from the Apple. Press in the  
two latches in the rear of the case with your  
forefingers while using the heel of your hand to  
pull the lid up and towards you. (See below.)  
3.) Touch the power supply to remove any static  
electricity from your body. Do not skip this step!  
A static shock can damage the chips on your  
boards and/or the chips on your computers  
motherboard.  
Remove the IIGS cover  
Touch the power supply case  
4.) You may want to remove any cards in slots 6 and  
7 to give yourself a little more room to operate. If  
you do remove any cards, follow the instructions  
that came with those cards for removing and  
reinserting. Applied Engineering will not be  
responsible for any damage to your other cards.  
Chapter One - Getting Started  
5
5.) If the plastic plate is still covering the far right  
opening in the backplane, remove it. This cover  
must be removed whether or not you. plan to  
connect the Transformer or battery.  
Remove the plastic plate  
6.) Gently bend down the ferrite beads located toward  
the back right corner of the motherboard. These  
beads may keep the RamKeeper from seating  
properly.  
Bend down the ferrite beads  
6
RamKeeper  
7.) Both of the wires that lead to the GelICell should  
be disconnected. If they aren't, disconnect them  
now.  
Disconnect the battery wires  
8.) Remove the RamKeeper from its anti-static bag.  
Hold the card by its edges, like a photograph.  
9.) Connect your card or cards according to the  
instructions below. Refer to the illustration  
below for the proper connector and placement of  
your card(s).  
Slot Mover  
RamKeeper  
All GS-RAM cards  
Back Pocket  
(including 2 Meg Expander)  
Apple IIGS Memory Expansion Card  
RamPak 4GS  
RamStackPlus  
OnBoard  
GS-RAM REV C or later  
GS-RAM Plus REV D or later  
GS-RAM 2 Meg Expander  
Apple IIGS Memory Expansion Card  
RamPak 4GS  
OctoRam Front Connector  
All GS-RAM cards  
RamStackPlus  
On Board  
(except 2 Meg Expander)  
* Due to its large size,  
OctoRam will not fit on the  
back side of RamKeeper  
RamKeeper Connections  
Chapter One - Getting Started 7  
*
Note: If you’re connecting only one card and it  
will work in the back pocket, you should install it  
there as this is the easiest connection to make.  
(Skip to step 10.)  
Connecting GS-RAM Cards to the RamKeeper’s Front  
*
Note: If you have a SlotMover, skip to the next  
section.  
To connect directly to the front of the RamKeeper, all GS-  
RAM cards (except the GS-RAM REV A and the CS-RAM-  
Plus REV A) require the male to male connector. (If  
you’re using a GS-RAM REV A or a GS-RAM Plus REV A,  
skip to step “C”.)  
A) First, notice the white pegs in two holes of the  
RamKeeper.  
Note pegs in front connector  
8
RamKeeper  
 
B) The male to male adaptor will fit in the holes  
between these two pegs. Don’t force the adaptor  
into the holes; simply set the long pins into the  
holes, as shown.  
Set adaptor in holes  
C) Align the connector on the back of the GS-RAM  
card with the exposed smaller pins of the male to  
male connector. (GS-RAM REV A and GS-RAM  
Plus REV A users, align the pins on the back of  
the GS-RAM with the holes in the RamKeeper  
connector.)  
Align Gs-RAM connector with pins  
Chapter One - Getting Started  
9
*
Note: Take your time in aligning the pins and  
connecting the cards. If they are not aligned  
properly, you may bend the pins.  
D) Holding the card as shown above, alternate  
between pressing down firmly on the connectors  
and the tops of the cards in a slow, rocking  
motion. The cards and the adaptor will gradually  
mesh together.  
Push until all pins are completely seated  
10  
RamKeeper  
Attaching the Optional SlotMover  
The SlotMover is an extension board that shifts the  
expansion board on the front side of the RamKeeper so  
that it wont block slot 7. (Slot 7 is commonly used for  
hard drive controller cards.)  
Its new position is between slots 4 and 5. Because 4 is the  
mouse port and 5 is the disk drive port, you’ll probably  
never want to put a card in either.  
A) First, lay the RamKeeper face up on the table.  
B) Notice the white pegs in two holes of the  
RamKeeper’s front connector. (See picture on  
page 8.)  
C) Push the SlotMover pins into the holes between  
these two pegs.  
Insert SlotMover into connector  
D) Push until SlotMover pins are completely seated  
Don’t insert a card in the SlotMover until you have  
plugged RamKeeper into the Memory Expansion Slot.  
Chapter One - Getting Started  
11  
 
Connecting Cards to the Back of RamKeeper  
To connect a card to the back of RamKeeper, you’ll simply  
insert the cards edge connector into the Back Pocket’s slot  
after you have inserted the RamKeeper into the Memory  
Expansion Slot.  
*
Warning! Make sure all power is off before  
continuing. Both LED’s should be off and. power  
to the computer should still be off.  
10.) Insert the RamKeeper into the Memory  
Expansion Slot. Align the RamKeeper’s edge  
connector with the Memory Expansion Slot then  
use the heel of one hand to push the card down  
into the slot and seat it firmly.  
Insert RamKeeper into Memory Expansion Slot  
RamKeeper  
Front  
Back  
BackPocket  
(rests outside  
Memory Expansion Slot)  
Memory Expansion Slot  
12 RamKeeper  
 
11.) Install the connector plate using the screws  
provided. Line up the holes of the connector  
plate with the notches at the top and bottom of  
the opening in the backplane. Insert and tighten  
the screws using the hex wrench provided.  
Attach connector plate to backplane  
12.) If you’re installing a card into the Back Pocket, do  
so now by lining up the fingers of the memory  
card’s edge connector with the Back Pocket’s slot  
and using the heel of one hand to seat the card  
firmly.  
13.) Insert the insulator sheet included with  
RamKeeper between the back of the RamKeeper  
and the right side of the computer case. Slide the  
insulator as far toward the keyboard end as  
possible.  
Even if you aren’t using the Back Pocket or the  
Flex Connector, insert the insulator. This way,  
you’ll know where it is when you expand in the  
future.  
Chapter One - Gelling Started  
13  
Insert insulator  
*
Warning! Before connecting the power, you  
must have the insulator installed.  
14.) Plug the Transformer’s connector into the bottom  
socket of the connector plate you have installed in  
the backplane (see picture below).  
15.) Plug the Gel/Cell’s connector into the top socket.  
Plug the transformer and battery into the sockets  
14  
RamKeeper  
16.) Reconnect the battery cables to the GelICell’s  
connectors. The green LED light on the  
RamKeeper should come on. This indicates that  
your battery is working. If it doesn’t come on  
immediately, it is because it needs to be refreshed  
after its journey from our hands to yours.  
Continue with the installation and the  
Transformer will trickle charge the battery back to  
its full potential within 24 hours.  
17.) Plug the transformer into a wall outlet. This wall  
outlet should be independent of wall switches  
and dimmer switches. If you must use a switch  
controlled outlet, make sure the switch remains  
on.  
18.) Check the LED lights to make sure the  
transformer is functioning. Both lights should be  
on. If they are not both on, check the  
transformer’s connections.  
19.) Replace the Apple's cover. You may need to  
guide the insulator inwards as you close the  
cover.  
20.) Hardware installation is complete. Now you’ll  
need to set up your ROM Disk with the firmware.  
The Double Boot  
When using certain configurations with RamKeeper,  
your GS will beep twice when you boot it. The first beep is  
normal power up. The second is RamKeeper installing  
itself and resetting the computer. Some configurations do  
not require the double boot.  
Chapter One - Getting Started  
15  
 
What Now?  
Experienced Users:  
If you understand the ROM Disk and know what you  
want from yours, you can set the size and be on your way  
To install the AE RamKeeperDesk Accessory under  
ProDOS 16 you will need to copy the AERAMKEEPERfile  
(/AEROM/AERAMKEEPER) from RamKeeper’s self-created  
ROM Disk (AEROM) into the Desk Accessories folder  
(subdirectory) of your boot disk (/YOUR . BOOT/SYSTEM  
/DESK. ACCS). (ProDOS 8 will automatically load the AE  
RamKeeperDesk Accessory.)  
*
Note: You’ll need to have Slot 5 set to Smart Port  
and Startup Slot set to Scan.  
Now you can access the Classic Desk Accessories (CDA)  
menu, select the option, AE RamKeeper, and use the  
InitializeROM Disk option to set the ROM Disk size  
and be on your way.  
When you want to know more about a particular aspect of  
the card, use this manual as a reference.  
Others:  
The next chapter, “RamKeeper Firmware will tell you  
what options are available to you and help you set up  
your memory.  
16  
RamKeeper  
 
