************ NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] Sub: Help for Geneva, Starlet, & CP/M This Topic is for help questions and answers regarding using GEnie with the NEC Starlet, Epson Geneva, and any other CP/M laptop. Please use Category 1 for more general GEnie help questions. ************ ------------ Sun Dec 06, 1987 K.REGESTER I am having trouble d-loading with my Starlet. I am using the N0DE disk drive and get timeout errors every other Block due to disk writes I have tried using IMP245 but can't quite get it configured, what are the locations of the Baud Rate generator on the the starlet??? and which type of IO chips does it use??? I have a copy of MAC and RMAC for my C-128 so I can reassemble the ovrerlays for IMP.. I guess I really need a memory map for the Starlet. Any help??????? ....._=< Ken >=- ------------ Sun Dec 06, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: What luck have you had with the built-in Telcom program? It's been very reliable for me, but I don't have disk drives. T'would be my suggestion to use the built-in, with Xmodem activated, then download to your RAM transferring to disk after disconnect. But t'would seem to me download to disk should be supported with the resident Telcom program. Starlet-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Mon Dec 07, 1987 K.REGESTER Thnx fer reply, I have been trying to xfer from my C-128 and Amiga to the Starlet and the files are too big to d-load to ram disk. Using 2400 baud seems to work fairly well but i still get timeout errors every other block due to the N0DE drive grabbing the system bus (I think!!) I can get a generic version of IMP245 to work if I set the baud rate using TELCOM then load IMP and go from there, TELCOM is not very forgiving to timimg of the ACK/NAK and it's real easy for the Starlet to end up cancelling the d-load due to too many errors. I t does it here also if I don't use the RAM disk. (I like big files!!!) On another subject, I have gotten a lot of the CP/M 2.2 and 3.0 stuff to work on the NEC Like Eprolog Algol, etc.. MAC and RMAC work great!!!!!! So if I can get a memory map.. I be off and running. I especially need the port configuration specs, and info on the ROM banking system. THNXS ---- -=< Ken >=- I'll upload the C interpreter and a few other languages out of their libraries so those that don't have either the Disk drive or RAM carts can play too. I want to work out a driver to use the Commodore 1571 on the RS-232 (Lets you use all the CP/M 5.25 formats) ------------ Mon Dec 07, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: We'll be MOST interested in any/all files you have for the Starlet! Having just recently obtained a Starlet, I'm being very careful about publishing material in a manner usable by folks with only 32K when possible, and marking the goodies that need 64K mode as such. 8401-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Thu Dec 31, 1987 K.REGESTER Sorry I had to delete files 1504 and 1503 they didn't work on the starlet!!! If you are having trouble, I am sorry the .doc file is for a Mbasic PILOT program, the Zpilot.com file glitches out on input's so I trashed it... ------------ Sun Jan 10, 1988 J.JOHN Hi, I have a NEC Starlet PC-8401A-LS. I does not hold any RAM memory when switched off. Could the internal nicad be bad? It is a Yuasa Battery, catalog number 4-226FT-P. Help!!! ------------ Sun Jan 10, 1988 P.CLEVELAND [Grover] J. John I just went through this with another Starlet that had been in a closet for some months. First, does it hold memory when the charger is plugged in? If so, the battery may just need time to recharge. If, after the machine has been charging for some time, the memory is still not held, then there is a good possibility the battery is bad. good luck, Grover [WT6P] ------------ Sun Jan 10, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] J.John and Grover: Hmmmm, my Starlet had been sitting on a shelf for eons when I got it and I had no difficulties at all. Could it make a difference if it was turned off with no C batteries installed? That is what I'm using, so that is all I can think of! Mumblattering ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Mar 13, 1988 A.LAVIOLETTE I have a problem exactly the same as described in Topic 18 concerning the showing up of my programs in the menu. I always use the AC adapter with my NiCad rechargeable batteries left in the computer Starlet computer. ? Or shhould I take the batteries out of the computer when I use the adapter? Replies concerning similar problems would be appreciated. Andre. ------------ Sun Mar 13, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Andre: Having no experience with NiCad for the Starlet, I'll have to be satisfied with pointing you to the files 909 and 933 in Library 8 which discuss and help with NiCad battery usage in the Starlet. Pointing .... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sat Apr 23, 1988 R.PREUSS I recently purchased a NEC PC-8500 I have some questions that hopefully some one can answer. First some back ground information. I almost purchased a Tandy 1400LT PC compatible laptop but I couldn't justify the $$$. While reading a magazine I saw the NEC PC-8500 and for $310 it was mine(mail order). I figured at that price I couldn't go wrong. I use my Apple ][e to store the 8500's files using xmodem up loading and down loading. How old is this model? (Not that it matters that much but I'm curious) Does anyone have a recommendation for a, battery operated, portable printer? I was considering the Hewlett-Packard ThinkJet or Diconix 150. Both of these printers are available with either serial or parallel interfaces (the HP serial version is not battery operated). I would like a parallel printer but, I don't know if I can but the NEC parallel cable (PC-8494A). Is this cable still available from NEC? I've written to NEC asking for the location of the closest NEC dealer but haven't received a reply yet. Where would I find more information about .COM file types? This type of file is briefly described in the user's guide as executable file. What type of code does it execute? Can I use WordStar-To-Go to create and edit a .COM file? Thanks in advance for any help. Bob ------------ Sat Apr 23, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Bob: 1) For a parallel printer cable, you can use the Tandy/Radio Shack model supplied for the Model 100/Tandy 102. T'is #26-1409 for $14.95 2) Nope - no can prepare .COM files from WordStar to go. Those programs are prepared with assembly language or QBasic or ZBasic or C compiler programming; most of that is rather sophisticated. 3) Suspect you may need to acquire a memory expansion unit from NODE Systems - your 8500 is rather limited if you can only operate in 32k mode. 4) There are a lot of programs here that are for the 8401 and therefore are just fine for your 8500 - most others here will NOT work. In Library 8 use Starlet as your search word for programs specifically for your computer. Lotza fun .... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sat Apr 30, 1988 R.PREUSS ^Dave^: Thanks for your help. I'm new to the Laptop world and your reply is very helpful. I'll check out Library 8 for some programs and buy the cable. Could you tell me how to contact NODE Systems? Thanks again for your help. Bob ------------ Sat Apr 30, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Bob: Node Systems Inc. is in Grass Valley; CA = 1-916-477-6706 and tell them where you heard!! RAMpac-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Category 5, Message 16 Wed May 11, 1988 M.WADE3 at 21:13 EDT Irying to decide between the Starlet and the PX-8. Both being liquid-a ated for around $450 including 120K or so RAM disk. I'm a writer, use a CPM Kaypro for word processing, and need something to take notes on and possibly write a bit with on the road. Any advice would be welcome. I'm a little worried by the number of technical questions and problems I see mentioned on this board. Am I throwing my money away? Thanks. ------------ Wed May 11, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Though I have both [in order to provide support here], neither would be my laptop of choice in the $200-$500 range. Between the two, I'd make no particular recommendation. Very BEST thing for anyone to do that is considering these computers is to call around, locate a user group or store that can direct you to someone that has the computer, then get some hands on testing that-a-way before buying. To give some wee form of guidance, here is listing of what each comes with AS A STRIPPED DOWN, no extras, computer: 1) Epson PX-8 - Built-in micro-cassette recorder, 64K, two serial ports [no parallel port], CP/M utility ROM and BASIC ROM should be part of the stripped version but NOT the WordStar ROM. 8 x 80 LCD screen. 2) Starlet NEC PC-8401A - 64k, 16 x 80 LCD screen, WordStar, Telcom that includes Xmodem protocol, spreadsheet, personal Filer, serial port, parallel port, and CP/M. In checking files and writing programs, I've used external disk drives with both of them - slow. Also I've use 128K RAMpack from Node Systems on the Starlet, very nice. Problem is that EACH has definite strengths and each has definite weaknesses; each person must choose according to their needs. Good luck ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Mon May 16, 1988 GUY.T.RICE I can't comment on the NEC, since I have never used it, but all in all, I've been very pleased with my Epson PX-8. I have a 120K RAM disk an one external 3.5" disk for it...it's a useful and reliable machine, and best of all, it's small and light. (I have an IBM PC Convertable, but the thing is heavy and rather large. Same goes for all MS-DOS laptops that I know of, including the T1000....besides, I believe you said you use CP/M, so you probably don't want one of the MS-DOS things anyway...) GTR ------------ Thu May 19, 1988 P.CLEVELAND [Grover] I'm very pleased with my little Starlet. I bought the memory expansion from Node (necessary for the amount of work I do) and would do it all over again. Good luck. ------------ Sun Jul 24, 1988 MFS If anyone is interested in developing some programs for the 8500 I'd like to see some more games available. Preferably with good action and graphics if possible. I amagine programming the 8500 for this type of thing is pretty tricky, so I wish you lots - o - luck. -Mark- ------------ Sun Jul 24, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Mark: Glad to hear of the interest in programs, games included! As you say, it is "pretty tricky" but CAN be done with ZBASIC from ZedCor. Have you seen the BOXES.COM, BDVIEW.COM, and GRAPHICS.COM in Library 8 that are specifically for the Starlet 8401/8500?? How much RAM do you have for your 8500 and did you get disk drive? Starlet-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Jul 31, 1988 MFS Hello Dave: Yes I've seen Boxes & BDView. I agree, it is amazing stuff for a machine not designed with graphics in mind. I have the 128K cart, but not the drive. Thanks. -Mark- ------------ Thu Mar 16, 1989 CAROL This file is the definition for the program 22DISK to format, read, and write 3 1/2" CP/M disks for the Starlet/PC8500 on an MSDOS computer. BEGIN NEC4 NEC PC-8500 - SSDD 96 tpi 3.5" DENSITY MFM,LOW CYLINDERS 80 SIDES 