Model 4 Non Gate Array Not Displaying Diskette? prompt

[troj]

I recently acquired a Model 4 26-1067 that has been upgraded to dual floppies and 128K prior to my acquiring it.

With both floppies connected, it does not boot. With power removed from the top floppy, it books, the bottom floppy spins but it never displays the "Diskette?" prompt. Instead, I get he "Cassette?" prompt.

I've been searching the Internet to no avail on how to troubleshoot what might be causing my issues. I'd like to get it booting from the first floppy as well as diagnosing why it's not trying to boot from the second.

I'm also on the hunt for floppies - I seem to not have mine anymore. "Back in the day," I had a box or two from when I used to work with these systems.

For background, I did inspect the power supplies; the second supply has a questionable capacitor; I'm waiting on a replacement for that so I can put the supply back in and resume working on getting the system up and running.

Any assistance would be much appreciated!

-Kevin

 

[TRS-Ian]

If no disk drives are connected to the FDC then the computer will drop the the Cass? prompt.

Model IIIs and early Model 4s have a problem where they will not display Diskette? if there is no disk in the drive, which is in contrast to what the TRSDOS manuals say. Put any disk in drive 0 but don't close the drive door. Press reset and it will say Diskette? (I use the method the make sure there is some comms between the index hole sensor on the disk drive and the rest of the computer).

For the time being try connecting either drive to the lowest cable connection (the drives are interchangeable) and put a disk in to see if you get the Diskette? prompt.

Once you are at that point get onto Ira and ask nicely for some boot disks: http://www.trs-80.com/trs80-main-disketterequest.htm

Hope this helps,

Ian.

 

[troj]

Thanks, Ian - I'll give that a try later this week (this week is a bit nuts at the moment).

Once I've got those things working properly, I'll get with Ira about floppies.

My disks from high school should be around here somewhere. I'll upend the house if I have to! At least I still have my Tech Reference Manual....

-Kevin

 

[troj]

Model IIIs and early Model 4s have a problem where they will not display Diskette? if there is no disk in the drive, which is in contrast to what the TRSDOS manuals say. Put any disk in drive 0 but don't close the drive door. Press reset and it will say Diskette? (I use the method the make sure there is some comms between the index hole sensor on the disk drive and the rest of the computer).

Thanks - that was the trick. With an Apple ][ floppy in the drive (drive not closed), I do get the Diskette? prompt.

Happy days! Now, I just need to tear the house apart and find me 30 year old floppies that I'm certain are around here....

-Kevin

 

[troj]

Floppies found! I got it booted up once, but now the drive won’t spin when the door is closed

Time for more research on that problem...

-Kevin

 

[troj]

Success!