ChevyNovaLN

I am working on making a good startup disk that will work seamlessly for someone if they use the updated 1.3 CDs that use DOS 6.0. The problem with DOS 5.0 is the fact that you can't have a 'menu' to choose options, but with 6.0 you can. So i have made a new startup disk that basically asks you if you are using the Tandy CD-Rom, or an IDE Cd-Rom, and it loads the appropriate driver before launching MSCDEX to assign a drive letter. The only thing i have left to do, is likely make a copy of the batch files contained on the CD-Rom that you'd run to reload the hard drive.... and have a modified copy of the config.sys, autoexec.bat, and the IDE CD.sys file that would be copied over the ones on the hard drive AFTER the CD-Rom file copy takes place. because otherwise at initial startup of Windows 3.1, it'll still try to load drivers for the Tandy drive and you won't get past the startup stuff (e.g. have you used a mouse before, audio tests, etc...) I can send you a copy as-is if you just want to get it going using the 1.3 CD's (can upload the almost complete version to dropbox), and can tell you what to do after you copy the data... but before you reboot so you're not stuck. It basically entails commenting out or deleting a line or two from the c:\autoexec.bat and c:\config.sys (or just modifying them), copying the new SYS file to c:\bin\, and then rebooting. Brian

I've purchased various 72pin 16mb FPM non-EDO simms from OEMPCworld in the past. You really can have 64mb total in a Sensation I, even though the book says up to 32mb. 16mb sticks didn't exist back in 1993 so the book wouldn't state it. They only appear to have 2 of these and their inventory changes often. https://www.oempcworld.com/OEMPCworld-com/040202.html Ebay has a matched set at the moment. Basically 72 pin FPM 16mb Non-EDO Simms (usually around 60ns). Obviously you can get smaller sizes, but if spending money may as well just max it out https://www.ebay.com/itm/144112236036?hash=item218dc23604:g:wrQAAOSwaYBg7bTp These video memory chips should work. The chips i bought a few years ago were model M5M44256BP (20 pin DRAM DIP). Back in 2019 I paid $16 for 8 of them on Ebay, but having trouble finding a decent price now. the '- 8' in the print on the chips i think signifies 80ns. Mine have a '- 7' on them and they are 70ns. Not sure it honestly matters. https://www.ebay.com/itm/193019695502 Can buy the exact same ones i have from China via eBay, just gotta wait a bit... and purchase 5 of them for $10 ($15 total w/shipping) https://www.ebay.com/itm/323861343006?hash=item4b67a3eb1e:g:ciMAAOSwEAtdMEhr Brian

I will create new ISOs (for Data discs) and new .bin/.cue files for the System Discs (original and v1.3), and upload them to dropbox and i'll PM you the link. I need to create a floppy disk for using DOS 6.0, i just never got around to it but i can do that 'soon'. It's nothing more than simply using any DOS 6.0 bootdisk, adding the Tandy CD-Rom drivers to it, and the user would have to do the rest. fdisk/format the HDD, run ( sys a: c:) to transfer the system, and then run the 1.bat from the CD-Rom which will copy Everything back over top of the HDD and it'll be like new again. So basically a DOS 6.0 bootdisk with proper drivers, and some instructions. Brian

Very cool. And yikes on that packaging! I dug around for a bit and after modifying a URL from TandySensationII to just TandySensationI it worked and here they are. Just not found easily: https://archive.org/download/TandySensationI Note: That does not have the floppy disk image I need to make, and the system disc there is an ISO which is likely functional but technically incorrect. The System disc has audio tracks too and is not just data so ISO files aren't right, usually needs to be a .bin/.cue file set instead. I'm not sure if i can add to that archive or not, never done it before, but the System/Data disc images linked there look to be the earlier version that WILL work with the floppy image i have. I think i can attach that here for quickly obtaining it while i try to figure out how to upload to Archive.org if you want. if you know how i can inject newer/updated files in that archive, let me know, or i can create a new one if that's how that works. I just created an account there. Tandy Sensation Startup Disk.IMA

I swear they used to be available, but since they are not I will see about getting them uploaded for you. Tell me what's more important to you. Literally the originally provided CDs (Version 1.1 or 1.2, not sure.. they don't have a number), which can be used with the recently recovered (looked for 20 years) Floppy Boot disk to reload everything, but it used DOS 5.0. Or, a completely custom bootdisk running DOS 6.0, and the associated Data Disc and System Disc version 1.3 (to my knowledge there never was a floppy boot disk for recovering the 1.3 version with DOS 6.0 as the base). I have all CDs that came with it brand new, as well as the 1.3 versions of the Data/System discs. You just can't use that original floppy disk to restore from the 1.3 CDs as they contain DOS 6.0 files and not 5.0 like the floppy requires. Also, don't hold out. Where's the pictures of your new setup ? Brian / ChevyNovaLN