CHAPTER Two  
RamKeeper Firmware  
The software needs little or no explanation for basic  
operation; its simply simple to use. However, not  
knowing the full potential of its functions is like owning a  
James Bond car and not knowing what the buttons do.  
To fully understand and take advantage of RamKeeper’s  
features, read through this chapter once and display the  
menus on your screen as they’re being described.  
About The Firmware  
All of RamKeeper's firmware resides in an EPROM on the  
RamKeeper card. We have loaded it with features while  
keeping it easy to use. The RamKeeper utilities include  
memory tests, an auto startup checksum, a data recovery  
mechanism, ROM size reallocation (with no loss of data  
stored in ROM) and more.  
This sounds like a lot to control, but if you can use the IIGS  
Control Panel with no problem, mastering RamKeeper  
will be a breeze.  
Loading the Firmware  
Boot up your computer as you normally do. Then access  
the Classic Desk Accessories menu (CDA) by holding  
down the Open Apple and Control keys while pressing  
ESC (  
-
then ).  
*
Note: If your computer is giving you a boot error  
message, don’t worry; it is because your startup  
slot has now been changed. Continue with these  
instructions.  
Use the up and down arrow keys (  
), as instructed  
at the bottom of the menu, to highlight the Control Panel  
option. Press “Return.’  
Highlight the Slots option and press “Return.”  
Chapter Two - RamKeeper Firmware  
17  
 
Set Slot 5to Smart Port and Startup Slot to Scan if  
they are not already set that way. Now reboot your  
computer.  
*
Note: If you don’t know how to change the  
settings in the Control Panel, refer to your Apple  
IIGS Owner’s Guide for instructions on using the  
Control Panel.  
When you reboot your computer, RamKeeper creates a  
63K ROM Disk containing a file, AERAMKEEPER.You’ll  
need to copy the file to the DESK. ACCSfolder in your  
SYSTEMfolder.  
*
Note: This file is used only by ProDOS 16. If  
you 11 be using only ProDOS 8, the AERAMKEEPER  
desk accessory will be installed automatically--you  
don’t need to copy the file and you can skip to the  
next section.  
If you’re using the Finder, the copy process is easy. You’ll  
see the RamKeeper’s initial 63K ROM Disk on the Finder:  
AEROM  
Double click on this icon and you’ll see the file,  
AERAMKEEPER.  
Open (double dick) your ProDOS 16 SYSTEM  
folder.  
Locate the DESK.ACCS folder.  
Now dick on and drag the AERAMKEEPERfile from  
the ROM Disk to the DESK. ACCSfolder.  
Repeat these step to copy this file to any other  
System disks you may want to boot from.  
Reboot your computer.  
*
Note: If you prefer not to use the Finder, use your  
own favorite copy program to transfer the  
AERAMKEEPER file into the DESK.ACCS folder:  
Source: /AEROM/AERAMKEEPER  
Destination: /YOUR.BOOT/SYSTEM/DESK.ACCS  
18  
RamKeeper  
The RamKeeper will now automatically install its  
firmware utilities into the Classic Desk Accessories (CDA)  
menu every time you boot using a system disk containing  
the AERAMKEEPERfile.  
*
Remember: To be able to access the AE  
RamKeeper Desk Accessory, you must copy this  
file to any boot disk youll be using. So, if you  
plan to boot from your ROM Disk and want access  
to RamKeeper’s firmware, you’ll need to copy it  
to the Desk Accessories folder (subdirectory) on  
your ROM Disk.  
Once you have copied the file to your DESK.ACCS folder,  
you can delete the file from AEROM.  
If you ever lose the system disk(s) that contains this file,  
you'll need to reinitialize the ROM Disk so that it will  
create another AERAMKEEPERfile. Be sure to save your  
ROM Disk files to floppy disks before reinitializing.  
*
Note: For more information about using the  
Finder, refer to the Apple IIGS System Disk User’s  
Guide.  
Chapter Two - RamKeeper Firmware  
19  
Accessing the Firmware  
Access the Classic Desk Accessories menu by holding  
down the Open Apple and Control keys while pressing  
ESC then (  
-
then  
). Pressing these three keys will  
display a Desk Accessories menu much like the one  
shown below (appearance may vary according to which  
Desk Accessories you have loaded).  
Desk Accessories  
Control Panel  
Alternate Display Mode  
AE Cache  
AE RamKeeper  
Quit  
Classic Desk Accessories Menu  
Use the up and down arrow keys (  
as instructed  
at the bottom of the menu screen, to highlight the  
RamKeeper option. Press Return.’  
The RamKeeper main menu will appear as shown below:  
RamKeeper (TM)  
Initialize ROM Disk  
Change ROM Disk Size  
ROM Disk Memory Test  
RAM Memory Test  
Memory Map  
Checks urn  
About RamKeeper..  
Quit  
RamKeeper V--  
Copyright (c) 198—  
Applied Engineering  
Select:  
Open:  
RamKeeper Main Menu  
20  
RamKeeper  
 
Again, use the up and down arrow keys to select the  
option. The different options and their functions are  
described below.  
To set your ROM Disk to the size you want, you’ll need to  
go into the IIGs Classic Desk Accessories menu, select the  
AE RamKeeperoption and set the ROM Disk size using  
the Initialize ROM Disk option.  
Initialize ROM Disk  
The only option you can directly alter in this menu is the  
ROM Disk Sizesetting.  
When you first boot the RamKeeper, it creates a 63K ROM  
Disk. However, the Memory Allocated For ROM setting  
will show a 64K ROM Disk. This is because RamKeeper  
uses 1K of protected memory for itself.  
RamKeeper (TM)  
Initialize ROM Disk  
ROM Disk Size:  
63k  
64k  
Memory Allocated For ROM:  
Memory Available For RAM: 1664k  
...System  
Status...  
256k  
1472k  
1728k  
Main Memory:  
Expanded Memory:  
Total Memory  
63k  
Current ROM Disk Size:  
Initialize ROM Disk Menu  
Increasing or decreasing the ROM Disk Sizesetting will  
also change both the Memory Allocated For ROM and  
the Memory Available For RAM settings accordingly.  
Chapter Two - RamKeeper Firmware  
21  
 
While you can make changes to the ROM Disk Sizein 1  
K increments, the Memory Allocated For ROM  
increases in increments of 64K (a ProDOS criteria). So,  
when you set the ROM Disk size to 64K, you’re actually  
using 65K (1K used for RamKeeper). Since you crossed a  
64K boundary, the Memory allocated for ROM jumps up  
to 128K (2 x 64).  
The 63K between your 64K setting and the 96K allocated  
for ROM is not used. So, once you cross over a 64K  
boundary like that, you might as well use the maximum  
memory available within that range. For the example  
above, you might as well set ROM Disk Sizeto 127K.  
Setting the ROM Disk Size  
To increase or decrease the ROM Disk size by 1K, use the  
left or right arrow key.  
Each time you press the left arrow key, the  
ROM size will decrease by 1K.  
Each time you press the right arrow key, the  
ROM will increase by 1K.  
To increase or decrease the ROM Disk size in 32K  
increments, hold down the open apple key while pressing  
the left and right arrow keys.  
Each time you press the left arrow key with the  
open apple key held down, the ROM size will  
decrease by 32K.  
Each time you press the right arrow key with  
the open apple key held down, the ROM will  
increase by 32K.  
Accepts the current setting.  
Esccancels the operation and returns to the  
main menu.  
22  
RamKeeper  
 
When you press  
you’ll see the following message:  
Warning:  
You're are about to  
destroy your existing  
ROM Disk and RAM Disk.  
Do you really want to do  
this?  
Press Return again to initialize a new ROM Disk and  
reboot the system or press  
to back out. Pressing  
will return you to the Initialize ROM Diskmenu.  
Change ROM Disk Size  
This menu is identical to the Initialize ROM Disk  
menu with the addition of the Minimum ROM Disk  
Size: setting. Within this menu, you can increase and  
decrease the size of the ROM Disk (using the arrow keys as  
previously described) without endangering what is  
currently on the ROM Disk.  
The minimum ROM size is calculated by finding the last  
block of information currently stored in ROM and backing  
up to that point. The existing files are protected in this  
way.  
RamKeeper (TM)  
Change ROM Disk Size:  
ROM Disk Size:  
63K  
64K  
Memory Allocated For ROM:  
Memory Available For RAM: 1664K  
... System Status...  
Main Memory:  
Expanded Memory:  
Total Memory  
256K  
1472K  
1728K  
Current ROM Disk Size:  
Minimum ROM Disk Size:  
63K  
4K  
Change ROM Disk Menu  
Chapter Two - RamKeeper Firmware  
23  
 
