Re: Laser 128

[schmidtd <schmidtd@my-deja.com>]

On Sep 1, 5:12 pm, Bill H <b...@ts1000.us> wrote:
> I just picked up a Laser 128 from a local thrift store. Its in great
> shape, powers up and everything. When I turn it on it will show me the
> Laser 128 screen and Microsoft Basic copy right, then it tries to boot
> from the floppy, and since I dont have any discs, it will tell me to
> press ctrl + reset to try again.
>
> The questions I have are:
>
> Is there a way to drop into basic without a floppy?
Hit Ctrl + Reset while it's rattling the floppy drive.  It'll stop and
dump you into BASIC.

> Can I use ADTpro to create a boot disc for it?

Yes.  See: http://adtpro.sourceforge.net/bootstrap.html
You'll need a serial adapter for it... here's the pinout for a null
modem.    DIN-5 numbers are in Apple's scheme:

Male cable connector (plug) as viewed looking at the pins from the
front:

1       5
 2     4
    3

Now, the pinout is:

DIN-5    DE-9
  2  ---  2
  3  ---  5
  4  ---  3

In the DIN-5 shell, tie together:
1-5

Then, in the DE-9 shell, tie together:
1-4-6
7-8

Basically, it's tying all the handshaking lines together at the host
end
and at the Laser end.

> What is this worth (great shape, clean, have the box and styrofoam (no
> manuals though :( )?
Dunno.  What did you pay for it?  It's certainly worth that. ;-)