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Thread ID: 70997	2006-07-23 10:21:00	I'm looking for a VERY old computer	george12 (7)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
472950	2006-07-23 10:21:00	Hi, A friend and I are (as a project) building an 8-bit "CPU", in other words fully building on a very large circuit board a very simple CPU that will be able to run simple programs, possibly even CP/M, although that might be too ambitious. I'm looking for the oldest PC I can find, such as an XT (8088) or even older, like an 8080. If anybody has something like that which is just taking up space, and would like to donate it to me it would be nice. Preferably in Wellington. The idea is that I can familiarise myself with the very old technology I would be using (eg. 30 pin SIMMs), to practice writing some assembly to run on it (yes, I know I could just use an emulator but where's the fun) and possibly to harvest some parts. Thanks in advance.	george12 (7)
472951	2006-07-23 10:33:00	Hi, A friend and I are (as a project) building an 8-bit "CPU", in other words fully building on a very large circuit board a very simple CPU that will be able to run simple programs, possibly even CP/M, although that might be too ambitious. I'm looking for the oldest PC I can find, such as an XT (8088) or even older, like an 8080. If anybody has something like that which is just taking up space, and would like to donate it to me it would be nice. Preferably in Wellington. The idea is that I can familiarise myself with the very old technology I would be using (eg. 30 pin SIMMs), to practice writing some assembly to run on it (yes, I know I could just use an emulator but where's the fun) and possibly to harvest some parts. Thanks in advance. I might be able to get you a C64 :-) could even teach you a bit of assemble for it. still have a few books and all.	robsonde (120)
472952	2006-07-23 11:24:00	I might be able to get you a C64 :-) could even teach you a bit of assemble for it. still have a few books and all. Thanks, that would be great? I was thinking if I can get hold of an 8080 or 8085 or any other 8-bit CPU I can start by making a motherboard for that (much easier than making the CPU itself, but needs to be done anyway). But the C64 is also 8-bit, so it should do fine I suppose.	george12 (7)
472953	2006-07-23 15:05:00	...got a PET 40-40...but that might be too old for you...and I'm in the US anyway.	SurferJoe46 (51)
472954	2006-07-23 21:53:00	I used to have an old BBC master series microcomputer :lol:	Overdrive_5000 (4950)
472955	2006-07-24 01:23:00	I just know I've got a sliderule somewhere.	Winston001 (3612)
472956	2006-07-24 04:43:00	Why waste time on a rubbish processor like the 8080? Go for a Z80 ... which is so good that it's still being used. (And you have a chance of getting it going, too ... you can slow the clock down to nothing and watch things happening on the bus. With a multimeter. ;) ) SIMM memory is dynamic, isn't it? That's not the easiest thing to work with. Get a 2kx8 static RAM like the 6116 (especially the CMOS version so it can be battery backed , so non-volatile)	Graham L (2)
472957	2006-07-24 07:18:00	www.trademe.co.nz :cool:	SKT174 (1319)
472958	2006-07-24 07:47:00	Right, thanks for that Graham. My new target is finding a Z80, preferably obtainable for under $10. How shall I get hold of one?	george12 (7)
472959	2006-07-24 07:49:00	Thanks, that would be great? I was thinking if I can get hold of an 8080 or 8085 or any other 8-bit CPU I can start by making a motherboard for that (much easier than making the CPU itself, but needs to be done anyway). But the C64 is also 8-bit, so it should do fine I suppose. depends on what you want to do. Z80 is very easy to chuck togeather with a few other chips and it will work. the C64 is 6502 and it need all kind of support chips setup just right. IMOH the 6502 is easer to learn assemble on but the Z80 is more like X86 code. there are many micro-controlers that use a Z80 type instruction set.	robsonde (120)
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