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Computer Collector
June 28th, 2006, 07:09 AM
question- can I format disks right out of Basic? Or do I NEED a DOS disk and 2 drives to do this? It would be nice if I could format disks right out of my built-in model 3 basic on my model 4.
Terry Yager
June 28th, 2006, 07:38 AM
AFAIK, it can't be done from BASIC, but it's been awhile since I spent any quality time with the docomentation. If it helps, you can d/l a buncha docs here:

http://www.trs-80.com/

--T
Computer Collector
June 28th, 2006, 06:15 PM
what, AFAIK?
Terry Yager
June 28th, 2006, 06:46 PM
AsFarAsIKnow...Sorry...!

--T
billdeg
June 29th, 2006, 10:53 PM
Yes, you need an DOS loaded into the system OR...There are PC emulators that you can use to format a diskette on an IBM PC that you can then use on a TRS 80 Model III or 4. This is useful if you're trying to determine whether the TRS's disk drive works or not. There are a lot of experts on this board, it won't take long for you to get more options, but I am pretty sure none will have a way to do this using BASIC..
kb2syd
June 30th, 2006, 05:26 AM
As far as I know, if you've booted into basic, the code to control the floppies is never executed. You need a boot disk. There are many ways to create them. The best way is via the emulator as Bill says. However, if you need one and don't want to bother with the emulator, you can have someone email you a teledisk or imagedisk image of a boot floppy. You can then write the image to disk directly from dos.
Terry Yager
June 30th, 2006, 08:15 AM
Ira's site also has a number of bootdisk images available for d/l, as well as emulators for the peecee to write-out the images.

--T
Computer Collector
July 1st, 2006, 10:35 PM
Yeah, Iras site used to have a nice large list of software, but now its gone
Computer Collector
July 1st, 2006, 10:37 PM
If someone wants to email me that teledisk or imagedisk file, Pm me. Im not sure If I will know how to do it, though. I would have to install a 5-1/4" disk drive into my computer, or an older PC, I guess.
kb2syd
July 5th, 2006, 05:00 AM
Yeah, Iras site used to have a nice large list of software, but now its gone
Yes, the list is gone. You now have to use a very unfriendly search system. The search term must be at least two characters, and if it returns more than some arbitrary number (I think 20) then you have to "narrow" your search.