hi,i've been a dedicated computer nerd for about twelve years now. istarted with a cast-off tandy "laptop" that ran BASIC and have beenhacking ever since, through 386/486/pentium/etc.now i find myself much more interested in computer systems that appearhistorically before my introduction to computers, and i'd really liketo get to know these older computing methodologies more intimately.i'd like to try to build a computer from scratch - build my ownprocessor, etc. - to gain a greater familiarity with the underlyingtechnology.so where do i start? poking around on the internet, all i can seem tofind is vendors trying to sell "homebrew" computer parts whichbasically involves piecing together readymade components.i know that the definition of "computer" covers a pretty wide continuumright now, but what i'm interested in building is just the basicmachine: an electronic device that runs programs, whether it has adisplay, printer, or just an array of LEDs as its output.maybe someone knows a book or something that covers this material.thanks for your time!best,jake

I doubt you're talking something so basic as the once offered (perhaps still is) Radio Shack computer for kids. It had a bunch of LEDs that flashed with logic signals of sorts. Even further advanced but on same level as LEDs flashing or whatever - was the SWTP computer. SWTP - South West Technical Products. A box about the size of a bread box or so - with LEDs on the front (or an LCD readout - can't quite recall which) and a bunch of switches on the outside. In a subsequent model I believe they offered a keyboard or pad. I'm now 48 and this was all when I was 16 or so, so memory is faint there. That "would" take you back to the very basics. From there came the Tandy computer which I believe you've had already, as well as the Vic and Commodore models and the TI-99 and then Apples. Someone with a better memory than mine can elaborate. The Vic and TI-99 were pretty basic if memory serves me correct. Heathkit/Zenith also offered such a computer set up as I believe you're looking for. Maybe...

homebrew computer - where to start?

Sep 03, 2005 30 Replies

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bg 20 years ago

There was a set of books based on the 8080A, and a single board computer that went along with them. You had to build the SBC, mine was wire wrapped, program the the startup prom, and supply power. Input was in octal, thru a keypad and output was thru leds that monitored the data and address busses. Then you could follow the lessons and interface the SBC to DACs, displays,

8259's etc. Along the way you would learn assembly language, digital electronics, and how to interface the two. Getting some of those old chips might be impossible.The 8080 might have been Intels first processor. I don't think it ever made it into a PC type of application but the 8085, 8086, 8088, 286 and so on, all got their start with the 8080.

The three books I have are all from Howard W Sams and Co The 8080A bugbook - microcomputer interfacing and programming. Experiments in digital electronics and microcomputer interfacing and programming book 1 and 2

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Michael Black 20 years ago

I knew it was an acronym, but couldn't remember and couldn't be bothered to check what it was. I think it was one of those things where the words behind the acronym weren't as important as the acronym.

Michael

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Andrew Holme 20 years ago

Computers, homebuilt from the ground up :-

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quietguy 20 years ago

I have just discovered PICAXES - they are easy to program, cheap to buy, and you can build lots of interesting projects with them. For a start have a look at

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and then follow some of the links on that site

David - who is hav> hi,

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Byron A Jeff 20 years ago

Bingo! Having built 6802, 6809, and 68K style microprocessor systems, working with parts like Microchip PICs almost seems like cheating.

I think that crafting one own computers is definitely a worthy exercise.

BAJ

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keith 20 years ago

It's not so hard. FPGAs are wonderful devices. ;-)

Keith

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Jasen Betts 20 years ago

It seems to me that many of these small computers are roughly equivalent to todays microcontroller systems, but they give you a UART, ram, some other IO, and a processor all on one chip.

some of the older chips (like 6811) even have free monitors avalable , while some of the newer once only have pc-hosted cross compilers.

Bye. Jasen

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Michael Gray 20 years ago

To you and me, perhaps, but it seems to me that the OP is reaching for the moon in one step. Possibly better to follow the others' collective advice, and start with a ready-made simple CPU.

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keith 20 years ago

There is a smiley there, ya' know. That said, I'd ratehr encourage people in a positive direction, rather than saying "it's imposible for a moron like you". Even if he never builds a processor, just making it through the tools would put him ahead of half the engineers.

The OP wanted his OWN computer. DOn't tell him it's impossible to do. The other articles about building an 8080 (Altaid or MIPS) were far less usefull. Hell, if one wanted to build any "computer", a few hundred will buy one at Wallmart, or another hundred (plus a screwdriver) will get a better one from NewEgg. That *wasn't* the question though.

Keith

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WK2 20 years ago

How about something like this:

Title: Build Your Own Microcomputer Based on the Intel 8088 Author: Walter Fuller ISBN: 0827370695

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Rich Grise 20 years ago

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;-) Cheers! Rich

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