As you increase or decrease the ROM Disk Size: setting,  
the Minimum ROM Disk Size: aswell as the Memory  
Allocated For ROM: and the Memory Available For  
RAM: settings adjust accordingly.  
Select the size ROM Disk you want and press return. (For  
a discussion of how much memory should be allocated to  
ROM, see, Memory Allocation.) If you have more than 2  
Meg of memory installed, see, “More than 2 Meg” in the  
previous section.  
*
Important: Resetting the ROM Disk size will, in  
effect, “cold boot” your computer. So, while files  
in your ROM Disk will remain untouched,  
anything you might have stored in your RAM  
Disk will be erased. If you didn’t save your RAM  
Disk contents and you want to, press  
to back  
out of this menu and save the RAM contents to  
disk before returning to this menu.  
More than 2 Meg  
Those using more than 2 Meg of memory may come  
across an easily surmountable obstacle. ProDOS allows bit  
map blocks in increments of 2,048K (4,096 blocks). If you  
find that you cannot increase your ROM Disk past a  
certain size, it has probably stopped at a multiple of 2,048K.  
If you want to go above that, you will need to reinitialize  
your ROM Disk for more than that multiple of 2,048. For  
instance, if you set the ROM Disk size to 2,049, then  
initialize, you can change your ROM Disk size to any  
setting from 4K to 4,096K. If you set your ROM Disk to  
4,097K, you’ll have a range from 4K to 6,144.  
ROM Disk Memory Test  
Use the ROM Disk Memory Test to test the memory used  
by the ROM Disk without destroying the contents of that  
memory.  
This a quick test that will run as soon as you select the  
option from the RamKeeper main menu.  
While the test is running, bar graphs will show you the  
test’s rapid progress through two passes.  
24  
RamKeeper  
 
RamKeeper (TM)  
ROM Disk Memory Test  
Checksum 1:  
Checksum 2:  
----  
----  
Non Destructive Memory Test  
Read/Write Pass 1:  
Read/Write Pass 2:  
ROM Disk Memory Test Menu  
*
Warning: Do not reset while this test is running  
or you will destroy your ROM Disk.  
When the test is complete, you will be told either,  
. . . Card Passed . . .  
or  
. . . Card Failed . . .  
If the card fails this test then the user should remove the  
memory card(s) from the RamKeeper and test them  
individually using the software supplied with the  
memory card(s). Testing the cards individually will save  
you the time and trouble of trying to repair the wrong  
card.  
RAM Memory Test  
This test is much like the ROM Disk Memory Test but will  
test the memory allocated as RAM without destroying its  
contents.  
This test is also run as soon as you select it from the  
RamKeeper main menu.  
The bottom of the screen displays graphics (plus signs  
turning into minus signs then back again) to let you know  
that the test is running.  
Chapter Two - RamKeeper Firmware  
25  
 
RamKeeper (TM)  
RAM Memory Test  
Number Of 64K RAM Banks:  
----  
Testing Address:  
Pass Number:  
----  
----  
Non Destructive Memory Test  
Bit March Test  
---------------+++++++++++++++  
RAM Memory Test Menu  
This test will continue until you abort by pressing  
You can quit this test at any time.  
Memory Map  
The Memory Map option gives you a graphic display of  
how much memory is allocated for RAM and how much  
for ROM.  
The open-apple characters represent RAM while the  
closed-apples represent ROM. Missing characters mean  
that there is no memory at the indicated bank.  
The bottom of the chart tells lists the kind of card(s) (“AE”  
or “Other”) and tells you the memory configuration of  
each.  
26  
RamKeeper  
RamKeeper (TM)  
Memory Map  
Bank Allocation  
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F  
00  
10  
20  
30  
40  
50  
60  
70  
-RAM  
front: No RAM Card  
Back: AE RAM Card 1536K  
-ROM Disk  
0K  
Select:  
Cancel:Esc  
Memory Map Menu  
Checksum  
Selecting this option from the main menu gives you a 16  
bit EOR checksum. This checksum will appear next to the  
Computed Checksum.  
The Current Checksum is only reported if the Continuous  
Checksum is on (Yes). If the Continuous Checksum is on,  
then it should be equal to the Current Checksum.  
RamKeeper (TM)  
Checksum  
Current Checksum  
----  
----  
Computed Checksum:  
Continuous Checksum  
Checksum at Startup  
Yes  
Yes  
Checksum Menu  
Chapter Two - RamKeeper Firmware  
27  
Use the up and down arrow keys to select either the  
Continuous Checksumoption or the ChecksumAt  
Startupoption. When either one is highlighted, use the  
left and right arrow keys to toggle between Yes and No.  
Continuous ChecksumYes means that every time a  
block of memory is written to in the ROM Disk, the EOR  
checksum is updated. The only disadvantage to this is  
that you sacrifice some ROM Disk speed for write  
operations.  
The Checksum At Startup works in conjunction with  
the Continuous Checksum feature; when you select Yes  
for ChecksumAt Startupthen Continuous Checksum  
is also set to Yes.  
About RamKeeper...  
This screen gives credit to the masterminds behind the  
RamKeeper. It also lists Applied Engineering’s Address  
and phone numbers for Sales and Technical Support.  
Quit  
Selecting the Quit option puts you back into the Classic  
Desk Accessories menu.  
28  
RamKeeper  
 
CHAPTER THREE  
Using the ROM Disk  
After you’ve initialized and allocated memory to the  
ROM Disk you can copy your favorite (or most used) non-  
copy protected ProDOS programs to it and set it up to your  
hard disk.  
You can name the file any name allowed by ProDOS.  
Copying Files to the ROM Disk  
There’s nothing special about copying files to the ROM  
Disk. Copy to it just as you copy to floppy disk or hard  
disks.  
If you’re using the IIGS Finder™ as your program selector,  
the ROM drive will appear as a RAM card icon like RAM  
Disks do.  
AEROM  
You can copy to the ROM Disk on the Finder by clicking  
on the program icon then dragging it to the ROM Disk  
icon.  
You may also use system utilities or many other copy  
programs to copy files to your ROM Disk (AEROM).  
Location of the ROM Disk  
The location of the ROM Disk depends on several things--  
how your Control Panel is configured, how many other  
drives are connected, and where the drives are connected.  
Use the diagrams below to help you understand where  
your ROM Disk will be placed.  
Chapter Three - Using the ROM Disk  
29  
 
ProDOS currently allows a total of six drive devices to  
function at one time. The Smart Fort, where your ROM  
Disk resides, can control up to four of the 6 total drives.  
You can have four 3.5” drives daisy-chained to the Smart  
Port or you can have a ROM Disk, a RAM Disk, and two  
3.5 drives. The Smart Port drives are controlled separately  
from drives connected to a disk drive controller in slot 6  
and separately from a hard disk in 7.  
The Smart Port will access the drives in the order:  
Slot 5 Drive 1 (boot drive  
Slot 5 Drive 2  
-
set up in Control Panel)  
Slot 2 Drive 1  
Slot 2 Drive 2.  
While there are no drives actually connected to slot 2, this  
is the slot that the Smart Port allocates to the 3rd and 4th  
drives in the Smart Port drive chain. These are the only  
slots that will be used by the Smart Port to control disk  
drives. For additional information about the Smart Port,  
consult your Apple IIGS User’s Guide.  
Slot 2 Consideration  
Slot 2 is commonly used for modems. Since the modem  
doesn’t emulate a block device (disk drive), if you have a  
modem in slot 2 (a DataLink for example) and slot 2 is set  
to “Your Card” in the Control Panel, the Smart Port can  
still use Slot 2 for disk drive allocation. If a memory card  
that emulates a disk drive is in slot 2 (e.g. RamFactor),  
then that card will override the Smart Port’s 3rd and 4th  
drives.  
30  
RamKeeper  
 
1st  
2nd  
3.5” Drive  
3rd  
3.5” Drive  
4th  
3.5” Drive  
Apple IIGS  
ROM Disk 3.5” Drive  
W/ RamKeeper  
s5,D1  
S5,D2  
S2,D1  
S2,D2  
Not  
without RAM Disk  
2nd 3rd  
Recognized  
1st  
Apple IIGS  
ROM Disk RAM Disk 3.5” Drive  
3.5” Drive  
S2,D2  
3.5” Drive  
W/ RamKeeper  
s5,D1 S5,D2 S2,D1  
Not  
with RAM Disk  
Recognized  
ROM Disk as Boot Device  
1st  
2nd  
3rd  
Apple IIGS  
RAM Disk ROM Disk 3.5” Drive  
3.5” Drive  
S2,D2  
3.5” Drive  
W/RamKeeper  
S5,D1 S5,D2 S2,D1  
Not  
Recognized  
RAM Disk as Boot Device  
1st  
3.5” Drive  
2nd  
3rd  
3.5” Drive  
4th  
3.5” Drive  
Apple IIGS  
ROM Disk 3.5’ Drive  
W/ RamKeeper  
S5,D1  
S5,D2  
S2,D1  
S2,D2  
Not  
without RAM Disk  
Recognized  
1St  
3.5” Drive  
2nd  
3rd  
3.5” Drive  
Apple IIGS  
RAM Disk ROM Disk 3.5” Drive  
S5,D2 S2,D1 S2,D2  
WI RamKeeper  
S5,D1  
- - ..~ - -  
Not  
with RAM Disk  
Recognized  
Floppy Drive as Boot Device  
Chapter Three - Using the ROM Disk  
31  
 
ROM Drive as the Boot Device  
To boot your computer with the ROM Disk:  
1.) You should already have your ROM Disk set to  
the size you want.  
2.) Copy the system files needed to boot the operating  
system you want to use.  
*
Important! When copying the boot files with the  
Finder, you’ll need to open the disk icon, use the  
Select All option, then drag all the files from  
the boot disk to the ROM disk. Simply dragging  
the System Disk icon to the AEROM will put the  
boot files in a folder and the computer will give  
you an Unable to load ProDOS” error.  
à
If you plan to run only one application from your  
ROM Disk, you could simply copy the  
application’s boot disk to the ROM Disk (the  
application must not be copy protected). Then  
copy the other program files to the ROM Disk.  
à
If you want to use the Finder, copy the files  
necessary to run the Finder from the Apple IIGS  
System Disk. The IIGS System Utilities Manual is  
a great reference source for setup information.  
*
Remember: If you want to access RamKeeper’s  
firmware in ProDOS 16, you’ll need to copy the  
AERAMKEEPERfile to the Desk Accessories  
folder in the System folder.  
3.) Set your ROM Disk as your Startup Slot.  
a) Enter the Classic Desk Accessories menu.  
b) Select the Control Panel option.  
c) Choose the option, Slots.  
d) Select Startup Slot.  
e) Use the left or right arrow to select ROM Disk.  
f) Press  
4.) Reboot the GS.  
Hold down the  
and  
keys then press the reset  
button. This is almost the same as turning your computer  
off and back on but it doesn’t reset the RAM Disk and it  
saves a lot of wear and tear on the switch.  
5.) The computer should flow boot from AEROM.  
32  
RamKeeper  
 
CHAPTER FOUR  
The RamKeeper Power  
RamKeeper can get its power from three sources: the wall  
transformer, the Gel/Cell battery, or the IIGS power  
supply.  
The wall transformer is the primary power source. In the  
case of a power failure, however, the RamKeeper will get  
its energy from the Gel/Cell battery until the power  
failure is over. One battery pack will supply the  
RamKeeper with power for about 6 hours. This length  
will of course vary according to the number of RAM cards  
connected to the RamKeeper and their individual  
consumption.  
If there is no power coming from either the wall  
transformer or the battery, RamKeeper will get its power  
from the IIGS (when the IIGS is turned on). This means  
you will lose all contents of AEROM when you power  
down.  
Two L.E.D.s on the left edge of the RamKeeper indicate  
the power status of the card.  
Transformer Light  
(Red and Green)  
Battery Light  
(Green only)  
LED Lights  
Chapter Four - The RamKeeper Power  
33  
 
If only the green light is on (the one farthest from the edge  
of the card), it is indicating that the battery is fully charged  
(above 8.6 volts). When the card is getting power from  
the battery only, this light will stay on for a very short  
time. However, the battery will continue to backup the  
RamKeeper for several hours. (See the chart below.)  
As soon as power is restored to the Transformer, it begins  
charging the battery again and the green light will come on.  
Light on  
8.6  
Volts  
Light off but still  
maintaining RK  
5.2  
Loss of RK info  
Time  
Time/Voltage chart  
When both the red and green lights are on the  
RamKeeper is being powered by the wall transformer and  
the battery is being either charged, maintained or is not  
connected.  
If only the red light is on the battery is either dead or not  
connected properly.  
Battery  
The battery is a sealed Gel/Cell rechargeable battery rated  
at 8 volts and 3.0 AMP. HR. The capacity of the battery can  
be increased by adding cells in parallel for longer battery  
backup time.  
Additional batteries are available from Applied  
Engineering. Each battery carries a one year warranty but  
with normal use, these batteries should Last about 5 years.  
Transformer  
The wall Transformer is an unregulated 9.5VDC at lA  
supply with a coaxial round connector on one end that  
plugs into the RamKeeper. The connectors outside  
contact is positive and the internal contact is ground.  
*
Warning: Do not use other transformers. The  
wrong transformer could seriously damage your  
RamKeeper.  
34  
RamKeeper  
 
CHAPTER FIVE  
A Brief RAM/ROM Tutorial  
ROM is...  
ROM is an acronym for Read Only Memory. Since a  
battery backed RAM Disk can be not only read from but  
also written to, ROM Disk is a misleading name for a  
battery backed RAM Disk. The reason we call it this is  
because we used the GSs ROM Disk drivers to support the  
battery backed RAM Disk. You see, the GS has built-in  
ROM Disk drivers intended to support ROM chips loaded  
with programs. For example, you might attach a card to  
the memory expansion card that has AppleWorks loaded  
into an EPROM. The AppleWorks program could be  
loaded from the EPROM at a super high rate of speed.  
However, the EPROM would be Read only Memory, and  
no files could be saved to it nor could the program be  
altered in any way. On the other hand, the RamKeeper  
not only lets you load programs extremely quickly but also  
lets you choose the programs you want loaded as well as  
save files to it. Since ROM Disk is the name that the GS  
supports, that is what we we call the battery backed  
portion of memory that RamKeeper keeps alive.  
The IIGS has a built-in ROM chip. This is a 128K chip  
containing information about what the computer should  
do when it is turned on. The ROM chip also includes  
Applesoft Basic and the Control Panel program. This chip  
was programmed by Apple when the computer was  
manufactured and can’t be altered; the 128K memory is  
not memory you can use for storing data.  
RAM is...  
RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory. This is  
the memory that can be both read from and written to --  
the addressable (user useable) memory. GS memory  
expansion cards use RAM chips and can range in capacity  
from 256K to 8 Meg. (8 Meg is the maximum amount of  
RAM allowed by the IIGS.)  
Chapter Five - A Brief RAM/ROM Tutorial  
35  
 
Many programs automatically look for and use available  
RAM (system RAM) to give them more room to operate  
(e.g. desktop space). Many programs load themselves into  
the available RAM at startup. This greatly increases their  
performance speed because it reduces or eliminates the  
need to access the relatively slow mechanical floppy  
drives.  
You have probably already experienced the thrill of  
loading your favorite (or most used) programs into a  
volatile RAM Disk and then seeing those programs run  
faster than they ever could from a floppy disk. You could  
access these programs from RAM all day. But flipping the  
power switch or a power outage is like a lobotomy to a  
RAM Disk.  
Now you can know the joy of turning on your computer  
and having those programs that you previously loaded  
into RAM appear on your screen instantly. No more  
setting up a RAM Disk and loading the program every  
time you turn on your computer.  
36  
RamKeeper  
CHAPTER Six  
Memory Allocation--  
-
How Much RAM and How Much ROM?  
RamKeeper gives you the ability to have both a RAM Disk  
to quickly store and retrieve data, and a ROM Disk for  
more permanent storage. You’ll need to decide how  
much of the total available memory you want to use as  
volatile RAM and how much as a non-volatile ROM  
Disk.  
Why not use all available memory as a ROM Disk?  
Since the ROM Disk remains intact when you turn off  
your computer, it might seem logical to allocate all  
available memory as a ROM Disk. However, as  
mentioned earlier, many applications need RAM for  
desktop space, so you'll need to Leave some of the RAM  
available for use by the system.  
Is a RAM Disk now obsolete?  
Almost but not quite. Because you can set the size of the  
RAM Disk to 512K and 800K, there are some cases in  
which a RAM Disk is very useful. Such a case is copying  
disks.  
If you’ve ever tried to copy a 5.25 disk or a 3.5 disk to a  
RAM Disk file or a hard disk, you have probably gotten  
the message:  
“The two disks are different sizes, so  
the contents of “YOUR DISK” will be placed in a  
folder on "RAM#".  
This creates a folder that you may or may not want but  
more importantly, it copies the files in segments instead  
of all at once.  
Chapter Six - Memory Allocation  
37  
 
