My MAC PLUS

Mac Plus Tips
Index:

How old is my Plus?
Can I use my IBM printer with my Plus?
Can I use 1.44 floppies on my Plus?
Which type of simms is good for my Plus?
Some easter eggs for the Plus...
How can I use 1 mega simms on my Plus?
Which browser for my Plus?
Can I use a telephone cable to connect the keyboard to my Plus?
What 68030 card for my Plus?
What about formatting my Plus HD?
What e-mail clients and the TCP/IP software are best for my Plus?
How should I clean the case of my Mac?
How can I build a modem-to-modem connection?
How can I speed up the SCSI port?
Ach! What is a disk image?
How can I create a boot disk?
What about a Zip drive connected to my Plus?
Does System 7.5 run on a Plus?
Where can I get the driver for my Zip?
Help! My Plus has intermittent video!
Does my Plus work with ISDN?
What MIDI software for my Plus?
How can I build a 800K System 7.0 boot disk?
How can I open the case of my Plus?
How can I transfer some file from my PC to my Plus?
What about Unix on my Mac?

How old is my Plus?
Neon says:
Apple told me about 2 years ago that the Plus (and so likely the 128 and 512 series) could be dated by the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th numbers of the serial number. Where the 2nd was the last digit of the year of manufacture (6 for 1986, 0 for 1990, and the like), and the 3rd and 4th the week of the year they where made (like 13 for the 13th week of the year). This would mean that the 3rd and 4th should never be higher than 53 (allowing for a split week on the start of the year) and the second always between 3 to 9 or 0 (1983 (as they started making the 128 before the end of the year) to 1989, or 1990). Perhaps this won't work for the 128 and 512 series, but it works for Pluses anyway (according to Apple, in 1997 - and they spent about 2 hours checking this out for me and my Plus). My Pluses numbers are 613, for the second, third and forth digits of the serial number on the bottom of the MacPlus (second week of April, 1986). Try it, if you find the number 2, 3 and 4 don't sync (meaning the second is 1 or 2 or third and forth are bigger than 53) you know it won't work for the 128 and 512 series (if you find a Plus it doesn't work for let me know). Its worked for every MacPlus or 512ke I've been able to flip over (and thats lots). Apple warned me it works for no later Macs (but said nothing about earlier Macs).

Can I use my IBM printer with my Plus?
Rowland says:
Well... The thing about Macs is that the average non-Postscript printer won't work - you don't get drivers for PCL printers, Epson dot matrix printers, or anything like that with the OS; nor do the makers of those printers produce drivers so you can use those printers with Macs.
Not all is lost... There are commercial packages that have printer drivers so you can use almost any printer on a Mac, but I assume you're keen on spending no money...
... in which case, you might try Chuck's Printer Driver from your nearest info-mac mirror.
Mine's at ftp://sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk/computing/systems/info-mac/

Can I use 1.44 floppies on my Plus?
Donna says:
AE made three external floppy disk drives for Macintosh and Apple II computers.

1. AEHD PlusDrive--SuperDrive Compatibility for the Mac Plus, SE and II.(AE PlusDrive)
2. AEHD 3.5" Drive--1.44MB Drive for SuperDrive Equipped Macs (AEHD)
3. AE 3.5" Drive--800K Drive for Macintosh and Apple II Computers. (AE 800k)

The first one (the AEHD PlusDrive) I have working with my Plus and is the ONLY ONE that will read and write 1.44 disks on an SE or Plus not originally equipped to do so. It is imprinted AE HD+ on the front. I bought this recently from QueComputers. They are only $99. Phone number is 612-623-0903. The terminology on the box is "AE PlusDrive". The terminology for the ones that will NOT work for you are "AE 800K" and "AEHD".
and I say:
You can try to find an used 21MB SCSI Floptical Drive. It's cheap and it works fine.

Which type of simms is good for my Plus?
Rowland says:
MacPluses can use 256K and 1MB SIMMs, but the minimum speed is 150ns.

Some easter eggs for the Plus...
Stephen says:
I only know of a few:

In Control Panel, if you click on the version number (on my mac it's 3.3.3) it will bring a list of credits
In the Chooser, if you click on the version number it brings up an odd name in the box
If you press the interrupt button and type in the debugger G 40E118 it says "Stolen from Apple Computer" in the upper-left corner of the screen.

