complete TRS-80 Model II system picked up

[cchaven]

Well after not getting any new items for a while, today while I was out I found a complete TRS-80 Model II setup that I just couldn't pass up.

It's a 64k Model II, keyboard, disk expansion unit with two additional 8" floppies, a 15MB hard disk unit, and a DMP-400 printer.

It also included 4 boxes full of binders, software and other bits that I've only barely glanced at so far but some of it includes a binder full of 8" disks, a box of 8" disks, the TRS-80 8" disk cleaning kit, a printer controller, a printer selector, loads of TRS-80 brown binders and some dust covers.

It's all in pretty good shape, not a lot of scrapes on the silver/gray cases.

I'm pretty stoked about it

 

[troj]

It also included 4 boxes full of binders, software and other bits that I've only barely glanced at so far but some of it includes a binder full of 8" disks, a box of 8" disks, the TRS-80 8" disk cleaning kit, a printer controller, a printer selector, loads of TRS-80 brown binders and some dust covers.

Very nice!

The add-ons, documentation and software seem to be the part that requires more work to find!

-Kevin

 

[cchaven]

Very nice!

The add-ons, documentation and software seem to be the part that requires more work to find!

-Kevin

Yes, it's always nice to find a complete system, though I have built things up from stripped basket cases too. From the stickers on the back of the cases, it seems it belonged to a podiatrist. The 'warranty void' seals are still intact as well.

Here's a quickie pic

 

[pski]

Very nice. Let’s get it up and running! That’s a late Model II with the TPI floppy drive. Which hard drive did it come with?
oh never mind, you said 15MB. Then you have the desireable Type 2 HD interface and later boot rom. I’d guess it also has the later FDC card too.

 

[dittman]

That a nice system. One thing you'll want to do is replace the Rifa caps on the power supply. Getting to the power supply can be a little tricky but fortunately someone has written up a nice doc on disassembling the Model II:

https://github.com/pski/model2archive/blob/master/Hardware/Model_II_Disassembly.pdf

Another thing to watch out for is the original Radio Shack software distribution disks tend to shed the oxide coating.

 

[cchaven]

Very nice. Let’s get it up and running! That’s a late Model II with the TPI floppy drive. Which hard drive did it come with?
oh never mind, you said 15MB. Then you have the desireable Type 2 HD interface and later boot rom. I’d guess it also has the later FDC card too.

What's the give away that it is a later machine....the position of the drive indicator light? The only date I can see inside or out, using a flashlight to look thru the vent openings, is a date of August 21, 1981 on what looks like the flyback transformer, just behind the neck of the CRT.

I did power it up, just for a few minutes...inserting the disk when prompted...not powering on with the disk already inserted. It reported 64k of RAM, and booted without an issue with TRSDOS 2.0a and TRSDOS-II 04.02.05. The keyboard didn't respond at all. Below are some quick pics.

BTW there's a glass anti-glare/polarizing filter velcro'd over the screen. It's cut to the exact size but the edges are a bit rough.

 

[cchaven]

That a nice system. One thing you'll want to do is replace the Rifa caps on the power supply. Getting to the power supply can be a little tricky but fortunately someone has written up a nice doc on disassembling the Model II:

https://github.com/pski/model2archive/blob/master/Hardware/Model_II_Disassembly.pdf

Another thing to watch out for is the original Radio Shack software distribution disks tend to shed the oxide coating.

Thanks for the suggestions. The TRSDOS disks are actually some of the only ones there aren't backups of. All of the disks included with the machine are Radio Shack branded.

It was definitely a business machine...the following software came with it:

Scipsit 2.0
TRSDOS-II 04.02.05
Profile Plus
Profile Forms
Medical Office System
Scripsit 03.00.00
TRSDOS 2.0a
Electronic Broker
Formation
Inventory Control System (Multi-drive)
VisiCalc

 

[pski]

What's the give away that it is a later machine....the position of the drive indicator light? The only date I can see inside or out, using a flashlight to look thru the vent openings, is a date of August 21, 1981 on what looks like the flyback transformer, just behind the neck of the CRT.

Yes, the TPI has the offset LED on the drive button. The Shugart's is centered.

I did power it up, just for a few minutes...inserting the disk when prompted...not powering on with the disk already inserted. It reported 64k of RAM, and booted without an issue with TRSDOS 2.0a and TRSDOS-II 04.02.05. The keyboard didn't respond at all. Below are some quick pics.

BTW there's a glass anti-glare/polarizing filter velcro'd over the screen. It's cut to the exact size but the edges are a bit rough.

Very nice, you got lucky there. Screen looks good and boots all the way. The keyboard will need to be rebuilt with new key foam pads.

 

[pski]

Electronic Broker

Interesting, I haven't seen this title before. Let's try to get it imaged and placed into the model2archive.

 

[cchaven]

Very nice, you got lucky there. Screen looks good and boots all the way. The keyboard will need to be rebuilt with new key foam pads.

The screen was rock steady, just needed a bit of adjustment on the brightness and contrast. Is there a source for the pads other than a Sun keyboard?

Also, I've been lucky with this whole machine. When I made the offer on it, it was for the pile of hardware. Then as I'm getting ready to load it up I got told about the 4 boxes of binders.

 

[cchaven]

Interesting, I haven't seen this title before. Let's try to get it imaged and placed into the model2archive.

PM sent

 

[cchaven]

Found three printer cables as well as the cable for the hard disk today. The hard disk powered up and came ready just fine so I plugged it up to the Model II. Here's a pic of the Model II booting TRSDOS-II 04.02.05 from the Tandy 15meg hard disk!

I've not tried the disk expansion unit yet but can only imagine the additional volume it will add. The hard disk unit isn't all that loud but the computer itself is.

 

[MikeModifed]

D@mn! :bow2:

Mike

 

[pski]

I've not tried the disk expansion unit yet but can only imagine the additional volume it will add. The hard disk unit isn't all that loud but the computer itself is.

There are fixes for the noisy Model II. First, replace the fan with a modern DC equivalent. Secondly, use a floppy emulator and disconnect the AC power to the floppy drive. The drive motor runs continuously and can quickly become annoying when sitting next to it for long periods. I love the Model II but I seriously don’t know how people used these machines 8 hours a day.

 

[shank]

There are fixes for the noisy Model II. First, replace the fan with a modern DC equivalent. Secondly, use a floppy emulator and disconnect the AC power to the floppy drive. The drive motor runs continuously and can quickly become annoying when sitting next to it for long periods. I love the Model II but I seriously don’t know how people used these machines 8 hours a day.

I used a Model II or 16 8 hours a day for a long time... Never bugged me at all... Found it kind of comforting. YMMV

 

[rittwage]

Very nice condition. Nice rescue!

 

[cchaven]

Very nice condition. Nice rescue!

Thanks. I popped the cover off and it's quite clean on the inside. The RS vinyl cover is split on the side seams but still does it's job. I've ordered a set of keyboard pads from Texelec.