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Incredible long shot: Laser PC5 ROM image?

O

oktology

Experienced Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2023
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224
Location
Houston TX
So Perfect Solutions, former reseller of the Laser PC5 and PC6, in their infinite wisdom decided to replace the BASIC interpreter in the ROM of the PC5 with a typing tutor.

Does anyone have the ROM image that includes BASIC, or contact with the former owner/operators of PS to ask them if we can get the original unmodified ROM image?
While we're at it, I'm interested in PC4 and PC6 ROM images as well. I just picked up a PC5, so I will be posting the typing tutor-addled ROM image shortly, as well as a scan of the manual, which I don't believe exists in digital form anywhere.

It's not a bad little machine. Great high-contrast black LCD instead of the watery blue ones low-end word processors sometimes got, passable keyboard, though definitely on the stiff side, and unlike its ancestors is snappy and has no trouble with dropped characters when you type quickly.
 
Just came across this post. I wanted BASIC on my PC-6 and have been on the lookout for one of the original PC-5s just to get the ROM image with BASIC on it. I believe the firmware for the 5 and 6 is pretty identical and could probably be hacked to have BASIC on it, if someone could un-earth the ROM.
 
Oh my gosh! Has anybody tested this yet?
I've been waiting years for this!
 
codfish said:
Oh my gosh! Has anybody tested this yet?
I've been waiting years for this!
Click to expand...
I have one of the red PC5s and the ROM works on it. No more typing tutor. When BASIC starts up it says it's Ver 2.00 1989.11. I am still looking for a copy of the manual for it or something with a description of what commands it actually uses.
 
moryarti said:
I have one of the red PC5s and the ROM works on it. No more typing tutor. When BASIC starts up it says it's Ver 2.00 1989.11. I am still looking for a copy of the manual for it or something with a description of what commands it actually uses.
Click to expand...
So is the BASIC ROM a separate ROM from the OS one? I only see one EPROM under the panel on the bottom
 
codfish said:
So is the BASIC ROM a separate ROM from the OS one? I only see one EPROM under the panel on the bottom
Click to expand...
Sorry I didn't make that clearer but yes it is the entire OS. I pulled the ROM under the panel, made a backup of it just in case, erased it, and burned the BASIC one. It works the same with just the added BASIC interpreter and the typing tutor gone.
 
Hallo. Ich habe das Basic-ROM gebrannt und es läuft auf meinem Red PC5. Das Einspielen von Basic ist nicht ganz einfach, da der Interpreter nicht richtig läuft.
Es fehlt die Syntax und die mmöglichen Befehle. Es ist wahrscheinlich das Basic Dialekte der Vorgänger ähnlich sind.
 
moryarti said:
I have one of the red PC5s and the ROM works on it. No more typing tutor. When BASIC starts up it says it's Ver 2.00 1989.11. I am still looking for a copy of the manual for it or something with a description of what commands it actually uses.
Click to expand...
I don't have a burner unit. Anyone out there have a spare basic eeprom they could spare? I'm happy to cover the cost.
 
CmdrRaster said:
I don't have a burner unit. Anyone out there have a spare basic eeprom they could spare? I'm happy to cover the cost.
Click to expand...
Actually, the one I picked up today had its BASIC intact!

Some very minor damage, but it's got fresh button batteries and zero corrosion, and a full set of interface cables!
 
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