Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On 5/2/2017 6:07 PM, Peter Cetinski via cctalk wrote:



Is the file for the PAL available to program new ones?  If the items are not 
registered, I can read out the equations.


Theses PAL equations specifically to allow the 6Mhz board to run Xenix 3 do not 
exist AFAIK.  I do have a PAL upgraded board but have not yet verified if it 
works.  If there is a way to safely reverse engineer the PALs, I might consider 
trying.
If they are 16L8s or similar, they can be easily reverse engineered with 
an EPROM reader and Logic Friday.  I picked up the eBay PAL upgraded 
boards, so I will see when they arrive.


Jim

--

Jim Brain
br...@jbrain.com
www.jbrain.com

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Peter Cetinski via cctalk]

> Is the file for the PAL available to program new ones?  If the items are not 
> registered, I can read out the equations.


Theses PAL equations specifically to allow the 6Mhz board to run Xenix 3 do not 
exist AFAIK.  I do have a PAL upgraded board but have not yet verified if it 
works.  If there is a way to safely reverse engineer the PALs, I might consider 
trying.

> 
> Is a schematic for the 8 MHz board available?  Is there any other tech info 
> about the differences between the original 6 MHz boards and the 8 MHz?  I 
> only have a 6 MHz, but if I knew the differences, I'd contemplate hacking it 
> into an 8 MHz, or just laying out a new 8 MHz board in Eagle.
> 

I should expand a little more.  There are actually 2 different 6Mhz boards.  
The first was a larger board that was part of the original Model 16 release.  
The second was a smaller more compact board that I believe was released late in 
the 16s life and also along with the subsequent Model 16B.  This was required 
because the 16B cannot host outsized cards in its card cage.  Btw, You can use 
a 2nd or 3rd gen 68k board in a Model 16.  You can also use a 3rd gen board in 
a 16B.

Now, only the 2nd generation 6Mhz board can be upgraded with the appropriate 
PALs.  If you have the 1st gen board you will have to be happy with Xenix 1.x.  
Which is fine because it's fun too and 98% of the Tandy Xenix software runs on 
Xenix 1.

The Model 16 service manual has the schematics of the 1st gen board.  The Tandy 
6000 service manual has the schematics for the 3rd gen 8Mhz board.  I have not 
seen schematics for the 2nd gen 6Mhz board.  I suspect it can be found in the 
Model 16B service manual, but that manual is as rare as two-headed ballerina.  
I have yet to find one.

> Will TRSDOS-16 work on the 8 MHz board?
> 

Yes, the 8Mhz board will run all known Tandy 68k OSes.

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Eric Smith via cctalk]

On Mon, May 1, 2017 at 12:49 PM, Peter Cetinski via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> The 8mhz [MC68000 for TRS-80 Model 16/6000] boards are similarly unobtanium


Is a schematic for the 8 MHz board available?  Is there any other tech info
about the differences between the original 6 MHz boards and the 8 MHz?  I
only have a 6 MHz, but if I knew the differences, I'd contemplate hacking
it into an 8 MHz, or just laying out a new 8 MHz board in Eagle.

Will TRSDOS-16 work on the 8 MHz board?

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On May 1, 2017 at 2:49 PM Peter Cetinski  wrote:

   Pete

   You will need the PAL upgrade to get the 6Mhz board to run Xenix
   3.x. This is documented in the Model 16 tech bulletins you can find
   in the model2archive. But, the required PAL chips are pretty much
   unobtanium now. There is a seller on eBay who had a few upgraded
   6Mhz boards for sale recently. He may still have some.

I think I know the seller you're referencing.  I don't see a hard drive 
adapter, so still looking for that.


Is the file for the PAL available to program new ones?  If the items are 
not registered, I can read out the equations.


   The 8mhz boards are similarly unobtanium.

I noticed.

   The Xenix 1.x and 3.x disk images can all be found in the model2archive.