Result: Slower copies.  
Remedy:  
Create a 512K or 800K RAM Disk.  
This allows you to copy from floppy disks to a RAM Disk  
much more quickly. To set up a 512K or an 800K RAM  
Disk, follow the instruction in your IIGS User’s Guide.  
RAM and the GS Control Panel  
You may notice that the actual size shown next to RAM  
Disk sizein the Control Panel-RAM Diskmenu is  
smaller than the Minimum RAM Disk Size. This is  
because RamKeeper overrides the GS Control Panel’s  
RAM Disk allocation. For example, if you set your  
Minimum RAM Disk Size to 800K in the RAM Disk  
menu, but only leave 256K for use as a RAM Disk in the  
AE RamKeeper’s - Initialize ROM Diskor change  
ROM Disk Sizemenus, the actual size of the RAM Disk  
will be 256K.  
This causes no particular problems -- as mentioned  
earlier, you’ll want to use most of your memory as ROM  
Disk space anyway -- we just wanted to point it out for  
those who might wonder.  
38  
RamKeeper  
 
CHAPTER SEVEN  
Æ Cache  
Those of you who want to know what the Cache™ is and  
does, read, “About the Cache™ at the end of this chapter.  
Those of you who want to install it right away, here's how...  
Requirements  
To use the Æ Cache, you must have the following:  
à
A RamKeeper card with any compatible memory  
card attached.  
or  
A GS-RAM™ card installed in the IIGS’s Memory  
Expansion Slot.  
à
An Apple 3.5 Drive.  
*
Note: The Cache supports only the Apple Disk  
3.5™ Drives (platinum). It will not cache the  
Apple II Uni-Disk™ 3.5 drives (white) nor will it  
cache 5.25” drives or hard disks.  
Important: You must set Slot 5 in the Control Panel  
menu to the Smart Port Setting.  
à
A COPY of the AW 2 Expander disk, version 2.5.3  
or later.  
Installing the Cache  
You may have noticed that there are two AECACHEfiles on  
the AW2 Expander disk. One is for use with ProDOS 8  
only while the other is for use with both ProDOS 8 and 16.  
First, decide if you’ll be using ProDOS 8 only or ProDOS 16  
only or if you’ll be switching between the two, then follow  
the appropriate directions below.  
ProDOS 8 Only  
If you plan to use only ProDOS 8:  
1.) Boot your COPY of the AW 2 Expander disk  
Chapter Seven - Æ Cache  
39  
 
2.) Select Æ Cache from the AW2 Expander main menu or execute the file,  
AECACHE.SYSTEM.  
While executing, the program will display the Æ startup screen accompanied by  
the message:  
INSTALLING....  
at the bottom of the screen.  
If the Cache program does not find a properly installed  
RamKeeper or GS-RAM card it will print the following  
message to the monitor:  
REQUIRES GS-RAM  
OR RAMKEEPER W/ MEMORY CARD  
IN IIGS MEMORY EXPANSION SLOT  
*
Important: Switching from ProDOS 8 to ProDOS  
SYSTEM operating will cause  
16 with AECACHE  
.
unpredictable results. If you want to switch  
between operating systems, follow the directions  
for ProDOS 8 and ProDOS 16 following.  
ProDOS 16 and ProDOS 8 or ProDOS 16 Only  
If you’ll only be using ProDOS 16, or if you’ll be switching  
between 16 and 8, use the IIGS Finder or System Utilities to  
copy the Aecache Setup file (from the AW2 Expander  
.
disk) into the System. Setup folder located within the  
ProDOS 16 System folder on your boot disk(s) (see below).  
SYSTEM  
SYSTEM.SETUP AECACHE.SETUP  
Where the file goes  
Booting these modified disks will load the AE Cache  
option into your Classic Desk Accessories menu.  
*
Note: You must cold boot into ProDOS 16 to  
SETUP file to work under  
enable the AECACHE  
.
both systems. You can then switch between  
ProDOS 8 and ProDOS 16 without deinstalling or  
reinstalling the Cache  
If the Cache program does not find a properly installed  
RamKeeper or GS-RAM card, the AE Cache option won't  
appear in the Desk Accessories menu.  
40  
RamKeeper  
 
Setting the Cache Size  
Once the Æ Cache is installed, it will automatically  
increase your productivity. All you need to do is decide  
how large you want the Cache to be.  
1.) Access the IIGS Classic Desk Accessories Menu.  
(
-
then  
). You should see a menu  
much like the one below. (Yours may be slightly  
different according to the Classic Desk Accessories  
you have loaded.) Notice the new option --AE  
Cache.  
Desk Accessories  
Control Panel  
Alternate Display Mode  
AE Cache  
AE RamKeeper  
Quit  
Classic Desk Accessories Menu  
2.) Select the new option using the arrow keys and  
return. You’ll see the RAM Cache menu. (See  
illustration.)  
3.) Change the size of the RAM buffer to the size you  
want by pressing the right and left arrow keys to  
increase and decrease. You don’t have to power  
your computer down and back up to change the  
size of the cache. Simply select the size you want  
then press return. If you access the AE Cache  
option again, you will see that your new setting  
has taken affect.  
Chapter Seven - Æ Cache  
41  
 
RAM Cache V_  
(C) 198— Applied Engineering  
RAM Buffer Size:  
Current Size:  
K
K
Expansion Memory Size K  
Select: <– –> Cancel:Esc Save  
RAM Cache Menu  
4.) Change the size of the RAM buffer to the size you  
want. Press the right and left arrow keys to  
increase and decrease the RAM buffer size.  
You don’t have to power your computer down and back  
up to change the size of the cache like you do when you  
change the size of a regular RAM Disk. Simply select the  
size you want then press return. If you access the AE  
CACHEoption again, you’ll see that your new setting has  
taken effect.  
Setting the RAM Buffer Size  
The Expansion RAM Size: heading displays the entire  
amount of memory on the memory expansion card. If  
another program or utility is using some of the extended  
memory, the RAM Buffer will not be able to use all of the  
memory indicated by the Expansion RAM Size:. But it  
can use the free memory available at that time for a RAM  
Buffer.  
If you request more memory than is free at the time, the  
Cache will use as much free memory as is available. The  
Cache wont automatically fulfill your size request once  
the memory becomes free. If a program frees any  
memory, you can use that memory as a RAM Buffer by  
resetting the RAM Buffer Size in the AE Cacheoption  
in the Desk Accessories menu.  
42  
RamKeeper  
 
Removing the Cache  
To remove the Cache from the system:  
ProDOS 8  
Cold boot your computer by doing either of the following:  
-> Press and hold down the control and open-apple  
keys ( -  
) while pressing and releasing the  
reset key.  
-> Power down--turn off the computer, then power  
up--turn it back on.  
After you cold boot, access the Desk Accessories menu and  
note that the AE Cacheoption is gone.  
ProDOS 16  
Remove the AECACHE SETUP file from the System. Setup  
.
file and reboot or cold boot from a boot disk that doesn’t  
have the AECACHE . SETUPfile installed.  
About the Cache  
Part of the reason the Cache is so incredibly fast at  
retrieving information is that it allows ProDOS to read a  
whole track every time it accesses the disk drive instead of  
reading individual blocks. This method, called, track  
caching, makes even the initial read much faster--up to  
twice as fast as a system without a cache. All subsequent  
calls are sped up even more because the system does not  
have to access the disk drive every time you request  
information. In fact, subsequent accesses are often faster  
than accesses from a RAM Disk!  
The Cache installs itself onto the Smart Port and will  
operate with ProDOS 8, ProDOS 16, Apple Pascal 1.3, and  
Æ’s PC program for CP/AM. It uses some of the expanded  
memory for itself plus the amount of memory you  
allocate to it.  
When the cache program reads a track, it stores the entire  
track in the Track Buffer and stores the block(s) containing  
the requested information in another buffer, the Cache  
Buffer. You can set the Cache Buffer to the size you want,  
depending upon the memory size of your GS-RAM card  
and how much of that memory you have allotted for use  
as a RAM Disk.  
Chapter Seven - Æ Cache  
43  
 
