TS-2068 Disk Drive Operations
Bought a six pack of DSDD Diskettes from “SAMS” for $18.00. Sams is the discount chain owned by Walmart . These were Maxwell brand and the 60 diskettes in the pack cost 30 cents each. Used them up in 2 days copying the big “Hybiscus” software for filling orders. Wish we had a faster DISK COPY program! It takes 8 minutes to copy an 80 track disk!
While copying several disks the disk drive heats up and the resukts seem to be an occasional CRC ERROR, either during Disk Copy or during FORMAT. It could be that I’ll need to replace the drives pretty soon. But my solution for now is to stop for a cuppa and let the drives cool down. So far, the Error Disk will re-format or copy without problems.
EXCELLENT LKDOS DISK UTILITIES: The Toronto club has many disk utilities in their library. One that I find particularily useful is “COPY12.B1”. This program allows the copying of either “Selected Files” or ALL FILES.
EXCELLENT OLIGER DISK UTILITIES: The “DOSDEX GROUP”, by Bob Hartung is available as an Issue Disk from Update Magazine. This is the most complete set of disk tools that I have seen.
WHAT IS A “DOS”?
A Disk Operating System: A collection of utility programs designed to send and receive packages of data to and from a disk drive magnetic recorder. The Disk Drive is controlled by BASIC PROGRAMMING. Such Basic Programming is stored in Machine Code form in either EPROM or RAM MEMORY. Mostly our TS-2068 DOS versions are stored in permanent EPROM memory, but there is one DOS (RAMEX) that is loaded from Disk into the computer’s RAM Memory. All DOS require an Interface between the computer and the disk drive. The interface has a “Disk Controller Chip” that intrepets Basic Commands into signals that “instructs” the disk drive to perform the RECORD or PLAY BACK tasks.
TWO TYPES of TS-2068 DOS:
Actually there are five, but only two DOS remains Actively supported. These are the “Oliger DOS” and the Larken DOS (LKDOS). The DOS consists of hardware boards that plug in to the rear deck of the TS-2068. The hardware boards contain the Disk Interface and EPROM Memory which contains the DOS programming. The hardware boards connect to the Disk Drive by means of a 34 conductor flat ribbon cable. The manual that is supplied with the hardware board explains the usage of the system.
Availibility: John Oliger, 11601 Whidbey Drive, Cumberland, IN 46190. or RMG ENTERPRISES, 1419 1/2 7th St., Oregon City, OR 97045. or Ed Grey Enterprises, PO Box 2186, Inglewood, CA 90305. A letter to these sources will bring a catalog of their wares.
LAST CHANCE: (To Upgrade your TS-2068 to Disk Drive): Larken Electronics has discontinued making the LKDOS hardware. There are a few systems remaining in stock by RMG and Ed Grey. John Oliger remains as the only active supporter (including Service) for Disk drive systems for the TS-2068.
COMPARISONS: Oliger DOS is the fastest to execute Disk Drive commands. Oliger DOS has a built in RGB Interface to use an RGB Monitor. LKDOS has one exclusive capability of “Sequential Files” Save and Load. Other than these two features the two DOS are almost identical. If I were buying a DOS today I would select Oliger DOS because of its continued (timely) service and support.
RECIPE for Automatic Pancakes: 1. Use any brand of Pancake Mix or roll your own. 2. To the batter add two pinches of ground Mexican Jumping Beans. 3. Pour small portions onto hot griddle. ** The result: As each side gets done the pancakes flip themselves over. Warning: Dont use mor’n two pinches else they may stick to the ceiling. (Recipe given by a grizzled old goucho of questionable integrety). Until then, See You! BJ_