mozartpc27 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 To celebrate RadioShack's impending demise, no doubt. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone on here had some expertise about the system, and if I could "borrow" it. I am mostly a Commodore enthusiast when it comes to old computers (although I do have a Coleco ADAM), but, when I was a lad, my grade school at the Tandy RadioShack Color Computer 2 as the main computer in our computer lab (they probably had 15 or so, maybe more). I've always therefore had a soft spot for them, and recently I was able to acquire a Color Computer 2 on craigslist with a dot matrix printer, a modem, and a disk drive. I was very excited to get all this new stuff, but a little dismayed when I got it all out and home and discovered that whatever was used to connect the disk drive to the rest of the system appeared to be missing, as none of the included cables would fit it. I've now done some basic research, and it looks like what I am missing is the color computer controller and spectra strip. I see there is a disk drive on ebay right now that probably doesn't work for $40 but does appear to have the necessary equipment. I really don't need to spend any more money on this right now, however, so before I proceed I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice. What exactly do I need? Anyone have an "extra" controller and spectra strip they'd like to get to me? If not, where could I find such items? How much should I expect to pay? Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I am new to the CoCo too... I got a CoCo 3 a couple years ago, and a CoCo2 about a year ago... I bought a couple CoCo SDCs in NOV-2014. These are very nice Drive Replacements. You need a Floppy Drive Interface and Cable.. If you get the very First Model, and want to use it on a CoCo 2 or CoCo 3, you will need to switch out the WD chip for the Fujitsu Chip. You also need to be aware that the Drive you have might not work.. I got the Fujitsu MB8877A chips, then the 26-3022 Floppy Disk Controller, and then a practically new FD-500 Drive. They all work.. Then I got another FD-500 with a J&M Controller with Tandy ROMs. The J&M Controller Work fine, but the Drive itself won't Read or Write.. It Seeks Fine.. So I need another 180K or 360K Floppy Drive to make a second working Disk Unit... I would keep following Craig's List and eBay.. Someone here might have a Spare Controller and Cable to sell you.. MarkO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozartpc27 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 Thank you MarkO, for the info. Keep hoping someone has one on one of these forums. Would be willing to trade something for one. Not sure what exactly, but I am open to a trade! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 You could also try the TRS-80 / Color Computer Facebook group. Someone there might have a spare controller and cable. I only have the one myself, sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozartpc27 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 Thanks, AtariLeaf. Good suggestion which I am following up on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Thanks, AtariLeaf. Good suggestion which I am following up on! As said above, you need a disk controller. Here is a great site with information on the disk systems for the coco: http://users.digitalindigo.net/~techno/coco_floppy.html The cable from the controller to the disk drives is a simple straight through ribbon cable. Disk systems for the coco and simply external enclosures housing a power supply and the drives. Not like the C= and Atari drives that have cpus and all that. You can use any pc compatible 360K or 180K drives with the coco. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebulon Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 As said above, you need a disk controller. Here is a great site with information on the disk systems for the coco: http://users.digitalindigo.net/~techno/coco_floppy.html The cable from the controller to the disk drives is a simple straight through ribbon cable. Disk systems for the coco and simply external enclosures housing a power supply and the drives. Not like the C= and Atari drives that have cpus and all that. You can use any pc compatible 360K or 180K drives with the coco. I was going to say that you can just use a PC MFM diskette drive cable, but you already covered that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 ... I bought a couple CoCo SDCs in NOV-2014. These are very nice Drive Replacements. ... Hi MarkO, I'm getting CoCo 3 from cloud9tech. Do you know if these SDCs are still available? I found this website: http://cocosdc.blogspot.com/ but unless I'm missing something, I don't see any mention of where/how to purchase them? I do believe Cloud9tech is working on a new SuperSD solution, but not sure of the timeframe. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Hi MarkO, I'm getting CoCo 3 from cloud9tech. Do you know if these SDCs are still available? I found this website: http://cocosdc.blogspot.com/ That is Darren's site.. He wrote the Firmware and Designed the Board, and made One Run of them, IIRC. but unless I'm missing something, I don't see any mention of where/how to purchase them? I do believe Cloud9tech is working on a new SuperSD solution, but not sure of the timeframe. Thanks. Because Darren wasn't going to make another run in 2014, Zippster, with Darren's permission Made at least One Run, if not Two.. I will contact Zippster and see what the Current Status is for CoCo SDCs. You might want to join the CoCo ListServe @ Coco -- CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts. MarkO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Thanks for the information MarkO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Hi MarkO, I'm getting CoCo 3 from cloud9tech. Mark Marlette must be getting low on Coco 3's at this point. I bought one about a year ago with the new triad upgrade and at that point he mentioned he only had a few dozen left. And I recently bought a couple of game carts off of him and he told me he had 4 coco 3 systems to put together for buyers. I've bought 3 Coco 3's from him since 2011. I think he bought pallets of them back when Tandy closed their warehouses. Pretty soon they'll probably be all gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sm3 Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Mark Marlette must be getting low on Coco 3's at this point... Yes, he said he's getting low. If you want one, you'll have to get on the list for the few remaining. I have never used a Color Computer before, but figured I'd get one to see what it's all about. I purchased a new old stock FD-502 drive to use with my TRS-80 but figured it would be nice to use it with a real Color Computer instead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 CoCO SDC Update.... Zippster just told me that Darren made Two Runs of 20, and Zippster has shipped ~180 of them for a total of 220 Units.. Zippster has 30 More PCB on Order, to be delivered soon, so if anyone else wants to order some, now is the time.. MarkO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkO Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Thanks for the information MarkO. Not a Problem... The CoCo SDC is a fantastic piece of Hardware, and at the available price, every CoCo Owner needs at least One!!! MarkO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Not a Problem... The CoCo SDC is a fantastic piece of Hardware, and at the available price, every CoCo Owner needs at least One!!! MarkO I've got to check that out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am1933 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 I have just added another CoCo to the computer collection, I already have a CoCo 2 16k, and have just picked up an original CoCo2 64K complete with huge case and "melted" keyboard 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 I have just added another CoCo to the computer collection, I already have a CoCo 2 16k, and have just picked up an original CoCo2 64K complete with huge case and "melted" keyboard Pics! Is that the one with the white coco1 case? I always wanted one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am1933 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Pics! Is that the one with the white coco1 case? I always wanted one of those. Will post some pics soon, I need to take some decent pics of my TI collection as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerG Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 If you want to get into CoCO gaming, I can't recommend the CoCo SDC more highly. The entire CoCo archive gamelist has been formatted to work on the CoCoSDC (just put it on a SD card). Buy the CoCoSDC and get a case and you have hundreds of games plug and play. It even works with DriveWire and has several advanced functions, but the best feature for me is for straightforward access to gaming roms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 How much are these CocoSDC's and where do I order one? Do I contact the builder directly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerG Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 MarkO posted the names a few posts up. Go through the CoCo list. It should be Zippster for the device and then T.Linder for the cases. There have been at least two runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerG Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 The list is here: http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?45054-CocoSDC-adapter-kits Also, this thread has all the needed information (thanks to v-c.com) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebulon Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 The list is here: http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?45054-CocoSDC-adapter-kits Also, this thread has all the needed information (thanks to v-c.com) Wow! I see what you mean. That does look pretty awesome. I followed the second link. I'm guessing the edge connector just plugs right into the side of the CoCo? http://cocosdc.blogspot.com.au/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Wow! I see what you mean. That does look pretty awesome. I followed the second link. I'm guessing the edge connector just plugs right into the side of the CoCo? http://cocosdc.blogspot.com.au/ Yes. It acts like a cartridge, so it goes into the side or into a Multi-Pak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I did contact Zippster so I guess I'm on the list for the next run so thanks MarkO for putting me in touch with him 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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