klotz@ihuxe.UUCP (Dave Klotzbach) (12/12/84)
I have recently purchased a ZF-151 personal computer that was claimed to be 99.9% compatible with the IBM-pc. The explanation for the .1% incompatibility was that the ZF-151 did not contain Basic in ROM. Well I have been burned at once so far. In an attempt to get my son to use the new computer, I purchased Frogger from Siera on-line. The version I bought was for the IBM-pc and the only listed requirement was the graphics card that the ZF-151 comes with. Needless to say the program did not work. It boots alright but when you "strike any key" to play the computer Hangs up. I tried the same disk on an IBM pc XT and it worked fine. I called Siera on-line and the person I talked to asked a few questions, assured me that I was using the disk correctly and then told me that the Zenith machine was one that they had not tested yet. I then called our local Zenith / Heathkit Computer and Electronic center and talked to the sales person who was so helpful when I first purchased the kit and assisted me in finding the error I had made during assembly. Obviously the person to talk to. He simply kept repeating the statement "Bring in your Operating System Disk and the Game disk and I'll see what I can do." Even after I assured him that the OS disk was not required. Conclusion, The disk goes back to the company I bought it from, and Siera on-line Frogger is not compatible withe the ZF-151 alias Z100pc.
dmimi@ecsvax.UUCP (Miriam Clifford) (12/13/84)
As I understand it, the only ibm programs that have not run on the z150 have been a few games. However, it seems sensible to me to be a little cautious with programs that are heavily graphics oriented.
phco@ecsvax.UUCP (John Miller) (12/13/84)
I've had a Z-150 for about 3 1/2 months and, while I haven't had a chance
to try too many different programs yet, I haven't had any compatability
problems and the machine is a joy to use in comparison to the IBM PC
(better keyboard layout, less obtrusive keyclick, less obtrusive fan,
faster and smoother display, faster memory checks, greater ROM monitor for
debugging, smaller footprint. . .). All in all, I'm extremely pleased.
--
John Miller
Dept. of Pharmacology, UNC-CH
1104 FLOB 231H
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 966-1153
...!{decvax,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!phcocrm@duke.UUCP (Charlie Martin) (12/13/84)
I understand that they have not been able to run some game called 'demon forge' here at Duke on the z-150's either -- if you want games, play rogue... By the way, (he said in an aside to dmimi), thanks for your note re the zeniths after my inquiry; my wife and I decided to buy one after looking at them on your prompting (and Bennet Todd's). -- Opinions stated here are my own and are unrelated. Charlie Martin (...mcnc!duke!crm)