A lot of the old Macintosh and other electronics I play with as a hobby were long gone before the internet or before the way back machine started archiving the internet in late 1996. Luckily a lot of old computer magazines and documentation can now be found and searched through on the internet archive or on google books. I’ve created this page to help me track my sources, and useful searches that I use for creating this site.
Apple published documentation
Information published by Apple on it’s websites, FTP and as documents sent to developers and technicians sites that I’ve found useful. Many of the documents were released as sets targeted towards a specific user group with updates (inserts) and reprints being produced a new systems and peripherals were produced, or to correct errors in previous printings.
Online (1996 to present)
- Apple Knowledge Base: Type in the key words you are looking for, and submit, then select the filter option, and check “Include content that is no longer being updated”. You should now see older KB articles, such as my search for info on the Apple IIe card. You may have to re-select the filter option after each time you search.
- Apple Documentation Archive – Technical Notes
- Apple Support Area cached by the WayBack Machine,
- 2002: software updates (what I reference the most)
- 2005: software updates, manuals
- 2013: software updates, manuals
Apple Facts (1993 to 1998)
A concise guide to Macintosh computers, printers, displays and other Apple products from 1993 to 1998
- 1993-02: Systems (Classic II, Color Classic, LC II, LC III, IIvi, IIvx, Centris 610, Centris 650, Quadra 800, Quadra 950, PowerBook 145, PowerBook 160, PowerBook 165c, PowerBook 180, Duo System, PowerBook Duo 210, PowerBook Duo 230, Duo Accessories), Printers (Image Writer II, StyleWriter II, Apple Color Printer, LaserWriter Select 300, LaserWriter Select 310, Personal LaserWriter NTR, LaserWriter Pro 600, LaserWriter Pro 630), Apple Keyboards and Mouse, Apple OneScanner, Apple Color OneScanner, AppleCD 150, AppleCD 300, Apple CD 300i, Networking and Connectivity.
- 1993-08:
- 1994-10:
- 1995-04:
- 1995-10:
- 1996-05: LC 580, LC 630 DOS Compatible, Performa 580, Performa 630 Series, Performa 630 and 640CD DOS Compatible, Performa 5200CD Series, Performa 5300CD Series, Performa 6100 Series, Performa 6200CD Series, Performa 6300CD Series; Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC, 5300/100 LC, 6100/66, 6100/66 DOS Compatible, 6200/75, 7100/80, 7200/75, 7200/90, 7500/100, 8100/100, 8100/110, 8500/120, 9500/120, 9500/132, AppleCD 600i and AppleCD 600e; Powerbook 150, 190/66, 190cs/66, Duo 2300c/100, 5300/100m 5300cs/100m 5300ce/117, Duo Docking Products, ImageWriter II, StyleWriter 1200, Color StyleWriter 2200, 2400, Personal LaserWriter 300, LaserWriter 4/600 PS, Select 360, 16/600 PS, 12/600 PS, Apple Multiple Scan 14, 15, 20 and 1705 displays, AppleVision 1710AV Display, Apple Color OneScanner, Apple MessagePad 120, Workgroup Servers 6150/66, 8150/110, 9150/120, Apple Internet Server Solution for the World Wide Web.
- 1996-11:
- 1997-08: Performa 6360, Performa 6400 Series; Power Macintosh 4400/200, 4400/200 PC Compatible, 5400 Series, 5500/225, 6400/200, 6500 Series, 7300 Series, 7300/18 PC Compatible, 7600/200, 8600, 9600, 9600/200MP, Twentieth Anniversary; PowerBook 1400cs/117, 1400cs/133, 1400c/133, 1400c/166, 2400c/180, 3400c/180, 3400c/200, 3400c/240; Workgroup Server 7350/180, 9650/233, 9650/350; Apple Networking Products, ImageWriter II; Color StyleWriter 4100, 4500, 6500; LaswerWriter 4/600PS, 12/640PS, 12/640 PS Plus, 8500, Color LaserWriter 12/660 PS; Apple Display and Image-Capture Advantage, Apple Multiple Scan 15AV Display and 1705 Display, AppleVision 750, 750AV, 850 and 850AV Displays, Apple Color One Scanners 600/27 and 1200/30, QuickTake 200, Apple MessagePad 130 and 2000, Apple eMate 300.
- 1998-01:
Apple Inside Macintosh (1984 to 1985)
Documentation sent to software developers that explained the concepts and standards for the new graphical user interface
- Volume 1 (1984): describes the concepts of a graphical user interface (windows, icons, scroll bars) and the mouse.
