Microsoft softcard?

hoach

New Tinkerer
Aug 10, 2022
13
13
3
Oklahoma, USA
I am slowly going through my multitude of apple computers and letting some go via local craigslist. *SIDE NOTE, I have a few m0110a keyboards that I have been selling, probably too cheaply at 25.00 a piece. correct me if I am wrong here*
Most of the local pickups are paying me 100 to 150 for a working machine, or one that needs a little TLC. I have also been pulling out cards that I want to hold onto to try and setup a machine for later use.
I noticed the Microsoft Softcard (ultimate iie card that has a CP/M processor on it) will not fit into one of my more mint platinum IIs. Is this normal? Were the cases really that much different?
I have other IIe's that it will work on, but it sure would be nice if this fit in a platinum.
Thoughts?
 

skate323k137

Tinkerer
Mar 7, 2022
130
103
43
Unfortunately I can't speak to the fit, but I had never had an issue with larger cards in certain cases. Do you have photos of your card, and perhaps a photo of it in the machine?

My Z80 Soft cards are both from GGlabs (one MSFT clone, one PCPI Applicard clone), so the footprint physically is not the same.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Drake

hoach

New Tinkerer
Aug 10, 2022
13
13
3
Oklahoma, USA
Well, I spoke (err wrote) too soon. I managed to get it to fit. I'll show you proof! It is a TIGHT squeeze.
 

Attachments

  • 06D266F9-2BD1-4785-9B96-96E696DB2DEB.jpeg
    06D266F9-2BD1-4785-9B96-96E696DB2DEB.jpeg
    2.1 MB · Views: 56
  • C90B853F-AB2A-4917-83E9-F80D21C21B8A.jpeg
    C90B853F-AB2A-4917-83E9-F80D21C21B8A.jpeg
    807.8 KB · Views: 61
  • Wow
Reactions: Patrick

hoach

New Tinkerer
Aug 10, 2022
13
13
3
Oklahoma, USA
But, it isn't lighting up and shows zero signs of life, so I am going to reset the chips to see if I get a spark out of it, hopefully! I do have original Microsoft disks, etc. Plus a copy of Apple Wordstar, not sure how I acquired it, but maybe dad had found it somehow.
 

hoach

New Tinkerer
Aug 10, 2022
13
13
3
Oklahoma, USA
No dice on any life out of this card so far, having reset half the board. I do worry that I am using the wrong disk controller for it. I have a 5.25" apple disk controller. Is this fine? Do I have to use a Disk II controller? I would assume that the red light would light if it at all times, but maybe it only lights up if the z80 processor is in use?
 

skate323k137

Tinkerer
Mar 7, 2022
130
103
43
On my clone of the microsoft card, the LED only comes on for CPU activity I believe (that's how I remember it working with the lid off).

For boot disks I am using microsoft softcard boot disks, some zips at the bottom of this page might help:

On my IIe, where I have a fancy Yellowstone disk controller, I have to set it to Disk II mode. however, I have used the Apple 5.25 card with a FloppyEMU successfully for both flavors of CP/M card (Microsoft or PCPI) so I can say that it -should- work as your disk controller.

I attached the disks that work for me on FloppyEMU for your convenience.
 

Attachments

  • MSFT_Softcard_CPM.zip
    131.9 KB · Views: 74
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Tinkertoy and hoach

hoach

New Tinkerer
Aug 10, 2022
13
13
3
Oklahoma, USA
alright, I have got the light to "light up". I found some CP/M disks that are probably for a Trs-80, but didn't know as they were hand written, tried that out, and I get the card light to light up and then it boots to a curser screen that locks up the machine.
The 4 discs I do have don't seem to do anything. I am going to attempt to use my iigs to download some working files and boot from those. Now to find some blank disks.
IMG_0558.jpeg
IMG_0559.jpeg
IMG_0557.jpeg
 

Volvo242GT

Tinkerer
Feb 7, 2022
307
167
43
Currently Duvall, WA
Chip-wise, the later Apple 5.25 disk controller card is identical to the older 650-X104 disk ][ controller card. Only difference is the fact that the "DRIVE 1/2" headers are tied into the soldered-on ribbon cable with the DB-19 connector.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skate323k137