Mainly Neat Stuff --> Vintage Networking --> Jonathan Reed notes

IIgs Remote Boot

The first part of this document was written by Jonathan Reed and was previously hosted at http://src.mit.edu/apple2gs.html. The content is unchanged and is hosted with Jonathan's permission. The firt part describes how to remote boot a ROM 3 IIgs.

The second part was contributed by Josh Burker. It clarifies the installation procedure slightly and explains how to remote boot a ROM 1 IIgs.A ROM 0 IIgs will not remote boot.

Phil Beesley (beesley@mandrake.demon.co.uk)

MIT SRC

Apple ][ Resources

This document is constantly under revision. Please send me comments, suggestions for improvement, etc, at jdreed@SOMEWHERE-mit.edu

This document describes how to set up an Apple IIGS to boot over an AppleTalk network.

Here's what you will need:

• An Apple IIGS (duh!) with > 1,024KB memory
  (NOTE: There may be a workaround for machines with less memory - read on)
• A 3.5" floppy drive connected to the Apple IIGS (Two drives is ideal, but one works)
• A Macintosh to boot the Apple IIGS over the network
  (NOTE: I have heard claims that both AppleTalk packages for UNIX, netatalk and CAP (Columbia AppleTalk Package), can boot Apple II computers over an EtherTalk network. I have yet to see proof of either of these claims. If you can get it to work for you, congratulations, and let me know :-)
• A copy of AppleShare Server 3.0 or 2.0 to run on the Macintosh computer (3.0 preferred)
  (NOTE: AppleShare Server 2.0 only works under System 6 on the Macintosh Plus, Macintosh II (original), and Macintosh SE/30. Don't ask me why.)
• A LocalTalk network (using Apple LocalTalk cabling or PhoneNet)
• Apple System Software 6.0.1 for the Apple IIGS
  Apple's FTP site: click here - (The files are disk images in .sea.bin format - use Fetch for best results)
  the MIT SRC ftp server: <link not working yet>
• Apple's DiskCopy 4.2 or greater - click here to download it
• A minimum of 6 DSDD (Double sided - the old kind) floppy diskettes
  (NOTE: Yes, you CAN use DSHD diskettes, and put tape over the "hole" if you want, and format them as DSDD 800K disks, BUT YOU WILL LOSE DATA. I have tried this myself, and I only ended up writing the image to the floppy over and over to avoid the l/O errors that I kept getting. Invest the $2 in a box of DSDD disks - it's worth it)
• Patience and free time :-)

Physical Setup

1. Set up the Mac and the Apple IIGS where they are close together and comfortable to work with.
2. Connect the Macintosh and the Apple IIGS via the LocalTalk network (the network should connect to the Printer Port of both machines)
3. Make sure both systems are properly connected (ie floppy drives connected, keyboards and mice connected, etc)

Macintosh Preparation

1. Turn on the Macintosh and select the appropriate AppleTalk connection. If you have a "Network" control panel, make sure it says "LocalTalk (Built-in)". If you have an "AppleTalk" control panel, make sure it says "Printer Port".
2. Install AppleShare Server, making sure to install the Apple II Setup component of it. (NOTE: If you have previously set up usernames and passwords for your Macintosh, you may want to make a backup copy of your "Users & Groups Datafile". It is located in System Folder: Preferences. )
3. Launch AppleShare Admin. Under the "Server" menu, chose "File Server Preferences" and check the box next to "Enable Apple II Startup Service".
4. Quit Apple Share Admin, and launch AppleShare File Server.
5. Make sure you have ~10 MB available on your startup volume.

Make System 6.0.1 install disks

1. Extract the disk image archives you downloaded before.
2. Write the disk images to floppies using Apple's Disk Copy software.

Apple IIGS Preparation

1. Set up AppleTalk in the IIGS control panel
2. In earlier models, set Slot 7 to "AppleTalk". In later models, set Slot 1 to "AppleTalk"
3. Insert the "Install" Disk and boot up your IIGS.
4. When the Installer Screen appears, click on "Customize"
5. Select the Script called "Network: AppleShare, 3.5" Disk".
6. Insert a blank 800K floppy If necessary, it prompt you to initialize (format) the disk Do so if necessary)
7. Click the Install button Be prepared to swap disks many times! !
8. When the installation has finished, insert the new system disk you just created, and reboot your computer
9. If everything goes right, you should soon see the Finder.
10. Select Control Panel from the Apple menu.
11. In the control panel, open "AppleShare".
12. You should be presented with a primitive Chooser Log on to your Macintosh using the administrator account, and mount your Startup volume. It should appear on the Desktop.
13. Insert the Install Disk and run the "Installer" application.
14. As before, choose "Customize".
15. This time, select the script called "Network: Server Startup", and click the "Disk" button, until the name of your Macintosh volume is displayed at the top of the screen.
16. Click "Install". The Installer will complain that the disk is not a ProDOS disk, and that it can't determine the amount of free space on it. Ignore these messages.
17. When the Install Script completes successfully, shut down the IIGS.

The Moment of Truth

1. Make Sure "AppleShare File Server" is running on the Macintosh.
2. Startup the IIGS, and get into the Control Panel by pressing Apple-Ctrl-Esc
3. Under "Slots", set the "Startup" to be "AppleTalk"
4. Reboot.
5. If all went well, you should see a series of dots at the top left comer of the screen, and then it should say "Starting up over the Network", and display a progress bar.
6. You should shortly be presented what appears to be a text-based Chooser displaying a list of machines on the network.
7. Select the name of your Macintosh, and hit Return.
8. Log on as a "Registered User" using the admin account you created.
9. You should see a list of volumes on the Macintosh, with the startup volume selected by a checkmark.
10. Hit Return, and if all goes well you should see the "Welcome to the IIGS" screen, and eventually be presented with a ProDOS prompt.

Tweaking

1. Quit AppleShare File Server.
2. Run AppleShareAdmin.
3. Highlight the user you created.
4. Under the "Startup" menu, choose "Set Apple II Startup Info..."
5. The StartupApp should be set to BASIC.System by default. Change it to "Finder"
6. Restart AppleShare File Server.

Troubleshooting

This section will be updated as I discover what common problems people run into when using this HOWTO. If you have a problem getting it running, send me email.

This HOWTO written by Jonathan Reed (jdreed@SOMEWHERE-mit.edu). Copyright 1999 by Jonathan Reed.

Last updated on 1999-06-26

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Supplementary Notes on Booting a IIgs

Contributed by Josh Burker

• When installing the AppleShare File Server software, do a customized install and include the Apple II Setup. Install the Apple II Setup that came with the server software.

• After installing AppleShare, patch it to 3.0.3.

• Use the Apple II Setup disk that is included in the Apple IIgs software on Apple's Old Software downloads page to update the Mac file server. This version is actually newer than the one included with AppleShare File Server 3. It will put version 3 of the Apple II Setup onto the Mac file server (AppleShare installs version 2.2).

The key to Remote Booting an Apple IIgs with ROM 01 is to use the newer version of the Apple II Setup disk. This way you are able to remote boot both a ROM 01 and a ROM 03 IIgs.

This page last updated: 21 October 2006