- Volume 2 (1984): describes the manager services of the graphical user interface (memory, quickdraw, resource, windows, event, dialog etc)
- Hardware (1985): describes the video interface, sound generation, and the disk interface
- Promotional Edition (1985): repeats contents from the volume 1, 2 and Hardware, but also adds information on AppleTalk, the Disk Driver, Sound Driver and Serial Drivers
Apple Service Technical Procedures (1982 to 1992)
Provides information on how to take apart and then diagnose problems with Apple computers, monitors, printers and other peripherals. I’ve found multiple releases for some of these documents, each release has a different publication dates, but the same part number. I’ve linked to all the releases I’ve found so far.
- Apple Service Program Manual (1991-11) (PN:072-0082)
- Apple Service Level 1 (1982-09) Apple II and II+
- Lisa Level I (1985-06, 1986-06, PN:072-0085): Lisa 1, Lisa 2, Macintosh XL
- Volumes 1 to 7 (PN:072-0062):
- Volume 1 (1986-06, 1987-06): Apple II, Apple II+, Apple III, Apple IIe, Apple IIc, Apple IIGS
- Volume 2 (1986-01, 1987-06): Silentype, Dot Matric Printer, Daisy Wheel Printer, Scribe, Apple Color Plotter, Graphics Tablet, Numeric Keypad
- Volume 3 (1987-06): Image Writer I and II
- Volume 4 (1987-06): Monitor II, ColorMonitor 100, Apple IIc Flat Panel Display, Apple Monitor IIc, Apple Color, Apple ColorMonitor IIe/IIc and Apple Color Composite Monitor IIe/IIc, Apple Color RGB, Apple Monochrome
- Volume 5 (1986-02, 1987-06): Disk II, Disk III, ProFile, DuoDisk, Disk IIc, UniDisk 3.5, Apple 5.25 Drive / UniDisk
- Volume 6 (1987-06): Plus, SE, II, External Drives (400K, 800K), Hard Disk 20, Apple High-Res Monochrome Monitor.
- Volume 7 (1987-06): Modems, Diagnostics, Apple 3.5″ Drive, SCSI Hard Disk Drives 20SC/40SC/80SC, Apple Share, AppleTalk PC Card
- Apple Scanner (1991-10)
- Apple II Family Volumes 1 and 2 (PN:072-0229):
- Apple II Family Volume 1 (1992-03): Apple IIe, IIc, IIGS, IIc Plus
- Apple II Family Volume 2 (1991-11): Disk IIc , UniDisk 3.5, Apple 5.25 Drive, Monitor II / Monochrome Monitor IIe, Apple ColorMonitor IIe/IIc and Apple Color Composite Monitor IIe/IIc, Apple Color RGB, Apple Monochrome, Apple II Family Cards (SCSI, Video, 3.5 controller)
- Cross Family Peripherals Volumes 1 to 3 (PN:072-0230):
- Cross Family Peripherals Volume 1 (1991-04): Modems, Disk Drives, Apple 3.5 Drive, SCSI Hard Disk Drives, Apple Tape Backup 40SC, Apple CD SC
- Cross Family Peripherals Volume 2 (1991-04, 1991-11, 1992-03, PN:072-0230): Image Writer I and II
- Cross Family Peripherals Volume 3 (unknown: PN:072-0230): ImageWriter LQ
- Peripheral Interface Guide (1991-01 PN:?): Information on built-in ports and ports added using interface cards.
- Archived Products (PN:072-0231):
- Archived Products Volume 1 (1991-11): Apple II/II Plus, Apple III/III Plus, Disk II, Disk III, ProFile, DuoDisk, Apple IIc Flat Panel Display, Apple ColorMonitor 100, Monitor III, Apple Monitor IIc.
- Archived Products Volume 2 (1991-05): Silentype, Dot Matrix Printer, Daisy Wheel Printer, Scribe, Apple Color Plotter, Graphics Tablet, Numeric Keypad
- Macintosh Family (PN:072-0228):
- Macintosh Family Volume 1 (1991-03, 1992-03): Plus, SE, SE/30, Classic; 1992 release added: Classic II
- Macintosh Family Volume 2 (1991-04, 1992-03): LC, IIsi, II, IIx, IIfx, IIcx, IIci; 1992 release added: Quadra 700, Quadra 900
- Macintosh Family Volume 3 (1991-04): High-Res Monochrome Monitor, AppleColor High-Res RGB Monitor, Two-Page Monochrome Monitor, Portrait Display, 12-inch Monochrome Display, 12-inch RGB Display
- Macintosh Family Volume 4 (1991-04): SE-Bus PC Card (for Apple PC 5.25 drive), Macintosh II video cards, Apple IIe Card, ADB input devices, Macintosh External Drives, Hard Disk 20, AppleFax Modem, Apple Scanner, Stylewriter.
