Ernest wrote:

> Will this card allow one to use a 3.5" drive on a IIe?
> 
> I have one almost exactly like it, except mine has a crystal (?) just below
> the bottom IC on the right. What I think is a crystal is labeled:
> 
> "16.000 KDS"
> 
> I thought that this card was just a generic apple II floppy drive
> controller, but I'm hoping that I was wrong. I never took a good look at it
> before now.
> 
> Does anyone know anything about the Central Point Universal controller card
> for the Apple II? I had one for PC computers a long time ago, and it
> required software that I don't have for the CPS Apple II card.

Mine has the crystal too. There were a couple of different Universal
Disk Controllers(UDC). I believe they were both made by Vtech but
also marketed by CPS. There was the earlier full sized card and then
later a half sized one that used a custom chip to replace a lot of the
chips. That custom chip was used in the Laser computer which was also
produced by Vtech.

The card will support Apple compatible 5.25" drives and Platinum 3.5"
drives as well as Mac 400k and 800k drives. A Superdrive can be used
woth it but will only function as an 800k drive. Some versions of the
ROM will let you use a 3.5" UniDisk. Also depending on the ROM one or
both eject buttons on Platinum 3.5" drives may not function. Also with
this card you can mix 5.25" and 3.5" drives. It'll first try booting off
drive one and if it doesn't detect a bootable disk, it'll try the second
drive.

No software was needed to use the card.

Wayne