sm3

Wow nice! I suppose that the other connector is for VGA? What are J3 and J12 for? I suppose one of them is power.

Here is a BASIC version that will spin the motor: OPEN15,8,15:PRINT#15,"M-E"+CHR$(130)+CHR$(249):CLOSE15 Found this on a website. Worked on my 1541. Don't forget to change the OPEN command to fit your drive device number.

Ah, I see, you are looking to customize it, not necessarily replace for stock. I was going to add Jameco to the list, but sounds like you've probably looked there already.

I personally keep several spares that I cannibalise from for parts like this. Have you tried the various places like DigiKey.com etc?

When I got back into using a TRS-80 a number of years ago, folks suggested using an electronic bulk eraser on any floppies that are blank/new or intended to be reformatted. I've been doing that ever since and have never had a problem with my disks. I have one of these actually: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271874064884

Wow nice, thanks! While I tend to use LDOS or LS-DOS on mine these days, I have fond memories of using TRSDOS 1.3 on a Model III the most. I spent (like most) many hours playing around with a Model III at my local Radio Shack after school. That 1.3 boot screen with the block graphical representation of a computer always brings back great memories! I still use both TRSDOS 2.7 and TRSDOS 1.3.

My Model 1 does not produce the output shown above. What I see on mine is an occasional flicker (best I can describe it) around the border, but that is about it.

There is a new article on gamasutra.com about the TRS-80 and games. Haven't finished reading it myself yet, but wanted to post a link here in case someone else wants to take a look: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/182224/games_from_the_trash_the_history_.php Update: Oops, it appears to be an old article that they are posting again. Oh well, still might be a good read.

Wow RobertB, you have quite the collection of MSD drives as well! I envy the storage space some of you seem to have for this type of thing

Those looks great! I bet they weigh quite a bit for shipping

That was my first guess (and post) as well but I figured I'd check mine first. There is a diagnostic program that is listed (BASIC) in the Sams Computerfacts for the Model 1 to check the video memory. There are other diagnostic programs as well available on the internet if you have the capability to transfer them to a disk or use them with a disk drive emulator. Here is where you can find the Sams Computerfacts among other things: http://www.classiccmp.org/cpmarchives/trs80/Library/Manuals/Hardware/

I've never really seen this issue myself (or noticed it). I think it probably happens so quickly that unless you take a picture of the monitor, you don't really see it. The screen has always sort of flickered with the graphics. I just chalk it up to being an over 38 year-old design. I'll need to set up my Model 1 to see if mine looks like that as well. I don't have enough room to keep all these old computers ready to use I use a device called the "MISE" so most of the time I don't even use the real TRS-80 monitor: http://home.comcast.net/~bartlett.p/MISE/ Here he briefly talks about the black line: http://home.comcast.net/~bartlett.p/MISE/doc/vga.html

Great price too in my opinion. Here is a bit more information and a video from Jim Brain (runs that RETRO Innovations store) about it: http://www.go4retro.com/products/zoomfloppy/

You know about ZoomFloopy right? If you still like to use real disks (like me) this is a great piece of hardware. Allows you to recreate a disk from the various formats that are available. http://store.go4retro.com/zoomfloppy/

Yes, take a look at this page http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/ http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/custom%20ps.html I have 2 of them (black/white metal box) that I use and recommend, but they aren't too cheap. I use one for a 64 and one for a 128. He has other versions, but I've only used the one in the black/white metal box myself. I wanted one that *only* has a 64 plug, so he built one with that specifically instead of the ones shown on the page that have multiple adapters. For the 128, he made an adapter that connects to the end of the 64 connector. These provide over 5 amps which is more than even a 128 power supply.

Nice! I didn't know he made an internal version.

If you are using an original "brick" power supply, I would ask Ray to purchase one of his "64 savers". It's a device that keeps your original brick power supply from killing your 64 *when* it fails. He also sells new power supplies (switching type) but they are not too cheap. If you are serious about using a 64 you might want to invest in one. If you do go that route, you will not need the "64 saver". I have 2 of them myself and they work great!

I wouldn't be surprised if he repairs and mails it back to you on the same day. He works really quickly! It takes longer for the packages to arrive at his place than actual repair time.

I really miss magazines like this and really enjoy looking through them again. Thanks for the links.

That guy I linked above, he lives in the state of Washington. I've sent items for repair to him and I've also purchased items from him (power supplies). He doesn't charge all that much (for repairs) and is someone you can trust. You might want to just email him and ask your tech questions directly.

Hi, there are many causes for a blank screen on the Commodore 64. It's possible that bad RAM is your issue, but it could be something else as well. The Kickman cartridge is what's called an "Ultimax" cartridge. These can sometimes give you an indication of a failure because they bypass certain components like RAM and ROMs. Some people have luck testing for failing RAM by putting a known good chip on top of the old. But a good indication of a failed RAM is it becoming really hot like you've stated. I would also check your power supply. If you are using an original "brick" type of power supply, I'd get rid of it as soon as I could and find a modern replacement. They are the cause of a lot of failures in the Commodore 64. Check out this link of a former service tech for Commodore: http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/c64/ Lots of good information there to help you troubleshoot the issue yourself. He also still does repairs as well.

I suppose you could say LS-DOS (or LDOS) is closer to a "standard" DOS than most since it was essentially the same as TRSDOS 6 (Tandy hired Logical Systems to create TRSDOS 6). LDOS evolved from code (VTOS) that was written by the original TRSDOS programmer for the Model 1, Randy Cook. One of the benefits of using LDOS on the Model I & III is that Model III LDOS can read disks from Model I LDOS. Something that can't be done with the original TRSDOS versions. This is one of those areas (just like the Atari world) where there are many different preferences.

You can download LDOS & LS-DOS disk images from here (along with a host of other stuff): http://www.tim-mann.org/misosys.html#down Remember, TRSTools should be able to automatically patch them for the date fix.

I never owned a TRS-80, only a Commodore 64, but I have nothing original. Everything I have these days was purchased from eBay or other places. I did pick up some of those brown binders and documentation for my Model 4 though.

Yes, that's him! He does make some great videos. I envy the storage space some people have for all these computers.