MediaWiki:Sitenotice:
2025-12-29: I have restored the wiki to a backup from the end of November. Starting in September 2025, accesses went form the 800MB-1.2GB range per month to 26GB in September, 42GB in October, and 70GB in November with most accesses originating from China. As soon as I realized what was causing all the access problems in November, I shut it down (it had reached 36GB by then) behind a password/login screen. The database had gotten corrupted, and I tried a restore from just before the spike in access but that didn't work. Thus, end of November. I still have the other daily backups so if there were any important additions in December, let me know and maybe they can be recovered. - Allen H.
Getting Started with DriveWire: Difference between revisions
m Fixed Old Link to Cloud 9 |
m Fixed Old Links to Google for DriveWire 4, added OpenJDK 17 to DriveWire 4 Repack and Changed the Version Number of pyDriveWire Manual |
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| requires = PC running Windows or Mac OSX | | requires = PC running Windows or Mac OSX | ||
| graphic = PC/Mac Graphics | | graphic = PC/Mac Graphics | ||
| publisher = [http://cloud9tech.com/ | | publisher = [http://www.cloud9tech.com/Cloud-9/Hardware/DriveWire3.html Cloud9 Technologies] | ||
| author = Boisy Pitre | | author = Boisy Pitre | ||
| notes = Server side software for PC or Mac with a serial connection to the Color Computer 3 | | notes = Server side software for PC or Mac with a serial connection to the Color Computer 3 | ||
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| requires = PC running Windows, Linux or Mac OSX (plus others) | | requires = PC running Windows, Linux or Mac OSX (plus others) | ||
| graphic = PC/Linux/Mac Graphics | | graphic = PC/Linux/Mac Graphics | ||
| publisher = [https:// | | publisher = [https://sourceforge.net/projects/drivewireserver/files/ CocoCoding/DriveWire4] | ||
| author = Open Source | | author = Open Source | ||
| notes = Server side software for PC, Linux, Mac, or any machine capable of running a JavaVM for serial connection to the Color Computer 1, 2, or 3 | | notes = Server side software for PC, Linux, Mac, or any machine capable of running a JavaVM for serial connection to the Color Computer 1, 2, or 3 | ||
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To use DriveWire 4, you'll need Java version 8 - as DriveWire 4 is written in Java, it is OS agnostic; meaning it should run on anything that runs a Java 8 VM, including a Raspberry Pi running Linux. You can get a [http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp JavaVM (here)] for most any type of popular operating system. However, if your operating system requires a more recent version of Java, you may need to try one of the other DriveWire server options. | To use DriveWire 4, you'll need Java version 8 - as DriveWire 4 is written in Java, it is OS agnostic; meaning it should run on anything that runs a Java 8 VM, including a Raspberry Pi running Linux. You can get a [http://www.java.com/en/download/manual.jsp JavaVM (here)] for most any type of popular operating system. However, if your operating system requires a more recent version of Java, you may need to try one of the other DriveWire server options. | ||
You get get the most recent version or DriveWire 4 by visiting the [https:// | You get get the most recent version or DriveWire 4 by visiting the [https://sourceforge.net/projects/drivewireserver/files/ DriveWire4 distribution site] and following the links. As you'll soon see, DriveWire 4 supports several computing platforms including all versions of the CoCo. The documentation Wiki for DW4 can be found here: [http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/drivewireserver/index.php?title=Main_Page DW4 Wiki]. | ||
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Get the original source files from [https://sourceforge.net/projects/drivewireserver/ sourceforge]. | Get the original source files from [https://sourceforge.net/projects/drivewireserver/ sourceforge]. | ||
[https://github.com/qbancoffee/drivewire4/releases Release Packages] are available from Rocky Hill's GitHub. | [https://github.com/qbancoffee/drivewire4/releases Release Packages] are available from Rocky Hill's GitHub, with Bundled OpenJDK 17. | ||
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*[https://github.com/n6il/pyDriveWire/blob/master/README.md The pyDriveWire README] | *[https://github.com/n6il/pyDriveWire/blob/master/README.md The pyDriveWire README] | ||
*[https://github.com/n6il/pyDriveWire/blob/master/docs/The%20pyDriveWire%20Manual.md#ch2 The pyDriveWire Manual v0. | *[https://github.com/n6il/pyDriveWire/blob/master/docs/The%20pyDriveWire%20Manual.md#ch2 The pyDriveWire Manual v0.6] | ||
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Latest revision as of 03:50, 28 August 2025
| WELCOME |
|---|
| Looking for CoCo help? If you are trying to do something with your old Color Computer, read this quick reference. Want to contribute to this wiki? Be sure to read this first. This CoCo wiki project was started on October 29, 2004. --OS-9 Al |
See Recent Changes. | About this site. | Join the E-Mail List or Facebook Group. | Contact me with updates/questions.
