Trying to get a Tandy 1000HX running

[NZ2N]

I picked up a Tandy 1000HX for $5 (probably $4 too much) with the idea that I could find programs for it online, put them on floppy, and mess around with it a bit. I can find the programs but that is about as far as it goes. I can copy them to a floppy but the Tandy doesn't see them. I'm not 100% confident that the copying process is working correctly because from time to time Windows asks if I want to format the disk then if I say yes it says it can't. I tried it with Ubuntu too and although I didn't get the format problem the Tandy still couldn't read the disk. I'm kind of new at this, any ideas about what I could be doing wrong? I'm guessing this is a DOS thing but I really don't know.

[KB8UFP]

Your floppy drive is broken. Either the one that is copying the programs TO the floppy disk, or the one on the old Tandy, or both.

Floppy drives typically last a year or two at the most (EVEN LESS IF ITS NEVER USED!!!) Replacement drives are about $2 at most computer shows/Internet, or less than $20 at a cpu store.

The other possibility is that the old tandy is so old that it has a low density floppy drive vs. your high density floppy drive.

If its that old then it won't support a new drive (all are high density), so your better off getting your $5 by taking a sledgehammer to it in the name of Peter Gibbons.

The HD floppies started coming out circa 1990-1993ish, so thats how you can tell.

[NZ2N]

Now that you mention it, this floppy drive has always seemed a bit quirky. I'll swap it out and see what happens.

I believe the Tandy has a low density drive so I'll look into that problem too.

Thanks.

[AE6QE]

Quote[/b] ]The other possibility is that the old tandy is so old that it has a low density floppy drive vs. your high density floppy drive.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this one. I had an HX a long time ago (when they were on clearance from Radio Shack), and I am pretty sure it had a 720 kb drive.

But, if memory serves me, at least you have DOS 3.3 in firmware...forever?!?!

73,
Rickey/AE6QE

[NZ2N]

Yup it has a 720kb drive and I think you guys are right about that being the problem.

I also think I may have a bad batch of floppies because I tried one that I had around the house and I was able to format it just fine. Nonetheless, the Tandy couldn't / wouldn't read it.

[NZ2N]

Quote[/b] (AE6QE @ Mar. 10 2007,01:08)]But, if memory serves me, at least you have DOS 3.3 in firmware...forever?!?!
DOS 2.11

[KG6YTZ]

Quote[/b] (KC0VWU @ Mar. 10 2007,22:27)]
Quote[/b] (AE6QE @ Mar. 10 2007,01:08)]But, if memory serves me, at least you have DOS 3.3 in firmware...forever?!?!
DOS 2.11
Yeesh. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Well, at least it's a version of DOS that supports directories ["folders" to some of you newbies] - v1.xx had only the root directory and nothing else. As I understand it, even some of the oldest of the old DOS apps won't run under v1.xx.

Was the HX1000 an XT-class machine, or AT-class?

Random thought: I have an HX1000 too, but mine is a 30-channel Regency handheld scanner. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[WD8OQX]

Just format the disk to low density - another thing to try, format it using DOS if you can. XP* (& linux - I believe) use a different method (at least there are a LOT more files on a boot disk) - worth a try...

---*I am assuming you are using XP---

[KB3NDN]

i do know one thing about the formatting - i know i always needed 400k disks for my mac - what i would do is take a 800k (720 for the ibm type) and put a piece of tape over the hole at the top of the disk - this would make the computer see it as a 400k disk then i would format - i think true floppies work the same way, but i havent seen one in a while.

[KE5CAX]

The tandy drive may not be broken, the heads on that drive are larger in surface area than a HDD floppy drive. try formatting in the tandy for low density and then writing in the other drive. I had this issue with a 1000tx years ago.

Ed

[AD4MG]

If my memory is right, the Tandy has a DD floppy drive, capacity is 360k. Most "modern" drives are HD, and have capacities of 720k, or 1.2m .

