Come to the Fest!
From the Desk of Paul Holmgren, Executive Chairman The Second Annual Midwest Timex-Sinclair Computer Fest is a definite reality. We are committed to making it even more of a success than the show we put on last year in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Ramada Inn. Please accept this letter as a personal invitation for all the readers of SyncWare News to attend what will undoubtedly be the PREMIER event for the Vendors and Users of Timex, Sinclair, and QL computers in North America. Those who attended last year’s show in Ohio know exactly what I mean. This year’s show will be held at the Holiday Inn-North, located just off I-465 on the northside of Indianapolis, Indiana. The mailing address of the Inn is 3850 DePauw Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46268. The local phone number is (317)872-9790. The national toll-free number for reservations is 1-800-HOLIDAY. We have made arrangements to obtain commercial room rates, which offer substantial discounts for those attending the Fest. There will be a flat rate of $52.00 per night, but to obtain this rate you have to state that you are attending the Fest when you make your reservations. The flat rate will apply regardless of the number of guests staying in your room. The site is a Holidome– a complete full service hotel facility with all the expected amenities: indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, separate men’s and women’s saunas, billards, ping pong, a putting green, and wide screen TV. Along with all that, you’ll be treated daily to complimentary fresh coffee and morning newspaper! For those flying in, the hotel offers bus, van and station wagon shuttle service to the airport. Enough about the hotel, let me get on to the Fest itself! We have been allocated approximately 6000 square feet of space not including the Hospitality Suite that will be available for you to take a break from it all. This is over twice the space we had for the Fest last year. We are planning two sets of lectures and seminars which will be running concurrently. We hope to be able to repeat the ones which we have had the highest demand for. There will be ample space for the numerous vendors, user groups, magazines, newsletters, and cottage industry vendors to show the Fest attendees just what they have to offer. There will also be an area set aside as a swap and/or flea market area. This will allow attendees to buy, sell, or trade used hardware and public domain or used (NOT PIRATED) software. This area will be available free of charge but will be rigorously policed and the rules strictly enforced. Other motels available in the immediate area that are:
1) Dillon Inn (800)253-7305 or (317)875-7676 2) Dollar Inn (317)872-0500 3) Drury Inn (800)325-8300 or (317)876-9777 4) Red Roof Inn (800)848-7878 or (317)872-3030 5) Signature Inn (800)822-5252 or (317)875-5656 6) Embassy Suites (800)362-2779 or (317)872-7700
MEMBERSHIP RATES:
Individual: $6.00 Family: $9.00
DEALER ROOM RATES:
Hardware/Software Vendor............$65.00 per table Software/Non-computer Vendor....$25.00 per 1/2 table Absentee Dealer, Vendor, Mags...$25.00 per 1/2 table User Groups.....................$15.00 per 1/2 table
For more information concerning the Fest, write the Fest Committee at: | The Midwest Timex-Sinclair Computer Fest | 513 East Main Street | Peru, IN 46970 Thank you! See you all at the Fest!!!
2068 Wish List
Dear Editor, Several times I have read requests by the Editors of TS magazines for input from the readers about the hardware and software they’d like to read about. Since I know very little about electronics, I’m not even sure these items are feasible, It is just my wish list. 1) A real time clock for the 2068 to allow the machine to run programs or interfaced machinery at specific times. 2) A DC power supply for the 2068 mated with a 9 inch monochrome or RGB monitor and a microdrive. 3) The 32K NVM RAM PAK upgraded to 64K. 4) An expansion buss to allow several NVM’s to be connected together and then to be bank switched. 5) Some way to network the TS2068 with other 2068’s and TS1000’s. Maybe using the TS1000 for home control or robotics purposes. 6) A TS User group in the Hattiesburg, MS area which is near Biloxi, Jackson, New Orleans, and Pascagoula. | Pete Kelly | Hattiesburg, MS Pete-Thanks for your ‘wish list’. All your ideas seem like good ones. Most great inventions that we take for granted today began as someone saying ‘What if?’. Take that fellow Clive Sinclair for example…-ed.
