386 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
386 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
1. NEC PC8201a & PC8300 FAQ
|
|
1. Introduction:
|
|
2. Q. What is an NEC PC8201a or PC8300?
|
|
1. Kyocera KC85
|
|
2. NEC PC8201a
|
|
3. NEC PC8300
|
|
4. Olivetti M10(US) and M10(Euro)
|
|
5. Tandy Model 100
|
|
6. Tandy Model 102
|
|
7. Tandy Model 200
|
|
3. Q. What are the STAT settings?
|
|
4. Q. Where can I get online support for the 82 and 83?
|
|
5. Q. Can I get a manual anywhere?
|
|
1. Q. Are there any magazines currently covering the 82 and 83?
|
|
6. Q. Is anyone still selling stuff for these machines?
|
|
7. Q. How do I keep my text file from running over the perforations when I print using the LIST on the menu of my
|
|
82?
|
|
8. Q. My 82 or 83 used to remember files when I turned it off. Now it doesn't. What can I do?
|
|
9. Q. How can I run my 82 or 83 for six weeks in the desert without all those AA batteries?
|
|
10. Q. Where can I get a spreadsheet, scheduler, project manager, etc.?
|
|
|
|
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
|
|
NEC PC8201a & PC8300 FAQ
|
|
|
|
(October, 1994)
|
|
|
|
by Ron Hopkins-Lutz -- aa747@cleveland.freenet.edu
|
|
|
|
Introduction:
|
|
|
|
This FAQ is provided to help owners or users of the NEC pre-MSDOS model PC8201a and PC8300 portable computers. All
|
|
information is as accurate as I could make it. However no guarantee is made that this information is 100% accurate. It
|
|
is based on 9 years experience with the model PC8201a, old magazines, and notes taken through the years. For the rest
|
|
of this FAQ the PC8201a will be referred to as the 82 and the PC8300 as the 83. Please send me any corrections,
|
|
updates, or technical information at my E-mail address above.
|
|
|
|
Although this is obviously target toward the Nec machines, it gives useful information about the history of the M100 line,
|
|
and most of the information here pertains to the whole family of the Kyocera line
|
|
|
|
Q. What is an NEC PC8201a or PC8300?
|
|
|
|
A. In 1983 Kyoto Ceramics, Kyocera, (or also try this bio page) started manufacture of a series of light weight battery
|
|
powered computers based on Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) microprocessor called the 80c85. There were
|
|
eight variations produced under four brand names. Seven were built by Kyocera and one by Nec. All were available in the
|
|
United States and other parts of the world at various times. The 82 and 83 were the NEC variants.
|
|
|
|
All eight variants shared certain features:
|
|
|
|
* Powered by 4 AA batteries or optionally by a 6 volt AC adapter.
|
|
* Screendisplay 40 characters wide on an LCD screen.
|
|
* Size of a three ringnotebook.
|
|
* Text editor (TEXT), BASIC programming language (BASIC), and telecommunications (TELCOM) software permanently in ROM.
|
|
* Ability to take programs on an optional ROM socket.
|
|
* Memory could be expanded.
|
|
* Full size keyboard.
|
|
* Minimum of 8k RAM installed for programs and files. (Most had more)
|
|
* Weight under 5 pounds.
|
|
* Could save and load programs and data from a cassette recorder with a special cable.
|
|
* Simple text based point and shootinterface. Sort of a text Macintosh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The eight models are listed below with their individual variations.
|
|
|
|
Kyocera KC85
|
|
|
|
* 16k RAM installed expandable to 32k
|
|
* 8 line display
|
|
* Simple database & scheduler included
|
|
|
|
NEC PC8201a
|
|
|
|
* 16k RAM installed, expandable to 2 banks of 32k each.
|
|
* 8 line display
|
|
* Redefinable screen character set
|
|
* Could take memory cartridges of up to 128k in special slot
|
|
* Video monitor interface available.
|
|
* Portable disk drive available.
|
|
* Portable printer available.
|
|
|
|
NEC PC8300
|
|
|
|
* Built by NEC
|
|
* 32k RAM installed, expandable to 2 banks of 32k each or 1 bank of 64k.
|
|
* 8 line display
|
|
* Redefinable screen character set
|
|
* Could take memory cartridges of up to 128k in special slot
|
|
* Video monitor interface available.
|
|
* Portable disk drive available.
|
|
* Portable printer available.
|
|
* Able to emulate PC8201a
|
|
* Internal modem optional.
|
|
* Advanced TEXT with printer formatting.
|
|
* Advanced TELCOM with X-Modem file transfer.
|
|
|
|
Olivetti M10(US) and M10(Euro)
|
|
|
|
These machines differed internally as to memory addresses and in software for conventions for the two markets.