This page was last updated on 08/28/2025. Total Pages: 747. Total Files: 997.
Home / DriveWire - Getting Started with DriveWire
A brief history and information guide to both DriveWire3 and DriveWire4 including separate installation guides for DW3 & DW4
Forward
DriveWire is a server side application used in Windows, MacOS (and Linux for DriveWire 4) to provide a disk emulation server for the Tandy/TRS-80 Color Computer series of home computers manufactured during the '80s & '90s.
DriveWire allows the mounting of virtual disk images on a PC style computer, to provide floppy disk emulation. Real floppy disk hardware is becoming difficult to find these days, so applications like DriveWire provide CoCo users a much needed storage method for enjoying their Color Computers again. This Wiki page will attempt to provide the basic information needed to configure a DriveWire system for your CoCo.
Out of respect for software authors, this Wiki page will not host or directly link to any files - links will only take you to the webpages where these files already exist, and can be downloaded from.
Also, DriveWire 4 is a 100% drop in replacement for DriveWire 3. DriveWire 4 simply (or not so simply) adds far more capability to an already excellent application.
One more thing to keep in mind - DriveWire 3 and 4 can be used as a floppy disk emulator. However, there are some software packages that simply will not run when using floppy emulation. This is due to the author creating their own disk access routines, instead of using the RS-DOS DSKCON routines or in some cases, using a ROM/RAM copy routine that wipes Coco client side HDBDOS/DW3DOS from memory when they're running from disk or cassette. Until a successful hardware emulator is created that can accurately emulate the WD1773, then we are stuck with this situation.
DriveWire Server
There are a number of DriveWire servers available. Your choice of server largely depends on the features you want and the requirements of your server operating system.
DriveWire 3
| Getting Started with DriveWire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Year | (?) |
| Publisher | Cloud9 Technologies |
| Author | Boisy Pitre |
| Media | Windows & Mac executable file |
| Requires | PC running Windows or Mac OSX |
| Optional | |
| Graphic mode | PC/Mac Graphics |
| Notes | Server side software for PC or Mac with a serial connection to the Color Computer 3 |
DriveWire 3 acted solely as a virtual disk server for a CoCo. Written by Boisy Pitre and sold thru Cloud9, DriveWire3 is a great tool for those needing just a virtual disk server. The DriveWire 3 PC server software can be freely downloaded Here.
DriveWire 4
| Getting Started with DriveWire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Year | (?) |
| Publisher | CocoCoding/DriveWire4 |
| Author | Open Source |
| Media | Windows, Linux & Mac executable file (Java based) |
| Requires | PC running Windows, Linux or Mac OSX (plus others) |
| Optional | |
| Graphic mode | PC/Linux/Mac Graphics |
| Notes | Server side software for PC, Linux, Mac, or any machine capable of running a JavaVM for serial connection to the Color Computer 1, 2, or 3 |
DriveWire 4 is a Java version of DriveWire moved to an Open Source project, and has similar functionality to DriveWire 3. However, the developers have added many other features including: mounting of Internet based disk images, TCP, web server, MIDI control, print to a PC printer (emulates Epson MX-80 from CoCo side, compatible with most Epson and generic printer drivers for the CoCo) and many more.
To use DriveWire 4, you'll need Java version 8 - as DriveWire 4 is written in Java, it is OS agnostic; meaning it should run on anything that runs a Java 8 VM, including a Raspberry Pi running Linux. You can get a JavaVM (here) for most any type of popular operating system. However, if your operating system requires a more recent version of Java, you may need to try one of the other DriveWire server options.