OK, I'll see if I can make some disks from the images.  It'll probably 
take me a while to figure it out.

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Peter Cetinski via cctalk]

Pete

> On May 1, 2017, at 1:49 PM, Jim Brain  wrote:
> 
>> On 4/24/2017 6:55 AM, Peter Cetinski wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> You can find the MC68000 board set (you’ll need a CPU board and at least 
>>> one memory board) on eBay quite often.  In most cases, it will be the Model 
>>> 16 6Mhz board which will allow you to run TRS-XENIX 1.x.  If you’re lucky, 
>>> you’ll find the Model 6000 8Mhz board which will allow you to run Xenix 
>>> 3.2.  
> Information I have now suggests Xenix 3.2 will run on the 6MHz boards, but 
> does need the massive RAM.  Does anyone have Xenix disks and a 1MHz 12 or 16B 
> and can test?
> 
> Jim
> 

You will need the PAL upgrade to get the 6Mhz board to run Xenix 3.x. This is 
documented in the Model 16 tech bulletins you can find in the model2archive.  
But, the required PAL chips are pretty much unobtanium now.  There is a seller 
on eBay who had a few upgraded 6Mhz boards for sale recently.  He may still 
have some.

The 8mhz boards are similarly unobtanium.

The Xenix 1.x and 3.x disk images can all be found in the model2archive.

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On 4/24/2017 6:55 AM, Peter Cetinski wrote:



You can find the MC68000 board set (you’ll need a CPU board and at 
least one memory board) on eBay quite often.  In most cases, it will 
be the Model 16 6Mhz board which will allow you to run TRS-XENIX 1.x. 
 If you’re lucky, you’ll find the Model 6000 8Mhz board which will 
allow you to run Xenix 3.2.
Information I have now suggests Xenix 3.2 will run on the 6MHz boards, 
but does need the massive RAM.  Does anyone have Xenix disks and a 1MHz 
12 or 16B and can test?


Jim

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On 4/24/2017 6:55 AM, Peter Cetinski wrote:


On Apr 24, 2017, at 7:37 AM, Peter Cetinski > wrote:




Just  picked up a TRS-80 Model 12, and it boot to the "insert disk
prompt" ...  Yay!

Jim



You can find the MC68000 board set (you’ll need a CPU board and at 
least one memory board) on eBay quite often.  In most cases, it will 
be the Model 16 6Mhz board which will allow you to run TRS-XENIX 1.x. 
 If you’re lucky, you’ll find the Model 6000 8Mhz board which will 
allow you to run Xenix 3.2.
I am assuming no one on list has a spare set of boards they are looking 
to sell? :-)


Jim

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Kelly Leavitt via cctalk]

On 4/25/2017 at 3:55AM, Geoffrey Reed wrote:
> In the ³spare² sectors on the xenix 3.2 media there is information on
> hooking a Tandy 2000? Keyboard to a 16/6000 I forget which disk it is on
> :(  was told about it years ago by the xenix specialist at a RS computer
> center store

It's not that easy. It's a chicken and egg thing. You have to have the original 
keyboard to copy in the new z80ctl and related files, then wire up the 2000 
keyboard.

Here are the instructions, I have the install software as well as the 
instructions for changing the 68000 to a 68010 if anyone is interested.
README starts here
=
UNSUPPORTED SUPPORT FOR TANDY 2000 SERIES KEYBOARDS ON THE TANDY 16B/6000
  Z80 Control System  Version 3(121) and later
 18-Oct-87710185

The instructions and files enclosed in this area allow owners of
Tandy Model 16A, 16B and Tandy 6000 systems to use the keyboard that is
made for the Tandy 2000/1000 family as the console keyboard.

On most systems, word processors and other applications are typically
difficult to use because of the limited functionality of the standard
16B/6000 keyboard.  These changes will allow you to use the console
to its full potential.  It will become a workstation people will
want to use.


