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

[Bill Gunshannon]

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From: cctalk [cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] on behalf of Jim Brain via cctalk [cctalk at classiccmp.org]
Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2017 11:43 PM
To: COURYHOUSE at aol.com; cctalk at 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, 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
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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