TRS-80 model 4 in need of a floppy drive and CRT TLC

[MicroHobbyist]

Along with an MTI MOD3 PLUS computer that I purchased yesterday, I got a TRS-80 model 4. It has 2 issues: Firstly, it has no floppy disk drives (the drive bays are empty, and the floppy cable is visible inside). And secondly, the CRT is amongst other things, is seriously misaligned.

I'll need some guidance with the CRT when I start restoring the m4. But I'm debating if I should find a floppy drive for it, or jump straight to a FreHD or GoTek?

Does anyone have a functional disk drive for the m4? Also, I would need an OS on disk for it, be it TRS-DOS, LDOS, CP/M, etc...

Fred
youtube.com/@MicroHobbyist

 

[gerha7]

Welcome to VCF. I'm new as well. I purchased an "untested" a TRS-80 Model 3 a few months ago and am in the process of refurbishing it. I've never owned a TRS-80 until now so my experience is very limited. First, you may want to verify what you have, or *not* have. Have you opened up your Model 4? You need to be very careful when removing the top since the CRT is attached to the top assembly and the neck of the CRT is very close to a metal backplane. I'd look in the drive bays while lifting off the top to make sure no wires or CRT neck gets caught...there should be some videos on YouTube to demonstrate...especially of your CRT isn't mounted securely. Also, do you have a power supply/PSU for the floppy drives that were in it? Does it have the floppy controller board...and does the floppy controller board have all of its chips? Also, does your main board have three ROM chips, the character ROM and the CPU?
If it were me, as a starting point, I wouldn't worry about obtaining a floppy drive for now. I'd focus on just getting your M4 operational. Then, I'd focus on getting a FreHD or GoTek--I don't have either but I'm planning on getting one as soon as I get other issues resolved. Look at Jay Newirth's site, he sells several items for your open bays.
https://jaynewirth.wixsite.com/newsoft

 

[Jay Newirth]

Welcome to VCF. I'm new as well. I purchased an "untested" a TRS-80 Model 3 a few months ago and am in the process of refurbishing it. I've never owned a TRS-80 until now so my experience is very limited. First, you may want to verify what you have, or *not* have. Have you opened up your Model 4? You need to be very careful when removing the top since the CRT is attached to the top assembly and the neck of the CRT is very close to a metal backplane. I'd look in the drive bays while lifting off the top to make sure no wires or CRT neck gets caught...there should be some videos on YouTube to demonstrate...especially of your CRT isn't mounted securely. Also, do you have a power supply/PSU for the floppy drives that were in it? Does it have the floppy controller board...and does the floppy controller board have all of its chips? Also, does your main board have three ROM chips, the character ROM and the CPU?
If it were me, as a starting point, I wouldn't worry about obtaining a floppy drive for now. I'd focus on just getting your M4 operational. Then, I'd focus on getting a FreHD or GoTek--I don't have either but I'm planning on getting one as soon as I get other issues resolved. Look at Jay Newirth's site, he sells several items for your open bays.
https://jaynewirth.wixsite.com/newsoft

Welcome to VCF. I'm new as well. I purchased an "untested" a TRS-80 Model 3 a few months ago and am in the process of refurbishing it. I've never owned a TRS-80 until now so my experience is very limited. First, you may want to verify what you have, or *not* have. Have you opened up your Model 4? You need to be very careful when removing the top since the CRT is attached to the top assembly and the neck of the CRT is very close to a metal backplane. I'd look in the drive bays while lifting off the top to make sure no wires or CRT neck gets caught...there should be some videos on YouTube to demonstrate...especially of your CRT isn't mounted securely. Also, do you have a power supply/PSU for the floppy drives that were in it? Does it have the floppy controller board...and does the floppy controller board have all of its chips? Also, does your main board have three ROM chips, the character ROM and the CPU?
If it were me, as a starting point, I wouldn't worry about obtaining a floppy drive for now. I'd focus on just getting your M4 operational. Then, I'd focus on getting a FreHD or GoTek--I don't have either but I'm planning on getting one as soon as I get other issues resolved. Look at Jay Newirth's site, he sells several items for your open bays.
https://jaynewirth.wixsite.com/newsoft

Thank you for that referral .....