THE DISCLAIMER

At this time, these modifications ARE NOT officially supported or
approved by Tandy Corporation or Radio Shack.   The contents of
this tar file are provided "as is", without any warranty of any
kind.  It is entirely the responsibility of the user to determine
whether these files should be used with the users' system.   The user
shall make any adjustments or corrections necessary to use these materials.
By providing these materials, it should be understood that there is
no commitment of any kind to provide these materials in a supported form
in the future.

When reporting problems with your system or obtaining service, make sure
the problem persists when running with the standard release of the
operating system and the standard keyboard.  Problems that occur when
using the items in this tar archive may not be responded to and may not
be corrected.

The modifications have been heavily used on the systems used by the
XENIX System Programmers and other systems with few problems.  (Some
application software does not like the code sequences generated by the
arrow keys.)  Since no hardware modifications need to be made to the existing
keyboard or computer,  you can easily switch to the stock 3.2.0 operating
system if you suspect a problem, or when taking your system in for service.


HOW IT WORKS

Both the original 16B/6000 and the 2000 keyboard use a serial transmission
method, where the data is sent to the computer via a data and clock signal.
The 16B/6000 keyboard produces 8 bit ASCII characters, and sets the
high bit on some characters to increase the number of codes.
The 2000 keyboard produces 8 bit scan codes, generating one code when the
key is pressed and one when it is released.  Most keys also repeat
the "press" scan code if they are held down long enough.  It is up to
software to translate the scan code into a character, and to keep track
of the SHIFT, CTRL and ALT keys, changing the generated character accordingly.

Because the electrical interfaces are almost identical, the only thing
that prevents the 2000 keyboard from being used is the extra software that
is required to generate ASCII from the scan codes.

Starting with z80ctl 3(122), which is included in this area, the software
necessary to operate both the 16A/16B/6000 and the 2000 keyboards is
included.


To make XENIX easier to use with the new keyboard and keep compatibility
with the old keyboards is a complicated task.


MAKING IT ALL WORK REQUIRES SOME HELP

When you reach the Xenix Boot> prompt, a decision is made as to what type
of keyboard you have.  At this point, the first key pressed is of a
small group, and the system uses this to determine
what type of keyboard you have.  If you press some other key as the
first key, the system may ignore that key or select the wrong
keyboard type.  This is because some scan codes look exactly like normal
ASCII characters, and the boot track can make a mistake and select
the wrong keyboard type. If this happens, press RESET and try again, this
time avoiding pressing one of the "collision" keys.
The keys that the system "expects" as the first key struck are:
d  h  x  z

If you have autobooting enabled, then it is possible that no key will be
pressed when the system reboots.  When this happens, the boot code first
looks to see if z80ctl left the keyboard type in memory from the last time
it was running.  (This is always true after a shutdown, and usually
true after a crash.)  If there has been a power failure or some other
program has been run (like diskutil), this information may not
be present.  In that case, the boot track selects the default keyboard
type by looking on the hard disk.  This value is set to Model 1

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Geoffrey Reed via cctalk]

On 4/24/17, 4:55 AM, "cctalk on behalf of Peter Cetinski via cctalk"
 wrote:

>
>> On Apr 24, 2017, at 7:37 AM, Peter Cetinski  wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> Just  picked up a TRS-80 Model 12, and it boot to the "insert disk
>>> prompt" ...  Yay!
>>> 
>>> Jim
>> 
>> 
>> You can find the MC68000 board set (you¹ll need a CPU board and at
>>least one memory board) on eBay quite often.  In most cases, it will be
>>the Model 16 6Mhz board which will allow you to run TRS-XENIX 1.x.  If
>>you¹re lucky, you¹ll find the Model 6000 8Mhz board which will allow you
>>to run Xenix 3.2.  Finding a card cage is the hard part.  These are
>>extremely rare but do pop up from time to time.  There is another option
>>called the Hans-02 and 03 adapters created by Hans Rietveld which is a
>>modern replacement for the card cage.  You can find them on Ian Mavric¹s
>>site.
>> 
>> http://ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/Hans/
>>
>
>Correction: You¹d want the Hans 03 and 04
>
>In regards to the keyboard, the later Model 12/16B/6000 keyboards are
>hard to find.  The Model II keyboard is more common.  You can easily use
>the Model II/16 keyboard with these by creating a new 5pin DIN cable and
>switching a few of the keyboard input pins and swapping the gender of the
>connector.


