George Orr's Disk Drives
10 messages · 2007-06-06 → 2007-06-09 · Yahoo Group era · View archive on archive.org
Participants: Timex, george.orr1, Al Hartman, jboatno4, Paul and Debbie Anderson
Preserved from the Timex/Sinclair 2068 Yahoo Group (2001–2019), which is no longer online. Text reproduced from the archive.org archive; email addresses masked.
Messages
1. Re: [ts2068] George Orr's Disk Drives
Timex · Wed, 6 Jun 2007 17:26:
The Portuguese version of Timex FDD (black) with 2 drives.
The only curious thing is that circular thing on the back of the
controller. What is that?
Je
On Jun 6, 2007, at 4:50 PM, george.orr1 wrote:
> George Orr has been trying to figure out what he has and is very bad
> at describing them and so has placed photo's on his web site
> woodworths.com/Timex/Timex.html.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
2. George Orr's Disk Drives
george.orr1 · Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:50
George Orr has been trying to figure out what he has and is very bad
at describing them and so has placed photo's on his web site
woodworths.com/Timex/Timex.html.
3. Re: George Orr's Disk Drives
Paul and Debbie Anderson · Wed, 06 Jun 2007 16:01
Hi All,
If you could find the media for the drives, they would make a great
addition.
Paul
--- In [email], "george.orr1" <george.orr1@...> wrote:
>
> George Orr has been trying to figure out what he has and is very bad
> at describing them and so has placed photo's on his web site
> woodworths.com/Timex/Timex.html.
>
4. Re: George Orr's Disk Drives
Al Hartman · Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:12
I'm pretty sure I have boot disks for the TS2068 and Spectrum Modes of
these drives, as well as the CP/M mode.
I don't have a drive anymore, so I'm not sure if they work or not.
Al
--- In [email], "Paul and Debbie Anderson"
<PANDERSN@...> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
> If you could find the media for the drives, they would make a great
> addition.
>
> Paul
>
>
> --- In [email], "george.orr1" <george.orr1@> wrote:
> >
> > George Orr has been trying to figure out what he has and is very bad
> > at describing them and so has placed photo's on his web site
> > woodworths.com/Timex/Timex.html.
> >
>
5. Re: [ts2068] Re: George Orr's Disk Drives
Timex · Thu, 7 Jun 2007 23:56:
The only difference on FDD/FDD3000 for Spectrum or TS2068 is the
Timex Interface.
Operating System is the same for both machines (it run on FDD and not
on Timex nor Spectrum.
The same for the Terminal Emulator to use FDD with CP/M. For CP/M,
the FDD controller must have 64K RAM.
Je
On Jun 7, 2007, at 4:12 PM, Al Hartman wrote:
> I'm pretty sure I have boot disks for the TS2068 and Spectrum Modes of
> these drives, as well as the CP/M mode.
>
> I don't have a drive anymore, so I'm not sure if they work or not.
>
> Al
>
> --- In [email], "Paul and Debbie Anderson"
> <PANDERSN@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi All,
>> If you could find the media for the drives, they would make a great
>> addition.
>>
>> Paul
>>
>>
>> --- In [email], "george.orr1" <george.orr1@> wrote:
>>>
>>> George Orr has been trying to figure out what he has and is very bad
>>> at describing them and so has placed photo's on his web site
>>> woodworths.com/Timex/Timex.html.
>>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
6. Re: [ts2068] Re: George Orr's Disk Drives
jboatno4 · Thu, 7 Jun 2007 17:58:
Johnny Red is correct the operating system is the same, it's the Interface
that's slightly different.
I also have the boot disks and they are working copies.
Jack
On Thu, June 7, 2007 3:56 pm, Johnny Red (Timex) wrote:
> The only difference on FDD/FDD3000 for Spectrum or TS2068 is the
> Timex Interface.
> Operating System is the same for both machines (it run on FDD and not
> on Timex nor Spectrum. The same for the Terminal Emulator to use FDD with
> CP/M. For CP/M,
> the FDD controller must have 64K RAM.
>
> Je
>
>
> On Jun 7, 2007, at 4:12 PM, Al Hartman wrote:
>
>
>> I'm pretty sure I have boot disks for the TS2068 and Spectrum Modes of
>> these drives, as well as the CP/M mode.
>>
>> I don't have a drive anymore, so I'm not sure if they work or not.
>>
>>
>> Al
>>
>>
>> --- In [email], "Paul and Debbie Anderson"
>> <PANDERSN@...> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Hi All,
>>> If you could find the media for the drives, they would make a great
>>> addition.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --- In [email], "george.orr1" <george.orr1@> wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> George Orr has been trying to figure out what he has and is very
>>>> bad at describing them and so has placed photo's on his web site
>>>> woodworths.com/Timex/Timex.html.
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
7. Re: George Orr's Disk Drives
Al Hartman · Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:53
--- In [email], jboatno4@... wrote:
>
> Johnny Red is correct the operating system is the same, it's the
Interface
> that's slightly different.
