Task: Purchase a BOOTI Hard Disk Emulator
Needed: BOOTI device, Apple II computer
Time: 30-60 minutes
Introduction
The BOOTI card is a storage device for the Apple II that provides solid-state disk access using an SD card or USB device. It installs in an expansion slot and presents itself as a ProDOS-compatible hard drive (SmartPort device). This allows the Apple II to boot and run software from large disk images (such as .HDV and .2MG files) instead of floppy disks. Note that it is not a floppy disk emulator and will not play .DSK or .WOZ files as it does not read tracks and sectors.
Using BOOTI eliminates the need for frequent disk swapping and enables access to larger storage volumes than standard floppies. It is commonly used to run software collections, utilities, and modern Apple II programs like Total Replay. Setup involves placing disk image files on the storage device, assigning them to a number, and booting the card from the appropriate card slot (e.g., #7).
This is an easy device to use. Unfortunately, it is only produced and sold in small batches and can be hard to find. I jumped at the chance to purchase one that last time these were sold. As such, I don’t really recommend one unless you like collecting Apple II devices. The newer Raspberry Pi-based A2Pico card is a better choice if you are looking for one device.
Instructions
The first step is to find and purchase a BOOTI knowing that newer and better devices exist. As I stated above, this can be challenging as they are not widely available. I purchased mine for $60 from Assembly Lines back in 2020. I have read that Mac Effects used to carry them as well. I was not able to find any for sale new in early 2026. Your best bet at this point is to buy them used. Sometimes resellers post these on eBay for $100 to $200 or more. Note the blue circuit board for the USB drive shown below pugs into the BOOTI board over the ROM chip with the white label so that the USB slot is to the left.
Next, insert the BOOTI card into slot #7 with the visible chips facing away from the power supply (i.e. the USB drive toward the keyboard). Remove the USB drive or SD card (FAT32 format) for software updates below.
Since I purchased my BOOTI back in 2020, it needed to be updated with the latest firmware. You can download version 2.0 (from 2024) here. This comes as a ProDOS image file (.po). Simply drop this on your USB or SD card. I moved everything else off and renamed the file BOOTI2.PO. Now boot the Apple II with the BOOTI in slot #7. You will get a screen asking if you want to flash the firmware. Say yes. It will then ask you if you want to update the old version on the card with the new version on your SSD. Choose yes. Once it is done you are ready to install a hard disk image.
Next, delete the firmware .po file from above and drop a hard disk image on the SSD (.HDV file) or any ProDOS (.PO) file. I am using here the Pitch Dark HDV that allows you to explore and play Infocom games like Zork which I recall playing on my friend’s Apple II in the 1980s. Total Replay and Total Replay II are very popular as they provides nice user interfaces for selecting among many games.
On the next boot you will see the BOOTI configuration utility menu (see below) that allows you to assign HDV and PO files to slots. These assignments will be automatically saved and the file in slot #1 will be automatically booted. To select which slot you want booted you can press the number early in the boot process. You can also press C during the boot to get back to the assignment menu. B will get you to BASIC.
Here is a user manual for the BOOTI I found with some effort.
Comments
It was surprisingly difficult to find information about the BOOTI as I am sure it has been largely replaced by other devices such as the less expensive and more elegant Raspberry Pi-based A2Pico card. There is an A2retroNET project for the A2Pico that emulates SmartPort devices as the BOOTI does. I will do future posts about the A2Pico card which has several interesting uses including for booting CP/M.
Here is a YouTube video from RetroBits on the BOOTI from 2019. Here is another video from Assembly Lines where I bought mine.
