TRS 80 Model 4 Should I buy?

[abruno17]

This listing says there is a problem with the monitor. I contacted the seller, he tried the contrast knobs but he still couldn’t get anything on the screen. Is this an easy fix? Or should I stay away?

VINTAGE Radio Shack TANDY TRS-80 Model 4 Microcomputer 2 Floppy - NOTWORKING | eBay

I don't know if it is trying to boot or not. Since I don't have any 5.25 floppy disks no further testing was done on the computer.

www.ebay.com

 

[mloewen]

If you power up the Model 4 with no diskette inserted, or just press the RESET button with no diskette, it won't display anything. If you hold the BREAK key while doing a RESET, it should start up BASIC and you'll see text on the screen. You could ask the seller to try it.

 

[abruno17]

If you power up the Model 4 with no diskette inserted, or just press the RESET button with no diskette, it won't display anything. If you hold the BREAK key while doing a RESET, it should start up BASIC and you'll see text on the screen. You could ask the seller to try it.

He tried that the screen is bright and completely green.

 

[arnuphis]

The description says when he turns it on it seeks from the floppy. That's a good sign. The tube is good too. Some contact cleaner may fix the screen control knobs(don't tell him that!). Its very dirty so the drives will need cleaning/alignment. No keys are missing either. It's probably an easy restore. I would buy it if I didn't already have a Model 4 as long as the price was right. From his other auctions, he's not a computer flipper so he probably doesn't know much about these machines and its unlikely he's trying to hide more serious issues.