In the ³spare² sectors on the xenix 3.2 media there is information on
hooking a Tandy 2000? Keyboard to a 16/6000 I forget which disk it is on
:(  was told about it years ago by the xenix specialist at a RS computer
center store

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Peter Cetinski via cctalk]

> On Apr 24, 2017, at 11:36 AM, Jim Brain  wrote:
> 
> For now, since the KB is most needed and somewhat hard to find, and since I 
> design HW for classic machines, I think a small uC and some wire might tide 
> me over until I can find a reasonably priced KB. I did a quick check, but 
> have not seen any writeup of the protocol and keyscan matrix. Does such a 
> thing exist?

I haven't seen such although I know a few folks with ambitions of such project. 
 I can put you in touch if they're not actively listening to this list and want 
to chime in.

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Peter Cetinski via cctalk]

> On Apr 24, 2017, at 11:49 AM, Jim Brain  wrote:
> 
> I'll email off-list about disks, as I truly know so little about the unit, 
> I'm not sure what to ask for.

Certainly.

> 
> Are you considering going to Assembly? If so, I'd defer to your exhibit, as 
> you know much more about these units.

Yes, I'm one of the founders. :)
> 
> I'd like to at least try out the XENIX side, if I can. Linux on a 386 is 
> nice, but it's just not the same. 
> 
Agree completely.  There's nothing like running a true Unix descendent on 
legacy hardware.

> I suspect all of the drives will need attention, but I could be surprised.

More likely than not especially give the condition you mention.  The TM-848s 
are not the most hearty of drives.

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Peter Cetinski via cctalk]

> On Apr 24, 2017, at 7:37 AM, Peter Cetinski  wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Just  picked up a TRS-80 Model 12, and it boot to the "insert disk 
>> prompt" ...  Yay!
>> 
>> Jim
> 
> 
> You can find the MC68000 board set (you’ll need a CPU board and at least one 
> memory board) on eBay quite often.  In most cases, it will be the Model 16 
> 6Mhz board which will allow you to run TRS-XENIX 1.x.  If you’re lucky, 
> you’ll find the Model 6000 8Mhz board which will allow you to run Xenix 3.2.  
> Finding a card cage is the hard part.  These are extremely rare but do pop up 
> from time to time.  There is another option called the Hans-02 and 03 
> adapters created by Hans Rietveld which is a modern replacement for the card 
> cage.  You can find them on Ian Mavric’s site.
> 
> http://ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/Hans/ 
> 

Correction: You’d want the Hans 03 and 04

In regards to the keyboard, the later Model 12/16B/6000 keyboards are hard to 
find.  The Model II keyboard is more common.  You can easily use the Model 
II/16 keyboard with these by creating a new 5pin DIN cable and switching a few 
of the keyboard input pins and swapping the gender of the connector.

RE: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

From: cctalk [cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] on behalf of Jim Brain via cctalk 
[cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2017 11:43 PM
To: couryho...@aol.com; cctalk@classiccmp.org
Subject: Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ 
area)

On 4/23/2017 10:21 PM, couryho...@aol.com wrote:
> is the 12 the thing that looks like  a  trs 80 mod  2  in size? if  so
> i have some
Yes, with 2 8" slimline drives (tandon?)

> what is the history behind  your  unit!?!?!?!?!?!?
Not much known at present.  As some know, the 26th Annual CocoFEST!
(TRS-80 Color Computer) fest happened this weekend in Chicago.  This
year, the group courted the non Coco TRS-80 crowd, so there were some
Model I/III/4 stuff there as well.

