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

[Jim Brain]

On 4/23/2017 10:21 PM, COURYHOUSE at 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