>
> I also have the boot disks and they are working copies.
>
> Jack
Ok. I had forgotten that.
I found a copy of the User's Manual for the Timex Disk System.
And I know that somewhere I have a Spectrum Interface for the FDD System.
Al
Phila, PA
8. Re: George Orr's Disk Drives
george.orr1 · Sat, 09 Jun 2007 03:47
Hi,
I'm getting more help than I expected. I've glanced at the manual
and it seems I need this boot disk but I can't find any in my
effects. Would I need this boot diskette if I hooked it up to one
of my TS2068 computers? And someone mentioned that they run on 220 v
but mine have a tape someone placed onto the cord that says 110v. It
makes me wonder if these were being modified to run on the TS2068
(my friend got a lot of this stuff from a retired Timex emplyee who
worked at the Waterbury, CT plant. I don't think he was an engineer
but I think he may have geen responsible for testing the stuff). I'm
still going through my stuff to try to find the proper edge
connector to try to connect them to either my Spectrum or one of my
TS2068s. Is someone willing to sell me a boot disk? Will I need it
if I hook it to a TS2068?
George
--- In [email], "Al Hartman" <alhartman6@...> wrote:
>
> --- In [email], jboatno4@ wrote:
> >
> > Johnny Red is correct the operating system is the same, it's the
> Interface
> > that's slightly different.
> >
> > I also have the boot disks and they are working copies.
> >
> > Jack
>
> Ok. I had forgotten that.
>
> I found a copy of the User's Manual for the Timex Disk System.
>
> And I know that somewhere I have a Spectrum Interface for the FDD
System.
>
> Al
> Phila, PA
>
9. Re: [ts2068] Re: George Orr's Disk Drives
Timex · Sat, 9 Jun 2007 12:32:
On Jun 9, 2007, at 4:47 AM, george.orr1 wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm getting more help than I expected. I've glanced at the manual
> and it seems I need this boot disk but I can't find any in my
> effects. Would I need this boot diskette if I hooked it up to one
> of my TS2068 computers?
You always need a boot disk. Timex FDD doesn't have a built-in OS.
Think of it as a IBM-PC alike. No OS disk, no computer. And as you
have read on the user manual, first boot the FDD then turn on your
Timex computer.
Always remember that the FDD is not just a disk interface, it is a
computer too without video circuitry. The Timex computer only acts
like a computer terminal when connected to the Timex FDD. All TOS
disks are bootable, so ANY TOS formatted disk will boot the FDD. Only
CP/M needs a boot disk but that is an advanced OS.
> And someone mentioned that they run on 220 v
> but mine have a tape someone placed onto the cord that says 110v.
Portuguese version run on 220v (the black ones), US version (silver
ones) run on 110v. But that doesn't mean that it's always like that,
someone might have switched the 200v for the 110v power supply and
retaining the black case.
> It
> makes me wonder if these were being modified to run on the TS2068
> (my friend got a lot of this stuff from a retired Timex emplyee who
> worked at the Waterbury, CT plant.
The only difference on a FDD system for Spectrum or Timex 2068 is
Timex Interface ROMs. One ROM for Spectrum and a ROM for 2068. The
rest is the same for both computers.
There are ROMs to use FDD/FDD3000 with Spectrum 128K.
> I don't think he was an engineer
> but I think he may have geen responsible for testing the stuff). I'm
> still going through my stuff to try to find the proper edge
> connector to try to connect them to either my Spectrum or one of my
> TS2068s. Is someone willing to sell me a boot disk? Will I need it
> if I hook it to a TS2068?
As I wrote above, any TOS disk will boot the FDD and you always need
to boot the FDD using it in all manners possible.
-Timex 2048/Spectrum 48K + 48K interface + FDD + TOS
-Timex 2068 + 2068 interface + FDD + TOS
-Timex 2048/Spectrum 48K + 48K interface + FDD (with 64K RAM)/FDD3000
+ Terminal Emulator + CP/M
-Timex 2068 + 2068 interface + FDD (with 64K RAM)/FDD3000 + Terminal
Emulator + CP/M
-Timex Terminal 3000 + FDD (with 64K RAM)/FDD3000 + CP/M
In Portugal there are no Timex-Sinclair 2068 (TS2068). Timex of
Portugal modified TS2068 board and selled them under the name "Timex
Computer 2068" (TC2068). TC2068 have a Spectrum compatible Edge
Connector instead of the TS2068 incompatible edge connector (signals
are arranjed in different manner).
Because of this and because the FDD/FDD3000/TOS where adapted on
Portugal, you will need a twister board to use FDD on a TS2068 (with
or without a Spectrum cartridge emulator).
Je, Portugal
>
> George
>
>
>
>
> --- In [email], "Al Hartman" <alhartman6@...> wrote:
>>
>> --- In [email], jboatno4@ wrote:
>>>
>>> Johnny Red is correct the operating system is the same, it's the
>> Interface
>>> that's slightly different.
>>>
>>> I also have the boot disks and they are working copies.
