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 C.'s Home Page.
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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. :-)
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Main Contents
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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:
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That is all
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A TRS-80 Model 1 with a Lobo Drives Expansion Interface
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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.
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