Finally found a complete Coleco Adam computer!

[simbalion]

I found a junk shop today and sitting near the door was a complete Coleco Adam computer system along with data cassettes, most of the manuals, and both matching controllers. Paid a little to get it as the guy is ePay savvy, but I have never found one complete with the printer/power supply before. Bad news is: it doesn't work. Just brings up trash on the TV screen and noise through the speaker. BUT, I have two more memory consoles that were given to me a few years ago. After some work and swapping the good cassette drive from the dead unit to one of my others, I now have: One functioning printer/power supply, 2 fully working memory consoles, two working keyboards, and two working controllers. Now, to start cleaning everything for pictures. (Filthy!)

Oh, one other plus. They guy told me he has other 8-bit stuff stored in the basement of the building including Commodore, possibly Atari, and some TRS-80 stuff, which includes one possible new in box system. I told him I would be back to check those out soon.

[simbalion]

Pictures! The first 8-bit I have had that takes two small tables to contain! So far, even the tapes are working on this beast and overall it works better than my regular Colecovision.

 

 

The part that is always missing from the ADAM computers around here.

 

[doctorclu]

Would love to see a picture of the keyboard as well. So tell me, does the Adam have a Terminal program? How extensive the software library and what can it do? I have run across a few Adam users and it sounded like a workable and functional computer. At least more so than the Intellivision computer module.

[simbalion]

Keyboard picture!

 

[H.E.R.O.]

I remember I had a neighbor throw out a broken Adam system so I grabbed the controllers (I did love the Coleco controllers) and used them on my Commodore 64 until I moved up to the Commodore Amiga.

[Bill Loguidice]

Would love to see a picture of the keyboard as well. So tell me, does the Adam have a Terminal program? How extensive the software library and what can it do? I have run across a few Adam users and it sounded like a workable and functional computer. At least more so than the Intellivision computer module.

 

It's in no way comparable to an Intellivision ECS, which, as you know, is rather simplistic. The Adam is as functional as an Atari 8-bit or C-64, and is most directly comparable to MSX 1 computers. The only downside of the Adam was that its commercial lifespan was well under two years, so there's not a huge library of non-hobbyist software, but what it does have ticks off all the major checkboxes. It's actually an impressive computer brought down by a few unfortunate design decisions, including the unreliable high speed data packs (the disk drive is just fine, of course) and the fact that the power supply is in the oversized printer.

[Bill Loguidice]

Keyboard picture!

 

100_1145.JPG

 

Nice. The only thing it looks like you're missing is the snap on attachment for the keyboard that lets you dock a controller to use as a numeric keypad. Not a major loss...

[simbalion]

I've seen pictures of those and maybe I'll find one and a disk drive someday. Heck, I found a 5200 controller coupler and a working PONG system in a box of random junk I picked up for $5 a few years back. Now, if only I can find the 'gas pedal' for my Coleco steering wheel attachment. Got two steering wheels, but can't find the one pedal I had. Things have sat for years due to space issues.

[SoulBlazer]

 

It's in no way comparable to an Intellivision ECS, which, as you know, is rather simplistic. The Adam is as functional as an Atari 8-bit or C-64, and is most directly comparable to MSX 1 computers. The only downside of the Adam was that its commercial lifespan was well under two years, so there's not a huge library of non-hobbyist software, but what it does have ticks off all the major checkboxes. It's actually an impressive computer brought down by a few unfortunate design decisions, including the unreliable high speed data packs (the disk drive is just fine, of course) and the fact that the power supply is in the oversized printer.

Not to mention the system was rushed to market too fast, before the major bugs had been squashed. By the time Coleco fixed all the issues, it was too late. Plus the timing of the system was bad, with everyone seeming to jump into the computer market during the 82-85 period. It was almost as bad as the console market.

[simbalion]

I have hit a bit of a hiccup with one of my ADAM memory consoles. It was working ok, but has developed distorted sound, almost like it is trying to play sounds too loud or something. Is this an easy fix or a chip issue? Luckily, my other system is still working 100%. Also, what are the dos and don'ts of this system besids the obvious magnetic surge bit? Oh, one other thing. I was trying out a couple Donkey Kong cartridges and this system really doesn't seem to like them. Seems ok with my other games.

[NIAD]

Lots of great info on the ADAM Computer in the ColecoVision & ADAM Forum (you just have to spend some time reading thru all the threads/posts) and if you follow some of the links in my SIG.

 

As far as software, there is a lot more than people realize, plus it plays all the ColecoVision carts as well. There is a limited amount of commercial software that was released commercially or as prototypes, but pretty much all aspects of computer software were covered before the system was orphaned. There is a ton of software and hardware that was developed after Coleco abandoned ship and good support for the system lasted until around 1996.

 

Coleco released a 300 baud modem and included terminal software called ADAMLink and then updated it to version 2. Years later a programmer took on adding more functionality and new features and the last version was V. There are a number of other terminal programs available, but ADAMLink V was the best. You can also go the CP/M route and use all the tremendous CP/M compatible terminal programs on the ADAM.

 

You can find tons of PDF'ed newsletters and a link to a huge ADAM software collection that I was part of assembling on Joe B.'s website... again, linked in my SIG.

[simbalion]

Oops! Forgot the Colecovision section also covered the ADAM. Should have posted this thread there to begin with...

[Ed in SoDak]

I think it fits in this forum also. I probably wouldn't have clicked on it otherwise. My thing is TI99, but I have an interest in almost any vintage system. I followed the news of all of it back when it was new or being written about and I was only dreaming of which one was the best one to lust for.

