© WIKIMEDIA, CODIGO SOFT 92
>> Nevertheless, this wasn’t enough to fight off established
rivals, and SAM Computers was liquidated in July 1992. West
Coast Computer acquired the remaining stock and began selling
an updated 512KB model in 1993. These models were sold in
various forms until 1999, when West Coast also shut down.
>> Overall, only around 12,000 units were sold, though an
active homebrew scene has continued to this day.4
EMULATION
The best choice of emulator is SimCoupe, by Simon Owen.
It has software builds for Windows, Linux, and MacOS,
plus older builds for obscure platforms.
>> Windows users are given a handy executable installer.
Simply download and run the .exe file, and follow the prompts.
>> Linux users are given a 64-bit .deb file, though an older
non-distro-specific binary tarball is available, plus the option to
compile from source code.
>> If you have installed the official .deb file, you can launch
SimCoupe with the command:
$ simcoupe5
USAGE
The Windows and Linux versions have different interfaces.
The Windows version has a modern interface, whereas
the Linux version is driven by the keyboard and feels almost
retro in itself. Shortcut keys are the same across both versions.
>> As noted by the welcome screen on first boot, the most
useful key bindings are:- F1: Insert disk image
- F10 : Options
- F12 : Reset
- Ctrl-F12 : Exit emulator
- Numpad-9: Boot drive 1
In addition to these bindings, we would also point
out that F2 loads a disk image for Floppy Drive 2 and F8
toggles full-screen.
Before you get started, it’s worth browsing the
Options screen, under Tools > Options in Windows,
or by pressing F10. The Input section has the option
‘Enable SAM mouse interface’, which will be essential
for programs like Flash! or Lemmings.
6
LOADING DISKS
To load disk images, open the browser for Disk
Drive 1 by pressing F1, or optionally for Windows
users, choosing File > Open from the main menu. Open
your disk file and your disk should boot automatically.
>> Reboot your system with F12 before loading new
disks. If you’re stuck on the SAM boot screen, try
pressing 9 on the number pad.
>> While most disks should boot automatically, plenty
of hobbyists’ disks won’t. We can’t show you how to start
all programs, but this is the most common scenario.
>> If you get an error message about ‘no AUTO* file’,
press Enter and you will get a white cursor. Assuming
you’re using Floppy Drive 1, enter:
dir 1
>> A file list will appear with a list of file numbers on
the left. Look for anything marked ‘BASIC’, or any other
obvious loadable programs in the file list, and take note
of its file number. Now enter the load command with
your file number (19 in this example), like so:
load 19
>> If it doesn’t launch after this command, enter:
run
>> For further troubleshooting, see the excellent
manual available on the project’s website.FINDING SOFTWARE
As usual, archive.org has a couple of good software
collections, plus reading materials, and the site can worry
about its own copyright problems. For something on a
better legal footing, http://www.worldofsam.org has taken the
time to catalog the Coupé’s software archive. It only links
to software that it has approval to redistribute.SAM Coupé (1989)
CPU: Zilog Z80B @ 6MHz
RAM: 256KB/512KB (4.5MB maximum)
Graphics: V512 x 192 maximum resolution,
128 maximum colors
Sound: Philips SAA1099
Storage: 3.5-inch 780KB floppy, cassette
OS: SAM BASIC, CP/M via softwareLaunch Price: $230
Released: December 1989
Production: 1989-1992, 1999
Worldwide sales: 12,000SPECIFICATIONS
>> The Coupé had a demo scene similar to Commodore’s.
Here is the Amiga Juggler demo with SAM, the robot mascot.>> Spectrum owners would have been deeply envious of the quality
full-travel keyboard, chic styling, and removable disk drives.APR 2022 MAXIMU MPC 61