>>>
>>> Jack
>>
>> Ok. I had forgotten that.
>>
>> I found a copy of the User's Manual for the Timex Disk System.
>>
>> And I know that somewhere I have a Spectrum Interface for the FDD
> System.
>>
>> Al
>> Phila, PA
>>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
10. Re: [ts2068] Re: George Orr's Disk Drives
jboatno4 · Sat, 9 Jun 2007 08:19:
George, Johnny Red says it very well below.
The only thing I might add is that if this was truly from the Timex lab
and your friend's friend was a test person, the edge connector could be
compatible with the TS2068 without the need for a twister. I have never
heard of one being TS-ready, but who knows, maybe this is a prototype. We
know that Timex had plans to market this in the US at one time. I would
be sure which connector I had before powering the system up.
The FDD should have come with TOS on disk. Once loaded, and booted, it
was automatically saved on other disks that were formatted. So, as Johnny
Red indicates, if you have any disks they should boot the system. If you
can't find any let me know.
Jack
On Sat, June 9, 2007 4:32 am, Johnny Red (Timex) wrote:
>
> On Jun 9, 2007, at 4:47 AM, george.orr1 wrote:
>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>>
>> I'm getting more help than I expected. I've glanced at the manual
>> and it seems I need this boot disk but I can't find any in my effects.
>> Would I need this boot diskette if I hooked it up to one
>> of my TS2068 computers?
>
> You always need a boot disk. Timex FDD doesn't have a built-in OS.
> Think of it as a IBM-PC alike. No OS disk, no computer. And as you
> have read on the user manual, first boot the FDD then turn on your Timex
> computer. Always remember that the FDD is not just a disk interface, it is
> a computer too without video circuitry. The Timex computer only acts like a
> computer terminal when connected to the Timex FDD. All TOS disks are
> bootable, so ANY TOS formatted disk will boot the FDD. Only CP/M needs a
> boot disk but that is an advanced OS.
>
>> And someone mentioned that they run on 220 v
>> but mine have a tape someone placed onto the cord that says 110v.
>
> Portuguese version run on 220v (the black ones), US version (silver
> ones) run on 110v. But that doesn't mean that it's always like that,
> someone might have switched the 200v for the 110v power supply and
> retaining the black case.
>
>> It
>> makes me wonder if these were being modified to run on the TS2068 (my
>> friend got a lot of this stuff from a retired Timex emplyee who worked
>> at the Waterbury, CT plant.
>
> The only difference on a FDD system for Spectrum or Timex 2068 is
> Timex Interface ROMs. One ROM for Spectrum and a ROM for 2068. The
> rest is the same for both computers. There are ROMs to use FDD/FDD3000 with
> Spectrum 128K.
>
>
>> I don't think he was an engineer
>> but I think he may have geen responsible for testing the stuff). I'm
>> still going through my stuff to try to find the proper edge connector to
>> try to connect them to either my Spectrum or one of my TS2068s. Is
>> someone willing to sell me a boot disk? Will I need it if I hook it to a
>> TS2068?
>>
>
> As I wrote above, any TOS disk will boot the FDD and you always need
> to boot the FDD using it in all manners possible.
>
> -Timex 2048/Spectrum 48K + 48K interface + FDD + TOS
> -Timex 2068 + 2068 interface + FDD + TOS
> -Timex 2048/Spectrum 48K + 48K interface + FDD (with 64K RAM)/FDD3000
> + Terminal Emulator + CP/M
> -Timex 2068 + 2068 interface + FDD (with 64K RAM)/FDD3000 + Terminal
> Emulator + CP/M
> -Timex Terminal 3000 + FDD (with 64K RAM)/FDD3000 + CP/M
>
>
> In Portugal there are no Timex-Sinclair 2068 (TS2068). Timex of
> Portugal modified TS2068 board and selled them under the name "Timex
> Computer 2068" (TC2068). TC2068 have a Spectrum compatible Edge
> Connector instead of the TS2068 incompatible edge connector (signals
> are arranjed in different manner). Because of this and because the
> FDD/FDD3000/TOS where adapted on
> Portugal, you will need a twister board to use FDD on a TS2068 (with
> or without a Spectrum cartridge emulator).
>
> Je, Portugal
>
>
>>
>> George
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --- In [email], "Al Hartman" <alhartman6@...> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> --- In [email], jboatno4@ wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Johnny Red is correct the operating system is the same, it's the
>>>>
>>> Interface
>>>
>>>> that's slightly different.
>>>>
>>>> I also have the boot disks and they are working copies.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jack
>>>>
>>>
>>> Ok. I had forgotten that.
>>>
>>>
>>> I found a copy of the User's Manual for the Timex Disk System.
>>>
>>>
>>> And I know that somewhere I have a Spectrum Interface for the FDD
>>>
>> System.
>>
>>>
>>> Al
>>> Phila, PA
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
Indexed under
TS2068 / TC2068 · Disk & floppy systems (Larken, AERCO, Oliger)