You get get the most recent version or DriveWire 4 by visiting the DriveWire4 distribution site and following the links. As you'll soon see, DriveWire 4 supports several computing platforms including all versions of the CoCo. The documentation Wiki for DW4 can be found here: DW4 Wiki.
DriveWire 4 Refresh
| Getting Started with DriveWire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Year | 2022 |
| Publisher | Rocky Hill's DriveWire4 Refresh |
| Author | Open Source |
| Media | Windows, Linux & Mac executable file (Java based) |
| Requires | PC running Windows, Linux or Mac OSX (plus others) |
| Optional | |
| Graphic mode | PC/Linux/Mac Graphics |
| Notes | Server side software for PC, Linux, Mac, or any machine capable of running a Modern JavaVM for serial connection to the Color Computer 1, 2, or 3 |
This repo holds two netbeans projects for two versions of DriveWire 4 by Aaron Wolfe that have been slightly modified so that they can be compiled and run with newer versions of java.
drivewire4_from_source is DriveWire4 version 4.3.3p assembled from the source files available on sourceforge. Get the original source files from sourceforge.
Release Packages are available from Rocky Hill's GitHub, with Bundled OpenJDK 17.
pyDriveWire
| Getting Started with DriveWire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Year | 2016 |
| Publisher | n6il |
| Author | Michael R. Furman |
| Media | Python source, Binary Package, Docker |
| Requires | Installers for Raspberry Pi 3,4, Linux, Windows, or macOS |
| Optional | |
| Graphic mode | Web-based user interface |
| Notes | Python Implementation of DriveWire 4 and EmCee Protocols |
PyDriveWire is a nearly complete DriveWire4 Server written in Python. The goal is to eventually implement all of the features available. The server also implements additional features that are not available in DriveWire4.
PyDriveWire also has support for the EmCee Protocol for use with MCX Basic on the TRS-80 MC-10.
DriveWire 4 and EmCee Procotols can be used simultaneously on the server without reconfiguration.
Dr. Boisy Pitre's Official Repository for DriveWire
| Getting Started with DriveWire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Year | 2023 |
| Publisher | [1] |
| Author | Dr. Boisy Pitre ( Original Creator of DriveWire ) |
| Media | C for ( UNIX/Linux/BSD ), Swift and Objective-C for Mac & Delphi for Windows |
| Requires | Building from Source Code: Raspberry Pi 3,4, Linux, Windows, or macOS |
| Optional | |
| Graphic mode | Sure |
| Notes | Compiled Implementations of DriveWire 4 Protocol |
DriveWire began life in 2003 as a solution for the Tandy Color Computer. Floppy drives were starting to wane and modern storage options for older computer systems were still years from being developed. Dr. Boisy Pitre gave this talk on DriveWire's history and development at Tandy Assembly on October 2, 2021.
CoCoTECH!, a Production of The CoCo Nation Network, broadcast an Episode on DriveWire on 14-NOV-2023, CoCoTECH! Show #003
The DriveWire Cable
See How to build a DriveWire serial cable.
HDBDOS & DriveWire
(WIP)
Once you have downloaded the DriveWire software and connected the CoCo to your PC with the correct cable, you'll need to boot the CoCo with an HDB-DOS ROM image. This can be done with a ROM Pak with an HDB-DOS EPROM from Cloud9 (or someone else); loading thru the cassette port (from either a real cassette player or as a .wav file from a PC), an EPROM placed in a floppy controller or even an HDB-DOS ROM loaded from a .BIN file. Again, all of the files can be downloaded from the Cloud9 DriveWire3 page.
- Contents of the DRIVEWIRE.ZIP, containing the Rom files from the Cloud9 site.
NitrOS-9 & DriveWire
(WIP)
NitrOS-9 cannot be booted directly, you need to bootstrap it from another DOS like HDB-DOS. Use the disk image that has _dw in the name.
Beginner's Guide to Installing DriveWire4, HDBDOS, and NitrOS-9
by Bill Pierce
(WIP)
- DW4 Installation Guide : A step by step guide to installing the "JavaVM", "DriveWire4", "HDBDOS", and "NitrOS-9 for DW4"
Troubleshooting DriveWire
(WIP)
DriveWire, HDBDOS, & NitrOS-9 FAQs
(WIP)
MORE TO COME Soon