It's quite well known that they promised 16M colors on the Tandy Sensation. Heck, even just after the 1 minute mark of this video states it.... and the informative video on the computer itself (shown at 3 minute mark) even states it haha. Brian

@TimsterAA, Just figured i'd follow up and see how you're making out with the Sensation. Regardless, since it does appear to be a long-lived eBay auction for the DOM's, I figured i'd post a link (hopefully allowed). I list two different sizes below, but the Hyperdisk ones are what i've been using as a 512mb of a 1GB Hard Drive replacement for the original 106.9mb IDE drive. 1GB: https://www.ebay.com/itm/253366643514 512mb: https://www.ebay.com/itm/263434915175 Note: When using those Disk On Module devices, you do need to do two things. 1. Remove the original hard drive so it's not in the way. 2. Use the short little Extension IDE Gender changer cable so the DOM can lay down instead of sticking straight up out of the IDE port on your Tandy. It'll hit the tray holding the CD-ROM otherwise. One end goes into your original IDE cable, the other end goes to the DOM: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G0174IO/ Brian

Well, you’re in luck. I’m just that kind of nerd that keeps up with this stuff. In fact, no kidding, after 20 years of looking for one.... I finally found a copy (corrupted) of the original “Tandy Startup” floppy disk used in combination with the System/Data CDs to restore the computer back to factory hard drive contents. That exact disk isn’t necessary, but just glad to have finally found it and was able to make an image of it for safe keeping. I’ll respond again later with more info for you, @TimsterAA, but in general yes I can make you a copy of that disk. But I need to know one thing. Do your Data and System discs have a 1.3 labeled next to “Data Disc” or “System Disc” ? Or do they just say the words? If they say “1.3” on them, this particular floppy disk won’t help and I can send a different one. As for the hard drive, it might still work and maybe just lost its config. When first turning the computer on, while the memory is being checked, tap F2 a few times. See if the hard drive is even configured (bottom left of setup screen). If not, set it to Auto and try again. If not, I can’t recommend a “Disk On Module” enough. The hard drive is IDE, and the DOM (I can send you one too) is basically just like a CF card only it has the IDE interface built right in. I’ve used and have several 512mb spares. anywho. Sending this from my phone, in bed, at 3am. Haha let me know about the CDs and I’m happy to help diagnose/resurrect it. ? Brian

I just thought i'd pop in here (first post, just because i saw this topic) and say hi. I am an original owner of a Tandy Sensation (Model 1 / 25-1650) that i bought when i was 12/13 years old with paper route money. And @rorysl is correct about 'if kids had cash', because i saw it at Radio Shack and i had to have it. And.... I still do. In 2013 i powered it up for the first time in over 10 years and it was dead (motherboard issue). I got lucky and found a spare board for it on Ebay so i swapped it out and made it all work again. One drawback, the replacement board's Joystick port seems to be dead. Fast forward to literally last week... I have it all set up. I only held onto the computer itself over the years. The monitor, speaker system, keyboard, and Deskjet 500C are long gone. However, i've been Ebaying a lot and i now have the MMS-10 speaker system (slightly yellowed), Tandy Enhanced Keyboard (AT with PS/2 Adapter), an old PS/2 Microsoft mouse (no scroll wheel), and have upgraded the system beyond it's original specs. I now have a Sound Blaster 16 Pro ISA card (model 2910) with GamePort disabled (conflicts with the dead one apparently). I had to change the jumpers to not conflict with the onboard Adlib stuff that you cannot disable, but i found a combo that works. 48mb of RAM (book and any info i can find says maximum of 32mb, but that's likely because nothing larger than 8mb sticks existed when built) 250mb hdd (upgraded the 107mb drive that is long gone) 24X CD-Rom is installed currently, but only because i lost the proprietary LMS cable for the single speed drive. I have one on the way, but i may just leave that out. I have the additional 512k (4 chips) of VRAM on the way so i can get that 1MB of VRAM i've been wanting for almost 25 years. I have a slightly newer Packard Bell SVGA monitor with the speakers on the side. It's the only oldschool monitor i have left that's the appropriate size. Evergreen Technologies Overdrive Processor. In theory i guess it's an AMD 100mhz overdrive cpu, it seemed to run Windows 98SE sort of ok. It's now running the factory image of DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1 Anywho, I also bought a very clean looking used Sensation on Ebay for spare parts and it'll be here Thursday. I'm hoping it's gameport works as i'll be able to swap that board with mine and have a fully working system. That's all, Thanks for reading! Brian