test-drb July 2011

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134 participants
162 discussions

[TRS-80] Reviews of TRS-80 and compatible computers in magazines of the 1970s & 80s (fwd)

by geneb＠deltasoft.com

[This showed up on the TRS-80 list that I'm on. I figured many of you here would enjoy it. -g.] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:01:17 -0000 From: Rainer <fredrich at .......de> Reply-To: TRS-80 at yahoogroups.com To: TRS-80 at yahoogroups.com Subject: [TRS-80] Reviews of TRS-80 and compatible computers in magazines of the 1970s & 80s For some TRS-80 fans it may be interesting to have a view on the editor's judgements from the earlier times when these computers were displayed in computer shop's display windows for sale. The technical details of the reviewed computers are more precise and meaningful than the shorthand technical specifications found on modern computer museum internet sites. Some of the reviews are more well disposed and other less. Because of the different views of the various editors the reader can make himself a pretty good overview about the desired computer model. Since some of the reviews are difficult to obtain nowadays I think it might be useful to make them available in this manner. Beside the elder TRS-80 computer enthusiasts (I'm 51 years old) which are familiar with most of the TRS-80 models since the late 1970s there may be younger ones who could be supported in their decision to obtain a specific model. The containing information of the reviews might bring some light in the beginner's lack of knowlegde of the different types of TRS-80 and compatible computers. BTW, are there any younger TRS-80 users among us (born after ~1980) or do the group members consist only of survivers of the former 8-bit times? The reviews are taken almost all from independent magazines like Byte or 80micro and similar printed publications. The pages from the magazine 'Microcomputer News' should more seen like an introduction and advertisment than real reviews because this magazine was published by Radio Shack. Nevertheless I have added for completeness a few of the overviews from this magazine too. Some of the models have more reviews than others. That's because my access is limited to only a small fraction of all ever printed issues of the various computer magazines. For example: the Model III which is represented only by one review is accidently the least recognized computer in this collection despite the fact that this model is one of the most spread ones. Does someone have another review of the Model III? I've collected all the reviews found in magazines that I have (had) personally on paper or that are (were) accessible in digitized formats (PDF, JPG or plain text) on the internet. Regardless of the original data format all the reviews are now in PDF. Featured Tandy Radio Shack computers: - TRS-80 Model I - TRS-80 Model II - TRS-80 Model III - TRS-80 Model 4 - TRS-80 Model 4P - TRS-80 Model 12 - TRS-80 Model 16 - TRS-80 Model 16B - TRS-80 DT-1 - TRS-80 Color Computer Featured TRS-80 compatible computers: - PMC-80 - Dick Smith System 80 - Video Genie - Lobo Max-80 - LNW80 - Trommelschlaeger TCS GENIE IIIS - Trommelschlaeger Speedmaster The examined magazines (nearly all in English language exept the mentioned German magazines): - 80micro - Byte - 80-US - Microcomputer News - Creative Computing - Infoworld - Micro-80 - CHIP (German language) - c't (German language) - Computer Persoenlich (German language) The reviews of the specific models are integrated to sets of PDF files and