When the Cache Buffer becomes full, it will make room  
for the most recently requested data by replacing the blocks  
that have been stored in the buffer the longest without  
being accessed. The Track Buffer is not variable; it is large  
enough to hold one track (6K) and cannot be changed.  
When you call for information, the system first looks in  
the Cache Buffer. If the information is there, it reads it  
with speed comparable to (often even faster than) reads  
from RAM Disks and internal hard disks. If it doesn’t  
find the information in the Cache Buffer, it checks the  
Track Buffer. This takes very little more time than  
reading from the Cache Buffer because the system is still  
not required to read the disk drive.  
If the information is not in the Track Buffer, the system  
will then go back out to the disk drive, find the  
information and read the entire track to the Track Buffer.  
This new track replaces the track currently held in the  
Track Buffer.  
While this method actually goes through more steps than  
a non-cached system to get information that is not stored  
in the buffer, the actual time it takes the system to check  
the Cache Buffer and Track Buffer is insignificant.  
Copy Protected Programs  
Some copy protected programs have a disk accessing  
function of their own and cannot use the Cache.  
However, most programs will use the cache with no  
problem.  
44  
RamKeeper  
CHAPTER EIGHT  
AW 2 Expander  
The AW 2 Expander is an accessory program designed to  
compliment Applied Engineering memory expansion  
products. It modifies the AppleWorks™ program to  
recognize and use the additional memory provided by  
these products.  
The AW 2 Expander program will enhance AppleWorks  
USA version 2.0, German 1.4, and French 1.4.  
Before You Even Think of Modifying AppleWorks...  
If you are familiar with AppleWorks, you’ll probably be  
tempted to use the AW 2 Expander without reading these  
instructions. Resist the temptation. Or at least read the  
following.  
AW 2 Expander does not support AppleWorks  
versions 1.0 through 1.3.  
These instructions assume that you already know  
how to use AppleWorks. The AW 2 Expander  
program uses the same screen displays and  
keyboard input routines (user interface’) as the  
AppleWorks program. If you need a quick  
review, read Throughout AppleWorks in your  
Using AppleWorks manual.  
There’s an AppleWorks Word-Processor file on  
the AW 2 Expander disk entitled "READ.ME."  
Please do so. This document contains  
information about any recent changes to the  
software or updates to the documentation.  
Apply the AW 2 Expander modifications only to  
unmodified BACKUP copies of your AppleWorks  
startup and program disks. Modifications  
required by other programs should be done after  
executing the AW 2 Expander enhancements.  
Chapter Eight - AW 2 Expander  
45  
 
AppleWorks Modification Instructions  
This is how to use the AW 2 Expander to modify the  
AppleWorks disks:  
1. First, make copies of your original AppleWorks  
disks. Filer provided on the AW 2 Expander  
,“  
disk, or the copy program on your System  
Utilities disk should be used for this purpose.  
*
Note: You must give the same name to the front  
and back side of the AppleWorks copy disk.  
Instructions for copying with Filer are in the  
Appendix of this manual. Instruction for copying  
with the System Utilities are in the IIGS System  
Disk User’s Guide.  
2. Boot the AW 2 Expander disk in your startup  
drive.  
3. Select option 1 - “Execute AppleWorks  
Enhancements.”  
4. The Applied Engineering AW 2 Expander  
copyright screen will then appear. After reading  
each of the screens, press the space bar to  
continue.  
5. You’ll now be prompted to remove the AW 2  
Expander disk and insert a COPY of the  
AppleWorks STARTUP disk in drive one. Be  
sure the WRITE PROTECT tab has been removed  
from the disk. As prompted at the bottom of the  
display screen, press the space bar to continue or  
the escape key to go back to the main menu.  
The AW2 Expander program expects to find the  
AppleWorks STARTUP file, “APLWORKS.SYSTEM,” on  
the disk in drive one. If, at this point, the program  
displays the following message:  
Cannot find correct file  
Please enter the prefix of the AppleWorks program  
?
enter the complete ProDOS prefix of the AppleWorks  
STARTUP disk. Be sure to include any (/) slashes for  
subdirectories.  
An example ProDOS prefix of an AppleWorks  
subdirectory on a Apple 20 SCSI hard disk (with a volume  
directory name of /HARD) might be: /HARD/APPLEWORKS.  
46  
RamKeeper  
6. The program will then give you a list of the  
modifications that it will make to your  
AppleWorks disk(s) and ask you if you want to  
continue. If you want to go ahead and make these  
modifications to your AppleWorks disk(s), hit the  
“Y” key. If you don’t want to make these  
modifications, hit the “N” key to return to the  
main menu.  
7. After the STARTUP disk has been successfully  
modified, you may be prompted to remove it  
from the disk drive and insert a COPY (write  
enabled) of the AppleWorks PROGRAM Disk.  
The volume directory name of this disk must be  
the same as the STARTUP disk. Press the space  
bar to continue.  
8. When the modification to the AppleWorks  
PROGRAM Disk has been completed, the  
program will prompt for a key press to quit. Press  
the space bar and the modified AppleWorks can  
then be booted in the normal manner.  
Setting the AppleWorks Enhancement Options  
Boot the AppleWorks startup disk just like you normally  
would. (Notice that the AppleWorks version number  
near the lower right corner of the startup screen now has  
an “A” tagged onto its end (Ex: 2.0A). If it doesn’t have an  
“A: appended to the version number, it hasn’t been  
modified correctly.  
When the startup disk has finished loading, remove the  
startup disk and insert the program disk, but DO NOT  
press return. Press  
instead. If you’re booting  
AppleWorks from a UniDisk 3.5 or a hard disk, press  
when you are prompted with: “Press the Space Bar to  
continue.  
*
Note: It’s not necessary to access the Getting  
Startedoptions menu each time you boot  
AppleWorks. The Getting Startedmenu is  
only used to set the enhanced AppleWorks  
options.  
Chapter Eight  
-
AW 2 Expander  
47  
 
The current enhancement-options configuration will be  
read from the parameter file (SEG.PR) on the AppleWorks  
program disk and displayed in the Getting Started option  
menu. The configuration shown contains the default  
settings. These default settings remain in effect until you  
change them and save the new configuration back to the  
AppleWorks program disk.  
File: None  
GETTING STARTED  
======================================================================  
Getting Started  
1. Maximum Records/Lines (RW)  
2. Preload AppleWorks onto Memory  
3. Printer Buffer(RW)  
12,000  
On  
Off  
0 K  
4. suffer Size (GS)  
5. Reserved RamFactor Size (RF)  
6. Time Display  
0 K  
Off  
7. Save Configuration  
8. Continue with AppleWorks  
Type number, or use arrows, then press Return  
1113K Avail.  
The Getting Started options menu  
*
Note: The options followed by (RW) are for  
RamWorks and Z-RAM products only. Those  
followed by (RF) apply only to the RamFactor.  
(GS) applies to the IIGS only.  
Use the up and down arrow keys (  
) to highlight  
the option you want. Use to select a highlighted  
option. For more information on the options, refer to the  
section entitled About the New Features. When you have  
made the desired changes, save the new configuration  
back to the AppleWorks program disk by selecting the  
menu option Save Configuration.  
Choose the option, Continue with AppleWorks. If you  
didn’t save your new configuration, the new one will be  
in effect only until you quit the AppleWorks program.  
The next time you boot AppleWorks, the previous (saved)  
configuration will be used.  
48  
RamKeeper  
About the New Features  
The following paragraphs describe the new features of the  
enhanced AppleWorks and the instructions for using  
them. Please read this section very thoroughly.  
More Word-Processor Lines and Database Records  
With sufficient memory, the maximum number of Word  
Processor lines available with the unenhanced  
AppleWorks 2.0 is limited to 7,250; the maximum  
number of data base records is 6,350. The enhanced  
version expands the maximum number to just over  
22,600 apiece.  
The enhanced AppleWorks, when RamKeeper with a GS  
memory card is installed, automatically sets the number  
of lines and records to the maximum (22,600).  
Clipboard Expansion  
The standard AppleWorks clipboard (2.0) is limited to  
only 255 lines of information. The enhanced  
AppleWorks clipboard expansion increases the clipboard  
size for the Word Processor and Database functions to  
2,042 lines. Only clipboard activities within and  
originating from the Spreadsheet function remain limited  
to 250 lines.  
Printer Buffer Option  
The Apple IIGS has a built-in print buffer which can be  
activated from the Apple IIGS Control-Panel menu. You  
may select the “On” setting from the Printer Buffer  
option but the buffer will be functional only if you have  
selected it from the Control Panel option. If you’d like  
to know more about the internal printer buffer, please  
refer to your Apple IIGS Owner’s Guide.  
Buffer Size Option  
The Buffer—sizeoption of the Getting Started  
options menu affects the size of only the Apple IIGS’  
internal printer buffer.  
Chapter Eight - AW 2 Expander  
49  
 
*
Important: If any amount of memory is allocated  
to the Buffer sizeoption, the printer buffer  
setting is shown to be "On." However, it will not  
actually be on if not selected from the Control  
Panel menu.  
The Buffer-Sizeoption of the enhanced AppleWorks  
Getting Startedmenu lets you allocate the amount of  
Apple IIGS memory space (up to 64K) to be used for the  
print buffer. With the Apple IIGS print buffer ON and the  
Getting Started Buffer Size option set to OK, the  
actual buffer size will be determined by the amount of  
memory (2K or less) that the Apple IIGS memory manager  
can allocate.  
Time Display/Database Time-Stamp Option  
This option will read the output of the Apple IIGS internal  
clock and replace the “Open-Apple-? for Help’ message in  
the bottom line of the AppleWorks screen with a current  
date and time display. This option also allows the  
AppleWorks user to enter the current date or time into a  
database category by typing the @ character as the only  
entry in that category. The category name must contain  
either the word DATE or the word TIME but should not  
contain both. For example, you should not use this  
feature in a category named, “Date and Time.”  
*
Note: To use the internal clock of the Apple IIGS,  
the enhanced AppleWorks must be run under  
ProDOS 8 or 16, not ProDOS 1.1.1. (See your  
Apple dealer for ProDOS upgrades.)  
The Getting Started options menu allows 12 hour or 24  
hour time and date display. How the date is displayed on  
the screen is affected by the time display option selected.  
The 12-hour (USA format) option displays the date as  
Month/Day/Year.  
The 24-hour (French, German, and military format)  
option displays the date as Day/Month/Year.  
50  
RamKeeper  
 
