Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site moncol.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!hjuxa!petsd!moncol!john From: john@moncol.UUCP (John Ruschmeyer) Newsgroups: net.micro.trs-80,net.micro.pc,net.micro Subject: Re: Tandy 1000 Software Incompatibilities Message-ID: <587@moncol.UUCP> Date: Sun, 22-Dec-85 20:40:21 EST Article-I.D.: moncol.587 Posted: Sun Dec 22 20:40:21 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 25-Dec-85 01:31:18 EST References: <1477@jhunix.UUCP> Organization: Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ 07764 Lines: 126 Xref: watmath net.micro.trs-80:544 net.micro.pc:6329 net.micro:13250 >From: ins_asac@jhunix.UUCP (Stephan Alexa Cooper) >Message-ID: <1477@jhunix.UUCP> >Organization: Johns Hopkins Univ. Computing Ctr. > >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. The Tandy 1000 uses an Intel 8272A FDC. Doesn't the IBM use an NEC chip? According to the specs, the 8272 can read/write single density as well as double density. Anyone know of a program which could use this capability to read TRS-80 Model I or old Osborne 1 disks? (Didn't I hear somewhere that the controller in the IBM PC can not handle single density?) >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.) Tandy now produces a card called the MEMORY PLUS card which will allow expansion to 640k using only one board (it used to take two Tandy boards) and will take a piggyback RS232 or clock/mouse card. >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). ALT-BREAK works on most packages (1-2-3, SideKick, etc.) The one major exception is Framework v1.0 (I don't know about v2) which requires installation of the KEYCNVRT.SYS device driver and still requires a two keystroke sequence (HOLD followed by CTRL-HOLD) to emulate the use of the PC's Scroll Lock key in switching between frames. >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. As I recall, this comment was made by a person from Lotus and I do wish he would explain his comment. I have run IBM PC version 1A* and only saw a couple of possible gotchas: Scroll Lock is now ALT-BREAK Tandy's original version of MS-DOS would not SYS to a disk it didn't format (okay- so I ran it under PC-DOS). New function key labels are needed since the keys run along the top of the keyboard rather than the side The PC version does not come with drivers for Tandy printers (ARGH! Is it so hard for Lotus to add them to *all* 1-2-3 distributions?) Personally, I think it runs better on the 1000 than the PC since you can use the arrow keys and the keypad at the same time. > 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. I origianlly posted this list. At the time, I had not had access to a few of the programs which I have since had a chance to try. Therefore, I will make a few notations as I go... > Alphabet Zoo- IBM Version (Spinnaker) > Buzzard Bait (Sirius) > Mastertype (Scarborough Software) > Math Blaster (Davidson & Associates) > Murder by the Dozen (CBS Software) > > CopyIIpc I don't remember who said this, but the copy I borrowed from a co-worker ran with no problem. > PCWRIT I assume this was supposed to be PC-WRITE. The current version (2.55) runs beautifully. As a matter of fact, it comes with a small file to re-configure the keyboard for the 1000's eccentricities and drivers for Tandy's printers. > > Prowriter utilities (C. Itoh) > > Telios (seems to talk to the modem, but won't let me in on > the conversation.) > PC-VT Well, maybe the old version didn't, but the current(?) version (8.x, I think) seems to run fine. (We don't have a VMS system so I cna't be sure whether all the keypad mappings function with the 1000's keyboard, but the basic terminal emulation, dialer, file transfers, etc. all work fine.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now for the $640 question... assuming that there is no problem with the power supply, will an IBM PC-compatable hard disk and controller work in the 1000? Since the 1000 is an IBM-compatable, one would think so. A note in the current 80-Micro, however, seems to indicate that a special ROM on the controller board would be needed. Anybody know for sure? -- Name: John Ruschmeyer US Mail: Monmouth College, W. Long Branch, NJ 07764 Phone: (201) 571-3451 *** NEW NUMBER *** UUCP: ...!vax135!petsd!moncol!john ...!princeton!moncol!john ...!pesnta!moncol!john "I hate this beer. It has no taste." "And it's so filling." "No taste." "So filling."