How can I use 1 mega simms on my Plus?
Dan says:
Apple Memory Guide says you must clip both the R8 and R9 resistors to use 1MB SIMMs. If you don't plan on downgrading, you can remove them completely. If you might revert to 1MB at some time, clip one end of each and bend it out of the way.
If your Plus is only seeing 2MB, either a SIMM is poorly seated or bad. If bad, you can always restore two 256kb SIMMs for total 2.5MB. More details at http://www.mactimes.com/lowend/ram/plus.html.

Which browser for my Plus?
Neon says:
Bad news, no browser for system 6. Well actually MacWWW 1.03 (not MacWeb) has been claimed to run under system 6.0.7 or 6.0.8, but doesn't seem to work well at all. Perhaps it would be more at home with MacTCP 1.1.1 (then again most other web software wouldn't). This browser can be found on a number of info-mac ftp mirrors, but not all it seems. Try ftp.funet.fi if you want this poor old thing.
I recomend MacWeb 1.0a3.2 and system 7.0* for good allaround text only web browsing. Resonably fast, supports HTML 2.0, and almost never seems to crash. Alas, no web graphics. NCSA Mosaic 1.03 runs well on system 7.0* and displays .gif images dithered into B&W (don't look like much in B&W).
However, it doesn't handle most modern web pages out there.
Adding on 030 upgrade to a Plus or SE or Classic won't get Netscape to run on it. ex-68000 Macs are still 68000 Macs in the ROM and still will not load color quickdraw (this is what Netscape and Explorer demand). I have tried Netscape 1.1 on my 030 Plus running system 7.1, it politely declined to start, pointing out just what I was on (Plus, SE, Classic or PowerBook 100). I use MacWeb 1.0a3.2.

Can I use a telephone cable to connect the keyboard to my Plus?
Mike says:
The telephone cable reverses the order of colors for the four wires used in the typical RJ11 telephone cable. That is, RYGB color at one end comes out BGYR at the other end. For the Mac, the pin-out remains unchanged. Suggest you obtain a crimp tool and telephone connectors at Radio Shack and re-terminate one end!
and Paul says:
...the keyboard cable is the same as a modular phone cable, EXCEPT you need to cut off one connector and replace it turned 180 degrees. I think the phone wire ends are reversed, i.e. have a half-twist, but the Mac keyboard requires a straight thru. I had the same problem, and fixed it this way.
I already had a RadioShack tool for attaching the connectors and a few connectors. The tool comes with instructions on how to strip the wire and crimp on the connector. Oh, one other problem, I had to file down the sides of crimp-on connector because it was a little wider than the receptacle on the Plus.

What 68030 card for my Plus?
Paul says:
I recomend the MicroMac Performer. Its a 16mhz 030 with or without FPU. I have one in my Plus and it works perfect (245% faster that stock by Speedometer 3.0.6). They are available for the Plus, SE, and Classic (I).
The cost without the FPU (thats what I got) is $49. MicroMac can be called at 1-800-600-macs, web site http://www.micromac.com.

What about formatting my Plus HD?
Bill says:
Hard Drives need 1:3 interleave, you have to format to achieve this. It's no big deal 'just do it'.
and Paul says:
The purpose for setting the interleave ratio from 1:1 to 3:1 is because the drive is spinning faster than data can be read. So, when information is read, it doesn't need to wait for the drive to spin another revolution to retrieve the next information. Instead of reading consecutive sectors, every third sector is read. (Thanks to Rowland for correcting a previous error of mine, since I couldn't remember.)
Apple HD SC (or Drive Setup) are only able to be used on Apple-branded hard drives. Since you are only using System 7.0, you can use a "modified" version of Apple HD SC 7.3.5 that will install the Apple driver to ANY SCSI hard drive, including your Quantum. [...]
You can use this to set the interleave ratio. When you launch the modified version of HD SC, hit Command-I. In the presenting box, enter "3" for a ratio of 3:1.
I wouldn't recommend FWB's Hard Drive Toolkit in this case. First, it is NOT cost-efficient. Secondly, almost nothing comes in 800K disks anymore. Thirdly, there are other ways you can do it for free (besides the above mentioned).

