Convert old IBM PCjr Joysticks to TANDY CoCo Deluxe || 6847T1 VDG lowercase text || 64k RAM upgrade
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- There are new old-stock joysticks for the IBM PCjr on the market. They can be converted to a Tandy TRS-80 Deluxe joystick for using with the Coco. Also, I show the hidden lowercase text mode in the Motorola 6847T1 Video Display Generator (VDG) IC. Finally, I will show glimpses into upcoming episodes and electronics projects.
Here is a folder containing JOYTEST.BAS (and even a joytest.dsk image with the same) that I used to test the buttons:
drive.google.c...
Thumbs up and subscribed. I bought one of these IBM PCjr joysticks off ebay for $20 shipped specifically for converting it to my coco 1 and 2 computers about 2 months ago, but won an auction for two tandy non-deluxe joysticks couple of days later and forgot about the conversion. Thanks for the video, saves me the hassle. Did not know about the lowercase thing, good channel and quality content.
I'm glad it could help. Thanks for the sub!
Thanks a lot for the lower cases POKE instructions !!!
A little tip for you, after soldering DIN connectors you can use a hot glue gun and melt some glue into the connector (cable side), that will keep the wires away from each others and avoid shortcuts.
Great tip! I will definitely try that next time. The hot glue is always handy and the fragile connections are easy to break during all the handling. Have you ever used Plasti-dip for coating a wire bundle? It can tidy up loose Dupont jumper wires.
@@acs8-bitzone651 Never heard about that thing, I sure will google it, thanks !
Psa...for replacement parts for your Tandy/IBM joystick by Kraft, I am making 3d print replacement parts for it. Already on cocoarchi e is the latch and one other part, and soon I will add the cam.
The fire buttons are available as replacement parts as you mention.
The IBM pcjr joystick is wired like apple 2 as a resistor. The Coco is a voltage divider setup. (Easier way to thi k about it)
Great video!!!
Also, any of the apple ii joystick ls can be modified also in the same way. But please butcher PC joysticks and not apple ii.
This is great! I'll buy some parts to fix mine.
Quick note on the T1/Lowercase - OS-9 Level 1, Version 2 did contain (somewhat hidden) support for the true lowercase, but the BASIC ROM's never did, unless you upgrade to something like ADOS.
Cool, thanks for the extra information on it!
Thanks for this AC!
My pleasure!
Nice video. The way you solder is great. I've attempted some joystick work and have always found it to be challenging. Your methods make me rethink my approach. But I saw where you had similar issues where the soldering iron heated the DIN pins enough to soften the black plastic holding it. I noticed your holder uses a rubber or similar material to grip things without damaging them. But in this case, I have found metal to metal helps keep the pin cooler and reduces the softening of the black plastic. I think next time I do this, I will use aluminum foil to improve the heat sinking effect more and crank up the iron tip and work faster. I think that combination will give me best (or most disastrous) results.
You're right about that! I keep seeing better and better ways (and then forgetting them when it comes time for action)!
Hi, love your content. would you be willing to provide a link to your joystick test button? I
. am always getting these joysticks and it would be great to have. Thanks
Since you asked, I added a link at the bottom of the description to the JOYTEST.BAS program. If you get a chance, would you let me know whether the link works for you? Thanks!
@@acs8-bitzone651 i dont see a link :)
Ha! Because I had added it to the wrong video. I fixed it now, it is in the bottom of the description. Thanks for letting me know.
I built about 20 of these. On a coco3, you can PEEK for the 2nd button, not sure about the the coco2 or 1
You are right about Coco3, I have recently learned. As for Coco 1/2, their boards do not make a connection to the 6th pin and that button is not usable in them. Thanks for mentioning and watching!
The pin 6 is only active on the CoCo3.
Yes, and of course also on the Tandy 1000 line up. @ACs 8-bit Zone: There are several CoCo3 games that make use of both joystick buttons, such as Kyum Gai: To Be Ninja by Sundog Systems.
Awesome! Since my experience was with Coco1 and Coco2 in the 80s and I haven't done much with my Coco3 yet, I had no idea what the second button was for. But it is connected in the joystick and ready for those games.
Oh, that makes sense now. Thought it was for only the Tandy personal computers. But the Coco3 came late enough that it could add the connection, it seems.
Just to think that little plastic box originally cost $120 adjusted...
Yes and no doubt I only bought/received one at a time!
The Coco 3 *does* have the 2nd button connected, and it is supported in both BASIC and Nitr(OS-9). But you are correct, it is not connected on the Coco 1/2.
That makes so much sense in hindsight. I didn't check the Coco-3 schematic to see, just the 2, and I didn't happen to think of the fact that Tandy could have added the functionality in the 3.
Any chance you can post a diagram? I don't have a coco deluxe to compare against.
Hi, here is the diagram in the Coco newsletter (from Volume 40 Issue 1) compliments of Rick Ulland: www.glensideccc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/coco12340_1.pdf
Last night I had to take a connector back off of a cable I had just soldered on because I had forgotten to put on heat shrink beforehand. It is easy to miss doing it, and I think easier yet that it is often done later in the day or at night when I am a bit tired.
I don't make a lot of cables but I probably do forget that step about half the time! Our brains are so focused on preparing each wire end for soldering that we just flow into that step.