ZXLR8 Woes
Dear Editor, I purchased and installed a Delphic 4K Programmer’s Utility Eprom in my Byte-Back UM-64 memory pack. The EPROM resides in the 8-12K area of memory. Up to that time I was using the ZXLR8 fastload program. Now I can not use the ZXLR8 program without first disabling the EPROM. I have tried storing the ZXLR8 at other locations to no avail. I wondering if anyone would know of or have any suggestions as to how to solve this problem. | John Baney | Perrysville, OH
64 Column Mode
Dear Editor, As you know, the TS2068 has four display modes. In mode 2, the 64 column mode, there is ‘garbage’ printed to the screen every other column in the top half of the screen. Can you tell me how to clean up the screen using either hardware or software? Once the screen is cleared, how do I print to it? | John Pigg | Boise, Idaho John- The ‘garbage’ you’re seeing is the bit pattern of the data that was stored in RAM before you designated that area to be DISPLAY FILE 2. A good way to make use of the 64 column mode is to use a program like Wes Brzozowski’s 2068 – 64 COLUMN BASIC that was the second place winner in the first SWN Programmer’s Contest. The program was published in SWN Vol. 3 No. 1.-ed.
Key & Printer Problems
Dear Editor, I am having a couple problems using MSCRIPT with my GORILLA BANANA printer. First, I must be set up for two line feeds to get one to print. Second, when I do multiple page printing, the page spacing is erratic. I would also like to find a vendor who can supply new keys for my 2068. The words and letters are worn off mine. | John Christensen | Oak Ridge, NJ John- Your first problem, line feeds, is probably due to not having your printer set to the parameters of MSCRIPT or vice versa. Make sure that your printer performs an auto CR (carriage return) when MSCRIPT sends it a LF (line feed). Conversely, you may have MSCRIPT send both a CR and LF at the end of each line (at least with my version). Also, you need to make sure the LF and/or CR codes being sent by MSCRIPT are what your printer needs to perform the function you request. The second problem will probably be resolved when you correct the first, unless it is a mechanical problem with the printer paper feed mechanism. To fully advance an 11″ long sheet of paper through the printer requires 66 LF’s (ie., 6 lines/inch*11 inches). If MSCRIPT is providing anything other than 66 LF’s/page, you will have erratic multi-page printing. I presently know of two methods for replacing worn or faded out keys on the 2068 keyboard. RMG Enterprises has replacement key tops which are just printing on adhesive backed, mylar sheets. You peel the legends from the sheet and stick them on to the key tops. RMG’s address is listed in this month’s SUPPORT column. The cost is around $3.00. TS Connections, 3832 Watterson, Cincinnati, OH 45227 (513) 271-5575 sells replacement TS2068 top case halves. This would include new keys. The price is about $10.00. Call Jack Roberts at TS Connections for details.-ed.
Dear Editor, I was excited about Bob Sworger’s 2068 Label Maker in SWN 4:2. I tried running the program, then modifying the program for my printer. Unfortunately, I can not get the upper/lower scrolls to come out on print. I also get a lot of extra characters, and at times, NO line feeds (print over). I would like to use this program in future years, will someone please help? My system consists of a TS2068, an A&J Mikrodrive and I/F, and a Legend 808 printer. I realize the Legend has limited capabilities, therefore the upper and lower scrolls do not have to be as indicated in Sworger’s program. Simple “XXXXXXXXXX” will do. | Sergio Frost | San Diego, CA
Clubs
Dear Editor, I would appreciate it very much if you would send me a list of User Groups in my area. | T. G. Morley | Truth or Consequences, New Mexico Mr. Morley- I currently have no listing for any user groups in the New Mexico area. I have sent you the names of two that might be close enough for you to attend their meetings. If you would decide to do something ‘radical’ like start your own, drop us a line and we’ll announce it here.-ed. Dear Editor, I am writing to ask if you would include the address of our user group somewhere in your publication. We would like to exchange newsletters with other user groups. Thanks. | Dallas Timex/Sinclair/Amstrad Users Group | c/o George Edmonds | P. O. Box 153421 | Irving, TX 75015
Thanks
I’d like to thank the Greater Cleveland Sinclair Users Group for having me as their guest speaker February 6th at their East Side meeting. I had a most enjoyable time being with other TS people. Keep up the good work!-Jeff Moore, Editor
TECH MANUAL ERRORS
Dear Editor, I have discovered a number of errors in the schematic supplied with the TS2068 Technical Manual. I sent this list to Timex but they never replied. Perhaps this may be useful to your readers. 1) Resistor R2 in the U1-14 to Q1-E line should be in the Q1-B to Q1-E line. 2) ROSCS(NOT) is indicated on U3 to go to P1B-28 should be P1A-28. 3) VR-1 slider and lower end are grounded and the upper end goes to Q5-B & U3-33. The Draftsman untwisted the lines at the left end. 4) Put a connection ‘dot’ on the Q4-B line to the line between R55 and R54. 5) The added chip U21 is labeled 741500, it is a 74LS00. 6) U12-10 A7′ is labeled AR7B. It should be A7RB. 7) Note 3 for D28128 should be D23128. 8) The buss lines around the Z-80 are incorrect. See the accompanying drawings. 9) The GND line drawn around Q5 is superfluous. This may be part of yet another error. 10) Which address lines are switched by U10 & U11 to make A1′-A6′? Eventually I’d like to ring these out. | Travis Bracken | Minneapolis, MN
Disk Expansion
Dear Editor, Can the Tandy or Purple 3-1/2″ disk drive be used with a TS2068? | Jean Adams | Lummi Island, WA Jean- Any disk drive that is ‘Shugart compatible’ will work with the TS2068 provided you have an interface between it and the disk drive. Disk interface boards are currently available from Aerco, Larkin, and Oliger, to name a few. Their addresses usually appear in the Support column or ads in this magazine. You must have a disk interface board to run a disk drive with any computer. The interface board must be specifically designed for type of computer its being used with.-ed.