What e-mail clients and the TCP/IP software are best for my Plus?
Rowland says:
It depends on which version of the OS you're using. If you're using System 7 or above, Eudora Lite (current version) is a good idea for email. You'll need Eudora Lite v1.55 (ish) for System 6.
It's probably best to use MacTCP 2.0.6 and MacPPP 2.0.1 whatever OS you're using; Open Transport may or may not be faster and more reliable, but certainly uses much more RAM.
MacTCP:
http://www.leo.org/pub/comp/platforms/macintosh/
ftp://ftp.apple.com/devworld/Development_Kits/MacTCP.sit.hqx
http://www.eudora.com for email software.
When you're setting up in the first place, set PPP to use CTS only handshaking (I *think* this is best for a Plus) and 19200 bit/s port speed.
Once you've got things working okay, you might like to try a serial port speed of 28800 bit/s which can sometimes give a faster overall data transfer rate despite an increased error rate. Don't use a faster serial port speed than 28800 bit/s for PPP connections on your Plus.

How should I clean the case of my Mac?
Rowland says:
As I recall, Vim is a scourer so it's not a good idea to use it on plastic cases. Jif's different: it's white because it's loaded with chalk AFAIK, which is very soft but does help with cleaning. I've used Flash (a transparent multi-purpose household cleaner; use it neat on serious dirt or diluted to clean floors and things) with some success, and I also find that clothes washing liquid/powder is dead good if there's grease around (I use it to clean my bikes; anything that can remove a year's accumulation of chain lube and road dirt off my back wheel has got to be good).
I find that ordinary dish washing stuff is useless at shifting serious dirt of any sort.
I'd guess that Jif and Vim have those names in most of Europe, and I expect Flash is also available but possibly under the local word for `flash'.

