Laser 128EX and FujiNet for Apple

[scelbi8h]

I purchased recently a FujiNet for Apple from a trusted seller, with the intention of using it with my Laser 128EX.

 

As far as I know, this computer is SmartPort compatible, or almost, since some SmartPort devices like the FloppyEmu work without an issue.

 

But I've had no luck with my computer. I plug the FujiNet, turn on the computer, cancel the boot sequence from the internal drive, and write PR#5. It was supposed to start the FujiNet menu, but instead I got an "UNABLE TO BOOT" message every time.

 

The FujiNet has been tested with and without external power. Same luck.

 

Any idea why this is happening? Maybe a timing problem with the Laser?

Edited November 1, 2022 by scelbi8h

[nick3092]

A quick Google search seems to indicate the laser 128ex smart port support is a bit touchy. Like it may only support one drive (or a single Flopoy Emu), and not a daisy chain like an Apple smartport.

 

That being said, I think FujiNet is pretty hard on the Smartport (for lack of a better term) and requires it to work exactly to Apple specs and timings. I believe I read somewhere along the way even the Smartport mode of the Yellowstone card was giving FujiNet some trouble. But I don't recall exactly where or when I read that. Things may have changed since then. 

[scelbi8h]

Thanks, that's what I thought... 

 

I'm still checking options. My Laser has the 4.3 ROM. Tomorrow I'll burn a new ROM with the 6.0 version (the latest one they ever made for this computer).

 

Let's see if it works or behaves in a different way.

[masteries]

11 hours ago, scelbi8h said:

Thanks, that's what I thought... 

 

I'm still checking options. My Laser has the 4.3 ROM. Tomorrow I'll burn a new ROM with the 6.0 version (the latest one they ever made for this computer).

 

Let's see if it works or behaves in a different way.

 

I hope you will have luck! 

 

 

[scelbi8h]

9 hours ago, masteries said:

 

I hope you will have luck! 

 

 

 

Thanks, but I didn't success. I burned 3 ROMs - 4.5, 6.0 and 6.1 for the EX/2. I get the message "UNABLE TO BOOT" every single time.

 

Never mind that, I guess there are plenty of options to get this computer online. Somebody in Particles recommend me ProTerm, and having a Simulant Retro WiFi modem emulator and the serial cable I suppose I shouldn't have issues connecting to BBSs.

 

What I will really miss is using the FujiNet as a disk emulator. 

 

Anyway, now my Laser 128EX is cleaned and upgraded with the 1MB RAM and ROM 6.0. Can't get any better than that

 

BTW, if you didn't guess already, I'm Luis from RW

 

Edited November 4, 2022 by scelbi8h

[masteries]

I recognize the avatar,

 

Thinking on it, if the problem is due to Fujinet is a daisy chained SmartPort device (due to it provides multiple drives at once)

 

Can a modification of the official firmware be useful for you? A regressive modification that provide a single drive instead four, and no network units,

 

I think we need to give it a try, and test this theory

 

 

Edited November 4, 2022 by masteries

[jltursan]

Just as a last resort, have you tried to hold Hollow Triangle + CTRL + RESET and hold down Hollow Triangle?

Edited November 7, 2022 by jltursan

[masteries]

 

FujiApple being used in a Laser 128,

 

You need a SmartPort card such Yellowstone (the user that presented

this photograph has one of these cards connected) or SoftSP (anyone tested this one in a Laser?)

 

[AndyW265]

PR#5 would attempt to boot the internal RAM5 ram drive.  PR#7 is the external drive port on back of Laser 128 EX.  Did you try that?

[magnusfalkirk]

Another option might be what works on the Apple //c+. Hold down Open Apple + Control + Reset (Three Finger Salute), then release Reset but continue to hold down Open Apple + Control. Hopefully that should boot the FujiNet, at least it does on my //c+.