packed in RAR archive files. To unpack the desired file you can use the program Winrar for example. Other packing programs like Winzip may work as well. For more information look at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAR_(file_format) The sets are named: TRS-80_Model_I_Reviews_(Version_YYYY-MM-DD).rar TRS-80_Model_II-12_Reviews_(Version_YYYY-MM-DD).rar TRS-80_Model_III_Reviews_(Version_YYYY-MM-DD).rar TRS-80_Model_4_Reviews_(Version_YYYY-MM-DD).rar TRS-80_Model_16_and_Terminal_DT-1_(Version_YYYY-MM-DD).rar TRS-80_Compatibles_Reviews_(Version_YYYY-MM-DD).rar Color_Computer_Reviews_(Version_YYYY-MM-DD).rar Additionally for the interested party that like to have all reviews a RAR file is available that includes the whole collection: Tandy_Radio_Shack_and_Compatible_Computers_Reviews_(whole_collection)_(Version_YYYY-MM-DD).rar A set's version date (Version_YYYY-MM-DD) is updated every time a new review is added to the set. The first version date of all sets is 2011-07-12. Coming updates will be published here. Each archive file is stored on two different file hosting services for downloading. You can choose your preferred file hoster. The files are usually deleted by the services after a period of 30-60 days without a download. Please let me know if a file isn't accessible anymore. See below for the download links. Have fun with reading. Additional contributions of reviews and any comments are welcome. Best Regards, Rainer Germany The archive files and their contents: --> TRS-80_Model_I_Reviews_(Version_2011-07-12).rar Filesize: 5.32MB Download links: http://www.share-online.biz/dl/8O8IKBOLCFQ http://www.fileserve.com/file/8rFWE4n Contents: TRS-80 Model I Byte 1977-11, page 46 TRS-80 Model I Byte 1978-04, page 49 --- German --- TRS-80 Model I CHIP 1979-07 ========================== --> TRS-80_Model_II-12_Reviews_(Version_2011-07-12).rar Filesize: 4.05MB Download links: http://www.share-online.biz/dl/61F7LBOLRH http://www.fileserve.com/file/KjpdT5M Contents: TRS-80 Model II vs. IBM PC 5150 80micro 1982-03, page 168 TRS-80 Model 12 80micro 1983-05, page 133 TRS-80 Model 12 InfoWorld 1983-08-22, page 50 --- German --- TRS-80 Model 12 Computer Persoenlich 1983-09 ========================== --> TRS-80_Model_III_Reviews_(Version_2011-07-12).rar Filesize: 0.95MB Download links: http://www.share-online.biz/dl/CHHALBOLA9 http://www.fileserve.com/file/n2ZXKk6 Contents: TRS-80 Model III Micro-80 1981-02 (Issue 15), page 2 ========================== --> TRS-80_Model_4_Reviews_(Version_2011-07-12).rar Filesize: 6.62MB Download links: http://www.share-online.biz/dl/1NZOLBOLPL http://www.fileserve.com/file/XnKhcbQ Contents: TRS-80 Model 4 80-US 1983-06 (Vol. 6 - Issue 6), page 14 TRS-80 Model 4 Micro-80 1984-01 (Vol. 4 - Issue 06), page 10 TRS-80 Model 4 Microcomputer News 1983-05, page 17 TRS-80 Model 4 Byte 1983-10, page 292 TRS-80 Model 4D 80micro 1986-02, page 29 TRS-80 Model 4P 80micro 1984-03, page 42 ========================== --> TRS-80_Model_16_and_Terminal_DT-1_(Version_2011-07-12).rar Filesize: 4.67MB Download links: http://www.share-online.biz/dl/3K3ZLBOLX5T http://www.fileserve.com/file/EZG2e4B Contents: TRS-80 Model 16 Microcomputer News 1982-03, page 32 TRS-80 Model 16 80-US 1982-08, page 39 TRS-80 Model 16 80micro 1982-09, page 16 - Model 16's Future 80micro 1982-09, page 300 - Whither DOS for the Model 16? TRS-80 Model 16 80micro 1983-02, page 228 TRS-80 Model 16B Microcomputer News 1983-10, page 11 TRS-80 DT-1 80-US 1982-08, page 54 ========================== --> TRS-80_Compatibles_Reviews_(Version_2011-07-12).rar