Which Kaypro 2 version do I have?

[the Goat]

I have a Kaypro 2 I'm trying to get up and running. From what I gather each version requires a different version of CP/M. Without knowing which Kaypro 2 I have I don't know which version of CP/M I need to order to fire up this bad boy.

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My Kaypro 2 has half height floppy drives. So it is not the original Kaypro 2. Right? How can I tell if the drives are single or double sided?

[LS120]

if you open up the lid and give us the numbers on the ROM .. that way we can help you.

[the Goat]

if you open up the lid and give us the numbers on the ROM .. that way we can help you.

Will do.

[the Goat]

The ROM at U34 is marked "81-292". But that ROM seems to be used by multiple versions?

Is there somewhere other than U34 I should check?
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[durgadas311]

Based on the back panel, you have the newer mainboard. So, probably a 2X (2/84) model. Still, the thing that really determines the version of CP/M is the ROM. So look at the labeling on the chip at location U34. Based on the power-up display, you probably have 81-292 - which would pair with Kaypro CP/M 2.2G (or 2.2H, they say).

[MrArgent]

Ah, good ol' Kaypro and their chimera machines... Non-linear Systems? More like Non-linear Nomenclature!

[Jan1980]

I have also got a kaypro and i was on same situation. You need CPM 2.2G. Take a look to the manual:

http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stut...nual_Aug84.pdf

You can download a bootdisk on following page:

http://www.retroarchive.org/maslin/disks/kaypro/

To write a bootdisk, you need MS-DOS PC with 5.25" drive. No matter DD or HD. My IBM 5170 with 1.2MB YD-380 drive works fine for example. And you need the programm TELEDISK.

http://www.classiccmp.org/dunfield/i...6/teledisk.htm

Then you can start with your Kaypro...


Jan

[the Goat]

Thanks for the help. I looked up the floppy drives' model number and found they are single sided double density drives. I ordered a Kaypro 2-84 (2X) SSDD (k2-84ss) boot disk.

[ngtwolf]

Thanks for the help. I looked up the floppy drives' model number and found they are single sided double density drives. I ordered a Kaypro 2-84 (2X) SSDD (k2-84ss) boot disk.

If you have a PC with a 5 1/4 floppy drive (and dos), you can actually make kaypro disks easily via a few methods. Here's one way:

https://www.classic-computers.org.nz...images-cpm.htm

[durgadas311]

Are you sure the drives are single-sided? I thought all 2X (and beyond) shipped with double-sided drives. Of course, as previously commented, Kaypro is notoriously inconsistent. But, I thought the ROM was hard-coded for double-sided.