Apple IIe - Manual (Page 10)

Page 10 of 74 IIe
Printed: Tuesday, March 4, 2003 10:40:15 AM
Keys That Control Other Keys
Programmers use CONTROL, OPEN-APPLE, and the solid Apple key in combination with other keys to
perform special functions in their programs.
For example, a program might tell you to press OPEN-APPLE-P in order to print something. Since
key combinations vary from program to program, the only way to find out how a given program
uses CONTROL, OPEN-APPLE, and the solid Apple key is to read the manual furnished with the
program.
There are, however, two key combinations that have predictable results:
Pressing OPEN-APPLE-CONTROL-RESET restarts the computer.
Pressing the solid Apple key-CONTROL-RESET starts a self-diagnostic test to see if the Apple
IIe innards are in good working order. The test lasts only about 20 seconds.
During that time,
moving patterns appear on the screen to let you know that the test is in progress. If the
Apple IIe is healthy, you'll get the message SYSTEM OK. If you get any other message, consult
your Apple dealer. (You don't need to perform this test unless you suspect something's wrong
with your computer.)
Keys That Can Be Confusing
Typists sometimes use the letters l and o interchangeably with the numbers 1 and 0. You can't
do that when you're using a computer. The computer interprets numbers and letters very
differently.
The SPACE bar is another key that can cause confusion. Pressing the SPACE bar inserts a space
character. It's important that you think of a space as a character so you don't use it
interchangeably with the right arrow which appears to produce the same result but doesn't.
Starting and Stopping the Apple IIe
There are two ways to start up Apple IIe programs. You use one method when the power is off,
the other when the power is already on.
Starting Up With the Power Off
Here's a review of the first startup method:
Put a program disk in drive 1.
Turn on the monitor.
Turn on the Apple IIe power.
Starting Up With the Power On
Use this method of starting up a program, or switching from one program to another, when the
power is already on.
It reduces wear and tear on the power switch and other computer
components.
Make sure the disk drive light is off, then take the last disk you were using out of drive 1.
Put the program disk you want to use into drive 1.
Hold down OPEN APPLE and CONTROL while you press RESET, then release all three keys, starting
with RESET.
(If it seems a little awkward, you're doing it right. If it were more convenient,
you might do it accidentally.)