Filesize: 31.6MB Download links: http://www.share-online.biz/dl/I7VGMBOLZD http://www.fileserve.com/file/QvkTac8 Contents: Dick Smith System 80 Micro-80 1980-06 (Issue 07), page 5 PMC-80, Video Genie, Dick Smith System 80 80micro 1982-01, page 218 PMC-80 InfoWorld 1981-04-13, page 54 Lobo Max-80 80micro 1983-07, page 122 Lobo MAX-80 InfoWorld 1981-01-17, page 53 LNW-80 Byte 1984-05, page 258 LNW-80 Kit 80micro 1982-05, page 206 LNW-80 Kit 80micro 1982-10, page 356 --- German --- Video Genie EG3003 CHIP 1980-11 Genie II EG3008 CHIP 1982-01 Trommelschlaeger TCS GENIE IIIS c't 1985-03, page 100 Trommelschlaeger Speedmaster CHIP 1984-09, page 98 ========================== --> Color_Computer_Reviews_(Version_2011-07-12).rar Filesize: 4.62MB Download links: http://www.share-online.biz/dl/94N82FOL0F http://www.fileserve.com/file/nr7pybg Contents: Color Computer 80micro 1981-01, page 88 Color Computer 80micro 1981-06, page 202 Color Computer 80micro 1981-08, page 286 --- German --- Color Computer 2 c't 1984-05, page 48 ========================== --> Tandy_Radio_Shack_and_Compatible_Computers_Reviews_(whole_collection)_(Version_2011-07-12).rar Filesize: 57.8MB Download links: http://www.share-online.biz/dl/FU5S3FOL2J5 http://www.fileserve.com/file/VfA2cRD Contents: TRS-80 Model I Byte 1977-11, page 46 TRS-80 Model I Byte 1978-04, page 49 --- German --- TRS-80 Model I CHIP 1979-07 -------------------------- TRS-80 Model II vs. IBM PC 5150 80micro 1982-03, page 168 TRS-80 Model 12 80micro 1983-05, page 133 TRS-80 Model 12 InfoWorld 1983-08-22, page 50 --- German --- TRS-80 Model 12 Computer Persoenlich 1983-09 -------------------------- TRS-80 Model III Micro-80 1981-02 (Issue 15), page 2 -------------------------- TRS-80 Model 4 80-US 1983-06 (Vol. 6 - Issue 6), page 14 TRS-80 Model 4 Micro-80 1984-01 (Vol. 4 - Issue 06), page 10 TRS-80 Model 4 Microcomputer News 1983-05, page 17 TRS-80 Model 4 Byte 1983-10, page 292 TRS-80 Model 4D 80micro 1986-02, page 29 TRS-80 Model 4P 80micro 1984-03, page 42 -------------------------- TRS-80 Model 16 Microcomputer News 1982-03, page 32 TRS-80 Model 16 80-US 1982-08, page 39 TRS-80 Model 16 80micro 1982-09, page 16 - Model 16's Future 80micro 1982-09, page 300 - Whither DOS for the Model 16? TRS-80 Model 16 80micro 1983-02, page 228 TRS-80 Model 16B Microcomputer News 1983-10, page 11 TRS-80 DT-1 80-US 1982-08, page 54 -------------------------- Dick Smith System 80 Micro-80 1980-06 (Issue 07), page 5 PMC-80, Video Genie, Dick Smith System 80 80micro 1982-01, page 218 PMC-80 InfoWorld 1981-04-13, page 54 Lobo Max-80 80micro 1983-07, page 122 Lobo MAX-80 InfoWorld 1981-01-17, page 53 LNW-80 Byte 1984-05, page 258 LNW-80 Kit 80micro 1982-05, page 206 LNW-80 Kit 80micro 1982-10, page 356 --- German --- Video Genie EG3003 CHIP 1980-11 Genie II EG3008 CHIP 1982-01 Trommelschlaeger TCS GENIE IIIS c't 1985-03, page 100 Trommelschlaeger Speedmaster CHIP 1984-09, page 98 -------------------------- Color Computer 80micro 1981-01, page 88 Color Computer 80micro 1981-06, page 202 Color Computer 80micro 1981-08, page 286 --- German --- Color Computer 2 c't 1984-05, page 48 ========================== ------------------------------------ Using an emulator? Please join!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TRS-80/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TRS-80/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: TRS-80-digest at yahoogroups.com TRS-80-fullfeatured at yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: TRS-80-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