How can I build a modem-to-modem connection?
John says:
I have succeeded in connection between a PC and Mac for transmitting downloaded files, using direct modem to modem connection (this has advantages over a serial link, for example it is much easier to set up and use). This connection can of course be used for any two computers.
The secret of fast, reliable modem/modem linking is a "line simulator".
Without one, some modems will work together directly by themselves; others may connect with difficulty, and only run at the slowest connect speed, or not connect at all.
A simple line simulator consists of a 9 to 12 volt battery or power supply, a resistor and a capacitor and two phone jacks. This is adapted from info at http://www.hut.fi/Misc/Electronics/docs/old/telephone_intercom.html
Get two phone jacks and a 380 ohm, 1/2 W resistor. Connect the components to make the circuit below:
```
Green        380 ohm 1/2W    +   12V    -          Red
---------------/\/\/\------|'|'|'|'-----------------
To Modem                					To modem

____________________________________________________
Red                                             Green
```
Place a .47 microFarad audio grade filter cap (I used a polyster cap) from the "green" end of the resistor connection shown above to the "red" end of the power supply connection. The value of the resistor should be adjusted to allow about 25 milliamps, or not more than about 30 mills max, to flow when both ends of the circuit are connected and "off hook".
I got the above resistor value by connecting an old phone to one end, clipping red to green at the other to complete the circuit using only one telephone device, and measuring current by connecting a DMM (digital multimeter) in series with the power supply on the meter's milliamp setting. If you don't have a meter, you can start with 1000 ("1K") ohms for 24 volts, or 500 for 12 volts or 380 ohms for 9 volts and if it works leave it at that. If you use a cheap "wall wart" (i.e., plug in power supply) you may need to add an electolytic capacitor of about 1000 to 3000 microfarads across the power supply connection (match the plus and minus of the cap with plus and minus of the power supply, or the cap will overheat and blow up) to clean up the dc output.
If your connection works reliably without this extra filtering, you don't need it.
Run the terminal programs on each computer, and type ATX3&C0 (that's "C Zero"); this will make sure that the modem doesn't look for dial tones,etc. Make your communication settings the same on each (usually you will use "Xmodem" at 9600, N, 8, 1 on a Plus for file transfers). Then to connect, type ATD and enter on one computer first, then ATA and enter on the other. They will connect; now you can activate "send file" on one and then "receive file" on the other.
If you are connecting a PC to a Mac and have only Hyper Terminal available on the PC, see http://www.helpdesk.umd.edu/faqs/comm/dial/atdirect.html
How can I speed up the SCSI port?
Paul says:
The slow SCSI speed of the Plus is a problem with the early SCSI implementaion used on the Plus. Most upgrades do little to help this, they mostly help the cpu speed. Helping the cpu run faster, though, often painfully points out the slow Plus SCSI. System 7 points out the slow SCSI speed too.
The Mercury/MicroMac Performer 030 upgrade will only help SCSI speed by about 10%. The Brainstorm 16mhz 68000 upgrade helps about the best I've ever found, increasing the SCSI speed by about 40%. I love my Plus, I live with the dead slow SCSI and serial ports.
Ach! What is a disk image?
James says:
A virtual disk. It is, essentially, a file on the hard drive that can be mounted to the desktop, which, then, looks, acts, and modifiable, like a NORMAL disk.
When mounting a disk image, it uses some RAM, though small, to accomplish this task. When you access the virtual disk, it points back to the original disk image file. However, you can COMPLETELY mount the ENTIRE disk image into RAM, if you have enough. If you have a disk image containing an enourmous number of files (small), it can be accessed faster via RAM (in nanoseconds) than it can via hard drive (in milliseconds).
In the Wintel world, there is such a thing, though it is not commonplace. (No, I'm not talking about NT and its virtual Mac volume.) I know people who use it for backing up [data] CDs (and the sort) to the hard drive. (Don't ask me why.)
You can mount disk images (.img) with ShrinkWrap (shareware), StuffIt Expander 4.5 (integrated ShrinkWrap features), Apple Disk Copy, Disk Dup+ (shareware), and other similar utilities that you can download from the Internet.
How can I create a boot disk?
James says:
You either create a custom one or use the disk called, "Disk Tools". To create a custom boot disk, duplicate the System and Finder files from the System Folder to a different location (e.g. desktop or new folder). If System 7.x, open the System copy, and remove all the fonts (if System 7), sounds, and keyboard layouts, putting them in the Trash. If System 6.x or lower, remove all fonts and cdevs with Font/DA Mover. You should be able to fit these two files, as well as a copy of Disk First Aid and another small program.
If these two files are still too big for a 1.4MB floppy (or 800K disk, if you have only an 800K drive), "shred" non-essential resources (e.g. color) with FloppySystem Trimmer. However, problems of systems being too big were only introduced in System 7.5. (I'm not talking about doing things with 400K disks or the sort.)