Watch For….
Dear Editor, I am trying to locate a QL version of the program ‘Solar Water Heater Design’. It was originally marketed for the TS1000 under the Timex-Sinclair label, listed as household, and as item #03-2017. The program was written by Tim Rossetti. I had an original copy when I owned a TS1000. I would like to obtain either a version for the QL or a listing of the TS1000 version that I may convert for my QL. | Michael J. Pohl | [address omitted] | Johnstown, PA
Speak to Me
Dear Editor, Can anyone offer any tips or hints on how to use the word processor TASWORD in conjunction with the ZEBRA TALKER speech synthesizer? | Victor Philippi | Tupper Lake, NY
Wobble Revisited
We have had several letters from TS1000 owner’s listing a whole myriad of woes which can all usually be traced to poor connections at the rear expansion connection. Based on personal experience, believe me when I say this connection has to be kept clean. It must also be kept free of movement when the computer is in use. Cleaning can be done with a pencil eraser or with commercially available contact cleaner (one without a lubricant, oil will attract dirt). DO NOT USE metal cleaner such as that used on silverware or copper pots and pans! It will destroy the copper ‘fingers’ on the edge connector. G. Russell has some stuff that seems to be pretty good. It cured some nasty connection problems I was having on a TS2068. Anti-wobble devices can be anything as simple as rubber bands, to elaborate metal and/or plastic frames, to soldering the edge connectors together. Do whatever you feel necessary to prevent any one connection from being broke for even a millisecond. Just that short amount of time will cause a crash.
Dead End Space Bar
Dear Editor, I have a problem with my space bar not spacing if I hit it near the end instead of in the middle. Is this a common problem? Is there an accepted way of overcoming this? | James Holder | Huntsville, AL James- Yes, this unfortunately is a common problem on the TS2068. A real cure involves some ‘hacking’ on the keyboard circuit board which is messy and not always successful. Some 2068 users put tape or otherwise mark off an inch at each end of the space bar. They then ‘hit’ the bar only between the marks. Another way to ensure good space entry, as well as all the other keys, is to turn on the keyboard ‘click’. Do this by POKEing 23609,x; where x is a number from 0 to 255. The higher the number, the longer the ‘beep’ emitted for each key press. Start out with POKE 23609,64. Change this value as you see fit. Of coarse, this can be written into your own programs.-ed.
WRX16 Fix
Gregory C. Harder figured out why WRX16, as published, won’t work with some 64K RAM packs. To quote from his letter, “… There is no reason why the high-res routines won’t work with 64K RAM. I’ve been using them with an Oliger 64K RAM board. You only have to make sure that the collapsed display file DUMY appears in high RAM; whether it’s a phantom echo, as with 16K, or actual data in RAM doesn’t matter. My Extended BASIC for this [under development -ed] simply loads it as data into high RAM before producing the display.” -gch This same technique has been used to make “Dungeon of Ymir V3” operable with 64K packs. Note, however, that you must still use a suitable NVM, and disable the 64K RAM in the 8-16K region, since WRX16 relies on getting the video data during refresh time. I also realized why WRX16 will only work on the TS1500 if an external 16K pack is attached. The 1500’s SCLD fully decodes the RAM space. Without the external 16K pack, the 1500’s internal RAM is operating in the 16-32K region, and high memory contains nothing; i.e. no echo. However, when a 16K TS1016 is attached, the internal RAM is remapped to 32-48K, and the external pack runs in 16-32K instead. Since it is NOT fully decoded, it will of course generate the high-memory phantom, and WRX16 operates correctly. -fn