robertj@tektronix.UUCP (Robert Jaquiss) (03/18/86)
I am looking for a CP/M system that can be run com-
pletely from an external terminal. I want one with either
5.25 or 3.5 inch disks. I would also be interested in sys-
tems that have at least two rs232 ports. That way I could
change things around so as to avoid using the CRT. I have a
friend who wants to hook up a braille terminal thus a CRT is
of little use.
Robert Jaquiss
ucbvax!tektronix!robertj (uucp)
robert jaquiss@tektronix (csnet)
robert jaquiss.tektronix@rand-relay (arpanet)
(503) 627-6346 (audio phone at work)JCrow@his-phoenix-multics.arpa (Jerry Crow) (03/25/86)
I am looking for a CP/M system that can be run completely from an
external terminal. I want one with either 5.25 or 3.5 inch
disks. I would also be interested in systems that have at least
two rs232 ports. That way I could change things around so as to
avoid using the CRT. I have a friend who wants to hook up a
braille terminal thus a CRT is of little use.
Robert Jaquiss
At this installation we have quite a number of Morrow MD2/MD3 systems using
external CRT's as consoles. The MD machines are designed to operate that
way; i.e., the console is an external terminal device attached to the
mainboard via a standard 232 interface. The complete MD package included a
terminal sold by Morrow, but we purchased only the boxes and used our own
terminals. It has proved to be a very workable arrangement. We use CRT's,
but any 232 ASCII device could be attached to the console port (a braille
device, for example).
The MD machines are 64K, Z80 CP/M devices with 5.25 inch disk drives. All
of our machines have 2 drives, but the hardware, as shipped, will handle up
to 4. The systems have two 232 ports, one for the console and one for a
serial printer or modem.
Unfortunately, the MD series is no longer manufactured. I understand that
that Morrow is in Chapter 11. In any case, they ceased producing 8 bit
devices several months ago. Still, there are a lot of MD devices out
there; you might be able to obtain a used one. I think it is to be
recommended for the application described above.halloran@unirot.UUCP (Bob Halloran) (03/26/86)
In article <6915@tektronix.UUCP> robertj@tektronix.UUCP (Robert Jaquiss) writes: > I am looking for a CP/M system that can be run com- >pletely from an external terminal. I want one with either >5.25 or 3.5 inch disks. I would also be interested in sys- >tems that have at least two rs232 ports. That way I could >change things around so as to avoid using the CRT. I have a >friend who wants to hook up a braille terminal thus a CRT is >of little use. > > Robert Jaquiss In recent BYTE's, Micromint in Connecticut has been advertising their SB180 single-board system. It uses the Hitachi 64180 (Z-80 compatible chip), has 256K RAM, 1 parallel & 2 serial I/O ports, and is 4" X 7.5" in size. It costs $449. with software. Given the current cost of floppy drives, one should be able to add two drives and a power supply and come in for about $750-800. Micromint's address/phone is 25 Terrace Dr, Vernon CT 06066, 203-871-6170. For even less, Ampro has their Z-80 'Little Board' for $249. Same general idea; but using the Z-80A as a processor. Their address/phone is Ampro Computers, 67 E Evelyn Ave, Mountain View CA 94041 415-962-0230. Hope the information proves useful. Robert Halloran, Consultant ============================================================================= UUCP: ..topaz!caip!unirot!halloran USPS: 19 Culver Ct, Old Bridge NJ 08857 Ph: (201) 251-7514 Disclaimer: My opinions are my own. Quote: "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro..." -- Hunter Thompson
jb@terak.UUCP (John Blalock) (03/28/86)
> > I am looking for a CP/M system that can be run com- > pletely from an external terminal. I want one with either > 5.25 or 3.5 inch disks. I would also be interested in sys- > tems that have at least two rs232 ports. That way I could > change things around so as to avoid using the CRT. I have a > friend who wants to hook up a braille terminal thus a CRT is > of little use. > > Robert Jaquiss > The local Federated discount appliance stores are selling the Bondwell 12 for $399 this week. Also included are the following software packages at no extra cost: WordStar, MailMerge, ReportStar, CalcStar, DataStar, and CP/M 2.2. The Bondwell 12 has a 4 MHz Z80A, 64K RAM, two SSDD 5.25" floppy disk drives (TEC, 765 controller), a full ASCII keyboard with separate numeric keypad and 16 user-definable function keys, 9-inch amber CRT (6845), two RS232C serial ports (Z80A SIO/8253 baud rate generator), a parallel port (6821), and speech synthesis capability. Comes with program to allow SSDD disks in Kaypro, Osborne, and IBM PC formats to be used. Size, weight, etc. are compatible with the Osborne/Kaypro portables. Looks like it is a Hong-Kong Kaypro 2 clone. It also comes with a neat speech program that lets you type in sentences which it will then speak back to you. Can also voice annotate prepared files. The speech is obviously computer-generated, but very understandable. Your friend with the Braille terminal might want to try "SPEECH"ing a file instead of "TYPE"ing it... I need another CP/M computer about as much as a hole in the head, but in a weak moment, I purchased one of these machines last Saturday. Only problem so far is that no real technical info comes with the package. You do get full manuals on all the MicroPro packages plus the latest versions of DRI's CP/M 2.2 manual and command summary booklet. The manual on the computer itself is oriented towards the inexperienced, non-technical user. I have found that a technical manual with schematics is available from Bondwell for $25, BIOS on disk is $10. Even without the technical manual, I have done some sleuthing around and have been able to modify the excellent MXO-KP43.ASM file (Kaypro uses the Z80 SIO but a different baud rate generator) and I now have a working overlay for MEX 1.14. (The MEX overlay also includes my USR Password stuff and is in Z80 code so I won't post it, but will mail a copy if interested.) Features I don't like about the machine: SSDD 5.25" disks are small, the Bondwell format provides only 170K/disk. The feel and size of the keyboard are less than ideal and the key layout is more like a TTY instead of the more common VT100/Selectric layout. There is no fan in the unit and it gets warmer than I'd like to see for extended reliability. The video display uses a good font, with decenders, looks ADM3 compatible, but doesn't support half-intensity. Obviously (I hope), I have no connection with Bondwell International. With only 2 days experience with the package, I hesitate to give it any strong recommendation, but how can you beat it for the price? John Blalock, W7AAY uucp: ...{noao,decvax,savax,ihnp4,seismo}!terak!jb phone: (602) 998-4800 us mail: CalComp Display Products Division (formerly Terak Corporation) 14151 N. 76th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260