- Macintosh Family Volume 5: (1991-04 PN:072-0228): Macintosh Portable
Apple Service Guides: 1990 to 1997
A series of supplemental booklets that help Apple certified technicians troubleshoot and repair Apple products at customer’s sites. The Apple Service Guide series contains information condensed from a number of Apple Service products and sources, it includes only need-to-know information for the experienced technician. These guides to NOT replace the Apple Service Source CD.
- Apple Service Guide Displays and Video Cards (1996-09)
- Apple Service Guide LaserWriter Printers Volume 01 (1992-01)
- Apple Service Guide LaserWriter Printers Volume 02 (1993-09)
- Apple Service Guide LaserWriter Printers Volume 03
- Apple Service Guide LaserWriter Printers Volume 04
- Apple Service Guide Macintosh Computers (1990, 1991-03)
- Apple Service Guide Macintosh Computers Volume 01 Compact and Portable Computers (1993-03)
- Apple Service Guide Macintosh Computers Volume 02 Macintosh Classic, PowerBook 100, Powerbook 140, Powerbook 170, Quandra 700 and Quandra 900 (1992-03)
- Apple Service Guide Macintosh Computers Volume 03 (1994-07)
- Apple Service Guide Macintosh Computers Volume 04 LC580CD 630 DOS 640 6200 6300 5200 5300 7200 7500 8500 9500 ANS PB150 190 Duo 2300 (1996-03)
- Apple Service Guide Macintosh Computers Volume 05 (1997-06)
- Apple Service Guide Monitors and Mass Storage (1992-10)
- Apple Service Guide Networking and Communications (1992-11)
- Apple Service Guide Peripheral Interface Guide (1991-01, 1992-12)
- Apple Service Guide Module Identification Manual (1994-06) (PN:072-8124)
Apple TechStep (1992)
Apple TechStep was a hand-held tool that tests Apple products via the products external interface ports.
- Apple TechStep User’s Guide
- Apple TechStep Troubleshooting Guide Volume 01: Classic, SE, SE/30, II, IIx, IIcx and Apple SCSI Hard Disk Drives
- Apple TechStep Troubleshooting Guide Volume 02 CPU Tests: Macintosh LC, LL II, and Classic II
- Apple TechStep Troubleshooting Guide Volume 03 CPU Tests: IIci, IIvi, IIvx and Performa 600
Apple The Macintosh Reference 1990
- Apple Guide to the Macintosh Family Hardware 2nd Edition (1990): Plus, SE, SE/30, Portable II, IIx, IIcx, IIci, IIfx
Other publications
- Technical Introduction To The Macintosh Family
- Programmer’s introduction to the Macintosh Family
Apple CD-ROMs
Starting in the late 1980s Apple began distributing technical information about it’s products on CD. Because my interest is mainly in Apples 68k systems I have only included CDs up to the year 1999.
