Apple II
The 1977 original. It has Integer BASIC in ROM, and boards with the old Monitor ROM drop you at the * prompt instead of booting a disk. Lots of these got upgraded over the years with Autostart ROMs, an Applesoft card or a language card, so check what's actually on your board before you assume anything.
Most units of this model are likely equipped with a language card. This allows you to switch between AppleSoft BASIC and Integer BASIC, effectively converting the system to Apple II Plus specifications instantly. Since most owners likely keep these for their collections, they may be reluctant to perform major modifications; however, because the operational environment mirrors that of the Apple II Plus, the internal hardware architecture is virtually identical, with the exception of the graphics circuitry...
Recommended Hardware Mods
Dead Test Switcher
The Dead Test Switcher goes in the F8 ROM socket and lets you flip between the Autostart Monitor and Dead Test with a switch. When a board won't boot, Dead Test tells you whether it's the RAM, the ROMs or something else. It's for the II and II Plus only, so don't try it on a IIe, IIc or IIgs. If yours is an early board with the old Monitor ROM, it also gets you Autostart along the way.
→ Dead Test Switcher for Apple II
Memory
The Satanic128 is a 128K RAM card that's compatible with the Saturn 128K. It goes in slot 0, the one closest to the power supply.
→ SMC Satanic128 128K RAM Card
Joystick and Paddles
The original II only has the 16-pin GAME socket on the board. There's no DB9 on the back. The DB9 Joystick 2 Plus plugs into that socket and puts a DB9 on the back panel, and from there you can use the Idle Hands Micro Paddle.
→ Idle Hands Micro Paddle DIY Kit
Storage
With a Disk II controller, MFA2 Workshop's wDrive or BMOW's Floppy Emu in 5.25" mode are the easy way to start. I've tested the Grappler Minus and SPIISD combo on the II Plus and IIe, but not on an Integer BASIC II yet, so I won't recommend it here until I have.
Rubber Feet
If the feet on yours have gone hard or gone missing, Gimme New Feet! for AP2 are made 1:1 to the original size.