The track written by a DD drive is twice as wide as the one written in a HD drive. The Tandy will only be able to read disks formatted in the DD drive, with the wide track. Formatting the disk in a HD drive results in a floppy that can be read in the HD drive, but because of the previous wide track written in the DD drive, DD drives will see a narrow formatted track in the middle of a wide track. Result - read errors.

My experience has been that to use a DD floppy, you must format the disks in them, and they should never have been written to or formatted in a HD drive. It's a nightmare I used to fight all the time. I was delighted when the 3-1/2" floppy came out. It didn't have these issues.

There is no easy solution. There is a web site that has forums concerning old computers where you might find some information ... www dot vintage-computer dot com.

Good luck!

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

One of the things that must be remembered was that the media formulations changed
Single and dual density disks are iron oxide.
High density is semi-metal.
Think audio cassette.

[AB8RU]

A few other things to check out.

Battery to CMOS any good ?
if not buy new.
also if BIOS settings can be peeked at make sure at 720Mb. some may been software in setup download that driver a reflash the drive may be in order in case of some reason the BIOS is causing problems.

second check drive connections with computer off check the ribbon and power connector any greeen or blue gunk on ends is corrosion if its a AT style cable replace it dont waste time cleaning it. also make sure floppy is 720 MB. compatitable #

I just came accross this web page in PDF file


Be sure the red or blue stripe is on pin no 1 reversed your drive light will stay on. also read the docs #A drive and B drive the floppy cable has a twist in it a straight cable will not work.

also check power cable make sure its seated in firmly and look for corosion.

Any loose, corroded stuff can also mess things up.

this looks interesting

720 MB Floppy data PDF file (http://matthieu.benoit.free.fr/skettes.pdf)

I just downloaded it.

[W6TMI]

I'll be the non PC stick in mud here..


Why are you bothering with obsolete garbage?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (kf6rdn @ April 18 2007,17:11)]I'll be the non PC stick in mud here..


Why are you bothering with obsolete garbage?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Why??? BECAUSE!

The older equipment is still usable, and has REAL serial (RS-232C) ports.
Actually, I still use a NEC Multispeed (XT compatible floptop) with dual 720 kB, 3.5" drives for packet and contest logging. The display backlight is growing dim, but I can always hook it up to a MultiSync monitor (the original TTL/Analog model) if worst comes to worst. Just spent $12
for 9.6 Volts/2200mAH worth of new NiMH batteries for the beast.
RE: The 1000 HX:

Are those 5.25" or 3.5" drives?

You CAN format 3.5" disks to DD (720 kB.) With HD drives, you will have to cover the "hole" opposite the write protect opening; and use opaque tape, so light (IR light) won't pass through.
You may be able to install a HD drive (1.44 MB)3.5" drive in the HX, that would be the easiest solution.

I assume XP works the same as Windoze 98SE; go to the MS-DOS prompt, and type:

FORMAT A: /F:720 /U

That will do a full (unconditional) format at 720 kB.
Then try saving your program on the XP machine and transferring it to the "old" machine.
Good luck.

[WD4CHP]

Quote[/b] (kf6rdn @ April 18 2007,19:11)]I'll be the non PC stick in mud here..


Why are you bothering with obsolete garbage?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Because it is fun to fool around with stuff and try to make things work.

A mental challange keeps you young.

This from an "O F"

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ April 30 2007,20:28)]
Quote[/b] (kf6rdn @ April 18 2007,17:11)]I'll be the non PC stick in mud here..


Why are you bothering with obsolete garbage?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Why??? BECAUSE!

The older equipment is still usable, and has REAL serial (RS-232C) ports.
Actually, I still use a NEC Multispeed (XT compatible floptop) with dual 720 kB, 3.5" drives for packet and contest logging.
Besides, I paid $1000 for that sucker back in '85, and I want to get my money's worth out of it... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

(Didn't anybody ever tell you hams are cheap? Er, I mean frugal?)