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

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{{NavSpecialProjects}}
{{NavDriveWire}}
 
A brief history and information guide to both DriveWire3 and DriveWire4 including separate installation guides for DW3 & DW4
== Forward ==
== Forward ==


DriveWire is a server side application used in Windows, MacOS (or 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 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.
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.
Line 16: Line 16:
----
----


== DriveWire 3 ==
== 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 ===


{{GameInfoBox |
{{GameInfoBox |
Line 24: Line 28:
| 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/Software/DriveWire3.html Cloud9 Technologies]
| 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
}}
}}


 
DriveWire 3 acted solely as a virtual disk server for a CoCo. Written by Boisy Pitre and sold thru [http://www.cloud9tech.com Cloud9], DriveWire3 is a great tool for those needing just a virtual disk server. The DriveWire 3 PC server software can be freely downloaded [http://www.cloud9tech.com/Cloud-9/Hardware/DriveWire3.html Here].
DriveWire 3 acted solely as a virtual disk server for a CoCo. Written by Boisy Pitre and sold thru [http://www.cloud9tech.com Cloud9], DriveWire3 is a great tool for those needing just a virtual disk server. The DriveWire 3 PC server software can be downloaded [http://www.frontiernet.net/~mmarlette/Cloud-9/Software/DriveWire3.html Here].


*[[DriveWire 3 Quick-Start Guide]]
*[[DriveWire 3 Quick-Start Guide]]
*Contents of the [[DRIVEWIRE.ZIP]] file from the Cloud9 site.
*[[DriveWire 3 Troubleshooting]]
*[[DriveWire 3 Troubleshooting]]


<br clear=all>


=== DriveWire 4 ===


{{GameInfoBox |
| picture= DriveWire4_Server.jpg
| year= (?)
| media = Windows, Linux & Mac executable file (Java based)
| requires = PC running Windows, Linux or Mac OSX (plus others)
| graphic = PC/Linux/Mac Graphics
| publisher = [https://sourceforge.net/projects/drivewireserver/files/ CocoCoding/DriveWire4]
| 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
}}


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 [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://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].


<br clear=all>


=== DriveWire 4 Refresh===


{{GameInfoBox |
| picture= Screenshot from 2025-08-27 19-34-56.png
| year= 2022
| media = Windows, Linux & Mac executable file (Java based)
| requires = PC running Windows, Linux or Mac OSX (plus others)
| graphic = PC/Linux/Mac Graphics
| publisher = [https://github.com/qbancoffee/drivewire4 Rocky Hill's DriveWire4 Refresh]
| author = Open Source
| 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 [https://sourceforge.net/projects/drivewireserver/ sourceforge].


[https://github.com/qbancoffee/drivewire4/releases Release Packages] are available from Rocky Hill's GitHub, with Bundled OpenJDK 17.






<br clear=all>


=== pyDriveWire ===


{{GameInfoBox |
| picture= PyDriveWire_Screenshot.jpg
| year= 2016
| media = Python source, Binary Package, Docker
| requires = Installers for Raspberry Pi 3,4, Linux, Windows, or macOS
| graphic = Web-based user interface
| publisher = [https://github.com/n6il/pyDriveWire n6il]
| author = Michael R. Furman
| 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.


*[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 v0.6]


<br clear=all>


 
=== Dr. Boisy Pitre's Official Repository for DriveWire ===
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
----
 
== DriveWire 4 ==


{{GameInfoBox |
{{GameInfoBox |
| picture= DriveWire4_Server.jpg
| picture= Screenshot from 2025-08-27 19-11-47.png
| year= (?)
| year= 2023
| media = Windows, Linux & Mac executable file (Java based)
| media = C for ( UNIX/Linux/BSD ), Swift and Objective-C for Mac & Delphi for Windows
| requires = PC running Windows, Linux or Mac OSX (plus others)
| requires = Building from Source Code: Raspberry Pi 3,4, Linux, Windows, or macOS
| graphic = PC/Linux/Mac Graphics
| graphic = Sure
| publisher = [https://sites.google.com/site/drivewire4/ CocoCoding/DriveWire4]
| publisher = [https://github.com/boisy/DriveWire]
| author = Aaron Wolfe
| author = Dr. Boisy Pitre ( Original Creator of DriveWire )
| 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 = 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.


DriveWire 4 is a Java version of DriveWire, written by Aaron Wolfe, and has similar functionality to DriveWire 3. However, Aaron has 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.
CoCoTECH!, a Production of [https://thecoconation.com The CoCo Nation Network], broadcast an Episode on DriveWire on 14-NOV-2023, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffCmEZG1vps CoCoTECH! Show #003]


To use DriveWire 4, you'll need a recent version of Java - as DriveWire 4 is written in Java, it is OS agnostic; meaning it should run on anything that runs a Java 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.
*[https://github.com/boisy/DriveWire/blob/main/README.md The Official DriveWire Servers README]
*[https://github.com/boisy/DriveWire/blob/main/DriveWire%20Specification.md The DriveWire Protocol, Version 4.0.0]


You get get the most recent version or DriveWire 4 by visiting [https://sites.google.com/site/drivewire4/ Aaron's website] 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].


<br clear=all>
<br clear=all>
Line 90: Line 131:
== The DriveWire Cable ==
== The DriveWire Cable ==


Before you can use DriveWire 3 or 4, you will need to connect your CoCo to a computer being used as a DriveWire server. You will need a Coco Serial (bit-banger) to DB-9 serial cable. Again, [http://www.cloud9tech.com Cloud9] sells these cables. Conversely, you may build your own based upon the following diagram:
See [[How_to_build_a_DriveWire_serial_cable|How to build a DriveWire serial cable]].
 
 
[[File:CoCo-serial-cable.png|center]]
 
 
Also, if you have a more modern PC, it's most likely not to have the needed DB-9 serial port. As an alternative, you can puchase USB to Serial (DB-9) converters. These range in price from about $10 - $20 and can be purchased from most any electronics supply house. If they don't have it on the shelf, ask someone and they can most likely order it for you.  You will still need the cable above as this is just an adapter to be able to connect it to PC's with no DB-9 serial port.
 
Alternatively, you can also still purchase an add-on PCI or PCIx serial card. TigerDirect and NewEgg still stock a large selection of these cards. The internal serial cards tend to offer better data transfer rates than the USB to Serial adapters in testing.
 


== HDBDOS & DriveWire ==
== HDBDOS & DriveWire ==
Line 107: Line 139:
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 [http://www.frontiernet.net/~mmarlette/Cloud-9/Software/DriveWire3.html Cloud9] DriveWire3 page.
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 [http://www.frontiernet.net/~mmarlette/Cloud-9/Software/DriveWire3.html Cloud9] DriveWire3 page.


*Contents of the [[DRIVEWIRE.ZIP]], containing the Rom files from the Cloud9 site.


== NitrOS-9 & DriveWire ==
== NitrOS-9 & DriveWire ==
Line 118: Line 151:


(WIP)
(WIP)
*Coming Soon... Real soon... Wait for it...
*[[DW4 Installation Guide]] : A step by step guide to installing the "JavaVM", "DriveWire4", "HDBDOS", and "NitrOS-9 for DW4"


== Troubleshooting DriveWire ==
== Troubleshooting DriveWire ==

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
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
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
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
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
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

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