Emulating old computers.

[laserSquad]

Hi guys, 1st post here...

I was wondering if anybody has experience messing about emulating old microcomputers. I mean the likes of TRS 80, PET, Atari 400/800... Got some questions, for example how do you load cassette files in TRS or is there an Atari 400 games list?

[Hobie-wan]

I haven't messed with emulators for those, but at least on the C64 ones I've played with a few times you had to enable a virtual tape/disc, then choose an image file for the stored program. Maybe something like that in the menus?

[TheObscureGamer]

Hi. First post too, long time lurker.
I've been known to mess around

Out of personal interest, I have looked up a few of your questions.
My experience on those systems are lacking, so I did some of
the messing around. Here are some reports:

a) TRS-80

For the TRS-80, I have used Matthew Reed’s TRS-80 Emulator.
The website is easily found through google, and has a rather
accurate TRS-80 emulator which ran fine on my Windows 7 setup.
The shareware version allows you to run tape images.

Quick lowdown:
Common TRS image files have these extentions:
Disk images: .DSK .DMK
Basic intepreter files: .BAS
Binary images: .CMD
Tape images: .CAS

For most emulators you will need a system rom, each model needs its own rom.
There are generally 4 models (MODEL I, II, III & 4).
Disable floppy disks, enter your tape, have the emulator "PRESS PLAY"
and load the system up.
You will get prompted this:

Code: Select all

Cass?

Just Press H.

Next you will be prompted

Code: Select all

Memory Size?

Just press enter.

Next you'll see:

Code: Select all

Ready>

Now the tricky part... The next step will depend on the file type on the tape.
Programs written in basic need to be loaded with the "CLOAD" command.
This is mostly automatic.

Machine code programs on the tape need to be loaded with the "SYSTEM" command first.
You will get a *? prompt. Now type the name of the file on the tape.

In both cases your tape will start loading (obvious from the tape counter incrementing.)
Please keep in mind that tape loading on the real hardware was pretty erratic.
This "feature" is perfectly emulated
If you use another emulator, let me know which one and I'll gladly give it a shot.

b) Atari 400

The atari 400 seems to have a couple of lists.
THE MESS emulator seems to have a good support for the Atari 400/800 series.
You could always google around to see what specific list that emulator supports.

It seems that the Old School Emulation Center (TOSEC, which tries to catalog software
images) likes to bundle these under "ATARI 8BIT"
TOSEC divides it into different lists (cartridges, cassettes, demos, games etc.)
Googling around should give you more insight into this.

(I am not affiliated with any of above parties)

Hope this helps
-ObscureGamer

[laserSquad]

Ok thanks guys.

I also used M.Reed`s emulator for TRS. Thing is, after loading the cassette, the whole thing hangs up. And it seems we`ve been doing things the same way, so it`s rather annoying.
(apart form "disabling the floppy disks" - how do you that, or do you mean just not to have any image "loaded' in the emu prompt?)

Also, on Model I/lvl2 i need to use LDOS, otherwise I get black screen at the beginning. In LDOS I go to Basic and then try loading with Cload/system, but still no dice.


I was wondering what program did you try to load and on which model (I tried Model I/lvl2 and Model 3/lvl2, don`t have the rom for Model I/lvl1) ? I have a huge TRS soft library, could try loading exactly the same program and seeing what happens.

Also used sdltrs, not a bad emu - less user friendly but without TRS32 shareware limitations. Still no luck with cassettes thou.

As for Atari 400, yep I have the TOSEC set and they bundle it all under "8 bit". Same thing goes around the net - even Atarimania treats them as one bunch. I`m just a bit surprised given how detailed and segregated various other sets can be. The workaround is trying to sort the games by year but it`s a half measure.