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README.md

BlueGS: Internal BlueSCSI for Apple IIgs and Enhanced //e

https://github.com/xunker/blue-gs

BlueGS is the internal hard drive your Apple IIgs and //e always craved.

Using the BlueSCSI SCSI drive emulator and your compatible SCSI card, you have a fully internal hard drive with accessible microSD slot while still keeping your DB-25 connector free for other peripherals.

Close-up of BlueGS installed in IIgs slot BlueGS installed in IIgs slot, right side BlueGS installed in IIgs slot, left side

How it works

BlueGS connects between your SCSI card and its external DB-25 connector to give you a seamless installation. The BlueGS module itself mounts in a free DB-25 connector cutout in the rear of your IIgs or Enhanced //e.

Overhead view of BlueGS in IIgs slot Frontal view of BlueGS in IIgs slot

Features

  • Gives your Apple IIgs or //e an internal, cable-free hard drive
  • Can be powered from SCSI termination power only (if present)
  • "Termination Power" mod is not required (when powered from auxiliary 5V source)
  • Can provide termination power to the SCSI bus (when powered from a 5V source such as the Game IO connector or card slot)
  • Built-in termination that is controlled with a single switch
  • Active termination ICs instead of passive termination resistors, reduces power consumption by over 2/3rds
  • Reverse current and voltage protection with overcurrent prevention for auxiliary 5V input
  • Connection for external drive activity LED

Annotated picture of front of BlueGS v1.2 Annotated picture of rear of BlueGS v1.2

Compatible SCSI cards

Tested:

  • GGLabs A2SCSI - a clone of the Apple Rev C SCSI card
  • Apple Rev C SCSI and clones
  • Apple High-Speed SCSI ("Sandwich II")
  • Ramfast SCSI

The CMS SCSI II is currently confirmed NOT to work, though it appears to be a (card) firmware issue and not a "bug" with BlueSCSI.

How do I know if my card provides "termination power"? What if it doesn't?

Running BlueGS from "termination power" makes installation much easier, but not all SCSI cards have it. For more details, please check out the notes on Powering BlueGS.

Performance

Using BenchmarkD with Apple IIgs (ROM 1, "Fast" speed), GS-RAM Plus w/ 2MB, GGLabs A2SCSI card. Using Blue-Pill-based BlueGS board.

  • Read
    • File: 52 KB/s
    • Block-by-block: 36 KB/s
    • With 64K buffer: 79 KB/s
  • Write (File): 37 KB/s

Can I use it on things besides the IIgs and //e?

Yes! It's is a standard BlueSCSI device and uses the standard BlueSCSI V1 firmware.

In fact, the built-in DB-25 connector makes it the perfect external SCSI drive for any 25-pin card!

Assembly

If you purchased BlueGS as a self-assemble kit or are using your own PCBs, please follow the instructions in the "assembly" directory.

If your BlueGS was purchased fully-assembled, please move on to the "Installation" section.

Installation

Installation guides can be found in the "installation" directory.

Schematics

V1.4 Schematic (FINAL, recommended design)

Older Schematics

V1.3 Schematic

V1.2 Schematic

V1.1 Schematic

EDA/Kicad and Gerber Files

Kicad of current design can be found in kicad directory.

Credits

This project would not be possible without the work done by ztto, Tambo, Eric Helgeson, Androda, and many others.

The "Blue Pill" footprint was originally created by Yet-Another-Average-Joe.

Symbol and footprint for Molex 105162-0001 MicroSD slot created by SnapEDA user HMantz.

License

See LICENSE.md.