• DOS and Firmware Card not in Slot 0

    From D Finnigan@21:1/5 to All on Fri Jul 14 15:07:05 2023
    The other day I got my integer Apple II out of a box and set it up to make
    sure it is still working, and also to fiddle around with it.

    This Apple has a non-standard configuration which I learned makes it incompatible with a lot of software, but I just recently read an explanation
    of why. I have a Legend 64KC RAM card in slot 0 which is an extended, multi-bank Language Card. Then in slot 2 I have an Applesoft Firmware card.
    I have other cards in other slots too, but they're not relevant to this discussion.

    I found some notes in the Saturn RAM card manual that talk about the
    problems with DOS and a Firmware card beyond slot 0. This is the problem I have: most of my DOS disks will hang on boot. The notes in the Saturn manual say:

    ---

    The relocated DOS (provided by Saturn) has been designed to operate properly with an Applesoft or Integer card during the boot process, and can therefore
    be booted from either Integer of Applesoft. However, the standard DOS 3.3 or 3.2 (such as that present on the system master) does not have a provision
    for use of an Integer or Applesoft card from a slot other 0. As a result,
    the booting of a standard DOS 3.2 or 3.3 must take place from the main board ROM BASIC (via PR#6, etc.) when the Integer or Applesoft card is being used from a slot other than 0, with the relocated DOS. If the precaution is not taken to return to the main board ROM BASIC prior to the boot in this case,
    the firmware card will be left on after the boot with no way for DOS to turn
    it off, and the system will hang.

    ---

    I think the problem is a conflict with $C0x0 soft-switches. By the way, I
    have a box with 13-sector PROMs, and I have a handful of 13 sector disks.
    I'm tempted just to convert this Integer Apple II to