Epson PF10 problems

[Tony Duell]

> > > The roms in mine seem to be hand-labeled too,  I think there are three
> >
> > Are you talking about a PX4 or a PX8?
> 
> A PX8.

Actually, the ROMs in my PX8 have no labels at all. They have Epson part 
numbers stamped on the package, but nothing to easily identify them as 
the utilities and BASIC roms.

[PX8 wedge]

> Yes,  there's that modem,  and I forget what else.  I'd grab it and have a 
> look but don't recall just where it is at the moment.

FWIW, that techncial manual I mentioned includes schematics for some of 
the add-ons. Note that the RAMdisks are rather complicated, they have 
their own Z80 processor and a memory control gate array 
(similar/identical to the one in the PX8 I think).

Digging in my junk box (again), I found the Epson accostic modem that was 
sold for these machines. It's just a plain 300 baud unit with an RS232 
interface, but it's nice to have the 'right' peripherals.

> > The machine itself contains 2 batteries. In the PX8, there's the main
> > battery pack (4 sub-C NiCds) and a separate 4.8V backup NiCd soldered to
> > the PCB.
> 
> I wonder if that's the one that's giving me trouble?

You can turn it off with the little switch inside the main batter 
compartment. The machine should run from the main battery (or a 5V PSU 
connected in place of the main battey) if there are no otehr problems.

> 
> > Considering I am not likely to use these machines every day, I find
> > recharageable battereis to be a pain. They are going to self-discharge in
> > storage and need charging before I can use it, they are going to fail
> > long before they should due to neglect. I've been running the PX4 on
> > alkaline AA primary cells anf the PX8 off my bench supply. Yes, I have to
> > do a hard reser every time and reset the configuration, but...
> 
> I've been trying to avoid that,  but may give it a shot.

Do remember there are no regulators in the PX8 PSU. The power supply must 
be close to 5V (4.8V is OK), not a random unregulated one. You may well 
do a lot of damage with the latter.

-tony