1 SECTORS 16,256 SIDE1 0 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16 BSH 4 BLM 15 EXM 1 DSM 151 DRM 127 AL0 0C0H AL1 0 OFS 4 END Run the file through GENINDEX and after renaming your CPMDISKS.DEF file rename this file CPMDISKS.DEF It will permit you to read and write disks. The manual of 22DISK will explain the parameters and you can give them to any CP/M software house to get disks in your size or use them in a 5 1/4 and 3 /12 machine (MSDOS) to transfer software, etc. Specify disk type code as NEC4 when usinf 22DISK. Discovered this in trying to trade disks with a fellow author who uses a PC8500. If you don't have 22DISK and use CP/M it is worth the download. ------------ Sat Mar 18, 1989 D.WALTERS6 Is there a program like this to read and write disks using an AMIGA 500 rather than a MS/DOS machine? ------------ Sun Apr 09, 1989 J.LEVINSON Do you know if the Radio Shack disk drives for the 1oo will work with the 8401?8401? ------------ Sun Apr 09, 1989 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] at 23:33 EDT Yep! Shur 'nuff know! The Shack disk drive will NOT work with Starlet. Sorry 'bout that ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. [Editor note: but a program became available 5/13/89 to use Tandy Disk ------------ ************ Sat Feb 14, 1987 NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] Sub: Uploads For Geneva, Starlet, CP/M Please use this Topic to announce uploaded files for the Geneva, Starlet, or any other CP/M laptop. This will alert the sysops to release your files, and will alert other members to the new goodies. ************ ------------ Sun Nov 01, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Starlet alert! Wheeee ooooooO! L'il Starlet joined our silicone pets this past Wednesday and we promptly decided that no Basic was unacceptable. Result? SLOTS.INT just uploaded for the benefit of all you folks that have yearned for the magnificent slot machine game available for other computers but not the Starlet. ERUN.COM is required for all *.INT files; syntax is: A>ERUN.COM SLOTS.INT or whatever the *.INT filename. Just made ERUN.COM available alone in Library 8 for those lacking in sufficient RAM to download EBASIC.LBR and extract the program. More programs in the works for the Starlet; business applications next. Stay tuned! CP/M-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Thu Nov 05, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Promises, promises .... and we keep them too! BUSINESS.INT, COMUFLT.COM, CRC.COM, DLCR.LBR, LOTTO.INT, and SLOTS.INT are just some of the programs published here for the Starlet in the past week - those with .COM extension should run on Epson PX-8, but I'm fairly certain that the .INT programs are Starlet specific. More to follow ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Thu Dec 24, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: [K.REGESTER] Thankee for the ZPILOT upload. Programming for the Starlet has led me more towards BASIC-E [or EBASIC] and the ZBasic compiler. Didn't look very hard, yet, at the ZPILOT capabilities. We'll be MOST interested in your .PIL files that you prepare for the Starlet! Surely we'll get goodies up and running for the new Starlet owners and growing membership here. Zpiloting ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Thu Dec 31, 1987 K.REGESTER I mentioned it on topic #1, but I repeat here. Files 1503 and 1504 are trashed so I deleted them. They don't work on the starlet (ZPILOT.COM) and the doc file is for another version of PILOT that needs Mbasic to run. Sorry all that D-loaded them I messed up. I did upload ZBASIC.COM #1536 and ZBASIC.DOC #1537 The northStar Basic re-write. It does work on the 32k or 64k Starlet and leaves 10k workspace in 32k mode! The syntax is different from MBasic but it's free!! and is an Interpreter so I de-libraried it and u-loaded it. -=< Ken >=- [KJ4ZF/KL7} ------------ Thu Dec 31, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: Not to confuse the issue [hopefully], I've re-named #1536 to ZBAS.COM which is it's name when run and #1538 to ZBAS.DOC. Partly what is involved is that I'm writing programs in ZBasic, a trademark of ZedCor, and methinks folks could be misled into thinking I'd written them in the ZBAS program derived from NorthStar Basic. Kinda interesting that you've chosen to work in ZBAS - will be most interested in your results. Somehow I thought that EBASIC [or BASIC-E] might be better for the Starlet and that is why I first published those files and the resulting .INT programs here. Have you successfully created an "auto-run" program as explained in paragraph 5 near the end of the documentation? Methinks that ZBAS and EBASIC share some weaknesses, such as the lack of INKEY$ and INPUT$(), so it will be interesting to find which has the greater strengths for Starlet users. Know from experience that EBASIC requires MUCH patience! Programming ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sat Jan 02, 1988 K.REGESTER Sure got the E-Basic right on the money. I thought that ZBAS had less overhead and since it's an interpreter, it'd be easier on the uninitiated (*me too!) I played around with it some more and really enjoy it. I have also tryied B- Basic compiler since I have MBasic for CP/M. Not really great results. how do you like ZBasic the interpiler ???? -=< Ken >=- ------------ Sat Jan 02, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: ZBasic is just fine, though it too takes some getting used to. Major problem with it is the overhead required since the .COM file has to carry with it the entire ZBasic command set. Thus, a ZBasic program that says "Hye dere Ken" would require 12K as a .COM program. This greatly cuts down the possibilities for the 32K mode folks. ASCII.COM took a lot of sweat and tears to get running in 32K mode; it is a subset of STARLET.COM which requires 64K mode. Note that BASIC-E requires less overhead for the program USER than does your ZBAS.COM since all the user requires is ERUN.COM. Could make a big difference in a large program intended for 32K mode users. Will be looking forward to your ZBAS creations for us! Programming ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Mon Jan 04, 1988 K.REGESTER I am trying some applications in B-Basic (BCBC.LBR on CP/M SIG) but it seems glitched. It offers a major improvement on all the above since it creates .ASM files foassembly by MAC or ASM. Alas it seems to crash fairly well on it's own commands and requires MBASIC to run. I am learning Z-80 assembly in the hopes to get it working I really need a bios and bdos map for the Starlet The ones for normal CP/M 2.2 seem off on most functions.... Any help ???? -=< Ken >=- the starlet hacker...... ------------ Mon Jan 04, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: Methinks the very best bet would be to call 1-800-NEC-SOFT and get a copy of "The Starlet Technical Notebook for the PC-8401A." Unlike many such manuals for Japanese products, this one was prepared here in the United States by the Personal Computer Division, NECHE. Steve Sarna was one of the folks involved - a name known to NEC PC-8201A users. Believe the Manual is $20. Programming ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. p.s. Is DDT any help from the Library here? It runs fine, but a lot of it is beyond my poor capabilities. That's files 1468-1470. ------------ Thu Jan 07, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: Just played with your disassembler upload, MSA15.COM. Worked just fine on the Starlet in 32K mode. Used it on ASCII.COM --- though I wrote that program, I can't make head or tails out of the resultant disassembly! Me oh my! One of these days perhaps I'll learn assembly, but .... Chwikkling along ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Mon Jan 18, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Starlet folks with 64K mode capability will be interested in the ZBasic demonstration program now available. ZBDEMLAP.LBR contains the demo program from Zedcor, plus a READ.ME containing Starlet configuration tips [as figured out by me], and STARLET.BAS the source code for STARLET.COM that has been here a few months. Note that the demo program does not provide for compiling and has certain other limitations as well - not to speak of the lack of documentation! The ZBasic manual is 360 pages, plus appendices. The Z-80 appendix is only 22 pages, but the Macintosh's runs to 206 pages. Files should be extracted from ZBDEMLAP.LBR using DE-LBR.COM and then unsqueezed with UNSQ.COM - both in Library 8. ZBasicing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Wed May 04, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] The Mona Lisa? Humphrey Bogart? Mickey Mouse? Yes! They are all available for the Starlet 8401 or 8500 with 64K mode. See BDVIEW.COM; must prepare a file called VIEWS.DO with your WordStar non-text mode. VIEWS.DO contains the number of BDVIEW files on your disk and their filenames. The BDVIEW files must contain the names as they are published here in Library 5 though BDVIEW.COM is in Library 8. Example of a proper VIEWS.DO file is thus: 5,L&H,NUDE1,FAB4_2,FACES,MONA With a VIEWS.DO file like that, then L&H.DO, NUDE1.DO, FAB4_2.DO, FACES.DO and MONA.DO from Library 5 would have to be on your default drive with the BDVIEW.COM program. What amazing wonders Ted McKosky has led us all to! Graphically ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Fri May 06, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Somebody forgot to inform the Starlet that it was incapable of any sort of graphics display. See BOXES.COM for a dazzling display of boxes within boxes within boxes ... An entrancing, hypnotic way to relax after visiting the fine pictorial gallery offered by BDVIEW.COM. A salute to J. Patrick Harrington for the techniques that lead to the preparation of these programs! Graphically ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Mon Nov 14, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Folks interested in more serious programming for the Starlet might like the SANTA.BAS file in Library 8 - it is a runnable ZBasic program but even without ZBasic the source code should make interesting reading. The program accesses the Starlet's clock for seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and year. In case you din' know it, there is no DATE$ or TIME$ available on the Starlet, even with ZBasic. If you just want the program without the source, then download SANTA.COM which is the compiled SANTA.BAS - but requires 64k mode as well. Programming ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ ************ Tue Oct 27, 1987 JRIGGLE Sub: Starlet-printer...HELP!! Parameters for a serial printer with a Starlet ************ ------------ Category 5, Message 1 Tue Oct 27, 1987 JRIGGLE (Forwarded) I have just purchased a Starlet and a Big Blue Printer. My problem is that the Starlet doesn't seem to want to take the parameters for the printer. When I enter the parameters at the "type mode of serial LPT" prompt all I get is an "invalid data" message. I've tried entering the info every way I can think of (including the way the book says) but no luck. