![[Intecolor remnants]](isac_boxes.jpg)
This Web page last updated April 18 2010. To see my vintage computer restoration home page, follow this link. My S-100 Web pages have a home page at this Web link. To email me or to order, see the bottom of this page for my email addresses.
Intelligent Systems Corporation built some 8080 systems which supported programmable color CRT monitor based terminals, from the late 1970's and forward. In March 2010 I acquired an Intecolor 8052 board set with docs, by literally pulling the card cage out of an abandoned 19" color TV CRT monitor. The 8080 based CPU board had I/O, ROM and RAM. While the cards look something like S-100 cards, they are NOT S-100 compatible - the signals don't match at all. I also acquired a box of docs, and the dual 5.25 inch floppy drives.. Embedded inside that monitor was also a Ampro Little Board Z80 card and docs. The linked Web page shows how I revived that card.
Docs for the Intecolor 8001 describe these digital modules: CPU, I/O cards, PROM/RAM, Refresh RAM, keyboard, floppy disk, floppy tape recorder, motherboard, Display Generator, LIght Pen. These fed a CRT Color monitor; the cards were mounted inside the monitor and powered by it. The floppy controller card uses a WD 1771 FDC chip. Access to external devices was from the back of the monitor. Looking closer at the rear of the monitor, I photographed the nameplate and the 1979 origin date of this computer. It was just too much grief to lug the big ancient color monitor home.
Thousands of these ISC programmable terminals were sold in the 1980's and 90's. ISC the company went through a number of other companies, including Rockwell Automation. Today (2010), support for ISC products appears to be available from Peripheral Exchange LLC. They provide later model ISC products and PC based emulators for those and earlier products including the original 8001.
- Herb Johnson
From larger document, pages 64-92. BASIC says "same as the original BASIC Ver 12.8.76 with the following extensions for FCS". Followed by notes of various sorts about the FCS (File Control System).
Siemens Model 82 microfloppy operation and maintenance manual. Poor copy. about 100 pgs.
ISC 8001 monitor maintenance manual. Schematics, waveforms, tuning. Pages 49-83 plus schematics.
binder, "how to use the 8001 CRT". Discussions of Light PEn L_-200-05, plotting, back connectors. Appendix on TMS 8080 processor, TMS 5501 I/O controller, monitor adjustments. Then sections on ISC computer itself - block diagrams, schematics for computer "modules". Another section is "BASIC 8001". Another section discusses the "CPU O.S." on two EPROM's, essentially a ROM monitor. Looks like it accepts Intel Hex format records. Then there are some pages on operation of th 8001.
binder, untitled, poor copy. "This manual is intended to be a user's instruction manual and reference guide for the Intecolor terminals and microcomputer systems based on the 8001 terminal, including the newer 8300 and 8900 series units." Apparently different models had differnet sized CRT monitors. This manual seems to have the same schematics as the above manual. The card cage and installation are described in more detail, including pages on "module" slots. Apparently the cards or modules must be in specific card slot positions. The boards are described in more detail in this manual. Another section of this binder, is the "ISC Maintenance manual", mostly for the CRT monitor. another section is the "Extended Disk BASIC" appendix. dated 8/1/79. Another appendix is the "File Control System" or FCS commands. another is DEBUG. There are installation instructions for various "options", which amount to boards or software installation. An EPROM programmer is mentioned, through an I/O card.
binder, ISC PROM code listings. Keyboard handler, printer routine, Utility subroutines, CPU OS, 48 line I/O, ISC Disk A Handler Ver 2.0, same for "B", File Control System, FCS command Input Routine.
Folder with FIG Forth An adaptation of FIG (Forth INterest Group) FORTH for ISC. Paper listings, probably the first several pages will have the adaptations of 8080 FIG FORTH to the ISC computer.
folder, CAIIG NEWS First three issues (1981-82) of the newsletter for the Central Atlantic ISC Interest Group of North Carolina. Apparently they arranged a purchase of about 37 Intecolor terminal from "MAGI in upstate New York" through Xerox Corp. in 1980. Many of the purchased terminals were incomplete. A list of members suggests a few dozen people were involved and obtained these terminals. Someone was working on a CP/M like OS they called "CLiD".
folder, Intecolor catalog, poor copy NO pictures, a list of products with features and prices. Also software, options, spares are listed and priced.
folder, Intecolor 8050 series Extended Disk BASIC manual, poor copy Aug 1979.
CAIIG Library. Games (3 disks), Applications (2), Demo, Utility, FORTH, MAGI, SEND, Contributions.These are discussed in the newsletters. Two boxes which each contain a set of these disks. One box has a disk "ROM Source and Programmer". Another box only has CLiD (3 disks), WP word processor, and several Games diskettes.
Copyright © 2010 Herb Johnson
