Any love for the TRS-80 Color Computer?

[cbmeeks]

Anyone that knows me knows that I love all 8/16 bit computers.

I've recently acquired a TRS-80 Color Computer (model 1). It has 16K of RAM but the serial number is pretty low (<16K). The original owner decided to paint it white to match the CoCo2 and 3! Ugh. Not only that, the paint job was terrible. I could literally scratch the paint off with my fingernail. He even managed to get paint on some of the internal wires.

So I decided since the damage was already done, I would try and restore it as best as I can. I don't normally like painting vintage computers but I don't see how I can do any worse.

It's taken me hours to get the white paint off with denatured alcohol.

My question is, anyone here interested in the progress? Or, is the TRS-80 too much of the "dark side" to be of interest. ;-D

[highinfidelity]

Well, technically I know almost nothing about all home computers excepting the VIC20 / C64 - and even in that case I'm pretty much ignorant - however I also like the variety of machines which was available in the '80s, so if you'll post anything concerning your new computing friend I'll read it with amusement.

Just don't expect any intelligent comment or clue from me...

[vicist]

so if you'll post anything concerning your new computing friend I'll read it with amusement.

...Ditto

[beamrider]

I think most people tend to have interests in computers they grew up with. I favour the Conmodore lines (and always admired atari 8bit) but always interested to read about discoveries of other machines. As others have said, just don't expect much of an intellectual response.

[Dynamic_Computing]

The TRS-80 was a capable machine with an unfortunate name... My Uncle had one and it worked just fine. Sure - post a few pics so we can broaden 8 bit horizons!

[highinfidelity]

I think I remember that Sargon II Chess for the VIC20 was translated by the version originally written for the TRS-80. If you like chess, you might want to try the TRS-80 version on your new computing friend, it should be nice.

[English Invader]

I have a random bag full of Co-Co games and accessories that I inherited from a friend of a friend who was decluttering his home. Sadly, the actual machine wasn't part of the package so the bag has spent the last five years cluttering up my home while I dither over whether to branch out to the system or sell it on to someone who can make use of it.

[eslapion]

My aunt was the first to get a computer in the family (1981) and it was a VIC-20 which I found easy to use so I got interest in it.

However, in the summer of 1982, I went to a 'computer camp' where I learned BASIC on the Co-Co 2.

I finally got my own VIC-20 in late 1983. The C64 in the summer of 1985.

[cbmeeks]

Sorry for the delay!

I have a couple days vacation coming up tomorrow so I will try and get some pics online.

The project is coming along but I've hit a stand-still while I wait on the weather. November/December is NOT the time to be doing outside painting.

When I get home, it's dark and/or raining. Not to mention it's unusually cold for this area.

At the moment, the shell has 5 (yes, FIVE) layers of white primer. My next move is to sand it some more to smooth it out.

Then, if the weather permits, I will mask off everything and start with the black coat. I plan on painting it black around the keyboard area just like the original. I also plan on painting the insides black.

After I'm done with that, I plan on putting several coats (with sanding) of gray. I hope the gray I chose matches somewhat. I couldn't find an exact match.

Then, I'm going to try vinyl rub-off stickers for the port letters on the back. I hope this works better than using a clear label like the 8-Bit Guy did. Which I think looks tacky because you can see the label edges. The vinyl ink I got is supposed to be permanent. Lining them up is going to be hard.

If that works, I plan on putting a few coats of clear-coat to protect the paint from oily hands and to help preserve the lettering too.

Wish me luck!

[highinfidelity]

I suppose you're painting it with ready-to-use spray paint, otherwise you could have whichever grey tone you want...

[cbmeeks]

Yes, using off-the-shelf spray paint.

I wondered about having some paint mixed up but I don't own any sort of spray gun. If I do more of these in the future (only painting where painting is deemed a better option) then I might invest in some spray gear.

[cbmeeks]

As promised....my current work in progress.

We actually have some sunshine today!! Going to take advantage of it.

https://github.com/cbmeeks/trs-80/tree/master/CoCo%201

[RJBowman]

What I can tell you; all from memory.

The Color Computer was an odd machine with an odd history. It was originally developed as a dial-up data terminal for farmers. The idea was that they would be able to dial into the local coop extension, check on futures prices, make trades, etc. The program didn't pan out, but the hardware was developed, and someone had the idea to add a basic ROM, up the memory, and sell it as a computer.

It has an unusual CPU; not Z-80 series.

It was odd graphics modes. The hires mode had very limited color; I recall that most games were 2-colors on a black background. There was an odd text mode where you could slice and recombine characters horizontally; this mode was sometimes used to make game graphics by combining pieces of the standard text characters. There was nothing like VIC's programmable characters. The later CoCo 3 had additional graphics modes and many "demos" that you will find on Youtube use those modes; I don't consider that to be "real" Color Computer graphics. There were some odd hackable graphic features that were not documented by the manufacturer but were discovered by users; information is hard to come by.

There is an O.S. produced for the later version of the machine that still has a small hobbyist following.

The machine was handicapped for being a Radio Shack machine. No one but Radio Shack could sell the machine, so other stores didn't carry software for it. Radio Shack refused to carry third party software, so the major software companies didn't produce games for it. Companies like Activision and Parker Brothers would port games to a dozen different machines, but never the Color Computer. There was at least one magazine dedicated to the machine, and small companies sold their third party products through small ads in that magazine.

[J.E.E.K.]

What I can tell you; all from memory.
[..]
It has an unusual CPU; not Z-80 series.
[..]
There is an O.S. produced for the later version of the machine that still has a small hobbyist following.
[..]

To be more specific, the CPU used in the Coco is the well known 6809. For sure, not that spread like 65xx or Z80.
The OS you mentioned could be NitrOS-9, an OS-9 derivate, free from Microware licensing. A real multi-tasking and multi-user even (with 64 K).
But there many other OS like Flex, which expresses the power of the 6809.
The Coco community is very vital and active (mailing list, FB groups), developing NitrOS-9, FPGA solutions and hardware of all kinds.
Not to mention the many industrial (GESPAC) and SBC designs based on this CPU.
Languages like Forth flourish on such a CPU (yes, I have to confess, I'm addicted to this CPU)

The Coco 1 and Coco 2 had close relatives in Europe, the Dragon 32 and Dragon 64. Not exactly the same, but very similar. The Coco 3 has been left on its own.
Thomson home computers like the MO5 or TO7 (French roots) could be regarded also as some far relatives.

Just for orientation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category: ... _computers

[siccoyote]

Is this any relation to the color genie?