> Personally, my opinion of the TI-99/4a varies from stupid piece of shit
> to semi-decent machine. Today I feel like stupid piece of shit. It was
> almost completely closed, it's BASIC sucked and was slow, it's keyboard
I have two of the beasts and a expansion box with floppy, ram, aftermarket
ram and rs232 and ever the little talker thing and a box of games.
It is slow. The manuals for the cpu and expansion were available, I got
them. It's a compilation of the things you can do to a good cpu to make it
run slow and try to do everything.
> but then, I came from the world of Apple ][, to which nothing could
> compare (uh oh, here come the holy wars).
It's attraction? One it was cheaper than an apple with disks! When TI had
the great sell off the console was $50, expansion $50, and modules $25-100.
That made it appealingly cheap for what it was. I got my during the fire
sale so they have been with me since new and work great. Parsec is still
a favorite game. Since I have the editor, assember and other packages
I also use it for assembly of TI9900 code for the technico board.
An aside: The ti994a was an attempt at the time of emerging PCs to deliver
the home computing applance. Everyone had an idea and generally the all
were poor. Even the original PC was really bad, mostly closed design. They
were all noteable as it told marketers what would fly and what had to be
there. Amusingly the ti has what every P5 box has today, graphics, sound,
games so they weren't that far off <in a perverse sort of way>.
Allison
Greetings!
I will be going to the US next week and would naturally like to take the
chance to find some classic stuff. It presently looks like I will be
moving around the states Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota.
Unfortunately, airline baggage regulations will not allow me to purchase
any considerable amounts of hardware, so I will be mostly interested in
software.
Does anyone have any information about shops or other places in those
states where I may purchase classic software (or hardware)? I mostly
collect Commodore, but anything is of potential interest.
/Fredrik
I picked up a Commodore 64 a while ago that had this special board
inside. It was inserted between the keyboard and the motherboard. IE.
it had a connector that plugged into the keyboard rolex connector on the
motherboard and then the keyboard ribbon cable plugged into it. Then it
had a 9-pin male D-type connector than came out the back of the C64. My
guess is that it was for a numeric keypad or something. I forgot what
was stamped on the circuit board. Any ideas?
Sam
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer, Jackass
I would really like to get old Windows and Turbo Prolog, but
I can not go there to pick them up. Is it impossible to send them to me?
Of course I will pay for shipping and every thing.
Thank you,
Yujin Nagasawa
Of course, Sam and others have taken to talking about the Mattel Aquarius
lately, but I've never seen a mention of the Radofin version, which other than
the lack of 'Mattel' logos and the change to the model number and label on the
bottom of the machine, is identical. Were many of them sold? Does anyone
else out there have one? About all I've been able to learn is that since
Radofin was the actual manufacturer of both versions, they continued to
produce it for an unknown length of time after Mattel dropped it from their
line. There's not even a mention of it on any of the Aquarius references on
the web.
Jeff jeffh(a)unix.aardvarkol.com
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent from an Amiga 3000..the computer for the creative mind!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Collector of classic home computers:
Amiga 1000, Apple II+, Atari 800, 800XL, Mega-ST/2 and XE System,
Coleco ADAM, Commodore 128D, 16, Plus/4 and VIC-20, IBM 5155,
Kaypro 2X, Mattel Aquarius, Osborne Executive, Radofin Aquarius,
Sinclair ZX-81, TI-99/4A, Timex-Sinclair 1000, TRS-80 Color
Computer-3, Model 4, and Model 4P, plus Odyssey2, Atari Superpong
and 2600VCS game consoles.
> Does anyone know how to read/write TRS-80 Model I format diskettes with
> a PC?
>
> I have a CompatiCard II and a Copy II Option Board. I assume the Option
> Board is able to copy TRS-80 diskettes (I hope, just got it this weekend
> and haven't tried yet) but I need to actually write files. Sydex 22Disk
> appears to support only CP/M formats.
TRS-80 disks are single density, single sided, soft sector non-cpm unless
after market cpm is installed. The original disk controller was wd1771.
There is two form to trs-80 disks those from TRSDOS and those from
DiskBASIC. As far as I remember(18 years!) they were compatble with each
other. Their structure was very unlike CP/M and it used a FAT style of
directory.
Now to add to the pain, there were various mods that allowed for double
density and even two sided disk drives. If so the controller was wd1793
in the form of a piggy back card.
Knowing the controller used is important as some of the system out there
created disk formats that are completely unreadable by anything other than
a system with 1771/1793!
Allison
Howdy folks:
I am writing this to let you know... if you would like to be mailed a very
complete listing of TRS-80 hardware and software, just e-mail me with your
name and mailing address to coslor(a)bobcat.peru.edu. This listing costists
of 65 pages and will be sent via 1st Class mail ASAP. If you would like it
even quicker, please send $3 to the address below to cover MOST of the
shipping charges... you would then be 'prioritized'.
