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Archive for April 15th, 2012

Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 4p Dos Boot Disk

April 15th, 2012 3 comments

In this rainy day i have decided to commit myself to create a boot floppy disk for my Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 4P.

The right steps to create the boot disk:

Download LS-DOS or TRSDos (DMK version) floppy image from here , now you need to use the DMK2IMD program, a tool inside the package ImageDisk to convert the DMK floppy image to IMD (ImageDisk), then … burn it with ImageDisk.

Download:

Kaypro 4/84 – Powersupply Hack / Video PCB Fix / KayPlus / Battery

April 15th, 2012 2 comments

I have found a Kaypro 4/84 in a non working state and some days ago i have decided to open it and i have realized that some components of the power supply are exploded and the video pcb was cracked.

I have not repaired the power supply because some components like the two burned transistors (Motorola W30 and V30) are not on the market, if you have more information about these components please leave me a message.

I had to fix the video pcb and i have installed a 200w Slim ATX power supply inside the Kaypro. I have made also other improvements to the computer, replaced the battery, totally exhausted and installing the KayPlus rom that offers some enhancements to this computer.

Below you can find the image of the Floppy Disk CP/M 2.2F 62k patched + Tools KayPlus in IMD format (ImageDisk) for the Kaypro 4/84.

Download: Kaypro 4/84 CP/M 2.2F 62k + Tools KayPlus (1409)

Non-Linear Systems Inc (Kaypro Corporation) – Kaypro 4/84

April 15th, 2012 No comments
Non-Linear Systems Inc - Kaypro 4/84

Autopsy:

For a correct operation of this computer i have made some repairs.

from Wikipedia:

Kaypro Corporation, commonly called Kaypro, was an American home/personal computer manufacturer of the 1980s. The company was founded by Non-Linear Systems to develop computers to compete with the then-popular Osborne 1 portable microcomputer. Kaypro produced a line of rugged, portable CP/M-based computers sold with an extensive software bundle which supplanted its competitors and quickly became one of the top selling personal computer lines of the early 1980s.

While exceptionally loyal to its original consumer base, Kaypro was slow to adapt to the changing computer market and the advent of IBM PC compatible technology. It faded from the mainstream before the end of the decade and was eventually forced into filing for bankruptcy in 1992.

Kaypro’s first computer, the Kaypro II had a 2.5 MHz Zilog Z80 microprocessor, 64 KB of RAM, dual, single-sided, 191 kB 5¼ inch floppy disk drives, and an 80 column green monochrome 9″ CRT.

Early in the Kaypro’s life, there was a legal dispute with the owner of the Bigboard computer who charged that the Kaypro II main circuit board was an unlicensed copy or clone.

The outer case was constructed of painted aluminum. The computer featured a large detachable keyboard that covered the screen and disk drives when stowed. The Kaypro ran off regular AC mains power and was not equipped with a battery.

The Kaypro IV and later the Kaypro 4 had two double-sided disks. The Kaypro 4 was released in 1984, usually referred to as Kaypro 4 ’84, as opposed to the Kaypro IV released one year earlier and referred to as Kaypro IV ’83.

The Kaypro 10 followed the Kaypro II, and featured a 10 megabyte hard drive and a single 5¼” floppy drive.

source: wikipedia