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+--- Thread: Train&Hobby Show now has Retro Computers (/thread-777.html)
RE: Train&Hobby Show now has Retro Computers - ChickenMan - 26-03-2024
The D7541 and AB roms are the 2 Basic roms, they need to be there to run any games or other programs. When you turn the 'bee on it auto boots to Basic to a Ready prompt. Your only have the one spare 8k rom (the Wordbee rom) in this VERY early Microbee model. I just read the crystal on the main board (below the Wordbee rom) and its 12.00 so this runs at 2mhz (as did the first Kit 'bee) which was soon increased to 3.375mhz. So if you put the Microspace Invaders rom in there, it will run painfully slow. Personally I'd sell it and put the money to purchasing or keep the case and put the Microbee Tech new Microbee in it when it comes out soon. See https://microbeetechnology.com.au/classic-plus-kit-computer.htm
My CF coreboard is in my Premium 128k 'bee but could go in a std 128k 'bee. Yes it has a special BOOT rom that simulates a Hard Drive on the CF card. Would not work in your bee
RE: Train&Hobby Show now has Retro Computers - RetroMal - 26-03-2024
Not what I wanted to hear but thanks for letting me know.
I'm a hoarder - as you can tell because I've held onto this for so long. I'll keep it but experiment a little with other ROMs and monitor the new Microbee project.
On the MSPP Repository I found a small article from Your Computer Magazine which says that the later Microbees had Z80s - like my Sharp LH0080A - that can run at 4MHz. Apparently pin 8 of IC32 feeds the CPU the clock of 2MHz and if I ran that signal from pin 9 instead it'd be at 4MHz. There are also projects to add RAM and I do have one of these:
Won't that give me 64KB and the ability to add a floppy or CF adapter.
Still asking silly questions
Mal
RE: Train&Hobby Show now has Retro Computers - ChickenMan - 27-03-2024
Yes there is a mod to change a 2mhz to 4mhz speed. That coreboard from the first 64k Microbee (that only had 56k) connected to an external Floppy controller via the 50 way mounted in a long case with 1 or 2 5.25" floppy drives with a power supply. The vacant socket on the coreboard had a boot rom.
RE: Train&Hobby Show now has Retro Computers - RetroMal - 27-03-2024
The M1656 requires an external floppy controller operate a floppy drive or GOTEK ? So I'm missing an essential piece of hardware.
What's the easiest way for me to get my Microbee running so I can play games on it without having to swap EPROMs ?
RE: Train&Hobby Show now has Retro Computers - ChickenMan - 28-03-2024
Over at the Exidy Sorcerer page (https://www.exidysorcerer.net/index.html/), they have made a Dreamdisk controller that was originally designed for the Microbee to run on the Sorcerer, I have asked for an original Microbee version (still waiting) but with a Dreamdisk rom (from the Repository), the Dreamdisk controller card and a Gotek you should be able to boot a disk and run what ever.