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it just a matter of the proper syntax or is it just that my brand new Starlet doesn't like me? Thx for any help. JRIGGLE ------------ Wed Oct 28, 1987 NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] "serial LPT" sounds like a contradiction--are you using a serial or parallel printer? Is this in WordStar-To-Go, or somewhere else on the Starlet? Does anything happen if you try and print without doing anything to the parameters? Let me know, Neil ------------ Fri Oct 30, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] JR: Picked up a Starlet for firstest time in my life late Wednesday! Having a FASCINATING time lern'n to write programs for it in E-BASIC. As to the printer - we need more input. Had trouble at all going straight to pmy Epson. But there are several set-ups needed. 1) From the main MENU, you use "Option" and then "Printer" function keys - The prompt is then "Select type" and all you need to do is press either F-1 for Parallel or F-2 for Serial. That is that. 2) When in WordStar, there is a chance to choose the printer, but I just left it at the default since I plan no special printing. All was fine. Bester luck ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. p.s. Watch for some Starlet goodies in the coming weeks! Right here! [In Library 8, that is.] ------------ Sat Nov 07, 1987 JRIGGLE Thanks to everyone for the help. I was having a syntax problem when enter ing the parameters of my printer. Everything working fine now. Thanx again. Jim ------------ ************ Fri Oct 30, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Sub: Starlet NEC 8401 & E-Basic programming Comments, tips, help for programming the Starlet NEC 8401A in E-Basic and using EBAS as well as ERUN.COM. ************ ------------ Fri Oct 30, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Say hey thar Starlet crew! Wednesday evening I picked up an NEC 8401A, which I'd never laid eyes on afore now. Also, I've never played around with CP/M in the least bit [or byte]. This afternoon I conquered the mysteries of getting reverse video, cleared screen, and cursor positioning done from E-BASIC. Standby for some new programs for your Starlet! Would appreciate hearing from folks with Starlet E-BASIC experience that have covered the ground already. Methinks I'm ready to do some real programming, but all hints/tips would be welcomed! Lotza fun programming ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Feb 14, 1988 A.LAVIOLETTE WITH ONLY 32K ON THE STARLET, THERE IS NO WAY TO DOWNLOAD EBASIC.LIBR (37K). SO, IS EBAS THE ONLY WAY TO CREATE .INT FILES IN WORDSTAR? ------------ Sun Feb 14, 1988 A.LAVIOLETTE What about ERUN.COM? Can we create .INT files in Wordstar to use with ERUN.COM, without using EBAS.COM? Or is there any other way? With thanks, Andr Laviolette ------------ Sun Feb 14, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Andre: Nope, ERUN.COM can do it's work ONLY on the .INT files that can be prepared ONLY by the EBAS.COM program. Methinks you're rapidly finding that you need to expand your Starlet with either a disk drive or RAMpack from Node Systems. With your current capacity, ZBAS is your best bet for fooling around and creating your own programs. Forgot about size when I steered you to the EBASIC.LBR file. Within that library file is EBAS.COM at 12K; the ERUN.COM you have is 11K plus. Thus, for you to create BASIC-E programs using just the 32K that you have, you'd have to: 1) Write your program in WordStar non-document mode to have an ASCII source code. 2) Load your EBAS.COM to compile your THISUN.BAS into THISUN.INT 3) Kill EBAS.COM 4) Load your ERUN.COM and test your program with: ERUN THISUN.INT 5) First few dozen tries, your program would crash with many errors. IF NOT SUCCESS THEN 6 ELSE 9 6) Kill ERUN.COM 7) Edit your THISUN.BAS in WordStar non-document mode. 8) GOTO #2 9) Success? Wild cheers and whoops of joy! Even WITH a full 64K mode capacity, programming with EBAS requires much, much patience. That's why methinks ZBAS.COM might be better for you. By next weekend, I'm expecting to have more help files/programs here. Enjoy programming ... the Laptops way .... .^Dave^. ------------ Sat Nov 19, 1988 J.LEVINSON Is it posible to download an 8401 program to my Mac and then download it to to my 8401? Sort of using the Mac's disk for storage. ------------ Sun Nov 20, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] J.L.: That's what I do a lot with my PC-compatible; I've had no trouble transferring files via the Starlet's TELCOM program using it's Xmodem protocol and my fast file transfer program on my PC-compatible. Thus, all you need to figure out is your Mac's set up to do the same thing. Just make sure your Mac and your Starlet agree on SETUP; I use 8 bits, no parity, one stop bit, protocol on for all my fast file transfers with the baud rate at 9600. Transferring ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ ************ Thu Dec 10, 1987 NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] Sub: Books for CP/M laptops Discussion and recommendations of books for the Starlet, Geneva and/or other CP/M laptops. ************ ------------ Thu Dec 10, 1987 NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] I have not personally read them, but others have recommended Soull of CP/M and CP/M Bible for serious CP/M users. They are on sale for about 75% off thru 12/31/87. Call 800-428-SAMS and order #22030 (Soul...) or #22015 (Bible) for only $4.99 each. Be sure to mention you saw them on the "90% off Flyer." Neil ------------ Thu Dec 10, 1987 NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] "A Programmer's Reference Guide for the NEC Starlet 8401" is available for $20.00 from NEC Home Electronics. Call Kelly Ryan at 312-860-9500 ext. 4202. Neil ------------ Thu Dec 24, 1987 K.REGESTER Tried the number, NEC really is difficult to get along with.... First they referred me to local Computerland that never heard of a Starlet. then tried to sell me a Multispeed. Second call (toll call) resulted in "they're off today in parts dept. try again monday.." Real swift, no wonder the poor lil' starlet died of abuse.... -=< More as it develops >=- I am still looking for a decent memory map and chip configuration info for USART, etc.. -=< Ken >=- ------------ Thu Dec 24, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: Just another reason [computer firms] why Mortimer [actually, my l'il Model 100] has consistently advised me ... "Patience else patients" ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Mon Oct 31, 1988 D.WALTERS6 I HAVE RECENTLY AQUIRED A PC-8500. I INSTALLED THE ZBAS.COM INTERPRETER WITHOUT PROBLEM DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO FIND DOCUMENTATION FOR THE COMPATIBLE NORTHSTAR BASIC 5.2 ? THE DOCUMENTATION WITH THE ZBAS.COM PROGRAM WAS SCANT. ------------ ************ Fri Dec 18, 1987 JTJOHNSON Sub: Saving Starlet files Seeking assistance on saving Starlet files to a cassette recorder ************ ------------ Fri Dec 18, 1987 JTJOHNSON All: I have been having problems saving my files to my cassette recorder. I'm using a Radio Shack "Minisette-15" recorder with all the right cables. Problem is that sometimes the file is saved; sometimes not. Other times, I know the file has been saved, but won't download into the Starlet. Second, is there any way to generate a directory of what files are on the cassette and a method to go directly to those files. That is, a method without having to watch the counter on the recorder. Thanks, Tom Johnson. ------------ Fri Dec 18, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Tom: Sorry that I've no Starlet cassette experience, but with the many hours of struggling with cassette recorders and the Model 100 and NEC 8201, let me suggest that you experiment with the volume control. Often "lost" files all of a sudden appear as if by magic with tender adjustments to volume. For recording and playback, the middle range has generally been the best. As to file directory and jumping to specific file; rather doubt that can be arranged but perhaps it can be done under special software control. Mebbe inspection of the CAS programs for the Model 100 will lead us to bright ideas .... CAS:ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Mon Dec 21, 1987 K.REGESTER May I suggest a few ideas learned during my VIC-20 days; Use even increments on your tape counter (100,200,300 etc...). Use the 600 baud save rate (PIP CAS2:=A: this is more reliable than the 1200 baud (PIP CAS:=A: rate. Another tip is to make the first file on the tape a filer database of file counter locations. Or simply use a sticky label and write the filename and locations. Any help at all ???? -=< Ken >=- ------------ Mon Dec 21, 1987 JTJOHNSON Thanks Dave and "K.Regester" for the tips. I'll try 'em. jtj ------------ Sat Jul 02, 1988 CCH I found that the farther away from my old C-64 I stuck the tape machine, the better it worked. - Chris ------------ ************ Thu Dec 24, 1987 L.GENCO Sub: Kermit for Starlet? Trying to find a version of KERMIT that works on Starlet ************ ------------ Thu Dec 24, 1987 L.GENCO I have been haunting the COLUMBIA databases, trying to find a version KErmit that works with the abbreviated version of CP/M that the StarLet uses. So far, I have been unsuccessful. Has anybody had better luck? ------------ Thu Dec 24, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Lou: Gollee! Most of the Starlet folks I've come across are trying to find a way to PROGRAM the l'il fella! Methinks you're already in ADVANCED Starlet status! Enneehooo, I'll sure keep an eye out for Kermit but .... And Lou, we'd sure be grateful for any programs and/or tip/help files that you could provide for our Library 8!! Starlet-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Tue Dec 29, 1987 K.REGESTER I've had some sucess using IMP244 with the Starlet. I think you'll need a version that address's the serial port correctly. The version of IMP that has worked (marginally!!!) used a serial port at 28hI could upload but not download without tikmeout errors. I think the problems with Kermit will be in addressing the serial IO chip and setting the baudrate correctly If anyone can find out the correct chip types amd locations for the serial IO we could hack together a version of Kermit and IMP that work correctly. By the way for future reference, MAC, RMAC and HEXOM work very well on the lil' Starlet for you assembly language users... ---===< Ken >===--- ------------ Tue Dec 29, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ken: Ummmm, what happens if you use 2Eh instead of 28h ? Can you fiddle around with that? IMPing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sat Jan 02, 1988 K.REGESTER I am trying some more on IMP. I had it working last night but only at 300, 1200 baud. I disabled the baud rate setting routine but it still works 'tween my Starlet and the C-128 in CP/M mode I'll have totry it on the Amigatonight too. I'll reassemble it and after i test it all out, i'll u-load the full version for those with diskdrives. ------------ ************ Tue Nov 26, 1985 GENIE Sub: NEC Starlet & Epson Geneva This is the Category to Discuss the NEC Starlet and Epson Geneva. ************ ------------ Sun Dec 21, 1986 CHARLESHALL 12/20/86 If you are familiar with the public domain EBASIC or with CBASIC running under CP/M, I'd greatly appreciate some help. I