Datamaster 5500 User manual
·DATAMASTER
COMPUTER CASSETTE
MODEL:
5500
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations
...
You have just purchased the Model 5500 Datamaster Computer Cassette. This innov-
ative
product
employs the latest solid state technology
to
assure
you
of
years
of
trouble-free service.
The Model 5500 cassette
unit
was
designed
for
use
on the Commodore
VIC
20
or
VIC
64
computers.
This cassette
unit
is
a device
for
storing and/or recalling computer programs on
ordinary cassette tapes.
It
may
be
used
for
saving programs
you
have
written
and
want
to
recall
for
later
use.
It
may
also
be
used
to
read
pre-recording programs
that
you
have
purchased.
.,
Be
sure to
read
this instruction manual carefully before installing and using
your
Datamaster Computer Cassette.
DATAMASTER
COMPUTER
CASSETTE
FUNCTIONS
&
CONTROLS
CAllOUTS
SUPPLY
TAKE-UP
SPINDLE
SPINDLE
@I
I@
R/W
HEAD
CAPSTAN
GAP
AREA
PINCH
ROLLER
ERASE
READ/WRITE
HEAD
HEAD
RECORD
HOW
TO
OPERATE
YOUR
COMPUTER
CASSETTE
Your
cassette
is
supplied
with
a
cord
attached. This cord connects the cassette
unit
the
VIC
computer.
Power
is
supplied
from
the
computer
to
the
cassette
unit
through
this cord. The
computer
and cassette also
communicate
through
the
cord.
Turn
off
the
computer
before
connecting
the
Datamaster
Computer
Cassette
unit
to
it.
Plug the attached cord
into
a
connector
at the back
of
the
VIC
computer.
The plug
will
only
fit
on the specific connector one
way.
PLEASE DO
NOT
FORCE
IT
ON OR
YOU
MAY
DAMAGE
THE
CONNECTOR.
It
is
important
to
keep the cassette
unit
at least
two
feet away
from
the
TV
and radio
emissions
from
the TC
on
intefere
with
the
correct
operation
of
the
cassette
unit.
HOW
TO
PERFORM
A
PRELIMINARY
CHECKOUT
Before using
your
cassette drive
unit
to
recall
or
store programs,
you
should
complete
the
preliminary
checks -
which
are described
below:
1.
Turn
off
the
computer
and connect
the
cassette
unit
through
the
cord
to
the
computer.
2. Ensure
that
the cassette deck
motor
is
off
by
checking
that
all
of
the
function
keys are uP.
If
any are
not,
press the STOP
button.
3.
Turn
the
computer
on.
4.
Press
the P
LA
Y
button
on
the
cassette
unit
Look
to
see
that,
as
the
button
is
engaged, the
READ/WRITE
heads move towards the spindles and
the
capstan comes
into
contact
with
the pinch
roller
(see
Fig.
1).
The take up
spindle should
be
moving
smoothly
in
an
anti-clockwise
direction
5.
Now
press
the STOP
button.
The heads should move back and the spindle
stop.
6.
Press
the
REWIND
button.
The tape heads should remain in
the
inactive
position and the
supply
spindle should move
rapidly
clockwise.
7.
Press
STOP again and then F. FWD. The tape heads should still remain
in the inactive
position
and the take-up spindle should move
rapidly
anti-
clQckwise.
8.
Press
STOP once more and then
GENTLY
attempt
to
press
REC.
You
should feel strong mechanical resistance.
9.
If
all
has
worked,
your
cassette
has
been
properly
checked and
is
ready go
to
work.
HOW
TO
CARE
FOR
YOUR
TAPES
Be
careful
to
rewind all tap€s to the beginning after
use
as
this protects
the
recording
from
abrasion and
c~matlon.
Do
not
st9re
or
place any tapes near
strong magnetic fields such
as
m~ol'
near loudspeakers
or
large motors.
HOW
TO
CLEAN
AND
DEMAGNETIZE
YOUR
CASSETTE
HEADS
The cassette
uses
magnetic heads
to
record and
retr"e
the
information
on the
cassette tapes. These
heads
tend
to
accumulate residue and
diret
from
the tape
as
the
tape moves accross them.
