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BBC Master on Steroids

retrohax.net

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Re: BBC Master on Steroids

#21

Post by jacquesm »

andybak wrote: post #12
valesco wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's an interesting idea. The funny thing is that in the event of a civilization collapse, it might be way easier to find quad cores CPUs and 8 GB RAM modules than antic pieces.

But when supplies run out the idea is to restore manufacturing ability. It's hard to bootstrap 7nm fabs in a Mad Max wasteland but we might conceivably be able to get back to 1980s tech.

You can get back to 1980's tech easily enough if you have 1970's tech. And so on all the way back to about 1920. Whatever you have + the knowledge remaining will allow you to rise up the ladder a little quicker but not that much quicker because you still need to go through all the motions in between. Skipping steps is really hard, most progress is incremental.

Re: BBC Master on Steroids

#22

Post by dfox »

jacquesm wrote: post #20

Neat! One nitpick: never do a voltage switch like that with a toggle, always use a slider. A toggle is way too easy to accidentally trip.

Also, the wites leading to the switch seem like 0.05” IDC cable, which is horribly inadequate for mains application. The “jumper” is not some kind of low power config input, it simply shorts the midpoint of DC smoothing capacitor bank to neutral mains wire and thus is both live and conducts significant current.

Re: BBC Master on Steroids

#24

Post by retrohax »

dfox wrote: post #22
jacquesm wrote: post #20

Neat! One nitpick: never do a voltage switch like that with a toggle, always use a slider. A toggle is way too easy to accidentally trip.

Also, the wites leading to the switch seem like 0.05” IDC cable, which is horribly inadequate for mains application. The “jumper” is not some kind of low power config input, it simply shorts the midpoint of DC smoothing capacitor bank to neutral mains wire and thus is both live and conducts significant current.

Actually, I was under the impression that it is only config input. I will have to recheck it. This might be a major problem. Thanks!

Re: BBC Master on Steroids

#25

Post by linker3000 »

taneq wrote: post #6

That's super cool! I have an old BBC Micro in a box under a desk somewhere which I want to get back on its feet someday - last time I powered it up I think it was working (made the right boop-BEEP noise!) but I didn't have a screen to test it with. I also have a box of 5.25" floppies that I want try and read any data off - they've been untouched for decades, is there anything I should/shouldn't do before plugging in…

Be aware that a couple of mains-rated capacitors in the power supply don't age very well and it's almost a given that they should be replaced ASAP and before any further use of the computer.

https://www.retro-kit.co.uk/page.cfm/content/BBC-Micro-PSU-X...

I'd love to have a beeb to play with (I just missed the wave first time around - went from PET at school to PC at work), but they are going for silly prices on ebay. Maybe a garage or junk sale will turn up something!

Re: BBC Master on Steroids

#27

Post by tracker1 »

I wonder if it would be possible to port the OS interfaces for the bbc computers to RPi directly... putting the keyboard inputs into a modern USB controller interface and just run the whole thing off of an RPi or similar.

TBH about the only hardware I really miss are the better CRT options compared to how limited modern displays are or how much processing power it takes for a level of detail that looks close to as good. A lot of older games look better on a CRT than the same games scaled to 1080p or higher.

Re: BBC Master on Steroids

#29

Post by retrohax »

nickt wrote: post #26

@retrohax Just wanted to say thanks for the blog, it's an entertaining and informative read! Man, that A1200 was in a state...

btw. A1200 was a really mild state. Have a look at my "Extreme refurb" series -> https://retrohax.net/?s=extreme Those machines were a bit harder to fix lol :D

Re: BBC Master on Steroids

#30

Post by jacquesm »

retrohax wrote: post #23
jacquesm wrote: post #20

Neat! One nitpick: never do a voltage switch like that with a toggle, always use a slider. A toggle is way too easy to accidentally trip.

good point! thanks!

Yw. A recessed slide is the best option. Fantastic job, I really like what you did here.
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