want to run EBASIC on my NEC 8401A Starlet laptop, and so far it seems to work fine. But I need to know more about syntax required for certain statements and functions. In the help file which accompanies EBASIC, it says that it's a subset of CBASIC. The help file lists the usable statements and functions but without syntax; I've tested the majority and have found the syntax to be standard. However, there are several which I haven't been able to pin down. Besides syntax, I've made a few notes where I need more specific info. STATEMENTS: - OPEN,CLOSE,DEF,RANDOMIZE -FILE,OUT (what do these do?) -DIM (what are limits of dimensioning arrays? do string variables need to be dimensioned? if so, what is maximum length?) FUNCTIONS: -RND,FRE,POS -INP (what does this do?) Thanks for helping! Once I have this info together, I'll post an addition to the EBASIC help file on the CP/M and LAPTOPS BBS's. This should be useful to others wanting to use EBASIC in the future. Reply to me here or EMAIL (preferable) to CHARLES.HALL ------------ Mon Mar 09, 1987 C.M.SANDERS I am thinking of buying a laptop. A suplus company is dumping something called KYOTRONIC 85 for $150. Does anyone know if this is the same as the TANDY 100? Looks like it. Worth It? And someone else is dumping NEC STARLET for $399. Anyone had any experience with it? I get tired of carrying my Mac around. Need to check a network frequently, but do not need to do much on line. Need to type away from office and dump later, no sophisticated formatting needed. ------------ Tue Mar 10, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Factor to keep in mind as far as the Starlet is concerned is the CP/M system used. If you're familiar with CP/M, then fine - if not ... .^Dave^. ------------ Wed Apr 01, 1987 DDPRICE [Diz] The Kyutono is basically the same as the Model 100 except that it does not have a modem. Best to steer clear and opt for the Starlet.It is easy to use and can be found cheaper then the price you quoted.Just look! I use mine all the time when traveling.I have promised Mortimer that I would put a story about it in this board and will eventually.You will like the 80 column capability and the built in software. If you want to know more, drop me mail at DDPRICE. ------------ Sat May 09, 1987 DON.RUSS [KLUGE.LOVER] I have a second hand Starlet that has croked. Seems to be a problem in th the power-supply section in that the main logic has no power but the secondary chips have p secondary chips have power. Ineed to get a manual that has a schenatic or at worst an address that I can send it to to get it fixed. Please drop me a post card as that I may be away from the service for some time and might not read the mail soon enough. The address here is: Donald E. Russ 29 North Main St. Bainbridge, NY 13733 (607) 967-3105 thanks for taking a look I'll reward any effort. ------------ Sat May 23, 1987 G.W.HARRIS This message is in reply to both C.M. Sanders and Don.Ross' inquiries on this BBS. Several months ago, I bought an NEC Starlet 8401A from a closeout specialist in Minneapolis. The price was about $500. This morning, I have received another brochure from the same outfit, and they are now selling the 8401A for $298! I had no problems in getting my Starlet from these folks, so I'd recommend that you look into buying a new Starlet from them. Name, address, and phone of this closeout company follows: Damark International 7714 Brooklyn Boulevard Minneapolis, MN 55443 800-533-3379 ------------ Tue Jul 14, 1987 C.M.SANDERS Bought a surplus Starlet for Email and wrinting on the go. I use it it to dump o Mac for fiormatting and printing. Does anyone know of available Ram Carts? Other accessories? Thanls...Clate ------------ Wed Jul 15, 1987 NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] I think some of the official NEC stuff is still available, but it may be hard to find a dealer that carries it. The main third-party support for the Starlet would be from Purple Computing in Camarillo, CA. (805- 987-4788). Good luck, Neil ------------ Thu Jul 16, 1987 C.M.SANDERS Well, still looking for a hit in the laptops RT. SOFTTEAM has changed their name and focus. NODE phone number is disconnected. Still looking for source for STARLET accessories. NEC has RAM CARTS and CRT/DISK adapters, but they want more for them than I paid for the computer. Anybody found any third party memory? ------------ Fri Jul 17, 1987 NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] Purple Computing in Camarillo, CA has been selling Starlet RAM cartridges for years, and to the best of my knowledge still are. I'm pretty sure there's no third-party CRT controller, and I don't think there's a third-party disk drive. As for software, many of the public domain ones which allow terminal configurations (to set it to 16 lines) should probably work. Good luck, Neil ------------ Wed Jul 22, 1987 DDPRICE [Diz] I am selling my complete Syarlet system as noted on the board under NEC. I have the Starlet, CRT/Disc Adapter, Floppy disc system, 1200 Baud modem, 32K Ram, Purple Computing 128K Ram, all for $600.00. You can't beat that price! Let me know if you are interested in parts and I will consider all offers. I went Toshiba for the larger screen. Leave GE Mail to DDPRICE if interested. ------------ Fri Dec 18, 1987 G.DOUGHTIE Where can I find a Starlet or Geneva for $100-200? If you've got one for sale, I can be reached (voice) at (713) 528-5605. Thanx. -=Gavin=- ------------ Fri Dec 18, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Gavin: As you shop, keep in mind the large differences between the Geneva and the Starlet. Geneva comes with BASIC ROM chip as well as a Utility ROM that includes simple telecommunications programs and CP/M functions [not DDT or ASM]. Geneva has no editor, spreadsheet, or filer program as an integral part of the original. A lot of excellent programs are available here though. Starlet comes with a superior telecom program including Xmodem capability but NO Basic at all!. Has CP/M functions built-in [not DDT or ASM] as well as WordStar, Calc [spreadsheet] and a simple database. Support is growing here, and will continue to do so, with BASIC-E program capability as well as compiled programs with .COM extension that can be run without need for another program. Both the Starlet and the Geneva really need RAM expansions and/or disk interfaces to be made of more than slight use. Shopping ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sat Dec 19, 1987 G.DOUGHTIE Actually, either sounds fine. I've no need for BASIC, just a simple editor with word-wrap, a modem, and a com program that can handle XModem. My thought is to use it for no more than 20 pages of on-the-run writing at a time, then upload the files here and pull them down later at my office, or just bring the thing in and cable it to my ST. I'd like to be under 6 pounds and $200.00 for this capability, if at all possible. Anywhere you might suggest to look? -=Gavin=- ------------ Sat Dec 19, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Gavin: With those specifications, stick to the Model 100 or Starlet. Don't believe the Geneva can help you without $$$ for RAM expansion while you can "get by" with either of the others. As to "where", methinks you'll have to get lucky! Watch here and at local computer stores with regular bulletin boards as well as your local electronic BBs. User groups aren't very good sources --- they're generally dedicated folks. Best of luck ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Tue Feb 02, 1988 H.REID There is a file refered to in the file PX QUESTIONS that I can not seem to find. The file is FILECO.EXE. It is run on a IBM machine and will talk to o the Epson PX8 resident program. Does anyone know just where the file file may be located??? ------------ Tue Feb 02, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] H.R: I'll track that down; the Question file came from another source and as of now we don't have that FILECO.EXE, but I'll get it! [We hope.] If you were online with your Starlet, one l'il recommendation. In your TELCOM setup, be sure that your Setup has DEL CODE set for 08. That is equal to CTRL- H and is the default setting here on GEnie but not on the Starlet. Starleting ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sat Sep 10, 1988 J.LEVINSON I just bought a Starlet and have seen an ad in Computer Shopper offering disk drives for the 8500 series. These are supposed to work with the 8401 as well, but do they need the disk adapter unit?? Also, can I download pro- load programs from GEnie to my Mac and then transfer them to the 8401? anthanks. ------------ Sat Sep 10, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] J.L. from Hawaii: Would be amazed if the disk drives you saw in Computer Shopper did NOT need the adapter unit - suggest you telephone the number to see what the situation is and if the adapter is included and/or available from them. Please, please report back your findings! As to up/downloading - much of the Starlet material here for both the 8401 and the 8500 has been transferred from/to my Tandy 1000 and my l'il Starlet; the Telcom in the 8401 will handle Xmodem transfers, all you need is suitable software in your Mac to do the same thing via null modem. Good luck ... MAC <--> CP/Ming .... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Sep 11, 1988 C.DEMARCO In reply to J. Levinson's question regarding Starlet/Mac communication: I've been using my Mac+ to collect and hive CP/M programs for my NEC 8500 quite successfully. I'm using a imagewriter I (old printer) cable for the interface, and RedRyder as the Mac side terminal program. Work's perfectly once parameters are set identically on oth sides (you can set baud up to 19200, though I uestion whether the actual transfer aceives that speed). Next, I have a a PC-8500/Starlet HARDWARE QUESTION: I purchased an NEC PC-8508A ROM/RAM cartridge with my chine. It works fine as added RAM, but the manual makes no mention of the type of ROM chips it uses? Does anyone know what type of ROM's this would take, and if there are commercial services that would transfer ams to ROM? It would be great to be able to put a compiler or interpreter in ROM! ------------ Sun Sep 11, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Technical manual that I have for the Starlet 8401 has the addresses that are involved for "user ROM" but doesn't specify the type of ROM to be used. More questing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Fri Nov 18, 1988 DARLINGTON Hello C. DeMarco... Have you ever found a supply for ROM chips for the PC- 8508A? I have one too and would like to be able to install other utilities in it. I sent mail to you but have no idea whether you got it or not. It was an Xmodem file and may have been cancelled before you recieved it. ------------ Sun Nov 27, 1988 S.PLATYPUS if anyone has any info for burning ram chips let us know! also be on the lookout for crt/disk adapters ram or any other toys for the 8500 we are in need to upgrade this fine system BTW has anyone xferred between the amy and the 8500 ? are there any specifics as to the null modem used?? Thanx for the help and I hope you all did not eat too much turkey! :> Dan ------------ Tue Nov 29, 1988 C.DEMARCO To: Darlington - Sorry I never replied to your