Anyone here old enough to have used Cassette Tapes or ROM Carts for Computer Storage?

Mike Shagohod · Sep 19, 2004

I'm 26, and my first computer was in 1991 but I remember some of the earlier PCs on the market had a Cassette Tape Deck that was used for data storage, how did they work exactly? I know the information was put onto the tape, but how fast or slow did it take to access the information on it? Anyone who might have had experience with one of these older PCs with the tape deck please throw down some Intel on this if you would. I'm guessing it was like today's floppy disks only with a tape spool you'd have room for more information?

MERCENARY X99

slerch666 · Sep 19, 2004

I had a Color Computer back in the day (actually, it was my parent's computer). It used ROM carts, floppies and casette tapes.

How did the casette thing work? Basically you'd copy your program to the tape recorder and the length of time to copy it to the casette was about how long it would take to load. If you had a 30 minute tape and it filled both sides (not usual) of the tape, you had to wait the full length of time for the program to load, and flip it and wait for that side to finish as well.

it was a major pain in the ass and I'm sure that's why it was never widely adopted.

Have you ever played a Data CD on an audio CD deck? It didn't sound THAT bad, but it still sounded similar, if I remember correctly.

k'_127 · Sep 19, 2004

I remember playing a Rambo game on MSX that was stored on a tape cassette. I had no fuckin' clue of how my brothers got it to work, or how could a game be stored on a cassette, but I knew that the game was fun to play

slerch666 · Sep 19, 2004

The other issue was loading errors. If the tape was messed up, you never knew where so it wasn't easy to fix, if you could fix it at all.

The world is a much better place without programs on casette.

Mike Shagohod · Sep 19, 2004

slerch666 said:
I had a Color Computer back in the day (actually, it was my parent's computer). It used ROM carts, floppies and casette tapes.

Thanks for the info on the tape thing. But I have another question. Okay since I didn't dream up the ROM carts then? Was this like slotting in a Famicom cartridge into a computer and accessing what you needed from it? And how much information was capable of storing on the ROM Carts vs. say the tape or even floppy disks? *In case your wondering I'm working on a case study for this, I'm trying to figure out why certain devices/methods that seem kind of "Cool" to me never became the standard. I'd like to know more about the ROM Carts for information Storage as well if you can elaborate on that too.

Thanxs.

MERCENARY X99

Baseley09 · Sep 19, 2004

Fo sure used them all my early life, the first that was actully mine was the Amstrad CPC 464, the ultimate 8bit microcomputer.

Copying game in a 2 tape deck hi fi was great

Why the hell did the data while loading make that rediculous screaching noise, its certainly unforgettable.

Budget games were pretty quick, but hit lrage games like Robocip & Batman could take 20 minutes, tho the loading screens were pretty.

Most 80's computers used the format.

Mike Shagohod · Sep 19, 2004

Thanks for the replies so far guys. *It's also cool to hear first hand accounts from people in our community about a time that I just never got to participate in since my dad didn't buy anything until '91. ---I really would like to know more about the ROM Cartridges though. I thought I used to see them available for stuff like the TI-98 Color Computer or something. Aside from this case study I'm working out, I'm also looking at alternative methods of storage within a creative sphere for a book I'm working on. Kind of like a world where CD-ROM does not exist, thus I'm trying to figure out what the best old school method would be. I was thinking Cassette Tape at first but the ROM Cart has my interest the most now.

Any more help you be cool.

Thanx

You see to me that set up looks bitchin! I'm always blow away by old pictures of Amigas with their odd typewritter buttons, and PCs with Cartridge slots and what not. I miss this look.

MERC X99

Nesagwa · Sep 19, 2004

They still use those to some degree for hard copy backups.

Only now they are a few gigs each.

Mike Shagohod · Sep 19, 2004

Nesagwa said:
They still use those to some degree for hard copy backups.

Only now they are a few gigs each.

People still use the "Cassette Tapes" or the ROM Cartridges? A few gigs each would be enough information storage in my opinion. You see personally I'd like to have a computer TODAY that I could store info on on Carts or Cassettes rather than the norm. But then I'm werid like that. ---Still think it make an interesting prop for what I'm working on/have been working on.

MERCENARY X99

Nesagwa · Sep 19, 2004

Mercenary X99 said:
People still use the "Cassette Tapes" or the ROM Cartridges? A few gigs each would be enough information storage in my opinion. You see personally I'd like to have a computer TODAY that I could store info on on Carts or Cassettes rather than the norm. But then I'm werid like that. ---Still think it make an interesting prop for what I'm working on/have been working on.

MERCENARY X99

Cassettes.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=774360&CatId=291

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=63

BoriquaSNK · Sep 19, 2004

Yep, tape is still used for permanent data storage, it really boils down to longevity.

Floppy Disk/ Zip Disk: 5-10 Years

CD/DVD: 5-50 years

Tape: 500 Years plus

MrLonghair · Sep 19, 2004

Cassettes and carts for the C64

( http://www.mechsuit.com/pics/thecommodores.jpg )

Kumavnmitsurugi · Sep 19, 2004

i can slightly remember playing Ikari Warriors on a computer...thats all i remmeber

Lastblade · Sep 19, 2004

I had a Supercharger once for the 2600 so you can load the games from tape to the system, it is pretty damn cool.

2Dfan · Sep 19, 2004

A friend of mine had one of those tape things too heh...good memories.

