Contents
Overview
Model 1
Model 3
Model 4
Clones

Others
Model 2, 12, 16 etc
Model 100
Coco
Model 1000
Download
Replacement disks
Information
Other Links
Acknowlegements

Why not visit:


Pete's Page

Pete C.'s
Home Page.


Main

Welcome!

Welcome to the unofficial (see disclaimer at bottom) TRS-80 Home Page. The greatest set of computers ever produced by mankind finally has it's own page on the World Wide Web. While most of the information here is about the TRS-80 Models 1, 3 and 4, there's also a little stuff about some of the other machines such as the Model 2, 12, 16 and 6000, Color Computer (COCO) and Tandy 1000 series.

Most of the historical information here comes from the comp.sys.tandy newsgroup, the Fidonet TRSMOD1-3-4 echo, old issues of 80-Micro, the books TRS-80 Disk and Other Mysteries by H.C. Pennington and The Custom TRS-80 and Other Mysteries, by Dennis Bathory-Kitsz, as well as a couple of other odds and ends that I still have laying around. Most of the hysterical misinformation comes out of my memory. If you see something you know to be untrue, please email me and I'll try to fix it as soon as I can. I'll even thank you for it right here on the page, if you don't mind. :-)

Main Contents
TRS-80 Stuff
Overview of the TRS-80
Model 1 Information
Model 3 Information
Model 4 Information
Clones Information
Emulator Information
Downloading Software
 Other Stuff
Model 2, 12, 16, 6000 Information
Model 1000 Information
Color Computer Information
Model 100 Information
Replacement disks
Other Places for Information
Lots of Links
Thanks and Acknowlegements

An overview of the TRS-80

In contrast to the COCO, Model 100, and Model 1000s, the real TRS-80 machines were all powered by the Zilog Z-80 microprocessor. They supported up to four floppy drives, and hard disks were available (though expensive) for them as well. While it's true that the original machine, the Model 1, was a little flakey and probably deserved the nickname "Trash-80" at times, the rest of the product line was pretty solid. And even the Model 1 could be "fixed"

This page is about the Z80 based TRS-80 machines. The Coco and Model 100, while technically TRS-80s, aren't based on the Z-80 processor. I do have some links to web sites that support those machines, though, so don't feel too bad. Also, the Model 1000 is a MSDOS machine. There is a Model 1000 page out there somewhere.

The others, the Model II, 12, 16, and 6000 were all really business machines, not home computers. They've got what I can find out about them in their own section, but it isn't very much.

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Getting replacement disks for TRS-80s

The following is a quote out of an email from Tandy support. Thanks to Guy Omer of the 8N1 BBS (and web page) for forwarding it to me.

We appreciate your email. Replacement TRS-DOS and operating system disks for the TRS-80 line of computers can be obtained through Tandy Software Exchange. They may be contacted by calling 1-800-433-2024. There is a nominal fee for this service.

Once again, that number is 1-800-433-2024 for Tandy Software Exchange.

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Other places to get information

There are several other places to get TRS-80 related information, both on and off line.

Usenet

Since you're reading this through some sort of internet connection, you're probably aware of the comp.sys.tandy newsgroup. If not, what are you waiting for? Fire up a news reader and head on over. It's not a TRS-80 specific newsgroup, but there are normally several relevant posts per day.

Compuserve

Compuserve still has an LDOS section ("GO LDOS") as well as the Tandy Professionals forum ("GO TANDYPRO"). The traffic is much lighter than it used to be, but some fairly smart folks still hang out on both forums (fora?). There is still a bit of software available in both locations that might not be on the FTP site, or any of the other BBSs. One nice person to watch for is "The TRS-80 Recycler", Frank Gottschalk. His user id is 72623,40. Frank usually has a lot of TRS-80 hardware and software available at reasonable prices. If you're lucky, you'll also find that someone else is offering an occasional TRS-80 for sale (or free).

Fidonet

There is a Fidonet echo dedicated to the TRS-80 called "TRSMOD1-3-4". Quite a few old-timers hang out there. The above mentioned Frank Gottschalk checks in here from time to time, too. I think he normally logs in from node 1:104/114 if you want to try netmail (Fidonet's email). Several of the BBSs below carry this echo.

BBSs

There are still BBS systems that support the machines we love. A few of them are listed here. At least the first four are out of my Fidonet echomail reader, so they carry the TRSMOD1-3-4 echo. The others are from postings to comp.sys.tandy and the Fidonet echo.

BUT: For the ultimate in coolness - telnet to frank.searchlight.com! You'll be connected to a REAL TRS-80 Model 4 (running in Model III mode). Frank LaRosa, the fellow who wrote the SearchLight BBS System, has it connected to the WWW via a Windows 95 machine's serial port. This is incredible! A real TRS-80 that you can telnet to!

Take a look at http://www.searchlight.com/frank/milo.htm to see a picture of Milo, "The Little TRS-80 That Could".


BBS Name Phone Number Location Fidonet Node Internet Location
Cornucopia TBBS 407-645-4929 USA 1:363/18 ??
8/N/1 352-377-1200 USA 1:3601/120 http://www.8n1.com/
The Gateway PCBoard 916-381-8788 USA 1:203/909 ??
The Wrong Number BBS 209-943-1880 USA 1:208/205 ??
Dinosaur BBS 303-652-3595 USA no ??
Kings Market TRS-80 BBS 303-665-6091 USA no ??
TRS-80 TROVE 213-664-5056 USA no no

I'm sure there are others out there. Please let me know about them.

Computer News 80

Email: compnew@trib.com

This is probably the last surviving TRS-80 related publication. Stan Slater is the publisher, and he's a great guy. In addition to the magazine, CN80 also has quite a bit of hardware and software for sale, some new, some used. If you're looking for the TRS-80 Model 4 emulator, this is the place to call. Subscriptions to the magazine are (according to the February 1996 issue) one year for $36.00 and two years for $65.00. If you're interested, the phone number is 307-265-6483, and the address is: 

        Computer News 80
        P.O. Box 50127
        Casper, WY  82605
        USA

Of course, you could always just drop by their web site at www.computernews80.com

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Links to other interesting places

There aren't a lot of TRS-80 specific sites to link to, right now. One day the TRS-80 will once again rule the world of computing, but for now we must bide our time. Some other places you might want to visit include:

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Thanks and Acknowledgements

This page is being maintained by Pete Cervasio. If you know of things I've left out, that need to be changed because I don't remember correctly, know of Web links I can add that would be interesting to TRS-80 users or have other comments, go ahead and send me mail. This page wouldn't be possible without the dedication and hard work of Javier Henderson, who maintains the FTP site. This page is being hosted on his machine. Thanks for the space, Javier.

Some of the others who have contributed information to the page:
That is all


A TRS-80 Model 1 with a Lobo Drives Expansion Interface


    The TRS-80 Home Page created and maintained by Pete Cervasio
    cervasio@airmail.net
    Copyright © 1997 Pete Cervasio
    Last updated: July 17, 1998
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Disclaimer:

This page is not affiliated with Tandy Corporation, Radio Shack, or any other corporation or entity other than Pete Cervasio himself. All trademarks belong to their respective companies.