Anyway, as a way to make enough money to keep the show going another
year, they hold a nice charity auction.  It's a fun time, and everyone
bids to ensure the show reaps the funds needed to continue things.

Well, this year, Jason Timmons (of VCF-MW fame) brought in 2 Model 12
units for the auction.  As I understand, he had grand intentions, but
time grew short, and he decided the see these units off to a nice home
and help out the show.

Ever since the 2016 VCF-MW show and seeing the Model 6000 BBS, I've been
eyeing a Model II-like system.  (6000s are really expensive).

When Jason told me these were in the auction, I jumped at the chance to
bid.  I and a Model II/16 owner entertained the audience for a while,
but I prevailed and secured both units (it was a combined lot).

One is not too bad in shape, cosmetically, but the other has a cracked
case and is severely yellowed.  Jason had never booted the machines, and
everyone assumed it would require both units to make one running unit.

I just made it home a few hours ago from the show, and I powered both
units (risky, but sometimes, we are all kids).  Both come up with crisp
screens to the boot prompt.

I opened both units, and the yellowed unit actually has the cleaner
interior, while the nicer unit is OK inside, but has a bit of the white
corrosion on metal parts like the drive mechs, etc.

I'll ask Jason for more history, but I can only speak to my knowledge of
this weekend (and the fact that i managed to get all of my Coco stuff,
my daughter, myself, and the 2 complete units home in a smart Fortwo
car... That was an engineering feat in itself).

My goal is to see if I can get them running and potentially running Unix
by TANDY Assembly in October.  I think Jason would like seeing that they
went to a good home and are well cared for.

But, drive state is unknown, no boot disks, no card cage, no 68K, no
more RAM, and no KB (though Jason said he thought he had a broken KB for
it he could ship).  I suppose the more prudent thing would be to part
them out, but I really want a 8" machine (I realize I'm a noob compared
to the rest here, but David Lightman's 8" floppies and his IMSAI 8080
with the dual 8" drives made a distinct impression)



> Yes---  I am in Phx!  Ed#
Cool.  I am glad I sent out an email, though I thought everyone would
internally laugh (what's the goober doing now).  I'll contact off list.

Jim
___

There was never a 68K in the Model 12.  The Model 12 is to the Model 2
what the 6000 was to the 16.  It should make a great CP/M machine, though.
I used to run Pickles&Trout but I imagine chances of finding that are slim
today.  Might need to get the CP/M Archives and try rolling your own.

bill

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Peter Cetinski via cctalk]

> 
> In a message dated 4/23/2017 8:14:33 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
> cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:
> 
> Just  picked up a TRS-80 Model 12, and it boot to the "insert disk 
> prompt" ...  Yay!
> 
> But, no card cage, and no KB (and no disks, but those might be  easier to 
> find)
> 
> I'd like to get this unit up to the Model 16 specs,  with Xenix on it.  I 
> see the cards are available, but without the  cage, no joy.
> 
> 
> Jim

Jim, I’m glad to see you picked up those Model 12s.  I was watching Stevie’s 
CocoFest livestream and could not believe Model 12s showed up at the auction!  
I was thinking what a good deal you got!  Wish I was there.

