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ABOUT QuarkX

Last update Feb 8, 2005

By Glen VanDenBiggelaar

Hello, and welcome to my attempt at a thorough support page for the beloved Coco. We here at Quark X are dedicated to preserving the past, and from time to time we come across old Technical Reference Manuals, Service Manuals, and schematics. I will do my best to make them into PDF files, to share. If you have an interesting old manual, book or schematic that you would like to donate to the Co Co library, or if you have any interesting story and/or corrections/additions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Latest updates:

Feb. 08
I got a surprise today. An auction that nobody wanted, I bid a buck on a while back and I got the shipment in today. I figured from the bad photo and lack of description that it was an old CoCo2. What I actually got was a 64K CoC1 (3003b)!
It was so badly yellowed and smoke stained, that I decided to take it apart and soak the case. I took Photos of it and will post them on the "Teardown Page". It is a completely different Motherboard than the 3001 I originally tore down. There is even a trace wire, and the CPU is a 6809EB. It has 8 - 8K ram chips, and all but 4 chips are "socketed". Its an interesting design. I am not sure yet if this is the same design used in the first CoCo2's, but I don't think the Motherboard will fit in a CoCo 2 shell unless the keyboard overlaps it.

Feb. 05
The last week has been swapped for myself, but I managed to get "The Links" page up and "the Letters" page up. With that done, The "Departments" section of the site is up and now to focus on the actual "Support" section. If I can Get the old scanner to cooperate. It seems like I can only get 4 scans done and it crashes, so converting anything to PDF is slow and tedious. Looks like I may have to stop "e-baying " and get some new hardware for my XP Machine. I know that a certain bidder will welcome me not bidding, as he can then continue to stockpile all the 500 and up floppy drives. I also got my first shipment of stuff from Cloud 9. I have nothing but praise for Mark. I got a Brand new CoCo 3 and just for a laugh, I sent in the registration card to Tandy. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they get that card. I also got the upgrade kit for the Multi-paks. They even included a sticker for the bottom that says it has the upgrade. I know this is just a five cent label, but most companies wouldn't even think to include that. Its the little things like that, that impress me the most. I also got the nirtOS-9 OS, but i am still waiting for a floppy drive to show up. I am just so impatient, because it seems I have everything needed for a good setup, but most of it is "in the mail".

UPDATE on 'Burned Auction" (jan13):
Looks like E-bay banned Fitintofix. I am not sure if it was from my reports to the FBI or not. he is "no longer a registered user". I consider this a small victory, but I will doubt if I will ever get the rest of my stuff.

Jan 30
I was busy yesterday doing an "Operating Systems Page" due to the many requests I have received. I think that just may complete the "History" section of the web site, but I will always be updating the pages, Pictures, and information as it becomes available to myself. Remember, feel free to e-mail me with more information, corrections, and amendments. I do not proclaim to be the "All knowing Expert", I just wish to make the most complete source of the CoCo on the net. Allot of you have been asking about the rest of the "teardown Pages" for the CoCo2 and 3. Fear not, they are indeed coming. I lost the use of my borrowed digital camera, so I just have to wait for another one. If any of you have an older one kicking around, feel free to "donate it" to the CoCo lounge.

UPDATE on 'Burned Auction" (jan13):
Ebay refuses To proceed any further with their investigation, as I don't have a Credit Card. I guess that I don't exits in their world. Square Trade will only go further if I pay the (with a Credit Card). Today Fitintofix left me bad feedback, in response to this whole mess. Go figure- I paid in good time, and lived up to my end of the auction, and I get bad feedback. Go figure. Today I contacted the FBI's Internet Crime Division. It took me almost an hour to fill out all the forms, but now I have a Case File number against him, and I can go to his local Police dept, with all the FBI files.
It may take a long time, and I am positive I will never see the floppy drive, but he will be sorry, now that the US Government has files on him. Sunday is now my day to file fraud reports against him, and I will keep fileing with a different organization until something happens.

Jan 27
Yesterday, I received my first CoCo 3 (one that is actually mine). I have updated the CoCo3 page with some comments on the unit. I have gotten some great e-mail over that last few days. One had a link to all the Radio Shack catalog Numbers. I was going to post it, but upon checking with certain numbers in my inventory, I find some of the listings wrong! Ether my parts have wrong numbers or different numbers were issued for Canada! I will take that list, update it with the part numbers I have, and post it here. The list has all Tandy part numbers, so I will just edit it down to the CoCo numbers (as not to impose on copy write infringements).