Multiple-Disk Save  
Data storage problems arise when the size of a file on the  
Desktop exceeds the amount of storage space on the data  
disk. A standard floppy disk can store only 135K of  
AppleWorks data. Using the modified AppleWorks,  
Desktop files larger than the available disk space will be  
segmented, or “split” and saved in sections to two or more  
disks. The following paragraphs explain how to use this  
feature to save and load segmented Desktop files.  
This seems to be a good time to remind you of Murphy’s  
Law:  
Whatever can go wrong will go wrong.  
Back up your Desktop files! A power failure will wipe out  
anything currently on the Desktop! It’s always a good idea  
to have backup copies of your working data disks,  
especially if you have large amounts of data stored on  
them.  
Saving Multiple Files to Disk  
When saving a Desktop file which is larger than the data  
disk space available, the enhanced AppleWorks will  
prompt the user with the following message:  
Segmented Desktop File...  
Please insert NEXT disk with SAME  
VOLUME NAME  
* Note: If a previous version of the file already  
exists on the disk, AppleWorks will first ask you  
if you wish to delete the old file.  
Remove the data disk from the current disk drive and  
replace it with the next data disk. All segments of a given  
segmented Desktop file MUST be saved on data disks  
having the same volume (disk) name as the primary  
(first) data disk. On subsequent data disks, each appended  
file segment (sequential) will be automatically deleted  
before saving a new segment.  
If you discover that you don’t have enough formatted  
blank disks with the same volume name, don’t panic!  
Press esc then space to continue. Just use the AppleWorks  
Disk Formatter utility under the “Other Activities” menu  
before you begin to save your file.  
Chapter Eight - AW 2 Expander  
51  
 
Adding Multiple Disk Files to the Desktop  
When adding multiple-disk or segmented files to the  
Desktop, the file MUST be loaded from the data disks in  
the same sequence as it was saved. AppleWorks will  
prompt the user to insert the NEXT data disk(s) until the  
file is completely loaded.  
If you list the files on disks that contain segmented files  
you’ll notice that the first segment has the filename that  
you gave it. The next segment (on the NEXT disk) will  
have a “.2” appended to the end of your filename. The  
next disk in the sequence will have a “.3” appended to the  
filename and so on. In this way, AppleWorks helps the  
user keep track of the segmented Desktop file sequence.  
You’ll probably want to label your data disks in such a way  
that you too can keep track of the proper sequence. You  
may segment up to 9 disks (“.9) in this manner.  
Print-File Cache  
One small file (SEG.PR) on the AppleWorks program disk  
contains special configuration information about such  
things as your printer information, standard location of  
your data disk, and enhancement options. The  
unmodified version of AppleWorks leaves this  
information on the program disk and is not preloaded  
along with the program overlays.  
When AppleWorks needs information from this file it  
prompts you to reinsert the AppleWorks program disk.  
The enhanced version of AppleWorks loads this file into  
memory at startup and eliminates the need for the  
program disk (until overlays are bumped from memory).  
Only when you change the contents of this file does the  
enhanced AppleWorks prompt you to insert the program  
disk.  
52  
RamKeeper  
 
APPENDIX A  
Trouble Shooting  
This section includes a few methods of working around  
problems that you may encounter.  
Cards are not retaining stored files  
à
Open the computer and see if both LED lights are  
on.  
If the LED closest to the back edge of the card  
is not on, check the transformer wall  
connection as well as the card connection.  
Are both plugged in?  
If the other LED is off, make sure that the  
wires are connected to both terminals of the  
battery, positive to positive, negative to  
negative. Make sure that the two-pin female  
connector is attached correctly--wires feeding  
toward the bottom of the card.  
à
à
Test cards individually using the testing methods  
provided with each card.  
Verify that any RAM chips added to the memory  
cards meet manufacturers specifications.  
Battery not holding charge  
à
Make sure your wall transformer is not plugged  
into a switch controlled socket or a dimmer  
switch. If it is, any time you turn off the switch  
(or turn down the dimmer) the RamKeeper is  
getting its power from the battery.  
à
Using a transformer other than the one supplied  
with the RamKeeper may cause your card not to  
work properly or your battery not to recharge as it  
should.  
In an area that has a lot of power outages  
à
You may need additional battery backup time.  
You can increase the battery backup time of your  
Gel/Cell by linking several Gel/Cell batteries  
together. You can purchase additional Gel/Cell  
batteries from Applied Engineering Sales.  
Appendix A - Trouble Shooting  
53  
 
à
Power outages are typically accompanied by  
transient surges of power. If you have not  
already, consider adding a line filter/surge  
protector to protect your computer, RamKeeper  
and the battery. Surge protectors are available at  
most computer stores and Radio Shack®.  
AE RamKeeper doesn’t appear in Desk Accessories  
à
You need to copy the file AERAMKEEPERfrom the  
ROM Disk to the DESK.ACCSfolder in your boot  
disks System folder. (See Loading the  
Firmware” in Chapter Two.)  
Can’t boot from floppy drive  
à Slot 5must be set to Smart Portand Startup  
Slotshould be set to Scan in the IIGS Control  
Panel.  
“Invalid RK Configuration” Message  
à
you get this message when you try to boot, it is  
because the card on back of the RamKeeper in a  
two card arrangement is not configured with a  
multiple of 512K. The back card must have 512K,  
1 Meg, 1.5 Meg, 2 Meg, 3 Meg, etc; 256K and 768K  
on the back card will not work.  
Can’t change ROM Disk size to more than 2,048K  
à
You have reached a ProDOS block boundary.  
You’ll need to reinitialize the ROM Disk for a  
new setting of more than 2,048. (See “More than  
2 Meg” in Chapter Two.)  
“Unable to Load PrODOS” Message  
à
If you’re trying to boot from ROM, the system  
folders must be on the main level (the root  
directory) of the ROM disk. If you dragged the  
icon of the System disk to the AEROM disk (using  
the Finder), all the boot files will be in a folder of  
their own on AEROM. You’ll need to open this  
folder, use the Select Alloption, and drag the  
folder’s contents to AEROM. You can throw away  
the now-empty folder.  
54  
RamKeeper  
APPENDIX B  
A Brief ProDOS Tutorial  
This is a brief explanation of the Professional Disk  
Operating System, ProDOS for those who are completely  
new to it. All of this information and more is included in  
your Apple Owner’s Guide but we have provided it here  
for your convenience.  
Operating System  
ProDOS is one of several operating systems for the Apple.  
Others include DOS 3.3 and Pascal. Operating systems, as  
defined in the Apple Owner’s Guides, are programs that  
control how information is loaded into memory, how the  
computer handles the information, how the information  
is stored on a disk and how the computer communicates  
with the printer and other peripherals.  
Naming Volumes  
ProDOS must have a way to locate which disk (often  
called “volume”) you want to access. Instead of typing in  
the location of the disk as in DOS 3.3 (ex: S6,D1), you  
simply type in the name of the disk (the volume name).  
Some rules for volume names are:  
1) Name can include letters, numbers or periods but  
not spaces  
2) Name must begin with a letter  
3) Name can be up to 15 characters long  
These rules also hold true for subdirectory names.  
Root Directory and Subdirectory  
The main directory of the volume is called the root  
directory. The root directory uses the same name as your  
disk. Sub-directories are ProDOS’ way of organizing  
information on a disk.  
Think of the root directory as a file drawer and the  
subdirectories as folders within the drawer. You can:  
1) put files directly into the root directory like  
putting documents straight into the file drawer  
Appendix B - A Brief ProDOS Tutorial  
55  
 
