TrackStar Questions &
Answers
The TrackStar FAQ v1.3.1 (Last Update: 5/15/97)
by Bill Whitson
This FAQ is maintained by Bill Whitson <bill@booster.u.
washington.edu> Please mail any addition or corrections
directly. An updated version of the FAQ is always available
via anonymous FTP at 140.142.225.27 in the directory
/pub/trackstar as ts.faq.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
presented is correct and complete but this a document is in
a state of constant revision and much of the info is second
hand.
Note that the author of this FAQ posesses only a Trackstar
128 and cannot necessarily verify information regarding other
models.
1. What's a TrackStar?
1.1 What kind of Apple does it emulate?
1.2 What models were made?
2. Does it work? Well?
2.1 How compatible is it?
2.2 Can it transfer Apple <-> PC files?
3. How can I get one?
3.1 How much is it worth?
4. What do I need to run a TrackStar?
4.1 What do I need for a disk drive?
4.2 What operating systems will it work with?
5. What did the TrackStar originally come with?
5.1 What's the latest driver version?
6. I just got a TrackStar board with no ccessories...
7. Pinout Diagrams
1. What's a TrackStar?
A TrackStar is a single board Apple 2 computer that plugs into
an expansion slot in a PC Clone. With this board (and an
A2
disk drive) a PC can run Apple II software.
1.1 What kind of Apple does it emulate?
That depends on the model. The TrackStar uses the original
ROMs - liscensed from Apple. The rest of the hardware is
fairly
standard. Running a TrackStar is essentially the same as
running an Apple II and is even superior to some of the better
Apple clones as it uses the original ROMs.
1.2 What models were made?
Model
Emulates Interface RAM
HD Support
----------------------------------------------------------
TrackStar Apple II+
8-bit ISA 64K No
TrackStar 128 Apple II+ 8-bit ISA
128K No
TrackStar + Apple II+ 8-bit
ISA 128K No
or MCA
TrackStar E Apple IIe 8-bit
ISA 128K Yes
TrackStar Computer? There has been rumor that a full
TrackStar computer system was made. I have never seen one
or had it's existence confirmed.
2. Does it work? Well?
It works very nicely. It's two major faults (which
aren't too much of a problem): 1. It's ability to use
PC drives is not impressive. It is only an effective
Apple II with an Apple II disk drive attached. 2. It's
ability to use a PC monitor is not terribly impressive
either. A composite monitor attached to the port on
the card is much better.
2.1 How compatible is it?
Given that I've not found any software that it won't run
I would have to say it's very compatible. It has a
strange bug that sometimes causes programs to display on
a slightly compressed screen.
2.2 Can it transfer files Apple <-> PC
Yep. It works great for that. I used to use it to
make disk images of A2 disks on my PC. It has been
pointed out that some of the serial transfer programs
written to faciliate the creation of disk images for
A2 emulators are just as easy or easier than using the
TrackStar. The major advantage of the TS is that you
don't need to keep an Apple 2 around.
3. How can I get one?
Careful searching and liberal applications of cash.
Diamond Computers (today Diamond Multimedia) made them,
but it's no longer manufactured or supported. Radio Shack
sold them for a while - which is where mine came from.
From time to time they turn up for sale on the internet
(which is why this FAQ exists :). An interesting note:
after finally reaching someone willing to comment on the
TrackStar at Diamond, they claim they never made such a
product!
3.1 How much is it worth?
How much do you want to pay? I saw one go for $50 US
not too long ago (in '93). They had a sugg. retail
price of $445 when they were last sold back in 1988.
With the development of software emulators and good serial
transfer programs I would have to imagine they're only
valuable as a curiosity these days.
4. What do I need to run a TrackStar?
You need a PC or clone with a free 8bit ISA slot, a 360K
5.25" floppy drive, and a MGA, CGA, or Composite monitor.
The 8bit slot must allow for a full length card and the
motherboard under the front extension of the card must be
clear to within 3mm of the surface (the card extends down-
ward).
4.1 What do I need for a floppy drive?
The TrackStar can use either a PC compatible 360K 5.25"
PC compatible floppy drive or an Apple Disk II (Unidisks
may work, but this has not been verified). If you're
using a PC floppy, the drive should be a TEAC for the most
reliable operation. Other brands will also work, but may
not be as reliable and some will not work at all.
4.2 What operating systems will it work with?
Seems to work well with MS DOS from v3.2 to v6.22. Later
versions require a setver entry set to 3.3. Will also
work with OS/2 2.x in DOS mode. Doesn't seem to work
with Windows 95 even in DOS mode.
5. What did the TrackStar originally come with?
Well, the 128 came with:
1 5.25" driver disk
1 manual
1 video cable
1 disk cable
1 keyboard overlay
1 resistor pack
5.1 What's the latest driver version?
For the 128 it appears to be v6.2.3. I assume the
other models use a different driver scheme but I've
only seen my 128 and 2 others.
6. I just got a Trackstar board with no accessories...
It would seem you're not alone. You'll also be missing
the manual, RGB monitor cable, and PC disk interface
cable. You don't need the RGB cable if you're going
to use the a composite monitor and you don't need the
PC disk interface cable if you're going to use an Apple
drive.
NEW: I have tried for two years to get permission from
Diamond Multimedia to distribute TrackStar software and
documentation to people who need it. Since I have now
been told by them that they did not make the TrackStar
I've made the software and docs available by FTP at
140.142.225.27 in /pub/trackstar. The files for the
are:
TS128.621.zip
TrackStar 128 drivers v6.2.1
TS128.622.zip
TrackStar 128 drivers v6.2.2
TS128.623.zip
TrackStar 128 drivers v6.2.3
TS128.overlay.zip TrackStar
128 keyboard overlay
TS128.manual.zip TrackStar
128 manual for in .pdf
TS.faq
This FAQ
7. Pinout Diagrams
RGB Cable
The RBG cable is 9pin D male to 8pin female block
connector. The connections:
1 2 3 4 5
87654321 1 -> 1 5 -> 3
' ' ' ' '
]oooooooo[ 2 -> 2 6 -> 6
' ' ' '
' ' 3 -> 4
7 -> 8
6 7 8 9
4 -> 5 8 -> G
-End of FAQ-
Posted on Csa2 by me@here.com !