jeb@zeta.UUCP (John Berry) (12/17/84)
I have just purchased a TRS-80 color 2 w/ extended basic. I will eventually want to add a printer and disks, etc ... I would like to know what other manufactures hardware I can connect to my model 2. Also what other vendors have software for the model 2. Thanx.
david@ukma.UUCP (David Herron, NPR Lover) (12/20/84)
Gee, two messages in a row from people who own Radio Shack computers
and don't know the proper names...... Is this a trend?
Ok. You obviously are meaning the TRS-80 Color Computer II (I think
thats the name....I don't own one, my CoCo is older than that).
For a printer you can use any serial printer. The computer has a
minimal RS-232 port on the back which will work fine for a printer.
(The LPRINT and LLIST commands go out through that port...) But note
that the ROMS set the speed on it to 600 baud default. It can be
changed with one poke.... The Technical Reference Manual (available
for $14.00 from better Radio Shack Stores everywhere) has the information
on that.
For disk drives, you have 2 or 3 choices. One choice is to go with the
standard Radio Shack drives and controller. The prices for these aren't
all that unreasonable. Another choice is to get one of the two third
party controllers. One was just recently introduced on the market and
the other has been around for a few years. I would probably go with
the JBM (correct name?) controller as they have been around for YEARS
doing disk controllers for all the TRS-80 8 bit computers. (except I
already have a radio shack controller.....)
For drives, again you can go with the radio shack units or other
peoples drives. Here I would probably go with third party drives.
Radio Shack has a reputation for selling BAD drives (not to mention
slow). It is my understanding that 5-1/4" drives have a standard
connector on the back, and that the radio shack drives use this
same connector. (unlike commodore and atari drives). This is my
weak area. I just know that the 80-track shugart drive I have
works on my system...... And is a lot faster.
There are 3 magazines I would suggest you start reading. I don't
have addresses with me but can get them on request. They are
RAINBOW, HOT COCO, and COLOR MICRO JOURNAL. I subscribe to the
Micro Journal and buy the others occasionally. Rainbow and Hot Coco
both carry a lot of ad's from places who specialize in supporting
the color computer.
You should start reading net.6809 as our computer has a 6809 in it.
Especially if you are wanting to run OS-9 in it.
Have fun CoCo-ing!
-----------------------------------------
(The usual warning about having no opinions).
David Herron; ARPA-> "ukma!david"@ANL-MCS
(Try the arpa address w/ and w/o the quotes, I have had much trouble with both.)
UUCP: (follow one of these routes)
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