Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site jhunix.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!akgua!gatech!seismo!umcp-cs!aplcen!jhunix!ins_asac From: ins_asac@jhunix.UUCP (Stephan Alexa Cooper) Newsgroups: net.micro.trs-80,net.micro.pc,net.micro Subject: Tandy 1000 Software Incompatibilities Message-ID: <1477@jhunix.UUCP> Date: Thu, 19-Dec-85 15:16:11 EST Article-I.D.: jhunix.1477 Posted: Thu Dec 19 15:16:11 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 22-Dec-85 00:46:55 EST Distribution: net Organization: Johns Hopkins Univ. Computing Ctr. Lines: 133 Xref: watmath net.micro.trs-80:542 net.micro.pc:6306 net.micro:13222 Sorry to post this, but I got a query a while back asking for a list of IBM PC programs that Do NOT run on the Tandy 1000. Here is a summary: (note - this list was compiled from other sources, I did not write this, just put it together from other people's replies): Tandy 1000 ========== RE: its compatibily, It is quite compatible up to a point: I have found that several games fail to start up (the original version of the diskette) which indicates problems with the floppy disk controller. I looked at the schematic diagrams of the t1000 and the XT controller and they are quite different - the Tandy uses a couple of PAL's and large devices while the XT controller uses a lot of TTL MSI. Not having a hardware ref manual for t1000, I don't know if the t1000 emulates the XT controller to a high degree but I doubt it. Something which annoyed me considerably more: expansion cards of the right size (10'' or less) don't quite fit: part of the IBM-PC form factor is a little tab in the end of the metal plate used to hold the card to the chassis. Well the t1000 motherboard is flat against the chassis not having any space for the tab. There are two solutions: cut the tab or remove the metal plate. I removed the plate of a RS232 card (because of the warranty) but that is not a very good solution because then the card wobles. Not wanting to give a bad opinion of the machine, I fully recommend it. It works very well, generates little noise, it has a small footprint, it is cute, and I think it is great. As someone said, it is what the PCjr should have been. Price/performance-wise, if you buy it through the mail, it is unbeatable. ----- > I'm thinking on buying one of these, but I wonder > how compatible it is with an IBM/PC. > Can you buy expansion cards and plug them in? > Can you put an 8087? What about software: would > it run DBase III, Symphony, etc? The machine is a cross between the PC and the jr. One BIG compat. problem has to do with DMA. The base machine has none, but the memory cards add DMA circuitry. The as a result, you can not use any add-in cards with memory unless you have first added a tandy memory card. since the machine only has 3 slots, this is a pain (tandy has no multi-function card for this beast last time I checked.) The keyboard is a bit different. (BTW - they don't have a scroll lock key, which some packages want (like 1-2-3), but there is a key combo that emulate it, I forget which). As a guide to compatibility, Lotus 1-2-3's IBM version can be made to run on the machine (not well, but functional). However, the hassles/ problems were significant enough that a migration for the tandy was done. With the current price trends for the IBM PC, why not wait until the next round of price cuts (this fall?? if you believe S.Katt) and get a 'fully compatible unit' :-). ----- > as a result, you can not use any add-in cards with > memory unless you have first added a tandy memory card. since the machine > only has 3 slots, this is a pain (tandy has no multi-function card for > this... However, there are third party memory boards that DO work. The one I have (an MFB1000, by PBJ(tm)) is one such card. It comes with a clock, the capacity for 512K more, and an RS232 port. The machine itself has a built in printer port, so I still have two slots left (and I have 640K, a printer port, and an RS232 and a clock). This is definitely NOT a pain (This is definitely NOT a flame, either...just an explanation.) > The keyboard is a bit different. (BTW - they don't have a scroll lock key, > which some packages want (like 1-2-3), but there is a key combo that emulate > it, I forget which). > With the current price trends for the IBM PC, why not wait until > the next round of price cuts (this fall?? if you believe S.Katt) > and get a 'fully compatible unit' :-). I would recommend the T1000, as it is (and probably always will be, less expensive, especially if not bought from a Radio Shack store, but from a warehouse or computer outlet). ----- A couple of weeks ago, I posted an inquiry to the net asking for what software people knew would not run on a Tandy 1000. At that time, I promised a summary of responses; well, this is it. Six people responded to the original article. Unfortunately, most of the replies were from people considering the Tandy, rather than from owners. Nevertheless, a small list of software did evolve: Alphabet Zoo- IBM Version (Spinnaker) Buzzard Bait (Sirius) Mastertype (Scarborough Software) Math Blaster (Davidson & Associates) Murder by the Dozen (CBS Software) CopyIIpc PCWRIT Prowriter utilities (C. Itoh) Telios (seems to talk to the modem, but won't let me in on the conversation.) PC-VT Notes: The programs are arranged as follows: the first group are game/educational programs, second are copy programs, third are utilities, and last are communications programs. According to reports, there is one problem with hardware compatibility, the length of the board. The 1000 is designed to take boards up to 10.5" long. Unfortunately, many popular boards exceed that length. Any board which will fit in the short slot of the XT or in the Portable PC should be right at home in the Tandy. -- Steve Cooper Johns Hopkins University Homewood Computing Center ...!seismo!umcp-cs!jhunix!ins_asac ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "But it was just fantasy "When I was a child, I had a fever The wall was too high My hands felt just like two balloons, as you can see... Now I've got that feeling once again no matter how he tried I can't explain he could not break free You would not understand and the worms ate into his brain." his is not how I am..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------