I have a Model II/16 disk service I offer for free if you’re interested.  

http://pski.net/trs-80-model-ii-archive-project/ 


You can find the MC68000 board set (you’ll need a CPU board and at least one 
memory board) on eBay quite often.  In most cases, it will be the Model 16 6Mhz 
board which will allow you to run TRS-XENIX 1.x.  If you’re lucky, you’ll find 
the Model 6000 8Mhz board which will allow you to run Xenix 3.2.  Finding a 
card cage is the hard part.  These are extremely rare but do pop up from time 
to time.  There is another option called the Hans-02 and 03 adapters created by 
Hans Rietveld which is a modern replacement for the card cage.  You can find 
them on Ian Mavric’s site.

http://ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/Hans/ 


I’m happy to hear you’re thinking about bringing a working example of one of 
these to Tandy Assembly.  The 8” Tandy’s are an important part of computing 
history that sometimes don’t get the respect they deserve.  For those of you 
that may not have heard about it, TA is happening in October 2017.

http://www.tandyassembly.com/ 

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Ed via cctalk]

very good radioengr  give Jim a  hand  with it 
 
It is going to take a pretty big  box to  ship it  for  Jim.. I  am trying 
to remember how  big the  think is  I  have not seen ours in eons.
 
We have some large boxes  we have saved but will have to see what it  would 
take to get at them.
 
The one thing I would recommend is  some sort of internal support  against 
crushing.. almost an inner  reinforcing  frame that would  prevent  collapse 
of the box and thus shattering the plastic.
 
Used to  run into  stuff like this  when shipping  hp  2624 terminals  etc.
 
Then the  other way is one huge ass box and  that  injectable  foam  stuff 
in  2 molded sections... with  some  wood stakes that keep top  from 
crushing.
 
Ed# 
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/23/2017 11:25:43 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:

I'm in  the Phoenix area - Peoria specifically. Let me know if I an help.

On  4/23/2017 8:14 PM, Jim Brain via cctalk wrote:

> Found a seller of a  model 12 with these items, but local pickup
>  only.

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Rob Doyle via cctalk]

I'm in the Phoenix area - Peoria specifically. Let me know if I an help.

On 4/23/2017 8:14 PM, Jim Brain via cctalk wrote:


Found a seller of a model 12 with these items, but local pickup
only.

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Ed via cctalk]

Well ... they are packed away at  present.. I do know there  are several 
systems and a printer.
Do not remember if there was software with them or  not. stashed  many 
years ago... 
 
I always  had wished it was a model II  and I suppose was   holding this it 
in reserve in case a 2 does not show.
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/23/2017 8:40:37 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:

On Sun,  23 Apr 2017, Ed via cctalk wrote:
> is the 12 the thing that looks  like  a  trs 80 mod  2   in size? if  so  
i
> have some
> what is the history behind  your   unit!?!?!?!?!?!?
> Yes---  I am in Phx!  Ed#

Yes, the  2, the 12, and the 16 look similar.
There are Z80 and 68000 CPU  boards.

Which of the variant versions of CP/M do you have for  it?

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On 4/23/2017 10:40 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:

On Sun, 23 Apr 2017, Ed via cctalk wrote:

is the 12 the thing that looks like  a trs 80 mod  2   in size? if  so i
have some
what is the history behind  your  unit!?!?!?!?!?!?
Yes---  I am in Phx!  Ed#


Yes, the 2, the 12, and the 16 look similar.
There are Z80 and 68000 CPU boards.

Which of the variant versions of CP/M do you have for it?





Sadly, I have nothing for it at present (just acquired).  After I 
bought, someone approached me and offered to send some model 12 disks, 
so I'll send him an email and see if the units will respond more fully.


I can attest this is a Model 12, with no card cage (well, two of them, 
no difference).  The one has seen a hard life, but I think at least one 
restorable unit is present here.  The other case is badly damaged and 
the parts are long gone, but the internals could be of assistance to 
someone.  I thought perhaps taking the lesser unit (after seeing about 
making a small PC KEYB interface for the unit and getting some boot 
disks for it) to TANDY Assembly and donating it to help that show (or 
the next CocoFEST show, mostly because I don't think there is enough 
room in his abode for two of those units long term :-)


Jim

--
Jim Brain
br...@jbrain.com
www.jbrain.com

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On 4/23/2017 10:21 PM, couryho...@aol.com wrote:
is the 12 the thing that looks like  a  trs 80 mod  2  in size? if  so 
i have some

Yes, with 2 8" slimline drives (tandon?)


what is the history behind  your  unit!?!?!?!?!?!?
Not much known at present.  As some know, the 26th Annual CocoFEST! 
(TRS-80 Color Computer) fest happened this weekend in Chicago.  This 
year, the group courted the non Coco TRS-80 crowd, so there were some 
Model I/III/4 stuff there as well.