If you own a copy of Norton Utilities, you can have it make a boot floppy with Norton Disk Doctor on it. Some of these boot disk may not be able to access the desktop, depending on how much space is on the floppy disk and what Mac you're using.
You can also create a boot disk with custom software on it, though more risky for the integrity of the software, if you don't know what you're doing. In System 6 or lower, you could just put a copy of the System file and an application, named Finder, then with THAT application ("Finder") highlighted, select Set Startup from the Special menu, and click OK. In System 7.x, you will need to modify the creator/type to FNDR/MACS, respectively, with ResEdit, GetMoreInfo, or similar resource-modifying program, as well as changing the name to "Finder". (You have to make sure that the boot blocks of the floppy disks are GOOD. Otherwise, the Mac will spit the disk out.)
This procedure, essentially, tricks the Mac in thinking that your modified application is the actual Finder. (Note: The Finder is just another application. You can quit it, using special software.)
I used to always use my PowerMac 6100 (running 7.1.2, now running 7.5.5) to create/modify/add things to System 6 boot disks.
The only issue is that if you put it into a System 7 (or later) Mac, make sure that you don't let it rebuild the desktop on the disk. That's because System 6 used a big file called, "Desktop". System 7 eliminates that file and puts "Desktop DB" and "Desktop DF" in its place by rebuilding the disk's desktop. Even then, the disk should boot the Plus to the desktop, and say something that it can't modify the desktop on the disk, and when you dismiss the dialog box, the Mac restarts.
There is no problem with creating System 6 boot disks on System 7 Macs.
You just need to make sure that your System 7 Mac is running in tip-top condition. Both Systems use the Hierarhieal File System (HFS), unlike pre-System 6 systems, which use Macintosh Filing System (MFS). Even then, I was able to create/modify/add things to pre-System 6 boot disks on my 6100.
The only incompatibility is with OS 8/8.1.
What about a Zip drive connected to my Plus?
Michael says:
These are my experiences with a Zip Drive and a Plus-
1) A zip drive makes a very stable HD for a Plus, I know people who have been using them as a bootable HD for YEARS (yes, YEARS) with only occasional problems that Norton has fixed (BTW, I've had to use Norton on my new G3 HD Once, so I don't see this as a zip problem)
2) You need to use an Iomega Driver older than version 5.x. Otherwise you get a sad Mac when booting. You also can NOT allow your zip disk to be loaded in a machine with a 5.x driver, 'cause part of the driver will update itself, and give a sad Mac when booting with a zip disc in the drive.
3) The best thing to do, in my opinion, is get a small (cheap) SCSI HD for your plus, put SSW on it, including your Iomega driver. I use a 30MB myself. Boot off of the HD with no zip disc in the zip drive, insert zip disc after booting. The zip disk can now be used as a non-boot volume, which also makes backing up files easier onto a second zip disc. (hint: only keep SSW on your boot HD- this leaves plenty of room for transferring backups from zip to HD to back-up zip, less disk swapping)
This will work regardless of whether or not your zip driver has been polluted with a 5.x system. Note- if your driver has been polluted (like the one on my Plus) you MUST boot with no zip disk in the zip drive. That's why I say it's best to boot from a small HD, because you don't have to worry about what computer your Zip Disk is used in.
Note- this driver update thing was a VERY bad feature on Iomega's part! I know of one case where an individual with a Performa had the 4.2 driver and zip tools. he used his zip disc in a Mac with a 5.1 driver, went home and used it in his Performa. The next time he booted, he put his zip disc in the Performa before booting, had no problems- until he tried to use his zip tools! he got a nasty message saying he couldn't use his tools 'cause they were too old for his driver! As it turns out, he could only use his tools if he boots with no zip disc in the drive. Because Iomega thought they were so smart, he had to upgrade his Iomega stuff to consistently use his drive the way had been using it no problem before.
and Salupo family says:
..you can run a Zip as a Boot drive on a Plus. You need a Zip disk that has been formatted with Iomega tools v4.2. Hook the Zip to the Plus, set the termination "on", and put a disk in with a valid System folder. Should boot just fine. I do it with my Plus. My machine has no other SCSI devices and 4Mb of RAM.
If you use any other version of Iomega driver the Plus will not boot from the disk. You will only get the blinking "?" icon. v4.2 was the first version of Tools to ship with a Zip Drive.
Also, Iomega tools will not fit on an 800k floppy with System 6.0.8. So you have to format the Zip disk on another Mac.
Does System 7.5 run on a Plus?
Jon says:
I have installed System 7.5.5 on a 4MB Plus with no problem at all.
Where can I get the driver for my Zip?
Rowland says:
http://surf.to/macdrivers can probably help you out.
Help! My Plus has intermittent video!
Jon says:
This weekend I was messing around with an Apple monitor that had unstable video. I discovered that the problem came and went as I flexed its circuit board. I couldn't see any bad solder joints or loose connections, so I thought "What the heck, I'll just resolder every joint even if it looks good." Ten minutes later I had a monitor with perfect, stable video.