 

On your hardware issue, many times these days it can be blamed on failed electrolytic capacitors. Sometimes they bulge or even spew their guts, which makes troubleshooting easier. Other times, there's not much outward indication that they are electrically "leaking" and acting as a short in the circuit. There can be 10, 20 or more on a computer board, or maybe just a few. Replacing all can be daunting, if that's what is needed.

 

First off, clean the cables and connectors with CRC spray electronics cleaner, reinsert them a few times to clean and reseat them. If that doesn't help, inspect the circuit board very closely for anything that looks bulged, overheated, stressed or with a bad solder joint. Ports and connectors and their soldered attachments are generally more suspect. But some modern systems 10 years old or less can often be loaded with cheap and failing capacitors. It got so bad, it made the news a few years back. There's even a related website with forums: http://badcaps.net

 

Older systems that were over-built like tanks such as the TI can perhaps last longer, but end-of-life is nearing for many of the parts that go into these old "confusers" we love so much.

-Ed

Edited May 11, 2014 by Ed in SoDak

[CatPix]

For capacitors, you may like to replace all of the power supply; those are the most likely to fail, and as they are filters, you may like to have them replaced to avoid any power issue. It should be easier than replacing ALL the electrolytics ones, as there is less of them and they are usually big.

[+nanochess]

Keyboard picture!

 

100_1145.JPG

 

Wow! Excellent state, barely any yellowing!

[simbalion]

Thanks, the rest of the unit looked just as nice, but wouldn't work. Unit I am using now is definitely yellowed. As far as caps go, I can probably find bad ones, but lack soldering skills and a place to work on this stuff. I never though when I started collecting these units like the Atari, Coleco, and such that I would need those skills. Tried solding in my antique radios some and I am scary. Do NOT let me near a circuit board!

[NIAD]

Remove the 7 screws on the bottom of the Memory Console that fasten the two halves together as well as the four screws that fasten the front bezel to the M.C. Once you have the bezel and top off the system, you will have to remove the metal shielding on the top PCB (this is the CV Delta Board) to get a good look at all the wiring. The RF PCB is housed in a metal enclosure at the back of this CV Delta Board and it's similar to what is used on the ColecoVision. Check this PCB for any signs of solder problems and also check all the loose wires running to the three Video input connectors to insure that the insulation was stripped to far back and bare wire isn't touching another wire or something metal.

 

BTW, if all else fails, you can test further with a 5-Pin DIN Monitor cable like the ones made for the Vic-20, C=64 and TI99/4a and hookup to the Composite Video and Audio jacks on a TV. The ADAM DIN connector is actually 7-pins, but only 5 are used... you'll see when you open the system.

[MarkO]

My Uncle bought one of these, before he Bought a C64..

 

I knew the Tape Units would "mess up", my regular Audio Cassettes had issues, these Data Tapes were just Trouble from the beginning..

 

The Built In BASIC was a Clone of Apple BASIC ( Must have been licensed from Micro-Soft), but the Processor was Z80, which meant that Apple Basic Programs with Machine Language in DATA Statements, that was POKED into Memory, Would Fail entirely..

 

If any one is interested, I believe I have a complete set of manuals for this machine..

 

MarkO

[JamesD]

My Uncle bought one of these, before he Bought a C64..

 

I knew the Tape Units would "mess up", my regular Audio Cassettes had issues, these Data Tapes were just Trouble from the beginning..

 

The Built In BASIC was a Clone of Apple BASIC ( Must have been licensed from Micro-Soft), but the Processor was Z80, which meant that Apple Basic Programs with Machine Language in DATA Statements, that was POKED into Memory, Would Fail entirely..

 

If any one is interested, I believe I have a complete set of manuals for this machine..

 

MarkO

Just a little correction here.

BASIC wasn't built in, it was on tape.

It's not a clone of Applesoft licensed from Microsoft. If it had been licensed by Microsoft, they could have taken their existing Z80 BASIC and made minor changes to make it Applesoft compatible, simplify the math library, etc...

It was developed by Randall Hyde specifically for Coleco.

Since it was developed independently, it's actually faster than an equivalent Microsoft BASIC.

[MarkO]

Just a little correction here.

BASIC wasn't built in, it was on tape.

It's not a clone of Applesoft licensed from Microsoft. If it had been licensed by Microsoft, they could have taken their existing Z80 BASIC and made minor changes to make it Applesoft compatible, simplify the math library, etc...

It was developed by Randall Hyde specifically for Coleco.

Since it was developed independently, it's actually faster than an equivalent Microsoft BASIC.

 

It has been many years since I looked at the Adam Computer ( 29 or 30 years )... So the some of the details are vague recollections.

 

I do remember that the Adam mimicked the PR#x and IN#x of the Apple ][ for Printer Output and Booting the "tape" And thought that was a good way of having BASIC Programmers be immediately familiar with how it worked, compared to the Commodore C64, or Atari 400/800 or Tandy CoCo.

 

I think my Uncle would have kept it, except for the Tape Drive Issues... I think the C64 he bought instead was a better solution...

[simbalion]

In a little update, I managed to get the printer fully working now. The striker was stuck and I finally got it loose with a few light taps with my screwdriver handle. Put some paper in and tried it out. Man this thing is loud! WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK! Sadly, the ink cartridge is totally dried out.

Edited May 14, 2014 by simbalion