Update 2: TRS-80 Model 1 PSU (and monitor question)

From: Earl Evans <retro_at_retrobits.com>
Date: Sun May 21 20:32:41 2000

Hi again folks,

Thanks for all the useful info, you were all wonderful. Tony, I took your
advice and put things back together one step at a time, and the fuse held
throughout the process. Success! The TRS-80 Model 1 lit up with the
traditional

    Memory Size?

(After pressing return, I learned it's a L2 BASIC enhanced model, BTW.)

Now, the next challenge: Plugging into a monitor.

I didn't get a TRS-80 monitor with the Model 1. I did get the pinouts for
the video connector, and connected it to a composite monitor I have. It
worked (hence the "success"), and was readable, but the picture was fuzzy.
This doesn't necessarily surprise me...I thought I remembered the TRS-80
monitor being odd in some way. So the question...do I need to do something
special to get the TRS-80 Model 1 to look good with a standard composite
monitor (or is it a lost cause)?

On a side note, for personal interest, a little background on how I obtained
this Model 1:

I was thrift-shop hopping, and having a bad day. 3 out of 4 stores,
nothing. Zip. Zilch. Checked the computer/electronics section of the 4th
(and final) store of the day, and nothing. So, I decided to take a look in
the power supply/joystick/cable section. There, buried underneath some
other worthless stuff, was the Model 1, with PSU taped to the body! I was
amazed, considering that they don't grow on trees. It's in decent shape,
too, with all keycaps in great shape, only minor wrist wear on the silver
coating, and no scratches, dents, cracks. Only $4.00, by the way. And no
tax, as I live in Oregon.

No disk drive or expansion unit, and only an (authentic) TRS-80 data
cassette unit to store programs on. The tape drive was $5.00 (ironic), but
it's in great shape too.

Got it home, and gave it a blind "test-drive". When the red LED didn't
illuminate, I knew I was in trouble. So, I checked the specs on the PSU
(using the Internet), and used my handy-dandy DMM to survey the voltage
situation. No juice. Hence, my original message...

Again, thanks for all the help! This is a great bunch!

- Earl
Received on Sun May 21 2000 - 20:32:41 BST