mail message, but got it just before traveling. With regard to burning ROMs for the 8500, I haven'tfigured out any details yet. One potentially useful example is the EPSON Geneva; the CP/M roundatble has some files on how program and burn ROMs for that machine, but I haven't followed up to see if there might be similarities to the 8500. As a general note, I observed someone else inquiring about using Macintosh to store files. I can comment that Red Ryder terminal program on the Mac and the standard TELCOM on the 8500 make an excellent combination for transfers. And, the MacLink Plus program has an excellent translator program that does a very good job of translation between the 8500's Wordstar files and the Mac's Microsoft Word. Hope this is helpful! . . ------------ ************ Thu Jan 28, 1988 KGPETERS Sub: Starlet Spreadsheet: Calc-to-Go Questions, comments about using Calc-to-go, the spreadsheet bundled with the Starlet ************ ------------ Thu Jan 28, 1988 KGPETERS Calc-to-go in the Starlet seems to have one irritating limitation -- no way to do exponents. I need to use the Starlet to do compound interest calculations, which require either exponents or logs. I can write something in Basic-E to do it, but it would be nice to use the spreadsheet. The manual says nothing about exponents or logs, but it does have a function that returns the natural logarithm base, E, which suggests a logarithm function somewhere. Has anyone else run up against this? I suspect calc-to-go is a boiled down version of CalcStar, the spreadsheet that MicroPro did. Does anyone have any experience with CalcStar? What is the command for doing ex- ponents or logs in CalcStar? If I'm lucky, maybe it's the manual that is lacking and not the software. HELP ! ------------ Thu Feb 16, 1989 DARLINGTON Can anyone tell me if there is a way to use the Calc-to-go files with SUuperCalc2. I have tried averything I can think of and it will/they wil not load. ------------ Fri Feb 17, 1989 JRILEY I'm no expert and don't have my desktop NortthStar running to check this out, but my reading of the Calc-To-Go manual, on page 4-30/1 says that in saving a sperexx spreadsheet you must save it not in the C dommxx command withxx but with a D command (9ixx in the DIF format). "Select D," says the manual, "if you plan to use your spreadsheet with a ... program that uses the DIF format (DIF stands for data interchange programxx format). Several of the popular spreadsheet programs for desktop computers use this format. If you plan to use your file with Calc-To-Go, then select C for Calc format. NOTE: If you use the f5 function key to save your spreadsheet you will be choosing Calc fomxx format. Pressing f5 is the qxx equivalent of typing /SC. Try this and let me know if it works for you. ------------ ************ Thu Mar 27, 1986 GEOFF [GEOFF] Sub: Starlet Usage forum on STARLET usage. how do you use it? ************ ------------ Thu Mar 27, 1986 GEOFF [GEOFF] I have had a STARLET for close to a year now. I use it in work analysis ata bank. The portability is an important feature. I have a Purple Computing 128K memory cartridge which really helps both memory storage and portability-wise. I will be purchasing a NODE single disk-drive. It is compatible with NEC's equipment but does not need the NEC interface unit to work. I have a line on disk-based software for the STARLET. The wholesaler is SOFTEAM at 800 847 6383. Call for a local distributor. Their catalog has around 90 titles for sale specifically for the 8401. ------------ Sun Apr 06, 1986 GEOFF [GEOFF] NODE reached at 408-462-3773. it will have products for the Starlet. the disk drive and RAM cartridges (up to 256K). ------------ Sun Dec 21, 1986 CHARLESHALL 12/20/86 If you are familiar with the public domain EBASIC or with CBASIC running under CP/M, I'd greatly appreciate some help. I want to run EBASIC on my NEC 8401A Starlet laptop, and so far it seems to work fine. But I need to know more about syntax required for certain statements and functions. In the help file which accompanies EBASIC, it says that it's a subset of CBASIC. The help file lists the usable statements and functions but without syntax; I've tested the majority and have found the syntax to be standard. However, there are several which I haven't been able to pin down. Besides syntax, I've made a few notes where I need more specific info. STATEMENTS: - OPEN,CLOSE,DEF,RANDOMIZE -FILE,OUT (what do these do?) -DIM (what are limits of dimensioning arrays? do string variables need to be dimensioned? if so, what is maximum length?) FUNCTIONS: -RND,FRE,POS -INP (what does this do?) Thanks for helping! Once I have this info together, I'll post an addition to the EBASIC help file on the CP/M and LAPTOPS BBS's. This should be useful to others wanting to use EBASIC in the future. Reply to me here or EMAIL to CHARLES.HALL ------------ Wed Jul 08, 1987 C.M.SANDERS Ok, I bought a NEC Starlet that Nec was dumping.I wanted it to keep in touch with my office and an EMAIL net that I Sysop for. Seems crude compared to my Mac but much lighter, I am satisfied. AH but there must be some periphs out there. I am in a small town and do my computer shopping by mail. Is there anywhere that has the RAM Catridges (PC-8406A)?The CRT adapter(PC-8441A)? Any small battery disk drives like the ones available for the TRS100? Anybody out ther who knows? Any other memory expansion available beside the RAM carts? Any good software here? Turn me on someone. I tried to post this in a catgaory that is appropriate, but Cat 5 came up NO SUCH CATAGORY. Post it in the appropriate place or tell me where. I have already asked Traveling software for info. Thanks... C.M.Sanders ------------ Fri Jul 10, 1987 NEIL.SMITH [Sysop] I am not sure who carries the NEC memory, but Purple Computing and Node Computers are the most popular third-party suppliers. SET 5 would be the command to get here. Also, the Backspace key would work better than the left arrow while telecommunicating. You might want to contact NEC hq in Illinois (Elk Grove Village, I believe) to see who carries their stuff. Good luck, Neil ------------ Thu Nov 05, 1987 DEBULL You might check with Bob's Close-outs in Omaha, Neb. for additional peri periphs for the Starlet. I bought one from them several months ago and they had printers, RAM carts. , etc at that time. I am looking for any additional programs that might be available for the Starlet. I am only using the internal RAM, so length of program is important. Is there anything on GENIE for the Starlet??? regards, Dave Bull ------------ Thu Nov 05, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Dave: Sure hope you found Library 8 here on Laptops RoundTable after you left your message! Currently I'm engaged in writing/adapting programs for the Starlet with folks like you specifically in mind - internal RAM being the only space available. Since getting my Starlet a week ago, I've been busy and you'll find both *.COM and *.INT programs in Library 8 that will run in your Starlet in "Portable mode" as you have reported. Lotza fun ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Category 5, Message 9 Fri Nov 06, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] at 18:07 EST Dave: DO keep watching; will be making even GREATER progress by the end of this month ... Careful with those cursor keys folks, use the DEL key on the Starlet or the BKSP key on most other computers. And all of you CP/M and Starlet folks! What's your pleasure? Games? Business? Lemme hear from you! Lotza goodies coming ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Thu Nov 19, 1987 S.PLATYPUS there is a discount house offerring the starlet for $249. They state that there are peripherals available from nec. Dak has also lowered the cost of the px8 Geneva to $499 equipped With many goodies. Decisions Decisions hope this helps someone Dan ------------ Sat Dec 26, 1987 P.CLEVELAND [Grover] OH HELP! After years of portable computing on the NEC8201 I bought a Starlet. Now I need to Find a NODE disk drive - are they still in business? They aren't at the same place at least. Any advise appreciated. ------------ Sat Dec 26, 1987 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Grover: Node Systems Incorporated handles 128K and 264K RAMdisks for the Starlet --- installed a 128K for my Starlet a few months ago, super! Howsomeverwhichway, methinks they no long have disk drives. Their telephone number is (916) 477-6706. Starlet-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Thu Dec 31, 1987 K.REGESTER On the disk drives; I bought the last (so they said??) N0DE drive made It is possible to get NEC drives used, there are some problems with using the N0DE drive to d-load (timeout errors) to; the drive is fairly complicated (uses a Z- 80 u-processor, + a WD1770 disk controller chip so it would be hard to dupe one + it uses an E-prom for Z-80 I think they are going to hang onto the copyright for the design too! anyhelp???? -=< Ken >=- [KJ4ZF/KL7] ------------ Wed Aug 03, 1988 S.PLATYPUS rec'd the nec 8500 in no time flat! I havn'y played with it much biut it looks like a rela WINNER! the screen display is exceptional and will easily blow the socks off the tandy! and the price is hundreds cheaper! I know it isn't ms-dos compatyible but really ms dos WAS preceded by cp/m and cp/m IS still an adequate system wqill report more when I go back and play some more! p/s what is the address and /or phone for node?? I'd like the crt adapter or ram disk . doees anyone know of an expansion board?? thanks and neccking the laptop way! latypus ------------ Wed Aug 03, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Platy: Node Systems = 916-265-4668 and the RAMdisk is certainly what you'll be needing so that you can have all the benefits of 64K mode of operation. You'll find far more programs here in Library 8 that'll operate in 64K mode than you will for 32K mode. Expanding ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Thu Aug 04, 1988 S.PLATYPUS dave, what else is available for the 8500? at other programs are available and is there another vendor other than nec ? is there some type of expansion board available to allow using 2 items at once? how are the programs listed here for the nec 8500? thanks I love neccing with my 8500! sorry about that! Dan ------------ Fri Aug 05, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Dan: Methinks that Node is about the only 3rd party delivering any support for the 8401/8500 now. Certainly, if there is more I'd like to know about it! No expansion boards of any kind have ever been available; NECHE had the PC-8441A adapter [disk drive/CRT] and the PC-8431A micro floppy disk drive, but I'm fairly certain they are no longer available. Programs for the 8500 are all in Library 8; keywords used are Starlet and/or NEC 8401. Some might have 8500 in the keywords, but any Starlet file is for the 8500 as well. NECy-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ ************ Sat Jan 30, 1988 B.SHARP1 Sub: AC Adapter help? Info on AC adapter ************ ------------ Sat Jan 30, 1988 B.SHARP1 HELP!, Hi. I have a 8401A Starlet, and would like to purchase a AC adapter. Their is a problem I can't find the answer to. I know I need a 9 Volt, 500mA adapter, but the problem is with the plug in. Does the Starlet use positive tip polarity, or does it use negative tip polarity? I can see the type of tip to use, but now the type of polarity. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill Sharp ------------ Sat Jan 30, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Bill: The adapter that I bought for my Starlet was Radio Shack's "Archer" Cat. No. 273-1651A. It comes with a reversible tip for polarity just as you're asking about. Studying the Starlet manual and markings at the DC outlet carefully, the tip was inserted, powered up, and I was WRONG! The tip should be negative; that means with the specific adapter described above that the word "TIP" on the l'il green tip should match the mark "-NEG" on the tip holder at the end of the wire. ---- though wrong the first try, it didn't damage my Starlet. Adapting ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Jan 31, 1988 B.SHARP1 Thanks Dave! I'll go pick one up now. I was worried about "destroying" my starlet. Thanks for the insight. Bill ------------ Sun Jan 31, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Whoops! Another happy member ! Starlet-ing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ ************ Mon Jul 06, 1987 CHARLESHALL [CHAS*HAL Sub: Forth For Starlet? Looking for others who may be using or are interested in using FORTH language on the Starlet. ************ ------------ Mon Jul 06, 1987 CHARLESHALL [CHAS*HALL] I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who is currently using the FORTH language on the NEC Starlet. I would like to get a public domain version of FORTH for CP/M 2.2. Any information would be much appreciated. ------------ Sun Jan 17, 1988 GARY-S Charles, Go to page 710 (M710) or just type FORTH at any main prompt. There are several public domain Forth's for CP/M 2.2 in our over 800 files. Please do not hesitate to ask me (GARY-S) or the other two sysops D.RUFFER and S.W.SQUIRES for any assistance. I use a Geneva myself and just tailored a F83 kernel for the PX-8 if anyone is interested. It includes a 8 line lister in the editor. Others will want to use either the standard F83 for CP/M or MVP for those who prefer fig-Forth. Gary ------------ ************ Sun Aug 02, 1987 JTJOHNSON Sub: Help with Starlet Directory??? ************ ------------ Sun Aug 02, 1987 JTJOHNSON All: Three days ago, my Starlet -- in the portable mode -- was working fine. Today I turned it on and, while all the ROM programs seem fine and show up properly in the menu, my created files are not to be found. Specifically, there is nothing but garbage characters where the four or five file names used to be, as well as garbage throughout all the file name locations on the menu. (The now "file" names are a mix of ASCII-type characters.) The main menu shows that I have 19K bytes free in RAM, but when I try to create a file, I get an "Error 27 - Directory Full" message. I also discovered that my fairly new set of "C" batteries had dropped to zilch. (And I handn't been running off the batteries at all.) It appears that somehow my directory was scrambled. Is there anyway to restore these file/file names, or will I need to reformat and re-write the files from scratch? Tkx, Tom Johnson ------------ Wed Aug 05, 1987 DDPRICE [Diz] Tom, I have had similar problems and you need to use your AC adapter to keep the Starlet from draining your C cells. I always took the adapter and basically left the batteries for the time I was transporting the Starlet. You may possibly save the files by calling them up in WS non document mode and saving them off to an external RAM Cartridge or to another computer. That was one thing about the Starlet (at least mine) was that it loved to eat batteries. You might go to Duracells or even those new 1.2 Amp Hour Nicads. My Starlet is now retired while I use my T1100+. Godd Luck, Dorsey ------------ ************ Sun Feb 21, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Sub: Starlet NEC PC-8401 & ZBASIC programs For help, tips, information on programming the Starlet in ZBASIC from Zedcor. Please do not confuse the North Star-like ZBAS.COM public domain program with ZBASIC which is an advanced interactive Basic compiler. ************ ------------ Sun Feb 21, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Okay Starleteers! You've seen some programs up in Library 8 that have been written in ZBASIC. Now we've had a major breakthrough! Pat Harrington has come up with the solution to accessing the Starlet's clock. As we knew, it requires a machine language call. Though I could be wrong, most likely ZBASIC is the only way that the clock will be accessible. Most likely, the same means [demonstrated in ZBCLOCK.BAS] will lead us to doing graphics work of suitable quality. Please, please keep in mind that ZBASIC is totally different from, and unrelated to, the public domain program ZBAS.COM. Unfortunately, the documentation, ZBAS.DOC, uses the term ZBASIC when it means ZBAS. ZBASICing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Tue Mar 01, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Graphically speaking, Pat Harrington has done it again! GRAPH.COM in Library 8 shows WHAT can be done in ZBasic with graphics, while the companion GRAPH.BAS shows HOW it is done. Starlet 64K mode required; ZBASIC.COM required for playing with *.BAS files but not for running .COM files. Iteration: not ZBAS.COM. Didn't experiment to see if the demo version of ZBASIC could handle the GRAPH.BAS file - someone holler their results! Applications programs folks? Applying .... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Jul 24, 1988 MFS Dave, After trying my luck with Zbas and E Basic, I'd like a little more info on ZBasic. I assume it has many more functions available. Could you list some of these and other advantages. I realize it is a commercial program. Is the price right? -Mark- ------------ Sun Jul 24, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Mark: Have you picked up ZBDEMLAP.LBR, file 1645? Methunked that had a lot of info and capabilities, except that you can't compile a program with that demonstration version. The "price is right" for ZBASIC from Zedcor IF you have expanded your RAM to at least 128K or have a disk drive so that you can use 64K mode of operation. Otherwise, you're very limited - as an example, note that ASCII.COM here will run in 32K but the parent program, STARLET.COM, requires 64K mode of operation. Hollar at me more if you've got all you can from the demo program. Lotza fun ... ZBasicing .... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Jul 31, 1988 MFS Dave: I'll download the demo file tonight and have look. I do have the 128K ram cart, so 64K mode is available. Thanks. -Mark- ------------ Sun Nov 27, 1988 S.PLATYPUS dave, where is zbasic from?? where is it marketed and what does it cost?? I have plenty of ram carts but I am also wondering where or how we get to 64k mode on the 8500 help? platypus ------------ Mon Nov 28, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Dan: Maybe I'm misinformed, but I was under the impression that the 8500 was VERY like the Starlet 8401 in major matters. To switch from 32k mode to 64k mode it is necessary to have either RAM expansion or disk drive already connected and ready. With that done, you should press SHIFT-f2, the "Option" key, and then f4, the "Mode" key. If your setup is capable of 64k, you'll be advised that you'll lose internal RAM files - if okay, then you're all set. In Library 8 there is the ZBDEMLAP.LBR file with a demonstration version of Zbasic - it is fully operational except that you cannot compile .BAS programs into .COM programs the way that I've done. Full information is within that file - which needs 64k mode to use. Listening ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ ************ Tue Mar 15, 1988 A.LAVIOLETTE Sub: Starlet NEC PC-8401A and ZBAS.COM Comments, tips, help for programming the Starlet in ZBAS.COM.*s ************ ------------ Tue Mar 15, 1988 A.LAVIOLETTE ZBAS.DOC refers to North Star Basic stating that ZBAS is fully compatible with it. I would be interested in obtaining any documentation of the North Star Basic syntax. I am especially interested in the display commands (PRINT, TAB (?), punctuation (,;:)), in order to understand how to control screen output. ZBAS.DOC (File #1538 in Library 8) is silent about that. ------------ Sun May 01, 1988 MFS As a new owner of an 8500 and a beginning programmer, I would also be interested in more documentation for ZBAS, and opinions on other alternatives. -Mark- ------------ Sat Nov 19, 1988 D.WALTERS6 Does anyone know where I can get good documentation for ZBAS.COM? i HAVE the program, but only micro-documentation. HELP!!!! Sincerely, Dan Walters ------------ Sat Nov 19, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Dan: If you have ZBAS.DOC [file 1538] from our Library 10, that is as good as it gets - to the best of my knowledge. Perhaps you could find a library book on Northstar Basic which could help. Suggest that you take a hard look at ZBasic from Zedcor, which has no relation to ZBAS. See file 1645, ZBDEMLAP.LBR, which is a fully operational demonstation version of ZBASIC.COM except that you cannot compile programs the way I've done for you Starlet folks with the .COM programs here that are Starlet specific. ZBasic does need 64k mode, so either RAM expansion or a disk drive is necessary for use. Most of my programming has been done with Node's 128k Datapac, but I've also used the NEC 8431A disk drive. Programming ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sat Nov 19, 1988 D.WALTERS6 dave, I cannot believe you replied to my inquiry while I was online. WOW! I have an NEC 128K RAM/ROM cartridge, but don not believe it will allow 64K mode. I don't have any docs for the cartridge yet, so I'm not sure. Thanks for your help! Sincerely, Dan Walters ------------ Sat Nov 19, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Dan: Not familiar with the NEC cartridge, but it SHOULD permit 64k mode operation even if it only has banks of 32k. Best thing to do is TRY it! Don't need documents other than the Starlet manual. From the main system menu, press Shift/f-2 and then f-4; if you have your cartridge installed, it will let you go to 64k mode after asking if it is okay to lose the files in normal RAM. When I started this reply, you were still down here. But most likely you won't get THIS one until you return. Explicating ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ ************ Sat Jul 16, 1988 CCH Sub: Starlet external Terminal Programs? The built in VT100 terminal program does the job, but I'd like more. ************ ------------ Sat Jul 16, 1988 CCH Is there a terminal program around that will run on the Starlet 8500 and allow me two simple, but much desired features. Namely, the ability to set up my Function Keys for each system I call, and the option to go into Split/Screen mode. Thanks! - Chris ------------ ************ Sun Aug 21, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Sub: Starlet NEC PC-8401 PC-8500 Telcom Logon procedure for use with the Starlet NEC PC-8401A and PC-8500 ************ ------------ Sun Aug 21, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] These are the prinicipal settings that matter; they are the same on the newer 8500 as on the Starlet 8401: CONNECTION MODEM [for internal use, RS232 for external modem] [similarly, set SPEED 300 for internal] Protocol ON DEL CODE 08 Word Length 7 LF SUP ON SI/SO ON LINE DELAY 0 STOP BITS 1 PRINT OFF PARITY IGNORE SAVE ON XON/XOFF ON ECHO OFF That's for logon; when on, you can pop back into SETUP and change the ECHO to on. T'is best NOT to fool with ^R. Not necessary; when logging on you SHOULDN'T see anything until the greeting banner. 