13 years, 1 month

PDP-11 on an S-100 Card

by lynchaj＠yahoo.com

PDP-11 on an S-100 Card Steven M Jones classiccmp at crash.com Thu Jul 14 19:00:45 CDT 2011 Previous message: Seeking Morrow MPZ80 rev3a PALs Next message: PDP-11 on an S-100 Card Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ] There was a thread here or on the N8VEM-S100 list about putting different vintage CPUs on a newly designed S-100 boards. I happen to be cleaning up my office and came across something done back in the day worth noting on that theme... In the May 1984 issue of Microsystems, /The Journal for Advanced Microcomputing/ (Vol 5, Num 5), there is a directory of S-100 products. ABACUS Technology Systems, Inc is among the vendors listed, and on page 67 they have a 1/4 page ad for their PC11 product - right next to a similar ad for the Lattice C compiler. This board features a T11 with 32KW of RAM, and runs RT-11 v5.0 with compatible I/O devices emulated somehow by a CP/M program (presumably running on an 808x/Z80 card in the same chassis). Here's the full text of the ad: [snip] -----REPLY----- Hi! It was on CCTALK mailing list the S-100 PDP-11 was discussed a few weeks ago by the people here. My offer to build a board still stands but it will take some effort of someone(s) who can design the schematic and write the software for whatever free/open source software is necessary. As I recall, the project fizzled since the obstacles to overcome were simply too enormous. That's a shame however if someone gets ambitious and wants to take this on please let me know since I'll volunteer to make the PCB, get some prototypes, etc. Thanks and have a nice day! Andrew Lynch

13 years, 1 month

Terminal server advice

by bdwheele＠indiana.edu

Hey all! I'm planning to upgrade my home network at some point in the not-too-distant future and I'm trying to figure out what to do with my serial-terminal-console machines. Right now I'm using a decserver 200/mc to connect to them, but its always been a little fragile: It doesn't seem that most switches understand MOP (so it won't boot) and requiring a lat client leaves a lot to be desired. The connected serial terminal works great but parts of me are wanting to move to something that takes up less space and is more tcp/ip friendly. What is everyone else doing for this? Just a back of the envelope count looks like there are around 8 serial-consoled machines. I've thought about using usb-to-serial adapters but that seemed kind of hacky. The machines are a mix of OSes, and some of them are Suns, so the break/disconnect signal is always...amusing. If I can ditch the mop requirement I should be able to get rid of my aging (and noisy) hub and move everything to switches (since I don't use decnet either) Anyone have any suggestions? If I can get a reasonable solution I'll probably get rid of the pair of ds200's I have (one with skins and the other without). Brian

13 years, 1 month

Disc for "The SCSI Bus and IDE Interface" (Schmidt)

by classiccmp＠philpem.me.uk

Hi guys, Does anyone have a copy of the floppy disc (or possibly CD) which accompanies the Second Edition of "The SCSI Bus and IDE Interface" by Friedhelm Schmidt? I just bought an ex-library copy of this, and the disc is naturally missing. The local library is showing their copy as "Sold/disposed, content no longer relevant"... Thanks, -- Phil. classiccmp at philpem.me.uk http://www.philpem.me.uk/

13 years, 1 month

My first ASR-33 TTY

by billdeg＠degnanco.com

> > Message: 24 > Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 02:18:09 -0700 (PDT) > From: steven stengel <tosteve at yahoo.com> > Subject: My first ASR-33 TTY > To: cctech at classiccmp.org > Message-ID: > <1310721489.56001.YahooMailClassic at web110602.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > I just picked-up an ASR-33 today - it looks pretty good. Supposedly low hours. > > I need to replace the rubber for the print head - it has turned hard and is cracking. > > Is there anything else I need to do before I even turn it on and press a key? > > Thanks! > Steven Stengel > > Here is a URL with useful information... download the power point presentation on evaluating and setting up an ASR 33 from the VCF E 7.0 Teletype workshop. http://vintagecomputer.net/vcf7/Teletype101/ Bill

13 years, 1 month

Anyone have a CDP1861 for sale/trade??

by nick.allen＠comcast.net

Looking for a CDP1861 IC for the display on my elf computer, anyone out there willing to sell/trade?