|
|
* 16k RAM installed expandable to 32k
|
|
* 8 line display
|
|
* Simple database & scheduler included
|
|
* Tilt up 8 line display.
|
|
* Modem included.
|
|
|
|
Tandy Model 100
|
|
|
|
* 8k (later 24k) of RAM installed expandable to 32k.
|
|
* 8 line display
|
|
* Simple database & scheduler included
|
|
* Modem included.
|
|
|
|
Tandy Model 102
|
|
|
|
* Lighter weight than Model 100.
|
|
* 24k of RAM installed expandable to 32k.
|
|
* 8 line display
|
|
* Simple database & scheduler included
|
|
* Modem included.
|
|
* Minor bugs from Model 100 fixed.
|
|
|
|
Tandy Model 200
|
|
|
|
* 24k of RAM installed expandable to 3 banks of 24k.
|
|
* 16 line clam shell type display
|
|
* Simple database & scheduler included
|
|
* Expanded Tandy BASIC.
|
|
* Modem included.
|
|
* Heaviest and largest of all the machines.
|
|
|
|
Q. What are the STAT settings?
|
|
|
|
A. The STAT settings are the way you configure the COM or communications port on an 82 or 83. The six digits break down as
|
|
follows.
|
|
|
|
|------Baud Rate
|
|
||---Parity
|
|
|||--Word length
|
|
||||-Stop Bits
|
|
8N81XS
|
|
||-SI/SO flow control
|
|
|-Xon/Xoff flow control
|
|
Baud rate: 1=75 2=110 3=300 4=600 5=1200 6=2400 7=4800 8=9600
|
|
|
|
Parity: N=None E=Equal O=Odd I=Ignore
|
|
|
|
Q. Where can I get online support for the 82 and 83?
|
|
|
|
A. On the Internet there are two newsgroups where you can post questions. The first is comp.sys.laptops and the second is
|
|
comp.sys.tandy. The tandy newsgroup has many participants who have old magazines, etc. and who sometimes answer posted
|
|
questions.
|
|
|
|
If you are on America Online there is a support area run by NEC. It has a message board that has a topic area for older
|
|
and no longer supported portable NEC computers.
|
|
|
|
If you are on Compuserve there are archives in the Tandy area that include text files and programs for the Model 100.
|
|
There are also files on how to use these on an NEC. There are some files specifically for the NEC machines.
|
|
|
|
If you are on GEnie there are archives in the Tandy Roundtable that include text files and programs for the 82 and 83, the
|
|
kc85, the Olivettis, and the Model 100. There are also files on how to use the Model 100 files on an NEC.
|
|
|
|
I do not know what the status is on Delphi or Prodigy, but if you are members there it won't hurt to look.
|
|
|
|
NEC also has a technical support BBS at (508) 635-4706. I do not believe they have any files for the 82 or 83, but they
|
|
_might_ answer questions.
|
|
|
|
Club 100 is a BBS in California that also sells some accessories that fit the 82 and 83. They charge for membership and
|
|
have some files for the 82 and 83. The phone number is (510) 939-1246. See below on the vendor list for mailing address.
|
|
Their consignment area often has a lot for the 82 and 83, but you must scroll through all of it. One thing they have is
|
|
back issues of Portable 100 and Pico magazines, which are a gold mine of information. They also produce some products for
|
|
the 82 and 83. They were still operting as of late September of this year.
|
|
|
|
The Daily Planet BBS offers both files for these machines and is a contact for Daniel Cohen, a dealer who supports these
|
|
machines. The BBS number is (808) 572-4856 or 7. The BBS is free. Daniel responded to E-mail on his system in thelast
|
|
couple of weeks and confirms he has some parts for the 82 and 83 as well as produces a custom ROM for some models. Daniel
|
|
has had praise from acquaintances who have dealt with him.
|
|
|
|
Q. Can I get a manual anywhere?
|
|
|
|
A. NEC parts used to have manuals. They ran about $35 with shipping. Last person I know of who ordered one, was still able
|
|
to get one in early 1993. Please let me know if you get one.
|
|
|
|
If you you can't find a manual, about 90% of the operations of the 82 and 75% of the 83 were identical with the same areas
|
|
on a Tandy Model 100/102. Old books on those machines should help. Pinouts of the ports are available by E-mail from me at
|
|
my address below.
|
|
|
|
Also Marvin Mally wrote a book called "Exploring the Nec PC-8201a." It is out of print, but sometimes Club 100 or others
|
|
have copies. This was nice because it summarized the NEC manual and was small enough to slip inside the case. It included
|
|
port pinouts, amoung other things.
|
|
|
|
Q. Are there any magazines currently covering the 82 and 83?
|
|
|
|
A. No. However the following magazines did cover the machine in the past. Back issues may be available through libraries,
|
|
etc.