2) Dial 321-9876 [f'instance] Using the internal modem, at INPUT? prompt, type: 3219876/M/T [RETURN] ------------ Fri Sep 02, 1988 S.PLATYPUS Help help elp I have tried to get in usaing the 8500 but for some reason I am not succedding I use your login sequence above and I included the /m/t BTW is there supposed to be cvapitals on the slashmslasht?? if there is and I try it and it woiks I'll let you know. Dan ps anyone know of inexpenseive ram carts for the 8500? what about having node or purple leave an online catalog for us to look thru? also someone by the name of dave bull left a message about a place in omaha but no phone # or address anyone know these?? thanks Dan ------------ Fri Sep 02, 1988 S.PLATYPUS well I tried the new settings and still no luck! suggestions welcome as I did buy the 8500 to look in at my friends on Genie while I wsa away from my amiga! Dan ------------ Fri Sep 02, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Dan: Puzzling. We need to know what happened when to prevent your success. I've had no problems using the method in message #1 this Topic, which is what you referred to anyway. Node Systems is definitely the place to get your RAM expansions; they have 128K and 256K contiguous RAM packs - not 32K banked. 916-265-4668 Listing is $149 for 128K, $239 for 256K, but I believe may be less. Listening ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Fri Sep 02, 1988 EZRA I'm having problems, too. My theory is that the Starlet dials ONLY pulse, which won't work on some touch-tone systems. This hasn't been a real problem, as I carry along an external cigarette-pack modem and everything works fine going RS232. . . . ------------ Sat Sep 03, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] E: Perusing the Manual, it would appear that you just may be correct about Pulse vs Tone dialing. Howsomeverwhichway, let me bermind folks about the REMINDER in the Manual - repeatedly: "Be sure the message 'HANDSET' is displayed at the top right corner of the screen before typing the telephone number or the directory letter." I had forgotten about that giving me trouble; since I was going to use the modem, I thawt MODEM should be displayed. NO! Dan: The Manual indicates that /M/T or /m/t are equally acceptable. Telcoming ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Thu Sep 29, 1988 S.PLATYPUS well thge key is to let genie know that the receiver(us) is at 300 baud! Yep hre I am laprtopping <= cat induced error thanks for the help Dan ------------ Sat Nov 19, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Since Dan's comment is a bit cryptic, for the benefit of JWSCO and others trying to logon with either the Starlet or PC-8500, realize that you need to type HHH just as soon as you are connected. That enables GEnie to realize you're at 300 baud [or whatever]. See message 1 in this Topic for recommended SETUP. Logging on ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ ************ Sat Sep 03, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Sub: NEC PC-8500 COM port access programming Help, tips on accessing &/or programming the I/O ports [COM especially] on the NEC PC-8500 and Starlet PC-8401. ************ ------------ Sat Sep 03, 1988 MFS I'd like to dump "pages" of information from a commodity quote machine to my PC-8500. Any suggestions on how to open up the "com" port and input data? - Mark- ------------ Mon Sep 05, 1988 R.PREUSS Mark, When you say "com" port I assume you mean the RS232 port. If this is true I might have a solution for you. If the commodity quote machine can print "pages" to a serial printer, you should be able to connect the serial output of the commodity quote machine to the serial port on the 8500. You may need to have a null modem adapter and/or build a special cable. Then on the 8500 use the telecommunications program to save the "pages" to a text file by selecting DOWNload with "no protocol". (This assumes that the commodity quote machine sends standard ASCII to a serial printer). (Sorry about the left margin I wrote this off line and fogot to set the left margin) Bob ------------ Sun Sep 11, 1988 MFS Thanks Bob, That is basically what I've been doing to cature the data. One problem arises when I dump the data to the 8500's screen. One "page" has 25 lines of text and 4 or 5 extra linefeeds,which cause the screen to continue to scroll. A (shift-F1) is the only way to stop the inp [C [ to stop the input. Therefore, I thought a small dedicated program might be my besbe my best choice. -Mark- ------------ ************ Wed Oct 05, 1988 S.PLATYPUS Sub: ram carts for nec8500 $49 +$5 shipped! After searching high and low I have located a source for nec 8500 ram carts 128K for $49 plus $5 shipping! source is PC Systems and they have thousands! ************ ------------ Wed Oct 05, 1988 S.PLATYPUS TaDaa trumpets blast! We have found a source of ram for our starlets!!!! The source is called PC Systems Their address is 3705 shares place #6 Riviera beach,FL 33404 # 1-407-863-8446 Buy several ! Dan the bargain hunter! ------------ Wed Oct 05, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Dan: Vital question: is that 128K contiguous, or is it in banks of 32k? Makes a mighty big difference for using different programming languages such as ZBasic or the C compiler that is available commercially. Questing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Wed Oct 05, 1988 EZRA I believe these are the authentic NEC parts. When I bought my "liquidated" 8500 from Software for Less (I b'lieve that's the name) in Michigan, guess where the machine and accessories actually came from. . . PC Systems in Riviera Beach. ------------ Wed Oct 05, 1988 S.PLATYPUS ezra the place is known to software for less! they referred me! did you get one? can you use more than one and swap mem packs? power down and then swap the packs?? dan the great white bargain hunter of the north ------------ Wed Oct 05, 1988 S.PLATYPUS mortey, looks likw we have found a hot one here! Now if I could only find a diskdrive with connector cheep! oy! dan great whwite bargain hunter of the north! ------------ Thu Oct 06, 1988 EZRA Dan--did you ask PC systems about disk drives? They're acting as source for Software for Less with all the Starlet stuff (hell, even the visa charge slip was made out to PC Systems), and the S-F-L liquidation ads mention disk drives. . . . As to the RAM carts: sure, you can power down and swap 'em, but there's no way to hook up more than one at a time. They run off either the same AC adapter as the starlet itself (there's a jack) or an internal lithium battery. I guess you can plug in the adapter every six months or so when you have to replace the battery, so the carts are pretty good as permanent storage. However, they are kinda bulky -- about 3" wide and the same length and height as the starlet. ------------ Thu Oct 06, 1988 EZRA Okay. I called PC Systems. Here's what they have: AC Adapters $10 128K Ram carts $49 32K Ram carts $20 (?) Spelling checker Rom cart $29 Printer cables $20 That's it. The disk drives were gone in August (sigh). PS: I just opened my 128K NEC RAM cart, and guess what -- four empty 28-pin ROM sockets! Anybody have any idea what to do with these?? ------------ Thu Oct 06, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Fascinating! But I'm still asking, are those 128K RAM cartridges made up of 32K or 64K banks, or is it 128K contiguous RAM the way the Node DATApacs are sold? Questing ... the Laptops way .. .^Dave^. ------------ Fri Oct 07, 1988 S.PLATYPUS ezra morty anyone, is the spelling checker worth it?? dan ------------ Fri Oct 07, 1988 EZRA 1. Dave: I haven't played with the cartridge much, but the docs say nothing about filesize limitations or anything else that would indicate bank switching. Seems to be a contiguous ramdisk. 2. Dan: I dunno about the spelling checker, but I ordered one. I'll report when I've tried it. I actually got it because I'm thinking of having a friend burn some software into ROM and trying those empty slots, and I thought it might be easier to peel header/OS data off the spelling checker than taking apart the Starlet itself. . . . (whoops--make that "sockets," not "slots" above. --Ezra ------------ Sat Oct 08, 1988 S.PLATYPUS Attention ALl! they are liquidtion their holdings of NEC 8500 stuff! They also have romware?? Real Estate Planenr er planner Insurance planner Speller to go as well as the 128K paks Marked down !!!! Please call 1-407-863-8446 to get current plrices! I forgot to write them down (sigh) but they dropped the ram prices so I ordered 2 for the price of 1! This is the Buy of a lifetime Go for the jugular on this one! Ps anyone figure out what to do with the rom slots on the expander???? dan ------------ Sat Oct 08, 1988 EZRA Marked down? Huh? Now that drives are no longer available, I ordered 4 128k carts on thursday at $49. Are you telling me they dropped the prices further on friday???? This could be _very_ irritating, y'know. And yes, what _can_ be done with those sockets? ------------ Tue Oct 18, 1988 S.PLATYPUS ezra yep they marked them down again! to $29 for the rqm carts and I got my spell checker and it isn't too bad! The insurance planner is an aid for the salesperson but not too bad for $10 anyone else find any nec stuff? also how do we get to use swap data to the ram disk?? dan ------------ Tue Oct 18, 1988 EZRA I don't understand your question really. The ram cart is simply a psuedo drive. Plug it in, power up, run the format command (odd, but that's the way it works), and it becomes your B> drive. That help??? ------------ Fri Oct 21, 1988 S.PLATYPUS ezra, I was looking for help in remembering how to pip but if finally rtfm'd the thing. BTW have you found a copy of sweep or some thing similar to run on our stats? foud anyother other stuff ?? I ordered an extra power pack frommtm also. BTW they put somesoftware on BO and then still charge me for it. I called and they were very helpful nd set the record straight. I am thinking of ordering some other ram disks like you did. but I will have to see if having 2 is good enough just in case another sisk drive becomes available.