Apple Developer CD Series
1989: (4 CDs)
- Custom Developer Sampler May 1989
- Developer Helper 1989 Phil and Dave’s Excellent CD
- Developer CD Series 1989 Phil and Dave’s Excellent CD
- Developer CD Series 1989 A Disc Called Wanda
1990: (4 CDs)
- Developer CD Series 1990 Discy Business The Real One
- Apple Reference & Presentations Library v5.0
- Developer CD Series 1990 Night of the Living Disc
- Developer CD Series 1991 Lord of the Files
1991: (7 CDs)
- Apple Macintosh Software Product Database July 91
- Quicktime version 1.0 for Developers 1991
- Developer CD Series 1991 Desperately Seeking Seven
- Developer CD Series 1991 Code Warrior
- Developer CD Series 1991 On a clear day you can CD forever
- Developer CD Series 1991 The Silence of the Roms
- Developer CD Series 1991 Gorillas in the Disc
1992: ( 11 CDs )
- Developer CD Series January 1992: The Winter of Our Disc Content
- Developer CD Series February 1992: 20,000 Leagues under the CD
- Developer CD Series March 1992: The Hound of Bitmapsville
- Developer CD Series April 1992: Hex, Drives, and Videotape
- Developer CD Series May 1992 Hack to the Future
- Developer CD Series June 1992: ROMin Holiday
- Developer CD Series July 1992: Butch ASCII and the Runtime Code
- Developer CD Series September 1992: A ROM with a View
- Developer CD Series October 1992: The Hexorcist
- Developer CD Series November\December 1992: Wayne’s GWorld
- Quicktime version 1.5 for Developers 1992
1993: ( 12 CDs )
- Developer CD Series January 1993: The Post Man Always Clicks Twice
- Developer CD Series February 1993: New Hack City
- Developer CD Series March 1993: Other People’s Memory
- Developer CD Series April 1993: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series May 1993: Tool Chest Bright Bytes Big CD
- Developer CD Series June 1993: Reference Library Edition, Rom the World in 80 nanoseconds
- Developer CD Series July 1993: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series August 1993: Tool Chest Edition CD Slickers
- Developer CD Series September 1993: Reference Library Edition, Spinal Tap
- Developer CD Series October 1993: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series November 1993: Tool Chest Edition, Northern Hexposure
- Developer CD Series December 1993: Reference Library Edition, Of Mouse and Men
1994: ( 12 CDs )
- Developer CD Series January 1994: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series February 1994: Tool Chest Edition, In the Seek of the Night
- Developer CD Series March 1994: Reference Library Edition, Little Bit Man
- Developer CD Series April 1994: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series May 1994 Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series June 1994: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series July 1994: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series August 1994: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series September 1994: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series October 1994: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series November 1994: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series December 1994: Reference Library Edition
1995: ( 12 CDs )
- Developer CD Series January 1995: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series February 1995: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series March 1995: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series April 1995: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series May 1995: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series June 1995: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series July 1995: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series August 1995: Tool Chest Edition
- Developers CD Series September 1995: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series October 1995: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series November 1995: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series December 1995: Reference Library Edition
1996: ( 27 CDs )
- Developer CD Series January 1996: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series January 1996: Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series February 1996: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series March 1996: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series April 1996: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series May 1996: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series May 1996: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series June 1996: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series July 1996: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series July 1996: (Disc Two) System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series July 1996: Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series July 1996: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series August 1996: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series August 1996: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series September 1996: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series September 1996: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series October 1996: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series October 1996: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series October 1996: Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series November 1996: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series November 1996: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series December 1996: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series December 1996: (Special Edition) System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series December 1996: Macintosh Technology Seed
1997: ( 27 CDs )
- Developer CD Series February 1997: Mac OS SDK (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series February 1997: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series February 1997: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series February 1997: System Software
- Developer CD Series February 1997: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series March 1997: Reference Library Edition
- Developer CD Series May 1997: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series June 1997: Macintosh Technology Seed *2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series May 1997: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series June 1997: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series July 1997: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series July 1997: Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series August 1997: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series August 1997: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series August 1997: Tool Chest Edition Edition
- Developer CD Series October 1997: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series October 1997: Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series November 1997: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series November 1997: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series November 1997: Macintosh Technology Seed
- Developer CD Series December 1997: Apple Technology Seed
- Rhapsody Developer Release 1997 Third-party Demos
- Rhapsody Developer Release 1997 for Power Macintosh
- 24 Rhapsody Developer Release 1997 Blue Box
(Rhapsody was the code name given to Apple Computer’s next-generation operating system during the period of its development between Apple’s purchase of NeXT in late 1996 and the announcement of Mac OS X (now called “macOS”) in 1998.)