Emboldened, I did the same thing to two Mac Pluses that had thermally-related intermittent video. Bingo, now they work, too, and they only took around 3 minutes each.
Moral: don't think, don't research, don't inspect, don't agonize, just slobber solder everywhere and hope for the best!
Does my Plus work with ISDN?
Dirk says:
My IIci (20 MB, Sys 7.5.5, OT 1.3, FreePPP 2.6.2) is connected with a ISDN terminal adapter.
FreePPP allows 115200 bps on the serial port, so I can use the whole 64000 bps bandwith of a ISDN channel.
BTW I also tested a Plus (4 MB, Sys 7.1, MacTCP 2.0.6, MacPPP 2.0.1) with ISDN. - It just works :-)
What MIDI software for my Plus?
Mike says:
A great starting point for MIDI software is http://www.aitech.ac.jp/~ckelly/mmuig.html
There is lots of commercial MIDI software available for old macs; I think the mac was just a more popular platform for professional musicians back in the late-80s. I can't get the shareware sequencer, MIDIGraphy, to work on a SE.
Most of the commercial software has demo versions available. See: http://www.harmony-central.com/Software/Mac/demo.html And make sure you get the demo for MicroLOGIC. It does sequencing AND notation, and it works on a plus!
Of course, the problem with the 68000-based macs is that they contain rather primitive synthesizers... 4 voices, max, as I recall. (Concertware+ did the best it could :) But If you have a cheap keyboard with MIDI connectors, you can play better music than a Power Mac. You will need a MIDI interface. I bought a MiniMacman http://www.midiman.net/MAC.HTM at Guitar Center http://www.guitarcenter.com/ (A must-see if you happen to be in Hollywood, CA)
Opcode Systems used to sell a package called MusicShop, which included a MIDI interface and software for under $100. But, once again, I was blown away by MicroLOGIC from emagic.
How can I build a 800K System 7.0 boot disk?
Steve says:
A procedure for building a System 7.0 boot disk that fits on an 800K disks at http://www.best.com/~tenebrus/steve/
How can I open the case of my Plus?
Rowland says:
http://www.edprint.demon.co.uk/se/index.html should be able to help crack any Compact Mac.
How can I transfer some file from my PC to my Plus?
Jonathan says:
YES! Aha! I may not know how to do much more but I would be happy to share my victory.
What it came down to was a serial connection to my PC and download the files to the floppies. What you NEED is a floppy with a terminal program on it. I use ZTerm 0.9 since it handles ZModem and can fit on a bootable flopppy. This part is a chicken-and-egg thing so find someone with it on disk already.
Go get a Mac modem cable that will allow you to plug your serial port into a DB-25 modem, then either buy or wire up a null modem. You're done for hardware. Next, run a terminal program on the desktop and connect to it with ZTerm. I haven't been able to go past 19200 but I also have a 50-100 foot null modem! (never checked, but it's seriously out of spec). Test it by typing "asdf" on each keyboard (the standard test phrase) and hopefully it should show up on the other screen. Next, transfer the files!
I could (so far) only transfer MacBinary2 files (.bin extension) and have them become usable on the Mac, hqx may not work (or if it does I don't know how).
What about Unix on my Mac?
Heiko says:
Some fun to have unix on an se........
I dont know how to use, not a Unix guru, but its complete etc...and the idea of a real multitasking thing with system 6.....;-)
This morning I got a mail, explaing some of the mac specific commands. The Prentice-Hall book isnt on the net, but here is a snippet, maybe somebody is interested
<<
eject -- eject a diskette from a drive
hdclose -- close hard disk partition
hdopen -- set correspondence of a HD partition to a MacIntosh file
maccreate -- create an empty MacIntosh file
macfile -- list, read, and write MacIntosh volumes
macread -- read a MacIntosh file
macwrite -- write a MacIntosh file
rmaker -- a simple resource compiler
settype -- set type and/or creator of a Mac file
>>
Dont ask me for the details, ask around at comp.os.minix, thats where Linux started.........
The URL for minix is ftp.cs.vu.nl/pub/minix etc...look for Macintosh.
There are some manuals at, see the other snippet
<<
I should have mentioned in an earlier message that the entire Minix 1.5 reference manual is available at minix1.hampshire.edu in the /pub/refman.1.5 directory. Also a set of man pages for Minix 1.5 is available in /pub/minix.1.5/man.
>>
Its not macspecific, but.......
The hqx files from Amsterdam is around 5 MB, took me one hour with a 14400 GV, around the same time for decoding, so if you can sacrify two hours..
And then, I had to log in. Password ??? Voila
<<
the login name is root and the password is Geheim (it's case sensitive) hope that's what you need
also, the extra users on there are ast , Wachtwoold
bin
deamon
you can edit the passwrods for all of them while logged on as root or as the user
>>
MacMinix is just a programm, there is MacBoot, you doubleclick on it etcpp.
No difficult HD manipulations needed. Read the files in etc to get some kind of a clue, whats going on. First thing I did was to write a .kermcr file for ast, set line /dev/tty3 etc., next thing will be some other file in /etc that I can log into the SE from the outside.

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