13 years, 1 month

PDP-11 on an S-100 Card

by classiccmp＠crash.com

There was a thread here or on the N8VEM-S100 list about putting different vintage CPUs on a newly designed S-100 boards. I happen to be cleaning up my office and came across something done back in the day worth noting on that theme... In the May 1984 issue of Microsystems, /The Journal for Advanced Microcomputing/ (Vol 5, Num 5), there is a directory of S-100 products. ABACUS Technology Systems, Inc is among the vendors listed, and on page 67 they have a 1/4 page ad for their PC11 product - right next to a similar ad for the Lattice C compiler. This board features a T11 with 32KW of RAM, and runs RT-11 v5.0 with compatible I/O devices emulated somehow by a CP/M program (presumably running on an 808x/Z80 card in the same chassis). Here's the full text of the ad: ========================= PC11 Gives You DEC RT-11 on S-100 [B/W picture of board] o PDP-11 Compatible Instruction Set o Includes RT-11 Version 5.0 Operating System o IEEE-696 S-100 Bus, 8 Consecutive I/O Ports, Switch Selectable o 64K Bytes of Memory on the PC11 Board o Uses 8 Inch Disks Compatible with DEC RX01 and RX02 Drives o CP/M Interface Program Emulates Standard DEC I/O Devices o Supported Devices: Console, Printer, Dual Single Density 8 Inch Floppy Disk Drives o Other Devices May Be Supported By Custom Programming CP/M is a Trademark of Digital Research Corporation PDP-11 and RT-11 are Trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation ABACUS Technology Systems, Inc. P.O. Box 740918 Houston, Texas 77274-0918 or call (713) 777 - 0401 ========================= So, anybody have one of these boards? Or did anybody on the list use one back in the day and care to comment on the experience? --Steve.

13 years, 1 month

Multitech MPF-PC

by elazzerini＠interfree.it

Multitech MPF-PC http://elazzerini.interfree.it/MP-PC/index-en.htm What I NEED to make this system alive:: 1) new ISA 8bit video card like monochrome, CGA, or VGA card 2) boot disks: they are special because they contain the DIOS loader that sits between the hardware and the operating system itself to allow the complete management of the motherboard. Regards Enrico

13 years, 1 month

Identifying the Surge Suppression Resistor in PDP11 H7140 PSU

by robert.jarratt＠ntlworld.com

Work is continuing on repairing the H7140 PSU from my PDP11/24. Now it seems that the surge suppression resistor across the relay has failed. This resistor is marked as R1 on the printset (p66 and p69) but actually is two components connected in series. The parts list on p71 of the printset lists a 3ohm 7W 5% resistor, but it is not 100% clear if this is supposed to be the surge suppression resistor, although it does seem likely. The thing is I measured the resistance of the two resistors (in-circuit), one was open circuit and clearly the failed component, the other measured 10ohms, it might be failing too I suppose. The two resistors are marked KCC 13-17198-00 8234. I have not been able to find any information on them, so I can't verify the spec and I don't know what to replace them with. Does anyone have any information on these resistors? Thanks Rob

13 years, 1 month

Seeking Morrow MPZ80 rev3a PALs

by dgriffi＠cs.csubak.edu

I sold a Morrow MPZ80 rev3a S100 CPU board to someone recently (who is probably on this list). Somehow I didn't notice that the board was missing chip 15A. I don't have any more MPZ80 rev3a board with that part still mounted. What I want to do is find someone who has this board in a working state to dump that PAL for me. I don't have the ability to dump and burn PALs, but I'm working with some people who do to get this oversight fixed. If you can't dump PALs, please contact me anyhow so we can get something set up. -- David Griffith dgriffi at cs.csubak.edu A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?

13 years, 1 month

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test-drb July 2011