The TRS-80 Journey Continues

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 5/9/22 17:08, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
> On Mon, 9 May 2022, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:
>> I "duplicated" getting the prompts that I don;t think should be there.
>> All I have to do is try to boot from a bad disk.  ie. Hit reset while
>> holding the "1" key with a non-bootable disk in drive 0:.
> 
> Sorry, to pester with irrelevant details, . . . 

Not pestering.  I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

>                                                "non-bootable disk"  Do 
> you mean a Model 4 disk without system and/or with
> errors?

Yes, or a Model III disk.  Or a disk I know has bad sectors on it.

> OR, will it do it with a BLANK or PC disk?

Didn't try either of those.  Not sure I even have any.

> 
>>> This might help troubleshoot
>> I don't know that troubleshoot is the word to use.  It's not trouble.
>> It's just curious as I didn't even think it was possible.
> 
> not "troubleshoot", so much as understanding a feature and/or confirming 
> what is "known"
> If it will do it with a blank disk, then the statements that it "doesn't 
> have ROMs" are more faulty. It obviously has SOME ROMs, to start up 
> enough to try to boot.  But, this would tend towards disproving the 
> statements that it doesn't have BASIC in ROM.
> And, if it has the "POKE" command, then all sorts of wondrous things 
> become more easily available.

Good point.  I'm going to have to go look at the 4P Tech Ref Manual
again.  Maybe I am wrong it has Model III ROMS that can be switched out
for 64K Ram mode.  But then, what is the purpose of MODELA/III.

bill