1998: ( 23 CDs )
- Develop the CD; issue 1 1998
- Developer CD Series December 1998: Apple Technilogy Seed
- Developer CD Series January 1998: Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series January 1998: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series February 1998: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series February 1998: System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series March 1998: Apple Technology Seed (2 CD’s) SDK Edition
- Developer CD Series August 1998: Tool Chest Edition
- Apple Developer Connection Seed CD August 1998
- Apple Developer Connection Seed CD September 1998
- Developer CD Series September 1998: Reference Library Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series October 1998 System Software
- Developer CD Series October 1998: Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Apple Developer Connection Seed CD November 1998
- Developer CD Series November 1998: Tool Chest Edition
- Apple Developer Connection Seed CD December 1998
- Developer CD Series December 1998: Reference Library Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series December 1998: System Software Edition (3 CD’s)
1999: ( 54 CDs )
- Apple Developer Connection Seed CD January 1999
- Developer CD Series January 1999: System Software (3 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series January 1999: Mac OS SDK (2 CD’s)
- Apple Developer Connection Seed CD February 1999
- Developer CD Series February 1999: Tool Chest Edition
- Apple Developer Connection Seed CD March 1999
- Developer CD Series March 1999 Reference Library Edition (2 CD’s)
- Apple Developer Connection Seed CD April 1999
- Developer CD Series April 1999 Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series April 1999: System Software Edition (3 CD’s)
- Mac OSX Developer Preview May 1999
- Apple Developer Connection May 1999 Seed CD
- Developer CD Series May 1999: System Software (3 CD’s)
- Apple Developer Connection June 1999 Seed CD
- Developer CD Series June 1999 Reference Library Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series May 1999
- Developer CD Series June 1999 System Software Edition
- Developer CD Series July 1999: Mac OS SDK (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series July 1999: System Software (3 CD’s)
- Apple Developer Connection August 1999 Seed CD
- Developer CD Series August 1999: System Software (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series August 1999: Tool Chest Edition
- Apple Developer Connection September 1999 Seed CD
- Developer CD Series September 1999 Reference Library Edition (2 CD’s)
- Apple Developer Connection October 1999 Seed CD
- Developer CD Series October 1999: Mac OS SDK Edition (2 CD’s)
- Apple Developer Connection November 1999 Seed CD
- Mac OSX Developer Preview Release 2 November 1999
- Developer CD Series November 1999: Tool Chest Edition
- Developer CD Series November 1999: System Software (3 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series December 1999 Reference Library Edition (2 CD’s)
- Developer CD Series December 1999 System Software (4 CD’s)
Apple Information Source: Technical Support CDs
- Information Source 1990-04 Sampler
- Information Source 1992-09
Apple Partner Info-CDs
A series of CD shared among Apple Dealers in the Netherlands starting in 1989
Apple Service Source
Companion CDs to the Apple Service Guide documentation listed earlier
- Service Source 1993-05
- Service Source 1995-08 version 1.5m
- Service Source 1996-02 version 2.0
- Service Source 1997-12 version 2.5
Apple Service Training
- Apple Service Training: Introduction to Apple Monitor Service Version 1.0 1994
- Apple Service Training: Introduction to Apple Color Laser Printing Version 1.1 1997
- Apple Service Training: Macintosh Service & Tools Course Version 3.0.3 1997
- Apple Service Training: Macintosh Operating System Troubleshooting Course 1996
MacTest Pro
Books
- The internet archives MacBooks collection, specifically books on upgrading old systems with accelerators or other upgrade options:
- Bob Brant’s: Upgrade Your Macintosh and Save a Bundle (1991), Build your own Macintosh and Save a Bundle (1992)
- Bob Vitus’s: Doctor Macintosh (1989, 1992), and other reference books for system software and applications.
- Larry Pina’s: Macintosh Repair and Upgrade Secrets (1990), Macintosh II Repair and Secrets (1991), Dead Mac Scrolls (1992), Mac classic & SE : repair and upgrade secrets (1993)
- Garry Howard’s: The Macintosh Do It Yourself Upgrade Book (1992)
- Gene William’s: Chilton’s guide to Macintosh repair and maintenance (1986)
- Todd Stauffer’s: Using your Mac (1995), Mac Upgrade and Repair Bible (1998)
- And scans of old manuals, to find things such as Macintosh accelerator manuals, or information on other hardware.
- Ted Nelson’s Junk Mail Cartons, contains brochures for a lot of old technology.
Magazines
- ComputerWorld (alternate collection)
- MacWorld Magazine, printed versions from 1984 to 2014, only offered online after that.
- MacWorld Annual Index, lists what products were reviewed during the year. Useful for finding things that the text search of the Magazines may have missed.
- MacUser Magazine, printed version from 1985 to September 1997 when it was merged with MacWorld
- MacAddict Magazine, printed version 1996 to 2007 when it was relaunched as MacLife.
- MacAzine Magazine, can’t find much info on this magazine, or online scans.
- MacWeek News Letter
- TidBITS, started in 1990
- Verycomputers archive of a discussion group from the early 90s
Hi there,
Do you know of a “type/text to talk/speech” program for a Mac 512k or 512ke with only the built in floppy drive working?
Maybe you have it as a download on your web site.
Ron
Hi Ron, do you mean MacInTalk? I don’t have this available through my site, but it’s on : https://www.macintoshrepository.org/2590-macintalk, it should fit on a 400k floppy with System 1, 2 or 3. Do you have a bridging system to get files on to your Mac 512k/ke that supports 400k disks?