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Radioshack TSR 80 color computer

R

retrogametruck

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Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
19
I just got one of these in a lot and have no idea what it is.I have no cords and the only monitor i have is a Apple iie. what can I do with this or what do I have to buy to get it up and running? also, does it play games, if so, what type? thanks.
 
Well, the easiest thing to do is to hook it up to a TV set. Personally, I use a RCA to coax adapter, and then a coax cable going into my TV. Better picture than any RF modulator I own.

I guess the other cables depend on what you want to do, and what else came with the system. You didn't mention floppy drives, so lets assume that you are going to run a tape drive.

Here's the cable you would need:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trs-80-Color-Computer-Cassette-Cable-/171182493584?pt=US_Vintage_Computing_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27db458f90
 
i actually know nothing about it. drives, tapes or anything. its just the bare unit. can you share some info on it please.
 
I guess the first thing I should have asked is what you're hoping to do with it. I don't really keep up with the "scene" (and yes, there are still active developers out there) but I'll try!

There were three main models, the first one came out in 1980, and had between 4Kb and 32Kb (later 64Kb) of memory, a gray painted case, and a "chicklet" keyboard (the last of the model 1 revisions had a better keyboard). The second version came with better keyboards on all models, a non-painted white case (which didn't wear off, like the first version did) and between 16Kb and 64Kb of memory. The final version had a faster processor, better video chipset with an RGB port, and even more memory (128Kb). There was also a cut-down baby-brother unit called the MC-10, which was pitted against small micros like the VIC-20 and Timex Sinclair 1000.

Disk drives were pretty pricey so they were fairly rare. There were two main operating systems (actually there were more, but let's keep it simple): Disk Extended Color BASIC and OS/9 (possibly the first multitasking OS for home computers)

The standard joysticks were non-centering, which sucked for maze games but were excellent for games like Polaris.

The model 1 and 2 came with Color BASIC, or you could upgrade to Extended Color BASIC. If you used disk drives you could have the Disk Extended Color BASIC, and if you had the CoCo 3 you had access to the "Super" Extended Color BASIC.
 
Neat trick: if you can buy one of the cables, with adapters you can connect the CoCo to your sound card to load cassette games from audio files.

There are also Compact Flash adapters, so you can forego the whole tape/floppy/hard drive route (unless you want to work on real hardware).

You can upgrade to 512Kb on the Coco3 and I believe 256Kb on the CoCo 1 and 2. I thought I had heard of 4Mb upgrades for the CoCo 3, but I can't verify that at the moment.

Are you into games, or programming? Do you need links for books, manuals, or tutorials?
 
lotonah said:
Neat trick: if you can buy one of the cables, with adapters you can connect the CoCo to your sound card to load cassette games from audio files.

There are also Compact Flash adapters, so you can forego the whole tape/floppy/hard drive route (unless you want to work on real hardware).

You can upgrade to 512Kb on the Coco3 and I believe 256Kb on the CoCo 1 and 2. I thought I had heard of 4Mb upgrades for the CoCo 3, but I can't verify that at the moment.

Are you into games, or programming? Do you need links for books, manuals, or tutorials?
Click to expand...

actually i just want to run a few games on it. I would like links on tutorials and where I can buy the parts I need. what type of monitor can I use and everything else. I know nothing about computers so step by step please.
 
Do you know what model it is? (Does it say anything other than Color Computer or which color Color Computer from the pics)?
 
Ok, then we should go step by step. First thing we need to know what model you have. Please look carefully at your computer on all sides and type exactly what is written on each label you find. It's a little bit tedious but it will get us a step forward. What color is the computer? Grey or whitish? Pictures would be greatly helpful, if you can post some.
 
SParent said:
Ok, then we should go step by step. First thing we need to know what model you have. Please look carefully at your computer on all sides and type exactly what is written on each label you find. It's a little bit tedious but it will get us a step forward. What color is the computer? Grey or whitish? Pictures would be greatly helpful, if you can post some.
Click to expand...

besides the RS TSR badge, it has a small clear badge that says 16k ram on the right. it has a cartrage opening on the right side. on the back, there are 8 knobs and buttons, i cant read them because they are scratched. the computer is grey.
 
So now we have to connect this computer to a TV set. You need a TV set with a coaxial input, like this one (labelled "antenna in" or "cable in") :
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/howtoguide/N0000000/1322/0/N/2/M/

You also need a small piece of hardware like this one:
http://olis.cc/catalogue/userfiles/productlargeimages/product_1688.jpg

And finally a length of TV cable like this one:
http://www.ezyhd-cables.com.au/tv-cable.html

Do you have all this?

Alternatively, you may have a TV switchbox like this:
http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/TV_sw.htm
If you have one, please tell me!
 
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SParent said:
So now we have to connect this computer to a TV set. You need a TV set with a coaxial input, like this one (labelled "antenna in" or "cable in") :
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/howtoguide/N0000000/1322/0/N/2/M/

You also need a small piece of hardware like this one:
http://olis.cc/catalogue/product.php?ProductID=1677

And finally a length of TV cable like this one:
http://www.ezyhd-cables.com.au/tv-cable.html

Do you have all this?

Alternatively, you may have a TV switchbox like this:
http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/TV_sw.htm
If you have one, please tell me!
Click to expand...
yes.....i do have that last box show. and a old tv.
 
Fine! The switchbox goes in between the computer and the TV. To connect the computer to the switchbox, you need a RCA cable like this:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/with-RCA-Plug-1-6M-Standard-Video-Cable/341068204.html

The cable plugs into the "TV out" connector of your computer (second to left) to the "game/computer" input of the switchbox.

Then you connect the switchbox to your TV. There are two models of switchboxes. The older ones have only one TV connector (antenna) using two screws. The newer ones have the coaxial cable (like cable TV). Some have both (like the picture I provided). Can you connect your switchbox to your TV using either the antenna connector or the TV cable connector?
 
Last edited:
SParent said:
Fine! The switchbox goes in between the computer and the TV. To connect the computer to the switchbox, you need a RCA cable like this:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/with-RCA-Plug-1-6M-Standard-Video-Cable/341068204.html

The cable plugs into the "TV out" connector of your computer (second to left) to the "game/computer" input of the switchbox.

Then you connect the switchbox to your TV. There are two models of switchboxes. The older ones have only one TV connector (antenna) using two screws. The newer ones have the coaxial cable (like cable TV). Some have both (like the picture I provided). Can you connect your switchbox to your TV using either the antenna connector or the TV cable connector?
Click to expand...

ill let you know how it goes....thanks
 
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