|
|
* PICO - Wayne Green Publications - Included programs, technical articles on most portable machines. Many articles on
|
|
the NEC machines.
|
|
* Portable 100 - (IDG?) - Originally for the Tandy machine, it later covered the other Kyocera machines. Many articles
|
|
applied to all or were partially applicable to all.
|
|
* Terry Kepner's Portable News - (Portable Computing International Corporation) - This tabloid size newsletter started
|
|
up in January of 1993. It took over the archives and mailing list of Portable 100. It advertised back issues of
|
|
nPortable 100 as available. I do not know if they are still publishing. My attempts at telephone contact met with no
|
|
answer.
|
|
|
|
Last contact address was:
|
|
Portable Computing International Corporation
|
|
145 Grove Street Extension
|
|
P.O. Box 428
|
|
Peterborough, NH 03458-0428
|
|
Phone: (603) 924-9455
|
|
FAX: (603) 924-9441
|
|
|
|
Q. Is anyone still selling stuff for these machines?
|
|
|
|
A. Yes, believe it or not.
|
|
|
|
Memory is still available from:
|
|
|
|
Purple Computing
|
|
2048 Southside Road
|
|
Murphy, OR 97533
|
|
(800) 732-5012
|
|
8k RAM chips, Memory cartridges up to 128k
|
|
(Confirmed 9/94)
|
|
|
|
Other miscellaneous stuff can be found from time to time from the following vendors:
|
|
|
|
Club 100
|
|
P.O. Box 23438
|
|
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
|
|
Phone: (510) 932-8856
|
|
FAX: (510) 937-5039
|
|
BBS: (510) 939-1246
|
|
Also have for sale area on BBS with occasional things.
|
|
(Confirmed 9/94)
|
|
(They are still there - Andy Jan, 1996 - 2400 baud MAX!)
|
|
|
|
Pacific Computer Exchange
|
|
1031 S.E. Mill St., Suite # B
|
|
Portland, OR 97214
|
|
(503) 236-2949
|
|
Buys and sells Tandy and NEC equipment, buys 83s, sometimes has stuff for 82 and 83.
|
|
(Confirmed 9/94)
|
|
|
|
Daniel Cohen
|
|
The Daily Planet BBS
|
|
Box 237
|
|
Plymouth, NH 03264
|
|
Phone: (800) 338-1839 (Sales - Voice mail)
|
|
BBS: (808) 572-4856 or 7 (8N1 300/1200/2400/9600)
|
|
E-mail: sysop@tdp.org
|
|
E-mail: 1:345/111 (Fidonet)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr. Cohen has been supporting these machines for years and has many,special products not available elsewhere. He has a
|
|
FAX on demand service. He provides full support so his prices are reasonable but do not expect garage sale prices.
|
|
People who have dealt with him report they are very pleased.
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Confirmed 10/94)
|
|
|
|
Q. How do I keep my text file from running over the perforations when I print using the LIST on the menu of my 82?
|
|
|
|
A. You need a print formatter, the LIST option from the main screen was designed to list programs. A simple print
|
|
formatting program came on a cassette with the machine. If you have the cassette you can try it.
|
|
|
|
There are several excellent formatting programs in the archive on GEnie and Compuserve.
|
|
|
|
Here is a simple formatter. It is printed in a special format to make it easy to understand how to modify it. Type it in
|
|
like any other BASIC program though. For example line 21 should be typed as 21FILES:PRINT
|
|
|
|
======== Program Listing Begins ========
|
|
FORM.BA
|
|
=======
|
|
Print formatting program
|
|
from PICO Magazine - June, 1988
|
|
Page 8 - Letters column
|
|
---------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
1 CLS :'Clear screen
|
|
21 FILES :'list files
|
|
:PRINT :'extra screen line
|
|
22 W=64 :'set print width
|
|
:G=8 :'left margin
|
|
:J=1 :'line spacing
|
|
:C=INT(49/J)
