kocyan@topaz.rutgers.edu.UUCP (09/25/87)
Hi! This summer I went to a computer-fleamarket (no, not little mechanical insects) and picked up an old Commodore Z-80 card for $3. Unfortunately, it did not come with any software, documentation, or anything. My old, dog-earred PRG includes a short program on how to turn it on, but that's all. Does anybody have any experience with one of these cards? I tried calling Commodore several times, but they seemed to have taken their phone off the hook. What can I do with it? What software does it run (if any)? Am I wasting my time? Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Rob. kocyan@topaz.rutgers.edu
davef@brspyr1.BRS.Com (Dave Fiske) (09/28/87)
In article <15032@topaz.rutgers.edu>, kocyan@topaz.rutgers.edu (Kocyan) writes: > This summer I went to a computer-fleamarket (no, not little mechanical > insects) and picked up an old Commodore Z-80 card for $3. Unfortunately, > it did not come with any software, documentation, or anything. My old, ..... > the hook. What can I do with it? What software does it run (if any)? > Am I wasting my time? I don't have one, but from what I have read about the cartridge.... Oh, well, it's only three dollars. Apparently there was never much you could do with them, and since very few of them are out there, nobody is going to try and market any new products to work with it. I think I remember hearing that Commodore itself only ever sold one software item that used the cartridge, but I can't remember what it was. Part of the problem was that the 1541 disk drive isn't able to read "standard" CP/M disks, so having the CP/M capability did NOT open up the 64 to existing CP/M software. Your only hope is to look on bulletin boards and online services for public-domain, home-grown software that individuals who own the thing have written. -- Dave Fiske \| /_/ Gee, sorry. BRS Information Technologies ---<_/ I didn't mean to Latham, NY _/ \ crack your screen! ihnp4!philabs!nyfca1!brspyr1!davef / >- Heh, heh, heh.
schein@cbmvax.UUCP (Dan Schein MAGAZINES) (09/29/87)
In article <15032@topaz.rutgers.edu> kocyan@topaz.rutgers.edu (Kocyan) writes: > >This summer I went to a computer-fleamarket (no, not little mechanical >insects) and picked up an old Commodore Z-80 card for $3. Unfortunately, >it did not come with any software, documentation, or anything. My old, >dog-earred PRG includes a short program on how to turn it on, but that's >all. > >Does anybody have any experience with one of these cards? I tried calling >Commodore several times, but they seemed to have taken their phone off >the hook. What can I do with it? What software does it run (if any)? >Am I wasting my time? > >Rob. If you are refering to the Commodore produced CP/M cartridge for the C64, then you need a disk (the CP/M operating system) and manual yet. You plugged the cartridge in, powered up, stuck the disk in the ol drive, and loaded the CP/M operating system. There were/are 2 drawbacks here - 1: it would run CP/M but your disk drive was still reading Commodore format disks, this means you wont find any software to run - 2: the version of CP/M was a old version that is about 1 or 2 revs old by now. I know the disk and manual are no longer avail from Commodore. So happy hunting and good luck! -- Dan Schein uucp: {ihnp4|rutgers}!cbmvax!schein Commodore Business Machines or: {allegra|burdvax}!cbmvax!schein 1200 Wilson Drive Bix: dschein Plink: cbmtelecom West Chester PA 19380 phone: (215) 431-9100 ext. 9542 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ All spelling mistakes are a result of my efforts to avoid education :-) +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Those who worked the hardest are the last to surrender -- Gary Ward
fred@cbmvax.UUCP (Fred Bowen) (10/01/87)
> This summer I went to a computer-fleamarket (no, not little mechanical > insects) and picked up an old Commodore Z-80 card for $3. [...] > Does anybody have any experience with one of these cards? I tried calling > Commodore several times, but they seemed to have taken their phone off > the hook. What can I do with it? What software does it run (if any)? > Am I wasting my time? This question comes up rather often. The usual recommendation is basically to chuck it, due to unreliable operation and no software in 1541 format. If your C64 is fairly new (i.e., has a VIC chip of recent vintage), you most likely will have problems- like not even being able to boot the sucker. Since you do not have even a disk to accompany your CP/M, unless you can find one somewhere you might consider using the cartridge for a door-stop. In case anyone was wondering, no, the C128 CP/M will not work with this. If you do have a card and a disk and it seems to boot up, well there is new hope for obtaining software if you can find someone with a 1571. Using a nifty package like Big Blue Reader or Bob's Term Pro, you can copy files from MFM formats (most generic CP/M stuff) to a 1541 rather easily. Perhaps a dealer with both CP/M software to sell and an idle 1571 could help you. Rotsa Ruck. Perhaps someone on the net, using their C64 CP/M cartridge as a door stop will send this poor fella his disks & manuals? -- -- Fred Bowen uucp: {ihnp4|rutgers|caip}!cbmvax!fred arpa: beats me tele: 215 431-9100 Commodore Electronics, Ltd., 1200 Wilson Drive, West Chester, PA, 19380
dar@cblpf.ATT.COM (David A. Roth) (10/02/87)
In article <1895@brspyr1.BRS.Com>, davef@brspyr1.BRS.Com (Dave Fiske) writes: | In article <15032@topaz.rutgers.edu>, kocyan@topaz.rutgers.edu (Kocyan) writes: | | This summer I went to a computer-fleamarket (no, not little mechanical | | insects) and picked up an old Commodore Z-80 card for $3. Unfortunately, | | it did not come with any software, documentation, or anything. My old, | ..... | | the hook. What can I do with it? What software does it run (if any)? | | Am I wasting my time? | | I don't have one, but from what I have read about the cartridge.... | | Oh, well, it's only three dollars. | | Apparently there was never much you could do with them, and since very | few of them are out there, nobody is going to try and market any new | products to work with it. I think I remember hearing that Commodore | itself only ever sold one software item that used the cartridge, but I | can't remember what it was. Part of the problem was that the 1541 disk | drive isn't able to read "standard" CP/M disks, so having the CP/M | capability did NOT open up the 64 to existing CP/M software. | | Your only hope is to look on bulletin boards and online services for | public-domain, home-grown software that individuals who own the thing | have written. | | -- | Dave Fiske \| /_/ Gee, sorry. | BRS Information Technologies ---<_/ I didn't mean to | Latham, NY _/ \ crack your screen! | ihnp4!philabs!nyfca1!brspyr1!davef / >- Heh, heh, heh. I have the complete old CP/M package including manuals and disks. I have been interested in selling it for sometime now but have not had any buyers. I have a C128 now and have no need for the thing. If you are interested send me e-mail. I paid something like $60.00+ for it new. AT&T Bell Laboratories David A. Roth Columbus, Ohio uucp: cbosgd!cblpf!dar
cuda@ihlpg.ATT.COM (Nelson) (10/08/87)
With all the discussion on CPM cards and their uselessness... I have a Z80 based S-100 system that I would like to write programs for. They would have to be in assembler and then burned in an E-PROM. Sooo is the CPM card a good way to write, assemble, and otherwise create Z80 based stuff? If any one would happen to have an old card plus any documentation for 10 - 15 bucks + shipping I'd like to hear from you. Mike Nelson ihnp4!ihlpg!cuda AT&T Bell Labs Naperville IL