(I can dream can't I?) dan ------------ Sun Oct 23, 1988 EZRA Yeah, I got a whole bunch of utilities of various sorts, including a public domain version of DDT, the latest rev of DU (with which I'm hoping to figure out what's actually happening on those RAM "disks") and a bunch of other goodies. I've even found a shareware utility that will allow me to read my old Kaypro disks on an AT clone, so I have access to a number of things I thought were lost to me forever. You want me to upload? ------------ Sun Oct 23, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Ezra: Speaking for myself, my Starlet, and all the Laptop members with the 8401 or 8500 - Y E S !! Please upload any goodies you can for our l'il fellas. Do check the listings in Library 8 though; we have DDT, for instance, but maybe your's is more recent or better in some respect. Eagerly ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Oct 23, 1988 M.JEW [Mel] Yeah, this might be a dumb question, but what kinda software is out ther for the 8500? Seeing that it has more RAM than my Model 100 and I do need lots more for lengthy jobs, I would love to get one at THESE prices! Problem is, the Model 100 is so well established that all the software I need are coming direct from GEnie. What kind of software runs on the 8500? The same as the Model 100/102's? Also, I read in the next to the last issue of Portable 100 that the 8500 does not have an internal modem. Is there a slot for one? Thanx for all of the info so far!!! Mel ------------ Sun Oct 23, 1988 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] Mel: The NEC 8500 has the CP/M operating system and can use a lot of those programs. However, due to many different factors, most software for the 8500 must be specially tailored for it. Library 8 here has software for the 8500, which is similar to the NEC 8401 Starlet. NEC 8500 very definitely canNOT run Model 100 software; amony other things, the 8500 does not have a programming language, such as BASIC. There is an internal modem [300 baud] for the 8500; can't imagine what the reference might have been in Portable 100 that led you to think it didn't have one. Also has an RS-232 port which I've used for the WorldPort 1200 external modem - no room inside the case for anything. Suggest that you inspect other topics in this Category and the listings in Library 8 for further information - Topics 5, 11, & 13 would be of most value here. Pointing ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Wed Oct 26, 1988 EZRA Okay. I'll try to upload this weekend, in between writing my Byte column and preparing my session talk for the Mac Business Conf next tuesday (btw, is eppley coming down for that one??). Playing with cp/m software will be a good way to procrastinate (grin). ------------ Sat Nov 05, 1988 MFS HOLY RAM CHIPS! If anyone is interested in the ultimate in low cost ram packs, you better call PC Systems and order a hand full of the "NEC Insurance Expert" software packages. These little gems have a PC-8407A (128k) ram cart included. There's even a spare battery included. I ordered one and have three more on the way. If anyone has the "Real Estate Expert" package, I'd be interested in buying or trading for it. Happy Ramming, -Mark- ------------ Mon Nov 07, 1988 MFS I forgot the best part. The cost is only $10 + shipping! -Mark- ------------ Tue Nov 08, 1988 EZRA Ouch!!!!! ------------ Wed Nov 09, 1988 JRILEY Today I bought 5 Real Estate rampacks for $10@ and a RAM/ROM pack for $29. PC Systems has Spell-to-Go for $19. The Real Estate package is the same as a 128K RAMpack, with disposible software inside. This is a great bargain for Starlet/PC-8500 users and much cheaper than the previous message suggests! I am in search of anyone who can help/tell me how to burn ROMs for these machines and am also looking for a NEC snap-in second drive for my diskdrive. Let's here from you, please. s ------------ Sun Nov 20, 1988 S.PLATYPUS where did you find the real estate rampacks and would you be willing to part with one? does your source have any more to sell?? let us have ALL the good news!! Dan ------------ Wed Nov 23, 1988 JRILEY Prices are lower than you quote at PC Systems. I bought Insurace programs (include 128k rampacks and a lithium battery) for $10@, a RAM/ROM cart for $29. They're selling the speller cartridge for $19!!! ------------ Sun Nov 27, 1988 S.PLATYPUS now if we could only find a source of software/firmware like the insurance program or the realestate planner BTW does anyone know of a source for the lithium battery in the ram/rom carts?? lets keep looking for goodies maybe someone will dump more for christmas!!! Dan ------------ Sun Dec 11, 1988 CAROL Freind of mine just bought 3 Real Estate packs, 1 regular 128k RAMpack, and Speller from above and they have hundreds left according to hom, total cost $80. Check it out. ------------ ************ Sat Oct 29, 1988 C.NISNEWITZ Sub: NEC ROM?RAM Cartridge Memory expansion for the NEC Starlet ************ ------------ Sat Oct 29, 1988 C.NISNEWITZ Purh chased the NEc Rom./ /Ram cartridge (PC-8508A) for the Starlet PC 8500. It has 128K of r\am am memory and sockets for 4 rom chips. Like to know if any proh grams are available on rom chips and if not what companies a can burn in programs on chips. CRAIG ------------ Sun Jan 22, 1989 JWSCO I also have NEC 8508A and cannot find anyone who lnows about chips or programs foor it. Do have a friend who has an EPROM programmer and will help if I can determine what chips to use. If you come up with any answers I would appreciate input. ------------ ************ Sat Nov 26, 1988 D.VANDENBRO1 [Dav] Sub: Help w/Geneva and SP-1000 I'm looking for some advice on a mystery printer ************ ------------ Sat Nov 26, 1988 D.VANDENBRO1 [Dav] I bought a used Epson Geneva a couple months back, and the deal included a Seikosha SP-1000 printer. There was no manual for the printer, however. I called Seikosha America, who identified the printer as a SP-1000I. They offered to sell me a manual for $15, and it's on its way. However, while I'm waiting, I'd like to see what the printer can do. Does anyone know whether the SP-1000I emulates anything, like an Epson or an Apple? I'd like to know the printer codes for the various special functions. This printer supposedly was originally purchased with the Geneva from DAK. This is odd, because it's a parallel printer, and the Geneva has only serial ports. DAK claims they've never sold SP-1000I's, although they have sold other models of the SP-1000. I'm still trying to figure that out, with the help of the person who sold it to me. He never used the printer with the Geneva, instead hooking it up to his AT clone. Anyone who can shed light on these little mysteries is invited to do so. --Dav ------------ ************ Sat Jan 28, 1989 JRILEY Sub: Hardware wanted for PC-8500 Looking for NEC PC-8500 hardware. ************ ------------ Sat Jan 28, 1989 JRILEY I am looking for two pieces of hardware to use with my NEC PC-8500. If you have them and are willing to sell, please call me at 213 276-8682 or leave a message for me here. I want: a second disk drive for my NEC PC-8431A. NEC calls this second disk drive I also want a 128K Ram cartridge for the Starlet/PC-8500 manufactured by Purple Computing called the SideStar. Thanks. - John Riley ------------ Sat Jan 28, 1989 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] John: Better see SETTINGS.HLP in Library 10 for assistance with your messaging. Don't use the cursor keys to edit, that results in a whole bungh of [D and [C type garbage. Whether you find your hardware or not, sure hope you'll share your knowledge, experiences, and programs with us in Library 8. Listening ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Sun Jan 29, 1989 D.WALTERS6 Yes John, there is not a great deal of information out there concerning programming and etc. for the PC-8500. It is a well kept secret that this is a great little computer. Please share your knowledge and programs!!! Sincerely, Dan Walters D.WALTERS6 ------------ Wed Feb 01, 1989 MORTIMER [.^Dave^.] John: Marvellous set of files you've uploaded! Almost fell off my chair with delight and amazement! You were uploading faster than I could process and publish! Many thanks ... the Laptops way ... .^Dave^. ------------ Wed Feb 01, 1989 JRILEY You're certainly welcome. Hope to have more for you soon. ------------ Sun Feb 12, 1989 JRILEY For all of ;you out there interested in programming (burning) ROMs for the PC- 8508A ROM/RAM cartfridge for the nec PC-8500 (and Starlet) computer, let me tell you this. I am informted (partxx pardon my typos) that the correct EPROM to burn is the 27C256 at 200 ns or better. The cartridge takes four of them (4 x 32 kb). Hints about the header are found in Chapter 14 of "The Starlet Technical Notebook for the PC-8401A," obtainable from NEC after signing a nondisclosure statement. You deal with Kelly Ryan at 312 860-9500 extension 4202. She also has microfiches of the NEC PC-8500 tech manual. ------------ ************ Fri Mar 17, 1989 I.ADAMS Sub: Need help with Starlet-printer connect I can't get the PC-8500 to work with any printer except an NEC 8023. Hasn't anyone else had this problem? ************ ------------ Fri Mar 17, 1989 I.ADAMS I need to use a PC-8500 with a standard Centronics parallel printer connection. It works fine with an NEC 8023, but when hooked to either a Star NX-10, an Alphapro 101, or a Panasonic electronic typewriter with parallel interface, the PC-8500 won't operate -- the "low battery" warning light comes on as soon as the computer is switched on (using the AC adaptor for power) and the computer screen stays blank. Clearly the printer cable seems to be draining power from the computer, but I can't find out how or where. I'm using the same printer cable that I use for a Tandy 102. The Tandy works fine with any other printer except the NEC 8023 (which causes IT'S low battery light to come on), while the PC-8500 won't work with any printer EXCEPT the NEC 8023. I've tried clipping the lines in the printer cable which are clearly mis-matched (the NEC devices show 8 of the lines as "data in" lines where everybody else has ground) but that hasn't helped at all. Does anybody know of the solution? P.S. Don't suggest calling NEC. (1) It's next to impossible to get through on their infernal automatic answering system that hangs up on you (after long distance connection), and (2) if you do get through to the tech people, they flatly refuse to even discuss connecting to anything but an NEC printer. Nice, helpful folks. I'll remember that next time I'm in the market for a computer or a printer. ------------ Sat Mar 18, 1989 D.WALTERS6 I use a STAR NX-1000 printer with the same cable without any trouble. Have you tried installing another printer in the PC-8500 software options? ------------ Sun Mar 19, 1989 CAROL Setup for a TTY printer and that has worked with a PC8500 here. By the way, you will have to imbed codes w^P and in non-document mode to print form WS-T- G. ------------ Thu Mar 23, 1989 I.ADAMS I can't get far enough to install a different printer! The printer pulls down the computer's power supply so that the computer will not turn on! The only way to boot the computer is to first disconnect the printer, which says that there is a problem with the pinouts between the computer and the printer(s). I had hoped that someone else had already encountered this problem and pioneered a fix. I take it we are all using the Tandy cable and not the NEC cable? ------------ Sun Apr 09, 1989 C.DEMARCO For what its worth, I have gotten the 8500 to work successfullt with a Hewlet Packard Thinkjet (serial model). The cable I'm using (for no good reason, other than I that I had it around) was designed to connect an Apple LISA/MacXL to the Apple Imagewriter I printer. I always thought that it was a fairly "standard" 25 pin RS-232 cable. However, if your interested, could probably find the pin connections on it for you. ------------ Prepared for GEnie's Laptops RoundTable 21-May-1989