|
|
:O=W :'print width temp
|
|
23 INPUT "*.DO file";C$ :'file to print
|
|
:OPEN C$ FOR INPUT AS 1 :'open file
|
|
30 INPUT "Page # [Y/N]";E$ :'number pages?
|
|
34 IF E$<>"Y" AND E$<>"y" THEN GOTO 36 :'if no jump over #
|
|
35 A=A+1 :'page number count
|
|
:LPRINT TAB(39);"Rick Hopkins-Lutz, Page ";A :'print page #/name
|
|
36 K=1 :'position on page
|
|
37 FOR M=1 TO O :'get line of text
|
|
38 H$=INPUT$(1,1)
|
|
:IF EOF(1) THEN GOTO 51
|
|
40 I$=I$+H$
|
|
:IF H$=CHR$(10) THEN N=W
|
|
:GOTO 46
|
|
41 NEXT M
|
|
42 FOR N=W TO 1 STEP -1
|
|
43 IF MID$(I$,N,1)=CHR$(32) THEN GOTO 45
|
|
44 NEXT N
|
|
:N=W
|
|
45 J$=RIGHT$(I$,W-N)
|
|
:I$=LEFT$(I$,N)
|
|
:GOTO 47
|
|
46 I$=LEFT$(I$,LEN(I$)-2)
|
|
:J$=""
|
|
47 LPRINT TAB(G);I$; :'print margin
|
|
:FOR X=1 TO J :'do line spacing
|
|
:LPRINT
|
|
:NEXT X
|
|
:K=K+1 :'line count
|
|
49 I$=J$
|
|
:O=N
|
|
50 IF K>C+1 THEN GOTO 52 ELSE GOTO 37 :'end of page?
|
|
51 LPRINT TAB(G);I$ :'print text line
|
|
:K=K+1 :'line count
|
|
52 IF NOT EOF(1) THEN LPRINT CHR$(12) :'end of last page?
|
|
:GOTO 34 :'if no new page
|
|
53 LPRINT CHR$(12) :'end of last page
|
|
56 CLOSE 1 :'close file
|
|
:MENU :'leave program
|
|
======== Program Listing Ends ========
|
|
|
|
If all else fails you can E-Mail below and I will E-Mail you an ASCII listing and instructions for an advanced Wordstar
|
|
command print formatter. (At some point I may upload these to The Daily Planet BBS, if requests get too heavy.) E-Mail to:
|
|
|
|
aa747@cleveland.freenet.edu
|
|
|
|
Topic: NEC PRINT UTILITY
|
|
|
|
Q. My 82 or 83 used to remember files when I turned it off. Now it doesn't. What can I do?
|
|
|
|
A. Your 82 and 83 have a small wafer Nickel-Cadmium battery in them. It is recharged by the AC adapter or the penlight
|
|
batteries when the machine is not in use. They were designed with about a five year life before they wouldn't charge
|
|
anymore. Yours just died.
|
|
|
|
You can try a couple of things.
|
|
|
|
1. You can keep it plugged in or AA batteries in it when not plugged in. A set of AA batteries will keep the memory for
|
|
about a year if you don't run the machine itself off them. If you do, plug it in when changing batteries.
|
|
|
|
OR
|
|
|
|
2. Open up the bottom of the case and take out the little Ni-Cad. Some versions had a single wafer, others two wafers
|
|
together with heat shrink around them. Go to you favorite electronics parts catalog or service man and see if you can find
|
|
a match.
|
|
|
|
OR
|
|
|
|
3. Take out the old one. Install a small battery holder (the old cell was soldered in) and replace with any Ni-Cad that
|
|
will fit and is the right voltage and a similar amperage. There's really quite a bit of room in the case where the battery
|
|
goes.
|
|
|
|
Q. How can I run my 82 or 83 for six weeks in the desert without all those AA batteries?
|
|
|
|
A. Because any 6 volt DC circuit can run the thing if it has the right plug, just make a battery pack with 4 D cells in
|
|
it. Take along a set of AAs as a backup. You could also try something fancy with solar cells to recharge batteries, etc.,
|
|
but the size of 4 D cells is more practical. For emergencies, take along a couple of wires with alligator clips and run it
|
|
off the 6 volt battery in your camp lantern.
|
|
|
|
Q. Where can I get a spreadsheet, scheduler, project manager, etc.?
|
|
|
|
A. Try GEnie's Tandy Roundtable or CompuServe's Model 100 area. There were quite a few of these things there last time I
|
|
looked. The listings are quite long to type in but the text files can be converted using the instructions in the NEC
|
|
manual.
|
|
|
|
You can also try The Daily Planet BBS (see above) with your 82 or 83. Since this is a long distance call borrow the
|
|
fastest modem you can. Progams cannot be downloaded with the 82 or 83 unless you have first downloaded the programs
|
|
XMODEM.PCH and XMODEM.DO from The Daily Planet. These two files are in a special text format. Any file ending in .ZIP must
|
|
be downloaded to a PC and unZIPped first. The only one on TDP at the moment that qualifies is the one on using the Tandy
|
|
Portable Disk Drive
|
|
|
|
with the NEC machines. If you can't find what you want, E-Mail me at the above address and if I have what you want I'll
|
|
send it back to you.
|
|
|
|
Sometimes the simple machines do more because there is no complexity to slow you down
|
|
|
|
(c) 1994 by Ron Hopkins-Lutz -- aa747@cleveland.freenet.edu
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
"The peace of Allah be with you and in your heart."
|
|
Ron Hopkins-Lutz -- aa747@cleveland.freenet.edu
|