systems:mc10 [Batocera.linux

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====== TRS-80 MC-10 ======
The [[wp>TRS-80_MC-10|TRS-80 MC-10]] is a budget home computer manufactured by [[wp>Tandy_Corporation|Tandy Corporation]] and sold through [[wp>RadioShack|RadioShack]] stores. Released in 1983 at an introductory price of **US$119.95**, it was positioned as a low-cost alternative to Tandy's own [[systems:coco|TRS-80 Color Computer (CoCo)]], aimed at competing with entry-level machines like the [[systems:c20|Commodore VIC-20]] and [[wp>ZX81|Sinclair ZX81]]. It was discontinued just one year later in 1984.

The MC-10 features a [[wp>Motorola_6800|Motorola MC6803]] CPU at 0.89 MHz, just 4 KB RAM (expandable to 20 KB), 8 KB ROM containing Micro Color BASIC (by Microsoft), and a [[wp>Motorola_6847|Motorola MC6847]] VDG (same video chip as the CoCo). Graphics modes include 256x192 (limited by insufficient VRAM), 128x96 (2-4 colors), and 64x32 (8 colors). Text is 32x16 characters. Sound is a basic built-in speaker. The 48-key **chiclet keyboard** was widely criticized as uncomfortable.

The MC-10 was a commercial failure — with only 4 KB RAM, a chiclet keyboard, no disk drive support, and a tiny software library (~32 known commercial games), it could not compete even at its low price point. It was cannibalizing Tandy's own superior CoCo and was hopelessly outclassed by the [[systems:c64|Commodore 64]].

A licensed French clone, the **[[wp>Matra_Alice|Matra & Hachette Alice]]**, was produced in several variants (Alice, Alice 32, Alice 90) with enhanced features.

This system scrapes metadata for the "mc10" group(s) and loads the ''mc10'' set from the currently selected theme, if available.
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==== Quick reference ====
  * **Emulator:** [[#mame|MAME]], [[#retroarch|RetroArch]], [[#xroar|XRoar]]
  * **Core:** [[#mame|MAME]], [[#libretro:_mame|libretro: MAME]], [[#xroar|XRoar]]
  * **Folder:** ''/userdata/roms/mc10''
  * **Accepted ROM formats:** ''.wav'', ''.cas'', ''.rom'', ''.bin'', ''.zip'', ''.7z''

===== BIOS =====
For MAME:
^ MD5 checksum ^ Share file path ^ Description ^
| | ''bios/mc10.zip'' | MC-10 BIOS ROM set |
| | ''bios/alice.zip'' | Matra Alice BIOS ROM set (French clone) |

For XRoar:
^ Share file path ^ Description ^
| ''bios/xroar/'' | MC-10 firmware ROMs (see [[https://colorcomputerarchive.com/repo/ROMs/XRoar|Color Computer Archive]]) |

===== ROMs =====
Place your TRS-80 MC-10 ROMs in ''/userdata/roms/mc10''.

Software was distributed on cassette tapes (.cas, .wav) and ROM cartridges (.rom, .bin). The software library is very small — approximately 32 known commercial games plus type-in programs from books and magazines.

===== Emulators =====
==== MAME ====
[[https://www.mamedev.org/|MAME]] (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) supports the MC-10 and the French Alice variants.

==== XRoar ====
[[https://www.6809.org.uk/xroar/|XRoar]] is a dedicated Dragon and CoCo/MC-10 family emulator. It requires BASIC ROMs to be placed in ''/userdata/bios/xroar/''. ROMs can be obtained from the [[https://colorcomputerarchive.com/repo/ROMs/XRoar|Color Computer Archive]].

==== RetroArch ====
[[https://docs.libretro.com/|RetroArch]] (formerly SSNES), is a ubiquitous frontend that can run multiple "cores", which are essentially the emulators themselves. The most common cores use the [[https://www.libretro.com/|libretro]] API, so that's why cores run in RetroArch in Batocera are referred to as "libretro: (core name)". RetroArch aims to unify the feature set of all libretro cores and offer a universal, familiar interface independent of platform.

=== libretro: MAME ===
The libretro version of MAME can be used to emulate the MC-10. It uses the same BIOS and ROM sets as the standalone version.

===== Controls =====
The MC-10 has a 48-key chiclet-style keyboard. A physical USB keyboard is strongly recommended.

===== See also =====
  * [[systems:coco|TRS-80 Color Computer (CoCo)]] — Tandy's superior home computer, shares the MC6847 VDG
  * [[systems:trs80|TRS-80]] — the original Z80-based Tandy computer line
  * [[systems:dragon64|Dragon 64]] — similar architecture (6809/MC6847), uses XRoar emulator

===== Troubleshooting =====
==== Black screen on boot ====
Make sure the correct BIOS files are in place — ''mc10.zip'' in ''/userdata/bios/'' for MAME, or firmware ROMs in ''/userdata/bios/xroar/'' for XRoar.

==== Further troubleshooting ====
For further troubleshooting, refer to the [[:support|generic support pages]].