@rstevens I think I just need to go back to one of these.
#model100
Today I finished adding the double word set to MFORTH (A #forth OptROM for the #TRS80 #Model100). Something I wanted 3 years ago when I was just trying to learn the language.
If anyone wants to give it a try:
https://github.com/AbortRetryFail/MFORTH
I treated myself to a walnut model100 with blank black key caps - it arrived today and: wow, is this a beauty
I hope I can transfer my model01 layout/color settings without recreating it key for key; for now I get a javascript bug from chrysalis - filed a report - fingers crossed :-)
I'm building a #Debian based home router setup. Three laptops: one for editing and deploying Ansible, one to act as the router, and one to act as the LAN behind the router. Good thing I've kept a few old laptops.
Lo and behold! One of my favourite portables from the 80s, the #TRS80 #Model100 get's a new game: #BaldursGate III:
https://hackaday.com/2024/06/12/baldurs-gate-iii-comes-to-the-trs-80-model-100/
I'm cleaning my #Keyboardio #Model100 keyboard, and while the key caps are drying, I have to use this mainstream keyboard. How did I ever think staggered keys are a good idea? Ugh.
Because my bud Ben is porting it to every BASIC in sight, I spent half the night messing with ROG, my trs80 model 100 roguelike.
Last looked at in 2016.... and it's in BASIC.... made by a Past Me who was cranky about the programming rules being preached at him by CS profs.
"Don't write big projects in BASIC" turns out to be a pretty good rule, actually. 🤗
Next week starts like two weeks off from school. Got a migration from Ubuntu 22.04 to Debian 12 planned, and digging out an old tape recorder I have to try to get it working alongside my #TS1000.
Might order a couple connectors so I can get around to building an adapter so I can hook up the FB100 to my #Model100 for some disk storage.
When our kids were small they were amused by a BASIC program that I wrote on my first laptop, an NEC PC8201A, which beeped when keys were pressed. I'm hoping that our grandchild will also be amused by this contraption beeping at him when he presses keys.
These are fabulously reliable computers and this one still works exactly as it did when it was new 40 years ago. However it might not still work had I not spotted a leaking nicad backup battery about 15 years ago and replaced it.
The clock is not Y2K compatible so I've set the date to 1923. It's possible to modify the ROM to replace "19" with "20", but I don't think I'll ever bother with that.
https://hembrow.eu/personal/necpc8201a.html
#retrocomputing #NECPC8201A #oldcomputer #BASIC #8085 #Model100
So the #model100 has a couple floppy drive options, and I'd like a convenient period correct storage solution. The original one for this system is a rebranded Brother FB100, and those are cheaper than the tandy branded ones. So I got one on the way, I will need to build an adapter to make the cable work with RS232. now to find some floppies to order and hope they work.
I do have a REXCPM, which is great and all, but floppies feel more correct. Though I also need to get around to making a cable to hook up a tape player.
Found out how #Model100 serial numbers work. First digit is the year, next two the month, the rest an incremental count, so mine came off the line in December 1983, and was the 8,335th unit off the line.
Given they sold like 6 million of the damn things, this is well within the first 1% of units off the line.
Hmmm. The #Model100 uses an 8155 PIO for a lot of the built in hardware, but does not use the 256 bytes of RAM that chip offers. I'm wondering if there's a way to get to it?
Neat 60 columns on my #Model100.
The font is rather squished, but it's readable and really packs a lot more in there. Using ROM View 80 from Ultimate Option ROM 2
Got back to properly setting up the REXCPM chip I threw into my #Model100. I'm staring at the REXMGR screen so I think it worked.
This enables me to put CP/M on this thing. Also, I can save memory contents to the battery backed(with a capacitor for extra safety) SRAM, just a whole memory image so I don't have to erase crap as much to shove more stuff in. And it can hold multiple option ROM images.
https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=REXCPM
Subdued LCD display (dial all-the-way-up)... Culprit found: C82! At least, time and a quick repair should determine.
#Tandy #RadioShack #TRS80 #Model100 #M100 #ModelT #VintageComputing #RetroComputers #RetroGaming #WallOfRetro #NerdsOfVintage #HappyNerding #TheVintNerd
Finally got time to work on this new (to me) #NEC #PC-8201 ... not the A version, this one's from #Japan.
It's DOA, but nice and clean inside. No obvious leaking or corrosion. Memory battery was starting to green up so I pulled that. Still dead.
Then started grabbing voltages on the power supply. Good power from both the AC and DC, but beyond that, proper values are suspiciously low or absent.
The #TRS-80 #Model100 service manual suggests replacing a few capacitors when this DOA condition exists. And since they're very similar units made by the same company, I think I'll see how I can bridge that knowledge over to this one. Obviously the labels will be different, what else? Who knows, but...
I have somewhere to start :) First I think I'll map out the caps and replace those.
A less msdos-focussed 8086 assembler would be a good starting point. There's lots of possibilities there!
anyway, long term thoughts. even if i had the time, #Tandy600 dev work is behind "build a new battery pack" and "throw money at a maker to build me some RAM expansions".
Also HHOS (yes thats what MS called the OS - "HandHeld Operating System") really is the descendant of the #Model100 OS... The files in RAM have that same incredibly fragile edited-in-place thing going on.
The #BASIC 10Liner contest is over and now there are two new #games for the #TRS80 #Model100 - one of it is a #BreakOut entitled "Bounce":
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