dreher.net

It turns out that the driver that Dale Jackson has maintained for the original CFFA and the Apple /// will need to be updated. The firmware isn't going to behave the same (virtual disk images vs. raw CF partitions, choosing between USB and CF, etc.) so it doesn't work out of the box yet. I've tested it in Apple II emulation mode, and of course that works - except the only useful thing it can do in emulation mode is boot 48k ProDOS 1.0.1!

At least the card physically fits in the case - with about a centimeter to spare!

You can use the Disk II emulation in an open slot, and "boot" from disks on CF or (presumably) USB memory with the new FAT-formatted partitions and disk image support. I haven't tried USB yet; I don't have a USB stick short enough to fit in the /// case. You need to go through a few steps first, of course:
1. Set the CFFA3000 to be a Disk ][ controller in the slot it's plugged into
2. Turn off the emulated SmartPort devices (may not actually be necessary)
3. Boot the Apple ][ emulation disk
4. Hit Return/Enter to "boot"
5. Hit Reset to get the Applesoft prompt
6. Do a PR#x where x= the slot you plugged the CFFA3000 into
7. Boot any 48k disk you like!

Something like these could come in handy if space is an issue. I do not have an Apple /// so I am not familiar with exactly how much room there is.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/defaul ... edc=511533
or
http://www.amazon.com/IDE-DIST-FL001-Fl ... 0000BV1LS/

The cable (first one) might be nice for any A2 in that its short and can expose the USB A connector outside the case without too much extra wire.

This is the wrong kind of device (i.e. bluethooth), but this form factor would be perfect:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/2 ... AA300_.jpg

With the arrival of the CFFA 3000 Rev C, here are some pictures of the card in situ:



Again, looks like a very small USB drive would fit, but not any I have. The CF card is of course not a problem.

Here's a USB adapter that may work better in that tight space btw...
http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=80R9291&CMP=AFC-GB100000001

So if you look closely, you will notice there are 4 empty holes next to the USB connector.
This is for a header so that Apple /// users can make a secondary USB connection. Of course
there is no guarantee that the CFFA3000 will ever be made to work in the Apple /// but I was
keeping it in mind on the Rev C board layout.

-Rich

Even if you can mount a small usb drive I would be worried about heat exposure.
The long grayish thing right behind the USB port is a power resistor on the 5V ram board in the ///.
This is the build in "Housewarmer" and gets really hot.

I like the USB relocation Idea, which anyhow will be more practical as I expect a USB drive will be plugged in and out all the time.

I had intended to use the CFFA3000 in my Apple IIe which had to donate it's CFFA to the Apple ///.
But if there will be a driver for the /// I will be happy to try it out .


As a side note, I tried to verify the bad stories about the overheating in the Apple ///.
This resistor is in my observations the main source of excess heat in the /// .
An no ,even that thing can not cause DIP's to jump out of the socket or melt floppy's in the drive :-))

Just to tie this thread off:

There is a treat in store for /// owners: there will be a native SOS driver for the CFFA3000.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=492

And, there seems to be a possibility of a USB device that will work in the /// - the Maxell USB Onyx:

Still hard to unplug and plug back in, but it looks like it will fit inside the case.