Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!dsinc!netnews.upenn.edu!vax1.cc.lehigh.edu!lehi3b15!batman!halkoD From: halkoD@batman.moravian.EDU (David Halko) Newsgroups: comp.sys.m6809 Subject: Re: COCO upgrade Summary: CoCo3 advances over CoCo1 Message-ID: <2636@batman.moravian.EDU> Date: 12 Feb 91 19:22:37 GMT References: <1991Feb5.162031.13456@cbnewse.att.com> Distribution: na Organization: Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA Lines: 111 In article <1991Feb5.162031.13456@cbnewse.att.com>, gmark@cbnewse.att.com (gilbert.m.stewart) writes: > In article <1991Feb5.005957.14282@wlbr.imsd.contel.com>, pete@wlbr.imsd.contel.com (Pete Lyall) writes: > > In article rh2y+@andrew.cmu.edu (Russell E. Hoffman, II) writes: > > >Gilbert M. Sterart writes: > > > > > >>[paraphrased] .. I have a CoCo I, I wanna replace it with a CoCo III, > > >> what can I keep / what can I throw away... > > > > > >Well, you are pretty much in luck.. > > >You can re-use the disk controller and drives. If you have the VERY old style > > >disk controller (v1.0 ROM instead of v1.1), you may have a small problem, > > >but I don't think so. > > > > Not fully accurate.... the 1.0 DOS rom wasn't the only problem. The > > primary difference between the two ROMS was that the latter one > > (version 1.1) had a built in DOS command that would bootstrap track 34 > > into memory, and kickstart it. If you have a 1.0 ROM, a simple basic > > program can be used to achieve much the same thing. > > Okay, you people convinced me. I ran out (yes, I kind of sprinted, in a > purposeful-yet-unhurried gait) and got the COCO III for 99 bucks. Such a > deal. When I remember how much soldering and money I put into that COCO I > 4K integer BASIC so many years ago... Only soldering you will need to do for memory upgrades is to break the 512K mark and jump into 1 Meg! 128K may suit you fine for awhile, though... > Anyway, I hooked up the monitor and > pushed in the disk controller. The E-BASIC is, I believe, V1.1, and the > disk controller ROM is V 2.0. I can't get COCOMAX to work (it's the > second release for the original COCO). The prompt comes up with "DISK > BASIC 2.0, blah, blah". Now, does this mean that the controller would > probably work with a different version of COCOMAX? I used to have a version of CoCoMax (old version) which was patched to work just fine on the CoCo3... they are out there, just have to find someone with it and maybe they could send you the patches or the entire thing... > In other words, does > the display of the BASIC tell me the controller will work? Or do I > have to do something else (change "modes", whatever). What chips can > I scavenge from the old COCO? 6821s? What is the difference between > the 6809E and the 68B09E? The main differences between chips in the CoCo1 and 3 are speed improvements (if there is a B added to the chip number... this means that PIA's and the 6809 from the CoCo1 will work in the CoCo3, but may be a bit flakey at the higher speed the CoCo3 can run at... > What improvements were made in the III as opposed > to my much-hacked-and-modified I with 64K, composite output, etc.? The CoCo3 gives you the ability to get 2 times as much speed out of the system, 2 times as much memory, stock, with the ability to upgrade to 512K or 1 Meg with some soldering, higher resolution graphics, real 80, 64, and 40 column windows and the actual ability to access the extra memory in Basic. > What does the new version of OS9 get me? OS9 Level II wil give you the ability to run with windows under OS9, is 2 times as fast as Level I, gives you more memory for your programs under OS9 to use (full 64K instead of oly 30 or so K), ability to use several 80 column text windows simultaneously, high resolution graphical programs are becoming more available under Level II, Level II is compatable with well written Level I packages, and the list goes on. > What does the new COCOMAX III get me? More colors, higher resolution, more drawing options, animation... very nice package. > Anybody use the COCO 10 word processor? If you are talking about Max10, it is very nice, indeed.... I like VIP Writer 3.... if you are looking for a powerful wordprocessor which does not have to be a "what you see is what you get", then VIP Writer 3 is probably the best out there right now... I love it. > Any experience with MIDI programs? Lots out there... Ultimuse3 under OS9, I have heard alot of good things about. > I'm writing songs for some public access programs, so are > they usable for more than just "Hey, look what I can do, Ralph"-type demos? If you like to listen to MIDI music, then, sure, you can use it. If you like to write MIDI music, then sure, you can use it. If you like to record MIDI music, then HEY, no problemo. > And about that Dan Quayle, is he for real? Why are mountains bigger on > Mars? And... > > You get the idea. > Thanks muchly in advance. If this doesn't get this newsgroup more > articles, I can start randomly flaming people with unecessary insults... :-) > > G. Mark Stewart > ihlpq!gms > > > Ready, set, START TYPING! Well, finished typing.... Any other questions, I will be happy to help you out to the best of my ability, but remember, I am not perfect, so some of the things I say may be incorrect... Dave Halko djh9381@moravian.edu