Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!caip!sri-spam!topaz!uwvax!uwmacc!anderson From: anderson@uwmacc.UUCP (Jess Anderson) Newsgroups: net.micro,net.micro.pc Subject: Zenith 158, Compatibility, Add-Ons (Reposting) Message-ID: <112@uwmacc.UUCP> Date: Sat, 2-Aug-86 12:56:36 EDT Article-I.D.: uwmacc.112 Posted: Sat Aug 2 12:56:36 1986 Date-Received: Sun, 3-Aug-86 03:29:55 EDT Distribution: na Organization: UWisconsin-Madison Academic Comp Center Lines: 62 Xref: watmath net.micro:15255 net.micro.pc:9465 First, let me ADVANapologizeCE to those who have already seen this, were not interested, and are therefore bored by it. Next, let me apologize to those to are incensed that something relevant to PCs was posted to net.micro *and* net.micro.pc; this is about Zenith computers, and as far as I am aware, there is no net.micro.zenith. Next let me apologize to those who may have wished to respond by sending EMail, but had no adequate path; better information is now available at the end of this posting. Lastly, let me apologize to *anyone* who's in a grump today; may your mood improve -- soon! I had posted the following, asking for EMail responses, which I would be happy to summarize and post to the net if it seems of sufficient interest. I have in fact already received two kind and generally very positive responses (thanks to the senders). I'm encouraged by what they say. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Educational discounts for the Zenith 158 make it a very attractive alternative to the IBM XT. For $1599 one gets a Z-158 that runs at 4.77/8 MHz (switchable), 256K RAM on system board, one 360K 5.25" floppy drive w/ controller, one 20 MB hard disk w/ controller, one serial and one parallel port, battery-powered clock/calendar, a Paradise Hi-Res video card, and a hi-res TTL amber monitor. In this configuration, 5 expansion slots remain. Although I have worked in the field for 31 years, this is my first computer purchase, and I'm a bit nervous. The primary uses will be word-processing a/k/a personal publishing (60%), terminal access (via modem & Bell switched network) to my office mainframes and various bulletin boards (25%), and software development (15%). I have several questions that I hope those on the net who are more experienced/knowledgeable than I can answer. Please E-Mail responses, and I will summarize to the net if there is enough interest. 1. There have been reports of problems with the video board in graphics mode. Know anything about that, how it can be handled/fixed/lived with? 2. My office XT has a Mircosoft bus Mouse, which I use mainly with MS Word. I like Word real well, and wonder if the mouse will work well with a Z-158. 3. The office XT has 640K on the motherboard. It also has a Tall Tree JRAM-2 memory expansion board w/ 2 MB, which gives me lots of RAMdisk space (*fast*!). Anyone used JRAM boards in a Z-158? What experiences did you have. Note well: I'd naturally like to drive at 8 MHz. Could I get away with 150 nsec RAM chips, or would I have to go to 120 nsec chips? 4. Eventually (though not right away) I'll probably want to go to color. The EGA board situation is changing fast, I know, but relevant accounts/recommendations/etc. would be useful. 5. The Z-158 is said to have excellent compatibility. Reports on compatibility failures would be helpful. -- ========================================================================= The best thing to do is to look beyond right and wrong. (Chuang Tsu) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- UUCP: {harvard,seismo,topaz, \ Jess Anderson akgua,allegra, >!uwvax!uwmacc!anderson 1210 W. Dayton ihnp4,ucbvax} / Madison WI 53706 ARPA: anderson@unix.macc.wisc.edu 608/263-6988 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- More words count less. (Tao Te Ching) =========================================================================