Just got a Tandy 102 and I got questions

[DistantStar001]

Like the title says, I just got a Tandy 102.  It came with a power supply, and as far as I can tell, it's fully functional.  Although one of the batteries did leak a little inside the bay.  But, thankfully, it didn't get to anything important.  Anyway, on to the questions:

 

First, I understand that aside from the AAs in the bay, there is a secondary battery soldered to the board.  Should I be worried about that?  And what are the chances that it will leak as well?

 

Second, are there any accessories should I be on the lookout for?  Disk drives, cables, etc.

 

Third, I have a cassette cable that works for my TRS-80 Models I and III, as well as my CoCos.  I believe it should work for this as well.  If it does, what are the best software archives?

Related:  I understand that there is a version of space invaders for this!  Where can I find it?!?

 

Lastly, what do you usually do with these?  Any fun projects?  Games?  Tips?  Programs?  

 

 

[+arcadeshopper]

Yes you need to replace the battery on the main board most are leaking at this point. I have them in my store as well as new capacitors if you find any leaking..

Best add on is the rex# you can get info here https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=REX

Software is also in that site and http://ftp.whtech.com/club100/

That is the correct cassette cable. But it's easier to do a drive emulator over serial and a PC or Android device. Software is mcomm or laddiealpha..

Join the discord https://discord.gg/zauSrYSR3E
Or the mail list http://lists.bitchin100.com/listinfo.cgi/m100-bitchin100.com



Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

[DistantStar001]

Thanks for this!

On 4/8/2022 at 11:34 PM, arcadeshopper said:

Yes you need to replace the battery on the main board most are leaking at this point. I have them in my store as well as new capacitors if you find any leaking..

Good to know!  Will be looking for a replacement, but curious if there is a particular part you would recommend (or avoid)?

On 4/8/2022 at 11:34 PM, arcadeshopper said:

Best add on is the rex# you can get info here https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=REX

Had no idea these could run CP/M!  Though the flash based memory seems to be the more useful option.  

On 4/8/2022 at 11:34 PM, arcadeshopper said:

That is the correct cassette cable. But it's easier to do a drive emulator over serial and a PC or Android device. Software is mcomm or laddiealpha..

How would I do this?  And what software would I need?

Side note: My prior knowledge of this computer can best be summed up as it exists.  That and that there's supposedly a version of space invaders (or was it galaxian?) floating out there somewhere, but I haven't found it yet.

On 4/8/2022 at 11:34 PM, arcadeshopper said:

Software is also in that site and http://ftp.whtech.com/club100/

Thanks for this.  But see above...

 

Additional question: I've seen a "disk/video interface" unit for the model 100 floating out there in Google images, but I haven't seen a real description of it's purpose or capabilities.  What exactly does it do?  Would it work for the 102 as well?  Is it even worth looking into? 

[massiverobot]

On 4/10/2022 at 2:57 PM, DistantStar001 said:

 

Additional question: I've seen a "disk/video interface" unit for the model 100 floating out there in Google images, but I haven't seen a real description of it's purpose or capabilities.  What exactly does it do?  Would it work for the 102 as well?  Is it even worth looking into? 

 

I've heard it works with the M102 with the right cable. I've used it for the M100. It gives you a 5 1/4 floppy and a 80x24 CRT screen. It loads DISKBASIC into memory which gives you the extra commands to use the DVI with the M100.

 

It is worth looking into if you every come across one in the wild. Grab it.

 

[Green3]

On 7/15/2022 at 1:59 PM, massiverobot said:

 

I've heard it works with the M102 with the right cable. I've used it for the M100. It gives you a 5 1/4 floppy and a 80x24 CRT screen. It loads DISKBASIC into memory which gives you the extra commands to use the DVI with the M100.

 

It is worth looking into if you every come across one in the wild. Grab it.

 

The DVI is very cool, but that first photo is not in 80 column mode, but only 40. Kind of a waste of the VM-4 and the composite video, since if you were going to do 40 column, you could just use a black-and-white TV and the RF out.