[Coco] TRS-80 X-Pad

[Bill Pierce]

Thanks for the info Willard, that's just the stuff I was looking for. Luckily, I have an old grey MPI with the pal fix so I should be able to use it with the Coco 3. I just have to remember to slow everything down for port access. I'd love to do a NitrOS-9 version of something similar to CocoMax 2 with X-Pad support. I'm already working on a graphics program for level 2.
I recieved the last package today from the previous owner (4 boxes in all) and everything I recieved is in pristine condition. The Coco 1 looks (and acts) like it's straight off the shelf at Radio Shack. There's not even any wear on the chicklet keys! The DMP-100 doesn't even have finger prints on the clear cover! This stuff even still smells new! All I can say is WOW! It makes me feel like I got a $2000 gift certificate to Radio Shack and it's 1982!

Bill Pierce
My Music from the Tandy/Radio Shack Color Computer 2 & 3
https://sites.google.com/site/dabarnstudio/
Co-Webmaster of The TRS-80 Color Computer Archive
http://www.colorcomputerarchive.com/
Co-Contributor, Co-Editor for CocoPedia
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E-Mail: ooogalapasooo at aol.com




-----Original Message-----
From: Willard Goosey <goosey at virgo.sdc.org>
To: CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts <coco at maltedmedia.com>
Sent: Fri, May 24, 2013 3:53 pm
Subject: Re: [Coco] TRS-80 X-Pad


On Fri, May 24, 2013 at 01:56:01PM -0400, Bill Pierce wrote:
> 
> Hi, I've recently aquired a TRS-80 X-Pad for the Coco. These were
> made back in the Coco 2 & 2 days. For those who are not familiar
> with the X-Pad, it's a pen & drawing tablet for the Coco. It has a
> cart connected to the port.

X-Pad is a fun toy but I don't use mine much...

> What I want to know, is there any problems interfacing the X-Pad to
> OS-9? I would really like to try to do something in Level 2 with it

The big problem is that the X-Pad only works at 1MHz.  Unlike the
SSpak there's no cheap hack around that limit.  I've played around in
BASIC with running at 2MHz and dropping to 1MHz to actually sample the
xpad and that seemed to work, IIRC. 

I should also note that the xpad needs +12V so can only be used
directly on a CoCo1, the 2 & 3 have to use it in an MPI to provide the
power.

Willard
-- 
Willard Goosey  goosey at sdc.org
Socorro, New Mexico, USA
I search my heart and find Cimmeria, land of Darkness and the Night.
  -- R.E. Howard

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