Jan 23
I have updated the "CoCo 1"page, and added benchmark test scores. Over the last few days, I have added more game PAKS to the online store. I fear I am "raising the Bar" on the Ebay prices. I wanted a monitor, and I hate getting outbid. So when a CM-8 came up (with a broken door) I put my Maximum bid at $150. The monitors usually go for less then $50. I was sure no one would dare outbid me, but I was wrong. Same with all the floppy drives, I was sure no one would outbid $100, but there is one guy who buys up all of them, and I even got one up to $120, before I let him take it . Last week there were 5 floppy drives and 4 went to the same guy for at least $102. His wife will be pleased.
I (on the other hand) am trying to get 2 of almost everything (one for backup), the rest I put on the on-line store. I guess I will have to put bids up to $500 (Hee Hee). Keep in mind that these are auctions that will ship to Canada. The "US only" auctions don't get high prices. Case in point Auction 5158914724. This auction includes a muti-pack, but no one wants it because they will ship only to US. A CoCo3 came up with games and joysticks, these usually go for around $40, but the guy stated quite clearly No Shipping outside of USA and therefore he only got $12. Item number: 5157484923. He also had allot of interesting games in other auctions, but his prejudice against shipping to Canada cost him allot of money.

UPDATE on 'Burned Auction" (jan13)
Fitintofixit ( finally e-mailed me after e-bay's fraud department and Square Trade were notified. His response was (and I quote) " I don't think I will send you the floppy drive, I think I will put it up in another auction, when given the time . or You can Make me an offer." This is down right extortion as he new all I wanted was the floppy drive. Its in E-bay's hands, but I am watching him and if he EVER tries to sell anything again, I will e-mail all his bidders to let them know that he will Screw them.

Jan 16
I have been adding more stuff to the on-line store. What a crazy weekend on E-bay! Prices just skyrocketed on some very common CoCo 2 and software. It looks like soon, the stuff on E bay will be out of reach for most. Just as I thought, a Multi-pak that was open to Canadian bidders, went for $62 U.S., a lot of 26 game carts went for $260, and a pile of software disks went for over $140. The EPROM burner I was bidding on went for $102. I should have started collecting and stock piling 3 years ago. I can say someone can make a fortune making new Multi-paks.

Jan 13
Never count your chickens....It looks like I was taken on an Ebay auction today. Check out Auction #513936706. I had made the mistake and assumed the floppy drive and controller were part of the auction. All I got was the CoCo2, I have it in the online store for sale. Always ask questions and never assume the picture in an auction are what is included. NEVER DO BUSSINESS with the seller Fitintofixit he has had a few negative feedback lately and will not answer any e-mails.
I also updated the online store, with my "spare" CoCo 2'S.

Jan 12
The vote was unanimous, the new web site format is a go! I have been slowly changing each page over. I added a 32K CoCo 1 to the On-Line store. I have also dropped my prices on my CoCo's for sale. After watching for what they go for on E-bay, $30 for a CoCo 1 was a little off. I have cut the prices by 50%, so hopefully more sales will come in.

JAN 9

Made an EDITORIAL PAGE called "More Marshmallows". This month I look at how to use E-bay for collecting CoCo stuff. Revamped the front page. Tell me what you think. This is not the "Final Design" Just an Idea.

JAN 6
Just updated and tweaked some photos on the CoCo 1 page and the MC 10 page. I killed my old Umax scanner making PDF files of the pages. It has lasted for 7 years, so I guess it was a good scanner, it certainly had a lot of scanning hours. I will continue as soon as I can get a new scanner. I got the CoCo1 service Manual yesterday. It looks to be exactly the same as the "Color Computer Technical Reference Manual " except the service manual has bigger fold out diagrams, the text is exactly the same. Maybe the tech's were blind? :)

JAN 5
Updated Photos on "ACCESSORIES" page. Made "SCRAP BOOK" page. Updated "VIDEOTEX" page DEC 28
Updated model numbers on the CoCo 1 Page. Thanks to Joel for the information. Again, I ask, If you see something that is incomplete, or if you have something not listed. Please feel free to e-mail me and I will get it up ASAP.

DEC 23 2004
I have been getting a few comments and a few sales in the ON-LINE STORE. Thanks for all your support. I have been busy doing a bit of "Offline" stuff for the CCL. I have been busy trying to convert all my manuals to PDF format so you can download them. This requires a bit of time, as I have an ancient scanner, so please be patient, they are coming. Did general updates to other pages.

DEC 15 2004
I have been busy with a huge IBM contract the last couple of weeks, but now I have a bit of time to dedicate to the site. I received a shipment of more stuff for the online store, a huge lot of Tandy "Deluxe" self-centering joy sticks and a few Tandy "flight" sticks. I will be posting them as soon as I test and clean them all up. I Also received another CoCo 1-with a broken "reset" switch, although the switch does work, the little black cover is missing, and a Floppy drive controller unit, model 26-3029. If you are interested, please e-mail me for prices, etc.Also over the next couple of months, I will be "breaking" away from our Parent Site "www.8bit-micro.com". I will be updating the site to its own look and fell, more reminiscent of CoCo than the other TRS 80 computers. That will be done once the rest of the pages are built and the service manuals are all converted to PDF format. As of this date, I have the CoCo 3 service manual, and the "Color Computer Technical Reference Manual" so if you need anything from those 2 guides, feel free to e-mail myself and I will get you the information.

NOV 29 2004
I have updated the Accessories page by adding more photos. I also have updated the online store, adding more Carts and a cassette deck. I received my 64K white CoCo 1. I will be adding more pictures over the next couple of days. I must apologize for the lack of counter an my own guest book. I am in the process of trying to find CGI scripts that don't contain ads or spyware. Dreamweaver does not have these built in like FrontPage and I am in the process of getting them.

NOV 25 2004
I have taken the last two days to break and take a step back from this site, I am trying to fix the grammatical errors, and make the over-all experience of the site better. I am kind of shocked that in ten days I have accomplished so much, and yet there is so much more to do. I have only had one, true "feedback" e-mail, so, hopefully, I will hear more soon. Over the next few days, I plan to make my own "Guest book" page (not the one linked to 8Bit-micro). I also have plans, that once the site is done, to put up a BBS system (running on a CoCo) and convert this site to run also on that BBS. The time line for that is summer 2005. Remember, I do take donations for the "Real CoCo lounge"- a Coco Museum that I am setting up. So If you wish to get rid of your old CoCo "stuff" and want it to go to someone who will preserve it and appreciate it, e-mail me for all the information. All Items that cannot be used for the Museum will be refurbished and sold on the on-line store, with the proceeds going to help maintain this site.

NOV 23 2004
I received the "Color Computer Technical Reference Manual " so I updated the teardown page with the information from that manual. Also added more stuff to the on-line store. Nov 22 2004
Broke the online store into "Parts","Hardware", and"Software" pages. Work on the real CoCo lounge Continues.Nov 21 2004
Made the Accessories page. Now the history section is some what compete. With your input, I can only make it better.
Status is approved for the web ring, Welcome Webring visitors!
The "physical" CoCo lounge is one step closer to being finished. I will have pictures up as soon as its done.
Work is also Being done on the CoCo store. Like our parent site 8 bit micro, we will be accepting both PayPal and Money Orders. Remember , we are not here for profit-all sales and donations go to keeping this site up and running. Donate today! Just click on the 8bit micro logo and the click the "PAYPAL DONATE" button. We do this because we love it, but love can't keep it going forever

.Nov 20 2004
Made the first Teardown Page
Joined the TRS 80 Tandy Color Computer Web ring, Status is pending.
Made a link to an article on Cloud 9 for American vs. Korean CoCo 3, on the CoCo 3 page.
Made some small changes after proof reading site.

Nov 19 2004
The site is snowballing, what started out as a "small" support site, is now turning into a massive undertaking. Please remember that this site needs your input to make it not only great, but factually correct. So, Send in any comments, good or bad, and I will try to update it ASAP. My Goal is not only to make it the Best CoCo resource on the web, but to kind of pick up were Tandy left off.
Put up "CoCo 2","CoCo 3" and "MC 10" pages.
I won a fantastic auction on E-bay today. CoCo 2 New in Box, model 26-3029 Disk Drive System -New in Box, and a Co Co 2 Service Manual. I am very excited about this because the disk drive systems (that are new in box) are so rare, you never see them pop up on E-bay. I think that not putting the auction in the "TRS 80" category hurt the seller a bit, because I was the only bidder, but I got it for a song. Now to get a good CoCo 3 and start learning OS/9.I also e-mailed Mark Marlette of Cloud9tech.com and informed him of my massive undertaking here at the Co Co lounge. For those (few) of you that haven't heard of Cloud 9, this is the only site where they are selling new Co Co products. I plan to purchase a Brand new CoCo 3 with the 512K upgrade from them soon. They even sell CD Roms and Hard drives and controllers for the CoCo 3. Check it out! you will be amazed at the hardware there. They will be first on the "CoCo Links" page when it gets built. Some of the information on the CoCo 3 page will have come directly from Mark's site.

Nov 18 2004
Put up "VideoTex"and "CoCo 1 page.
We have officially Re-named the support site "The CoCo Lounge" Nov 17 2004 Made index page in "8bit-micro" Template. I have made the update for the "regular" Co Co page
so big, I have decided to break it down into a "history" section here. While surfing the net, trying to get any and all info CO Co, I have found so many broken kinks, "free" web hosting pages with so many pop-up Ads, and just really slow servers (they must be hosting the page on a COCO) that I have combined the majority of information here. Like a "one stop shopping" site for all things CoCo. If you have anything that needs to be added, please feel free to e-mail me and I will try to get it up ASAP. Over the next few nights, I will be adding the history pages.

Nov 15 2004
Brian Hahn suggested that I make a CoCo support site, after a conversation about the auctions I had won on Ebay. So, for a guy who has not even turned on a CoCo for over 15 years (I just love to collect them), I am now doing a support site. Once I get a good CoCo 3 with a floppy drive, I will have no choice, but to fire it up and learn OS/9 (when I was young, all we had was BASIC and a tape drive, and we liked it...).So I built the first page. Remember, this page is always under construction so keep checking back for new updates.