After
a period
of
time
the accumulation
lifts
the
tape
slightly away
from
the heads drastically degrading the signal
from
the head.
Therefore, the
following
procedure should
be
used
after every 10
to
20
hours
of
tape playing
time
to
ensure that
your
cassette continues
to
read
and
write
reliably.
You'll
need
the
following
tools
and
materials:
• Tape head cleaner.
Alcohol
may
be
used
in
emergency,
but
is
not
recommended
for
long term
use.
NOTE: Do
not
use
trichloroethane
or
any
other
plastic
or
rubber solvent.
•
Cotton
swabs.
• Tape
head
demagnetizer.
Unit
must have protective plastic
or
rubber covering
on
the piece
that
comes
into
contact
with
the tape heads
so
as
not
to
scratch
delicate
head
gap.
FOLLOW
THESE
PROCEDURES
1.
Turn
the
computer
off.
2.
Press
EJECT
to
open cover, then press
PLAY
to
expose heads.
3. Put tape head cleaner on one side
of
a
cotton
swab.
Gently
wipe
the
sur·
faces
of
RECORD/PLAY
and
erase
head
(see
Fig. 1).
Scrub gently.
(If
there
is
any
build-up
of
tape
oxide
particles
on
or
around
the
head
gap
of
the
RECORD/PLAY
head,
it
is
sufficient
reason
for
unreli-
able performance.)
Also clean pinch
roller
and
other
tape bearing surfaces
if
tape head cleaner
is
suitable
for
this
purpose (check label
).
4. Plug in demagnetizer, and activate
it
while
it
is
at least one
foot
away
from
cassette heads.
5.
Slowly
move demagnetizer
up
to
RECORD/PLAY
head and around
on
head
surface. Rate
of
motion
should be
approximately
one inch per second
during this
time.
6.
Slowly
move demagnetizer
to
erase
head and then
to
all
other
ferrous metal
surfaces
which
come
into
proximity
with
the
tape.
7.
Now
slowly
move demagnetizer away
from
heads. Do
not
deactivate field
until
demagnetizer
is
at least
two
feet away
from
heads.
The tape head cleaning and demagnetizing procedure
is
now
complete. Inspect
fH~e0Rr>/P1A
Y,
surface
for
wear.
If
the
tape
has
worn
a groove on head surface
more than a couple
of
tape thicknesses deep, program reading performance may be
poor.
If
so,
then replacement
of
tape head
is
indicated.
(Normally
few thousand
hours
of
tape running
time
have been completed before replacement
is
required.)
ONE
YEAR
LIMITED
WARRANTY
RIMS Intermational
Ltd.
warrants
to
the original purchaser
of
this
product
that
it
will
be free
of
defects in material and
workmanship
for
one year
from
the date
of
original purchase.
During this
warranty
period,
it
will
be either repaired or replaced at
our
option,
and
without
charge.
The original consumer must
return
it
with
proof
of
the
date
of
original purchase.
to
the dealer
or
mail it,
properly
packed, prepaid, and insured,
to:
RIMS
INTERNATIONAL
(Service Center)
8 West
37th
Street 4
th
Floor
New
York,
N.Y.
10018
212
-564-
2943
If
you
return
it
after the one year
warranty
period,
it
will
be
repaired or replaced at
our
option
for
a $20.00 service charge.
Please,
enclose check
or
money order, when
you
carefully
pack
it
to
return
to
us.
Please
also include
your
name, address,
city,
state and zip code.
Damage caused in transit,
by
abuse, accident, negligence
or
through repairs made
by
others are
not
covered
by
this
Warranty.
This Warranty gives
you
specific legal rights and
you
may have
other
rights
which
may
vary
from
state
to
state.
WARRANTY
SERVICE
INSTRUCTIONS
If
it
becomes necessary
to
return
this
unit
for
service, pack
it
securely (preferably
in
the
original carton
or
double-packed). Enclose a letter describing
the
problem and
include
your
name and address. Also include
proof
of
purchase. Deliver
to
or
ship
PREPAID
(UPS preferred)
to
the
factory
service department:
RIMS
INTERNATIONAL
(Service
Center)
8
West
37th
Street
4th
Floor
New
York,
N.Y.
10018
212-564-2943
PRINTED
IN,
TAIWAN
Table of contents
