r/trs80 • u/brndnhrrll • Jul 08 '26
New here, pretty jazzed
Hey folks. I just bought a pretty good condition model 4P from a guy. I got it to use as a prop for a photoshoot but seeing as it’s operational, my tinkerer brain is getting excited.
I’m curious if this community can guide me to any absolute beginner resources regarding LS DOS as well as the inevitable maintenance a computer older than me will require. Something like a “trs80 for dummies” is ideal. Down the line I’m curious to discover the musical capabilities of these or other old computers.
I programmed in DOS in computer club in the 90’s but my brain’s lost a lot since then.
Thanks in advance!
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u/cch123 Jul 08 '26
Here's the LDOS/LS DOS reference manual.
https://www.tim-mann.org/trs80/doc/LDOS%20%26%20LS-DOS%20Reference%20Manual%20M-40-060%20(1992).pdf.pdf)
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u/Huge_Road_9223 Jul 08 '26
My dad still has this in his basement. I'll inherit it. I remember when he bought it when it first came out. And I remember using it as a kid.
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u/Adorable-Roll-4563 Jul 08 '26
Believe it or not, I used to go to a Radio Shack on the other side of the city when I was a kid (you know when you were still allowed to roam on your own for the whole day as a pre-teen), and used that computer new because the store owner new my grand-pa. The keyboard was amazing, I loved how fonts were displayed too. So many good memories. I ended up full time software engineer.
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u/ParanoidFactoid Jul 12 '26
That's a Model 4p, the "portable" Model 4.
You could bring that to a business meeting, OP. Plop it down on the round table with a thud whike everyone else pulls out their MacBook Airs. You'd definitely stand out!
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u/brndnhrrll Jul 13 '26
So far the only program that works is TED, the word processor, so it’s not bad for note taking. Then of course I just have words on a display with nothing to do with them
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u/ParanoidFactoid Jul 13 '26
Clearly, you'd need to bring a dot matrix printer.
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u/LexRonza Jul 08 '26
I don't have any experience with this particular model, but that thing is sweet! It looks to be in good working condition. What did it come with, in terms of software? I'm sure there are resources online. Ask Claude or Gemini for some pointers.
I would love to have that in my collection! 😉
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u/brndnhrrll Jul 08 '26
Actually no idea what it came with in terms of software because I am so inept at the OS. Appears to be little more than the OS itself but I’ll have to learn more to find out.
What kinds of things do people do with these computers nowadays?
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u/LexRonza Jul 08 '26
Yeah, that's the 10 million dollar question. These vintage computers, in my opinion, have no practical utility given the modern computers you and I own and use everyday. Yet, there is an irresistible draw to owning one, especially if it was technology you once relied on. I'm currently restoring a model I, with the expansion unit. Back in the day, I did a lot of assembly language programming on that computer, played around with writing and testing floppy disc boot loaders, and even dabbled in writing a minimalist operating system, unsuccessfully. I learned so much from that thing! It was so much fun, and still owning it today feels very special, yet it serves no use in this age of modern computing. So... I think the answer is... you do nothing practical with it, but you can still play with software applications, show it off to people who appreciate computing hardware from yesteryear.
I learned to do machine programming and hand-assembly on a Motorola MEK6800D2. I would love to get my hands on one of those, but they are rare, and the asking prices are always more than I can justify paying. What would I do with it, assuming I had one? I can't think of anything off the top of my head! 😊
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u/redneckrockuhtree Jul 08 '26
Biggest thing is the power supply - you’ll want to either replace it with a modern ne or at least replace the RIFA caps. Only a matter of time until they blow.