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Apple III Floppy Emu
Posted by: zezba9000 on 2020-08-22 14:37:08
So was reading people got the official Floppy Emu working on Apple III with a converter cable.

However I see Chinese Floppy Emu devices that expanded on Floppy Emu and work in Apple II computers.

My question is doesn't anyone know if the card interface is the same on Apple III and Apple II for disk drives?

Wonder if this would work on Apple III: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Floppy-Disc-Drive-Emulator-with-Disk-ii-interface-for-Apple-ii-iie-iic-Laser128/143672823651

Posted by: bibilit on 2020-08-22 14:50:35
The floppy disk is basically the same on both units. 

Only the analog board is different between the Apple II and III. 

Don’t know if can help. 

Posted by: waynestewart on 2020-08-23 04:21:03
This may help

https://www.applefritter.com/content/and-floppy-disk-replacement

Posted by: zezba9000 on 2020-08-27 14:03:12
So I made a cable based on this: https://www.bigmessowires.com/2017/01/25/floppy-emu-on-the-apple-iii/#comment-236297

Would be nice if someone would test this on Apple III+.

It works on internal and external drives BUT sadly you can't boot from external drive on Apple III so I want to see if there is a way to make an Apple IIc like adapter for Apple III.

So the "Steve Chamberlin" the FloppyEmu dev says the Apple IIc adapter re-routes the enable signal from the internal to the external disk and vice-versa. So maybe its possible to do the same thing with Apple III.

I can only find the pin-layout for Apple II but not Apple III: https://www.apple.asimov.net/documentation/hardware/misc/Apple II Disk Pinout.txt

Anyone know where I can find similar pin-layout for Apple III?

Here are pictures of the cable working allowing FloppyEmu to run on Apple III

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Posted by: zezba9000 on 2020-09-16 05:36:29
Made it so I can boot from external floppy port. Getting parts to finish it with a switch etc but it works great.

Same concept as the FloppyEmu IIc adapter that swaps the drive-enable lines.



Posted by: NJRoadfan on 2020-09-16 08:46:31
This might be of interest: https://github.com/robjustice/soshdboot

Posted by: zezba9000 on 2020-09-19 13:03:31
This might be of interest: https://github.com/robjustice/soshdboot
Interesting but the solution I've adapted from FloppyEmu IIc converter is much simpler and works at the hardware level.

Posted by: zezba9000 on 2020-09-19 13:13:07
Finished my Internal to External converter complete with two-way switch just like IIc had.

I can now boot from external port with FloppyEmu or flip a switch and boot from internal.

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Here is the switch that changes from internal to external drives.

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Or I can disconnect converter box and just use system like normal by connecting these two wires (drive enable leads).

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Also added cooling fan as I read these computers had overheating issues.

Also added heatsinks on chips that got super hot on the motherboard.

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Posted by: zezba9000 on 2022-09-06 13:23:06
Sharing some images I never shared of this running stuff off FloppyEmu and pre-switch-box test where is hard swaps drive-select lines.
I'll update this thread with better directions of how to make this box etc. As well as what chips get super hot in the Apple III and should have heatsinks on them.
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Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-09-06 20:49:32
I have iii+ it is currently sent out for some repairs but when it comes back I will be doing this and I'll come back with my results Id imagine it should work the same.
Posted by: zezba9000 on 2022-12-06 13:59:38
Looks like there is a improved adapter someone made for Apple /// + FloppyEmu

Reference links


I hope someone sells Ebay kits for this
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-12-06 14:03:22
Looks like there is a improved adapter someone made for Apple /// + FloppyEmu

Reference links


I hope someone sells Ebay kits for this
I would be all for making these kits, I can try and make a batch. If you do plan on using this method with a III it’ll work fine but if you use a III Plus you will need to adapt it to a DB19 connector. I suppose you could just use the internal connector on a iii plus bit then you will not be able to use the internal Disk iii drive. Let me put a order in for some stuff and see if I can’t make some.
Posted by: pball52998 on 2022-12-06 16:20:13
I would be all for making these kits, I can try and make a batch. If you do plan on using this method with a III it’ll work fine but if you use a III Plus you will need to adapt it to a DB19 connector. I suppose you could just use the internal connector on a iii plus bit then you will not be able to use the internal Disk iii drive. Let me put a order in for some stuff and see if I can’t make some.
When I get my /// working... I'd definitely be interested in a kit!
Posted by: ScutBoy on 2022-12-07 07:38:45
I would be in for a kit for this as well!
Posted by: jajan547 on 2022-12-07 10:26:30
I would be in for a kit for this as well!
Gotcha I’ll get a list tonight
Posted by: Huxley on 2023-02-05 22:01:04
I would be all for making these kits, I can try and make a batch. If you do plan on using this method with a III it’ll work fine but if you use a III Plus you will need to adapt it to a DB19 connector. I suppose you could just use the internal connector on a iii plus bit then you will not be able to use the internal Disk iii drive. Let me put a order in for some stuff and see if I can’t make some.
Hi @jajan547! I'm a little late to this party, but if you're still making kits, I'd love to by one (or two, if you have an extra to spare). Let me know!

Thanks,

Huxley
Posted by: jajan547 on 2023-02-05 22:49:19
Hi @jajan547! I'm a little late to this party, but if you're still making kits, I'd love to by one (or two, if you have an extra to spare). Let me know!

Thanks,

Huxley
I don’t have any at the moment but I have a friend due to be bringing some stuff in. I believe he has 5 and these will likely be ready say the 15th so PM me and we can work something out.
Posted by: jajan547 on 2023-02-18 16:11:31
I have the kits in case anyone wants them I only have three.
Posted by: lisa2 on 2023-02-18 16:24:38
I have the kits in case anyone wants them I only have three.
If you are in the US then I would like to buy one kit. Please PM me.
Rick
Posted by: jajan547 on 2023-02-18 17:22:35
If you are in the US then I would like to buy one kit. Please PM me.
Rick
Will do.
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