Anyway, as a way to make enough money to keep the show going another 
year, they hold a nice charity auction.  It's a fun time, and everyone 
bids to ensure the show reaps the funds needed to continue things.


Well, this year, Jason Timmons (of VCF-MW fame) brought in 2 Model 12 
units for the auction.  As I understand, he had grand intentions, but 
time grew short, and he decided the see these units off to a nice home 
and help out the show.


Ever since the 2016 VCF-MW show and seeing the Model 6000 BBS, I've been 
eyeing a Model II-like system.  (6000s are really expensive).


When Jason told me these were in the auction, I jumped at the chance to 
bid.  I and a Model II/16 owner entertained the audience for a while, 
but I prevailed and secured both units (it was a combined lot).


One is not too bad in shape, cosmetically, but the other has a cracked 
case and is severely yellowed.  Jason had never booted the machines, and 
everyone assumed it would require both units to make one running unit.


I just made it home a few hours ago from the show, and I powered both 
units (risky, but sometimes, we are all kids).  Both come up with crisp 
screens to the boot prompt.


I opened both units, and the yellowed unit actually has the cleaner 
interior, while the nicer unit is OK inside, but has a bit of the white 
corrosion on metal parts like the drive mechs, etc.


I'll ask Jason for more history, but I can only speak to my knowledge of 
this weekend (and the fact that i managed to get all of my Coco stuff, 
my daughter, myself, and the 2 complete units home in a smart Fortwo 
car... That was an engineering feat in itself).


My goal is to see if I can get them running and potentially running Unix 
by TANDY Assembly in October.  I think Jason would like seeing that they 
went to a good home and are well cared for.


But, drive state is unknown, no boot disks, no card cage, no 68K, no 
more RAM, and no KB (though Jason said he thought he had a broken KB for 
it he could ship).  I suppose the more prudent thing would be to part 
them out, but I really want a 8" machine (I realize I'm a noob compared 
to the rest here, but David Lightman's 8" floppies and his IMSAI 8080 
with the dual 8" drives made a distinct impression)





Yes---  I am in Phx!  Ed#
Cool.  I am glad I sent out an email, though I thought everyone would 
internally laugh (what's the goober doing now).  I'll contact off list.


Jim

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

On Sun, 23 Apr 2017, Ed via cctalk wrote:

is the 12 the thing that looks like  a  trs 80 mod  2   in size? if  so i
have some
what is the history behind  your  unit!?!?!?!?!?!?
Yes---  I am in Phx!  Ed#


Yes, the 2, the 12, and the 16 look similar.
There are Z80 and 68000 CPU boards.

Which of the variant versions of CP/M do you have for it?

Re: Looking for TRS-80 Model parts (and/or someone in the Phoenix, AZ area)

[Ed via cctalk]

is the 12 the thing that looks like  a  trs 80 mod  2   in size? if  so i 
have some
what is the history behind  your  unit!?!?!?!?!?!?
 
Yes---  I am in Phx!  Ed# 
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/23/2017 8:14:33 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,  
cctalk@classiccmp.org writes:

Just  picked up a TRS-80 Model 12, and it boot to the "insert disk 
prompt" ...  Yay!

But, no card cage, and no KB (and no disks, but those might be  easier to 
find)

Found a seller of a model 12 with these items, but  local pickup only.

I'd like to get this unit up to the Model 16 specs,  with Xenix on it.  I 
see the cards are available, but without the  cage, no joy.


Jim

-- 
Jim  Brain
br...@jbrain.com
www.jbrain.com