[Coco] NitrOS-9 newbie needs some help

[Nickolas Marentes]

I've run the modified for 50Hz version of NitrOS-9 that Boisy sent me and it
didn't change any of the problems I am experiencing. It does mean I don't
have to keep reaching for the vertical hold on my monitor to stop it rolling
when switching to 60Hz.

I plugged in my multi-pak (that thing takes all the elegence out of the
CoCo! It's so kludgy looking, especially when loaded up with cartridges!)
and I plugged in my FD502 controller which is giving me near 100% format
failures and found that formatting problems ALMOST all dissappeared. It's
still not perfect but it shows that the problem must be some "bus loading"
or "edge triggering" problem.

I am beginning to feel that a hard drive is a must have to do anything
serious with OS-9.

What I would like is an internal IDE connector. Does anyone have one of
these available for sale?

Is there some sort of bus buffer that would allow me to keep the Multi-crap
interface out of site or better still, mount the innards in a box along with
floppy drives and placed under the monitor (ala TRS-80 model 1 expansion
box)?

Why do I hate the Multi-crap interface so much?

1) I have the tandy monitor platform and with the multi-crap, I can't slide
the CoCo under it to save deskspace.

2) Because my dual floppy drives are on the right of my monitor and up on
the platform, with the floppy cart in I can't access the drives without
bumping the controller.

3) It makes the CoCo3 look very much like a prototype and incomplete
computer (still under development). Everyone who sees it laughs.

4) It gets in the way while I'm typing, I keep bumping the carts with my
right hand.


5) It blew my 6809 a few years back so now I don't trust it.


Nick