I collect all types of TRS-80 hardware and software, and specialize in
games in both original diska nd tape format, as well as converted for use
with modern PC emulators. I have a HUGE collection and would like to share
this with others. I like to think I have 'nearly' every commercially sold
game (and hundreds of others) written for the TRS-80 line of computers. I
also have most applications and DOSs ... all for the Model 1,3,4 as well
as a limited supply of CoCo hardware and software. I also collect for many
other classic systems, including but not limited to: MSX, Colour Genie,
Apple ][, Apple ][e, Apple ][c, Apple ][+, Commodore 64, C-16, Vic 20,
Plus 4, Atari series, Coleco, Sincalire Spectrum, P2000, and Vectrex
systems.
All I ask for most of the software is to be compensated for my expenses
(postage, media, etc.) and have very low prices on most of my hardware as
I have accumulated a large inventory over the years and need to clear my
shelves.
I am also looking for the following items in particular:
1) YOUR classic hardware and/or software. I am always buying and trading
for those item.
2) 80-Micro, TRS-80 Microcomputing News, Computer News 80, and 80-US
Journal magazines, etc.
3) Original manuals, instruction, and game boxes concerning the TRS-80
4) Atari 800 - Atari Artist cartridge. A800LX - RX8053.
Just please remember, I am always buying, selling, and trading for these
hard to find items... even for things not on the above list. If you're
looking for something or have some things to offer... PLEASE let me know.
I simply love the TRS-80 and other classic machines and would appreciate
any help you may be able to provide in expanding my collection. I most
gladly will help you out in adding to your own classic computer or game
machine collection.
Finally, I have ALL my original disk, tape, and cartridge software... for
all systems, converted to run on their respective PC emulators!
Send me your want lists, request for a catalog, or what you have to offer:
via e-mail, United States Postal Service, or give me a call... I look
forward to hearing from you.
Best Wishes,
CORD COSLOR
//*=====================================================================++
|| Cord G. Coslor P.O. Box 308 - 1300 3rd St. Apt "M1" -- Peru, NE ||
|| (402) 872- 3272 coslor(a)bobcat.peru.edu 68421-0308 ||
|| Classic computer software and hardware collector ||
|| Autograph collector ||
++=====================================================================*//
At 05:38 09/06/97 -0700, Greg Mast wrote:
>
> I apologize if this is a repeat question but I can't seem to find the
> previous post.
>
> What were the solutions to removing yellowing from the plastic cases? I
> bought a printer that looks terrible. Not sure what caused it so any
> suggestions helpful at this point.
>
> thanks,
>
> Greg
>
Hi Greg,
I don't know if this will help you in solving cleaning problems, but here is
my favourite:
FULCRON from AREXONS.
I do maintenance and cleaning of computer cases since 10 years (for both job
and passion), and i found it to clean jellow stains (caused by nicotine)
EVEN BETTER THAN TRIELINE (honestly I find it better than anything else for
any kind of dirt exept: paint and ink).
It seems to take away the outer layer of jellowing but is not smelling like
any petrol derived-solvent.
I don't know if you will be able to find it there (AREXONS it's a
multinational company, isn't it?), but here in Italy was introduced 3 years
ago and now you can find it in any detergent shop.
For ink and tape adhesive I use a ISOPROPILIC ALCOOL based product called
TERGITUTTO, but this time the company (Sutter) I'm shure it's Italian only,
so try to find a similar remedy in your town.
Bye
Riccardo Romagnoli.
Classic Computer Collector
Forli' - Italy
I recommend "3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover", which is inexpensive
and comes in a red and white quart-size can that will last you until
roughly the year 2020. Some hardware stores carry it, but it's most
reliably found at an auto paint supply store (check your local yellow
pages).
I once used this stuff to remove an entire vinyl top from a '68 Chevy,
so I can tell you it really does work, and does not appear to harm
either your skin or any kind of plastic. Doesn't smell very bad, and
isn't highly flammable.
In response to an earlier question, Cameo copper cleaner can be found in
most any grocery store or general goods store.
Kai
> ----------
> From: Sam Ismail[SMTP:dastar@crl.com]
> Reply To: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu
> Sent: Monday, June 09, 1997 10:56 AM
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
> Subject: Re: Cleaning Plastic
>
> On Mon, 9 Jun 1997, Mr. Self Destruct wrote:
>
> > I've always just used those blue brillo pad thingys. They generally
> do
> > well at taking off a bunch of hard to remove stuff (tape spooge,
> stains,
> > etc.) Sometimes when I'm REALLY bored I take the keyboard apart
> (keycaps,
> > etc.) and scrub them up too. Real satisfying to see a 12 year old
> machine
> > look like new...
>
> Regarding "tape spooge" (what a great moniker, if not gross) this is
> the
> bane of my existence. I hate that shit. I went out and got some
> stuff
> called Goof Off from Home Depot which was supposed to do away with
> that
> stuff but it didn't work very well. I didn't try it on anything metal
>
> yet, but most of my problems are with people putting velcro with the
> sticky backs on plastic cases. I tried cleaning some plastic with
> tape
> spooge on it and it just melted the damn thing. Anyone have any
> ideas?
>
> Sam
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> ---------
> Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete,
> Writer, Jackass
>