2) put files within subdirectories like putting  
documents in folders  
3) put subdirectories within subdirectories like  
putting folders within folders.  
Pathname  
The name of the directory combined with the names of  
one or more subdirectories is called a pathname. Volume  
names and subdirectory names are preceded by a slash,  
“/”. (Note that some applications add the slash for you.)  
For example, you could have a volume named /MY.DISK  
and have a file, called /MY.FILE on the root directory of  
that disk. To access that file, you would use the pathname  
/MY.DISK/MY.FILE. You could also have a file,  
/JUL.AUGin a subdirectory (folder) called, /PHONEon a  
disk called /BILLS. To access that file, you would use the  
pathname, /BILLS/PHONE/JUL.DEC. Refer to the  
diagram below.  
JAN.JUN  
<
<
(files)  
(files)  
PHONE(subdir.)  
JUL.DEC  
JAN.JUN  
JUL.DEC  
ELEC.(subdir.)  
BILLS(root dir.)  
ACCOUNT.SYSTEM(file)  
JAN.JUN  
JUL.DEC  
JAN.JUN  
JUL.DEC  
<
ZIPPY.FUEL(subdir.)  
GAS(subdir.) <  
<
NTTRO.NEDS (subdir.)  
WILD  
FAMOUS(subdir.< THE.KID  
BO.BAGGINS  
(files)  
ProDOS Directory Structure  
Now when an application asks you for the pathname of a  
file, you'll have a basic understanding of what it expects.  
System Files  
A system file is a ProDOS file that starts an application.  
Typically, these files have the suffix,  
.
SYSTEM (e.g.  
/APLWORKS  
.
SYSTEM, /ACCOUNT  
.
SYSTEM[see above], etc.).  
When you boot ProDOS, it runs the first system file listed  
in its directory. So, if BASIC.SYSTEM is the first system  
file on your ProDOS boot disk, ProDOS will boot then put  
you in BASIC.  
56  
RamKeeper  
Additional Resources  
The following books are available through most Apple  
dealers:  
Apple II Owner’s Manual (Apple Computer, Inc.)  
Supplied with your Apple Computer. Take the  
time to read it.  
Basic Programming with ProDOS (Addison-Wesley  
Publishing) Gives a detailed explanation of how  
to use ProDOS from AppleSoft Basic.  
Beneath Apple ProDOS (Quality Software) Provides  
information about ProDOS for both the novice  
Apple user and the advanced programmer.  
ProDOS Inside and Out (TAB Books) Vary good book  
for both the beginning and advanced BASIC  
Programmer.  
ProDOS Users Manual (Apple Computer, Inc.)  
Provides an overview of ProDOS and explains  
how to use the ProDOS User’s Disk.  
Appendix B - A Brief ProDOS Tutorial  
57  
APPENDIX C  
Copying Disks with Filer  
We have included Filer, a utility program, on the AW 2  
Expander disk to enable you to make backup copies of  
your disks that are not copy protected. The instruction  
below tell you how to use Filer to copy from disk to disk.  
See Chapter 2 for instructions on using Filer to copy  
AppleWorks to your RamFactor.  
1. Load Filer.  
2. Select "Volume Commands” (v)  
3. Select "Copy a Volume” (C). The settings default  
to a two drive set up with your master in Slot 6  
Drive 1 and your copy disk in Slot 6, Drive 1.  
Adjust to your set up. (If you only have one drive  
you can copy from S6, D1 to S6, Dl.)  
4. Press return to accept the default settings or enter  
your own.  
5. Insert the master disk in your drive that you have  
set the program to copy from. Insert a blank disk  
(it does not need to be formatted) in the drive you  
have set the program to copy to. The blank disk  
must have the write protect tabs removed.  
6. Press the Return key.  
7. Name your volume. It will default to the name  
of the master disk (ex: When copying  
AppleWorks, the volume name will default to  
“/APPLEWORKS”. Hit return or give it a different  
name. (You must give the front and back side of  
AppleWorks the same name.)  
8. When you press return, the copy program will  
begin formatting the copy disk. Then the words  
“READING” and “WRITING” will flash on and off  
the screen to entertain you while you wait.  
9. When the program is finished copying, it sends  
the message, “COPY COMPLETE” to the screen.  
10 Remove both disks. Put your master disk in a  
safe place and label your copy disk. You will  
make your modifications to the copy disk.  
For additional help with the Filer program, contact your  
Apple dealer.  
58  
RamKeeper  
 
APPENDIX D  
Bird’s Better ‘Bye’  
Several of the Applied Engineering distribution disks  
contain a modified version of ProDOS 8. It incorporates a  
program selector, Bird’s Better ‘Bye’ (created by Alan  
Bird), that lets you exit one system file and easily run  
another system file (e.g. APLWORKS.SYSTEM,  
BASIC.SYSTEM, FILER) from a menu.  
To use this ‘BYE’ command, boot your copy of the Æ disk  
or copy the ‘PRODOS’ file from the Æ disk to your boot  
disks. Then, anytime you quit a system program (such as  
AppleWorks), a menu of all the executable System files on  
that disk will be displayed on the screen. This menu can  
also be called from the Applesoft BASIC prompt by  
entering the ‘BYE’ command.  
ESC: CHANGE VOLUME  
RETURN: SELECT FILE  
/AW2.EXP  
PROD0S  
AE.AW.SYSTEM  
FILER  
GSTEST.SYSTEM  
RWTEST.SYSTEM  
RFTEST.SYSTEM  
AECACHE.SYSTEM  
Sample screen display  
The sample screen above shows the AW 2 Expander disk  
on-line and lists its executable System files.  
Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight the selection  
you want to run. The ESC key will change the volume  
(disk) selection to the next on-line volume. The Return  
key selects the currently highlighted file or subdirectory  
name.  
Subdirectory names on the disk will be indicated by a ‘/’ as  
the first character of the file name.  
Appendix D  
-
Bird’s Better ‘Bye  
59  
 
APPENDIX E  
Getting Help  
If you have a technical question relating to your  
RamKeeper card that is not covered in the manual, please  
contact the dealer from whom you purchased the card. If  
you are experiencing difficulties with one particular  
program, contact the programs author or publisher.  
In the event that the dealer or the publisher’s support  
personnel cannot answer your question, call Applied  
Engineering Technical Support. The support  
representatives are experienced in the applications and  
uses of Applied Engineering products, but in order to  
provide a quick and effective answer to your question,  
they will need to know as much as possible about the  
hardware and software specifically related to your  
question. Please provide the technical support  
representative with the following information:  
à
à
The Applied Engineering product related to your  
question and its revision number.  
The original and current memory configuration  
of the card (if applicable).  
à
à
The model and revision of your computer.  
What peripherals are being used and what cards  
are in each slot.  
à
à
The name, version, and revision level of the  
software that you are experiencing problems with.  
The results of any test programs, diagnostics, or  
troubleshooting done by you, your dealer or your  
software publisher’s support department.  
Applied Engineering  
Technical Support  
(214) 241-6069  
9 AM to 12:30 PM & 1:35 PM to 5 PM(CST)  
Monday Through Friday  
(Please call only the number above for technical support.  
Our sales office cannot transfer calls to the support lines.)  
60  
RamKeeper  
 
Returning a Product  
Include  
If your product needs to be returned, the technical support  
representative will give you a Return Material  
Authorization (RMA) number.  
à
à
Record the RMA number for your own records.  
Write the RMA number on the outside of the  
package you send to us.  
à
Write the RMA number at the top of the return  
form included with your product package.  
Fill out the Return Form on back of the yellow sheet  
marked, “Attention! A correctly completed form will  
greatly reduce the time it takes to process and return your  
product.  
Attach a copy of your original invoice to the return form.  
*
Warning: If you don’t include an invoice  
products will be treated as out of warranty  
products and will be returned to you C.O.D. for  
the amount of the service charge.  
A completed form should look something like the one  
below.  
Appendix E - Getting Help  
61  
When You Ship  
If you don’t have the original packing material, wrap the  
board in anti-static material (preferably the anti-static bag  
in which the card was originally shipped, however,  
aluminum foil will work fine). Pack it in a sturdy box  
cushioned with wadded papers (i.e. used computer paper  
or newspaper).  
*
Warning: If your product is damaged due to  
inadequate packing, your warranty will be void.  
Include the return form and invoice.  
Send the package, shipping prepaid, to:  
RMA#_ _ ? _ _  
Applied Engineering  
Technical Support  
3210 Belt Line Road, Suite 154  
Dallas TX 75234  
You should insure your package. Æ will not assume any  
responsibility for inadequate packing or loss or damage  
during shipping.  
When We Receive  
Our service department will use your completed form in  
an attempt to duplicate the problem.  
If it is determined that your product is defective due to a  
manufacturing defect, your card will be repaired or  
replaced at Æ’s option.  
Any misuse, abuse, or non-Æ authorized alteration,  
modification and/or repair to the Applied Engineering  
product will void the warranty. This warranty will also be  
void if you use the /E product for any purpose other than  
its intended use.  
Your product will be fully tested before it is shipped back  
to you, transportation prepaid, via UPS regular delivery.  
Once your product is received by Technical Support, it will  
be processed and delivered to our shipping department  
within 7 to 10 working days.  
62  
RamKeeper  

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