Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Trackstar: Apple II clone on ISA card - new website up with game disk images

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Never let dreams die! CMA Death Adder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    370
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    6
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    17
    Thanked in
    13 Posts

    Default Trackstar: Apple II clone on ISA card - new website up with game disk images

    Hey guys,

    Just a heads-up to let you know my Trackstar website is up, covering the E, 128 and also Quadram's Quadlink <-- These are all "Apple II on a PC ISA card" Apple II clones. Really cool little devices!
    If you own these devices, esp. the Trackstar E or Plus, there's HUNDREDS of disk images in its TrackStore format that I've converted manually.
    So you can download and enjoy a HUGE amount of software without needing real Apple II disks.

    There's also a working KryoFlux disk image of the Trackstar 128 Utility Program disk, so you can create a disk with the copy protection intact which allows you to actually use your 128. This is perfect for those who -- like me -- bought their 128 without the necessary disk. D'oh!

    There ain't a lot of info or resources about the Trackstar cards out there, so I hope mine fills the void.

    Enjoy it @
    www.diskman.com/presents/trackstar
    Cruise by Diskman Presents : filled with geektastic classic gaming goodness!

  2. #2
    ServBot (Level 11) Edmond Dantes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    3,868
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    2
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    32
    Thanked in
    31 Posts

    Default

    While this is cool... most PCs don't have ISA card slots anymore, so I'm kinda wondering why you chose that format instead of PCI-e or something.

  3. #3
    Never let dreams die! CMA Death Adder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    370
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    6
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    17
    Thanked in
    13 Posts

    Default

    These devices were produced & sold in the 1980s. There are no such devices available as PCI or PCI-e cards.

    The purpose of my website is to give support to people who still have and use these cards. Many of them buy the cards used with no software, which prevents them from truly enjoying what these neat little devices can do.
    Last edited by CMA Death Adder; 10-04-2018 at 11:55 PM.
    Cruise by Diskman Presents : filled with geektastic classic gaming goodness!

  4. #4
    ServBot (Level 11) Edmond Dantes's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    3,868
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    2
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    32
    Thanked in
    31 Posts

    Default

    Ohhhh. I was under the (apparently mistaken) impression these were new.

    So... what exactly do these do? Let you run Apple II software natively on a DOS PC?

  5. #5
    Strawberry (Level 2) AdamAnt316's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    584
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    20
    Thanked in
    16 Posts

    Default

    Pretty cool stuff! While I don't have one of these (yet), I do have an Apple IIe Card installed in my Macintosh LC III. One of the first examples of (hardware-based) virtualization I'm aware of, allowing you to run Apple IIe software within Mac OS. When I was in middle school, one of the computer labs had all of its Macintosh LC IIs fitted with these cards, and had 5.25" disk drives sitting next to them. I remember using them that way once or twice, but used them in Mac mode the rest of the time (including when we played Oregon Trail).
    -Adam

  6. #6
    Never let dreams die! CMA Death Adder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    370
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    6
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    17
    Thanked in
    13 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Edmond Dantes View Post
    So... what exactly do these do? Let you run Apple II software natively on a DOS PC?
    Yes. But they are not simple software emulators; Trackstar turns control of the PC over to its onboard 65C02 chip, running code from reverse-engineered Apple II operating ROMs.

    Quote Originally Posted by AdamAnt316 View Post
    Pretty cool stuff! While I don't have one of these (yet), I do have an Apple IIe Card installed in my Macintosh LC III.
    I've got the Apple IIe Card as well, in my (recently re-capped!) LC III. Haven't fiddled around with it too much, as I'm far more interested in the Trackstar stuff.
    If you haven't already, pick up a Floppy Emu and connect it to your IIe Card. It's what I use to create my Trackstore disk images with the Trackstar, and it's a huge timesaver.
    Last edited by CMA Death Adder; 10-06-2018 at 07:33 AM.
    Cruise by Diskman Presents : filled with geektastic classic gaming goodness!

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to CMA Death Adder For This Useful Post:

    Nz17 (11-11-2018)

  8. #7
    Never let dreams die! CMA Death Adder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    370
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    6
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    17
    Thanked in
    13 Posts

    Default

    There have been several updates to the website since my last post, including:

    * Addition of a verified copy of the Trackstar E software (from my own original disk)
    * Trackstar 128 EPROM data
    * Quadlink ROM data

    I am seeking the original Trackstar (aka Trackstar 64) and the Trackstar Plus, for continued research. If anyone has one for sale, or just to loan out for a while, please let me know.

    More updates to follow.
    Cruise by Diskman Presents : filled with geektastic classic gaming goodness!

Similar Threads

  1. TK 2000, the clone of Apple II.
    By gameplayerspecial in forum Computer Gaming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-12-2012, 04:17 PM
  2. WTB: Apple IIe Disk Drive
    By leicamaster in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 02-10-2010, 06:59 PM
  3. Wanted: Disk II 5.25 drive for Apple IIe
    By The Sage of Sega in forum Buying and Selling
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09-28-2009, 02:58 AM
  4. Apple Logo on PS3 Website?
    By Griking in forum Modern Gaming
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 07-08-2006, 12:33 PM
  5. VGRebirth stealing images from other website(s)!
    By Speedy_NES in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 48
    Last Post: 03-19-2006, 12:56 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •