Date   : Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:09:50 +0000
From   : robert@... (Rob)
Subject: Filestore, and Torch Communicator

On 28/02/07, Kris Adcock <beeb@...> wrote:
> Morning all,
>
> I have just acquired a boot full of Beeb equipment, including some BBC
> Bs (most seem to have Econet fitted) and an item which looks like the
> base-unit for a Master compact, but isn't. It has a centronics lead
> hanging out the back labelled Filestore Expansion Bus - presumably SCSI.
>

Are there any other ports on it?  The filestore was a standalone
device, no need for a controlling beeb, and had econet, scsi and other
assorrted connectors on the back.   It sounds like you might have an
expansion hard disc for one, if all it's got is a captive SCSI cable..
 Useless on it's own, but if you can't find someone with a filestore
to attach it to, you may be able to hook it up via a scsi adapter
direct to a beeb to recover some of the data..  (It's definitely
always worth finding out what's on such things in caase it's something
unknown or previously considered lost! It's in it's own format, btw,
so would need recovery tools rather than *adfs !)

>
> Also, one of the Beebs has Econet fitted and a an extra board inside it
> labelled "Torch Communicator" with a Z80 on it. It's connected to the
> Tube. I seem to recall reading that to use a Beeb as a file server for
> an Econet network required such a board, so could this computer be a
> former server from a school?

No, the acorn filesever software for using on a Beeb was for the 6502
co-processor.  What you have is a Torch Z80 second processor.  Fairly
popular in it's day, as i think it was cheaper and more available than
the Acorn one.  It runs CPN (a modified version of CP/M) from ROM -
you should be able to fire it up with, wait for it... *CPN    It will
run most CP/M software out of the box with no problem.  (as long as
the software does bios calls legally, which almost all does as there
was such a vast range of hardware at the time it would be impossible
not to!)


It has a key-lock fitted into the ashtray
> too, but I think this might be for write-protecting the RAM on the
> sideways-ROM expansion card thats also fitted.

That sounds likely - follow the wires, see where they go!

>
> I'm going to have a fun couple of nights, anyway!
>

Enjoy!