
Timex
Computer 3256
Timex Computer 3256 had
really existed! Not a prototype, but a fully funcional and finished machine!
It was totally developed by Timex Computer of Portugal.
TC3256 have 256K base memory and a keyboard like the actual PC's. It was based in Z80A CPU
and it have five modes of operation.
1-BASIC
This is the Spectrum mode.
2-TIMEWORD
TIMEWORD is a word processor in ROM. It uses 80 colunns screen, have all the portuguese
charaters. It can use the RAMdisk, FDD or tape for storage. Have TABS, copy and move
blocks of text.
3-Terminal CP/M
This mode was to replace the TT3000. It sets the TC3256, to use
the FDD3000 in CP/M mode and it works in 80 columns.
4-Disk Start
This gives to the programmer 64K of RAM to development of software. The biggest advantage
is that the 64K RAM starts at 00H.
5-CATRIDGE
Specially designed for the software houses to protect the software, using catridges.
TC3256 have a Network, the TENET (Timex Educational NETwork).
-25 stations
-Maximum lenght: 100 meters
-Sharing Printer and FDD System
-Messaging system
-Can be used in Timex Extended BASIC
-Station low cost
-fully transparent to users software
-Resists to faillure or loss of stations
Timex Extended BASIC, has added more commands:
LOAD!,SAVE!, CAT!, MERGE!, ERASE! and CLEAR! to control the RAMdrive.
FORMAT!, LPRINT, LLIST to control the RS232
BEEP! x,y to control AY-3-8192 sound chip
SCREEN$, DRAW!, PLOT!, CIRCLE! to control the high resolution screen mode. It allows to
work with PAPER and INK.
TC3256 doesn't need anymore the FDD/FDD3000
interface. The FDD3000 is just connected like the TT3000.
TC3256 Specifications
Processor: Z80A
RAM: 256K (208K RAMdrive/48K base memory)
ROM: 64K
16K Sinclair BASIC
16K Timeword word
processor
16K Timex Extended
Basic (Tenet, disk, RAMdrive)
16K CP/M Terminal
emulator
Screen: 32x24 / 64x24
Resolution: 256x192 / 512x192
Sound: BEEP and AY-3-8192 (can output to TV)
Joystick: 1 Kempson
Cartridge Port: 1
Disk Drive: TOS / CP/M
TV Output
Monitors: Video composite and RGB (colour/ monocrome)
Colours: 8+BRIGHT=15
Keyboard: 69 keys, professional keyboard with numeric keyboard and function keys (Caps
Lock, Extended, cursors, edit delete, break)
RS232: 1 (300 to 9600 baud)
Mic and Ear: Can use Tape
More in a sec
Timex of Portugal stop selling, reparing and manufacturing all the Timex Computers range
when the TC3256 was about to be launched in the market.
The destiny of TC3256 is unknown, but I think I'll get this info, later!
A Portuguese guy have send me an email telling that he
have a working TC3256. He said that he would get pictures of it to me.