Neo Ash · Sep 19, 2004

I'm too young (22) to remember ROM carts and cassette tapes. But I do remember 5 1/4 floppy disks. I was working in IT until fairly recently when I transferred to a different college. At the company I was at we had the ability to read and write to tape via two Reel to Reel tape drives.

slerch666 · Sep 19, 2004

Mercenary X99 said:
Thanks for the info on the tape thing. But I have another question. Okay since I didn't dream up the ROM carts then? Was this like slotting in a Famicom cartridge into a computer and accessing what you needed from it? And how much information was capable of storing on the ROM Carts vs. say the tape or even floppy disks? *In case your wondering I'm working on a case study for this, I'm trying to figure out why certain devices/methods that seem kind of "Cool" to me never became the standard. I'd like to know more about the ROM Carts for information Storage as well if you can elaborate on that too.

Thanxs.

MERCENARY X99

The ROM carts were read only. That's wht they are called ROM carts (Read Only Memory).

ROM carts in PCs are like ROMs in video games. What size they could be/were all depended on how large the PC/system it was connected to could read. If a PC is designed to only read 512K from a ROM cart, then even if they slapped 1024K on it, it wouldn't know how to address the extra storage, so it would have been dead weight.

I'm only 25 and I still know about these things, BTW. I've been into gaming and PCs for a LONG time. (though gaming and PCs are back burner these days)

slerch666 · Sep 19, 2004

Baseley09 said:
Why the hell did the data while loading make that rediculous screaching noise, its certainly unforgettable.

Because it's data not audio. You're trying to play the analog equivalent of data. It's like I said above, play a data CD in your Audio CD player and you'll see what I'm talking about. If you have a nice system, make sure you turn it down before trying this as it CAN mess up your speakers.

Baseley09 · Sep 19, 2004

slerch666 said:
Because it's data not audio. You're trying to play the analog equivalent of data. It's like I said above, play a data CD in your Audio CD player and you'll see what I'm talking about. If you have a nice system, make sure you turn it down before trying this as it CAN mess up your speakers.

Yeah yeah, i'm talking about while the actual program is loading in the computer, the likes of the CPC, Spectrum & C64 would screach to high heaven while loading from a a tape.

Mawdsley · Sep 19, 2004

Loading games was a nightmare. Literally it was a 15 minute job to load a game and even then it was likely that you would have to do it again as it didnt work properly.

My amstrad 464 plus also used rom carts. It was just like using a cartridge based console. While tapes took 15 mins to load, the carts were instant and had better graphics. My amstrad came with a cart that contained the OS (command line) and a racing game called burning rubber. I also had Robocop 2 on a rom cart. They also brought out an Amstrad that played sega megadrive (genesis) games.

Any one remember Dizzy? Treasure Island Dizzy was my fav.

My amstrad 464 plus used to have a flashing coloured border around the loading screen and used to screech while loading games. Anyone ever copy a game using highspeed dub on a hifi?

PS. Im only 22.

Baseley09 · Sep 19, 2004

Mawdsley said:
Loading games was a nightmare. Literally it was a 15 minute job to load a game and even then it was likely that you would have to do it again as it didnt work properly.

My amstrad 464 plus also used rom carts. It was just like using a cartridge based console. While tapes took 15 mins to load, the carts were instant and had better graphics. My amstrad came with a cart that contained the OS (command line) and a racing game called burning rubber. I also had Robocop 2 on a rom cart. They also brought out an Amstrad that played sega megadrive (genesis) games.

Any one remember Dizzy? Treasure Island Dizzy was my fav.

My amstrad 464 plus used to have a flashing coloured border around the loading screen and used to screech while loading games. Anyone ever copy a game using highspeed dub on a hifi?

PS. Im only 22.

The Amstrad that plays Megadrive was a PC, The Mega PC
http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/amstrad_megadrive_computer_1.html

The CPC Plus range played GX4000 carts, Amstrads last dich to hold on to their market share, shame they bodged it so badly :tickled:

On your CPC Plus, did the cart have to plugged in to boot basic??

redrum666 · Sep 19, 2004

slerch666 said:
Because it's data not audio. You're trying to play the analog equivalent of data. It's like I said above, play a data CD in your Audio CD player and you'll see what I'm talking about. If you have a nice system, make sure you turn it down before trying this as it CAN mess up your speakers.

kind of like wane you play a ps1 game on your cd player lol

Mawdsley · Sep 19, 2004

Baseley09 said:
The Amstrad that plays Megadrive was a PC, The Mega PC
http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Amstrad_megadrive_computer_1/amstrad_megadrive_computer_1.html

I only remember seeing it in an advert :-)

Baseley09 said:
On your CPC Plus, did the cart have to plugged in to boot basic??

Im pretty sure it did, although it was a long time ago.

dragonwillow · Sep 19, 2004

Do the new digital cassettes used in camcorders share the same basic tech as the old tapes?

NeoLord · Sep 19, 2004

This thread is bringing back fond memories of my childhood. My first experience with a tape drive happened when my father brought home a Commodore Vic20 computer. I don’t exactly recall the procedure to boot a tape, but I remember having to type something at the startup screen / DOS prompt. Once this command was entered, a message would appear that read, "PRESS PLAY ON TAPE". The game would load from there.

The people here are not exaggerating one bit when they say that tapes were slow; some games would take 10 minutes or longer to load. Pole Position for the Vic was one offender that took 15 minutes to load on each side.

Ah yes, those were days...

Does anyone remember how to load a tape game on the Vic20? It's funny, really -- I can remember the command string to load C64 games (load"*",8,1), but not for the other system.

BTW: I believe you had to type load"*" to load a cassette program on the C64.

Anyone here old enough to have used Cassette Tapes or ROM Carts for Computer Storage?

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