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+--- Thread: Looking 4wd w/h tech knowledge xchange (/thread-844.html)
Looking 4wd w/h tech knowledge xchange - Beezz - 01-10-2024
Hello,
The MB has been close to my heart since long time ago.
The Z80 was perfect for my deep interest of learning machine code. Getting that fist think book "programming Z80" back in 80's and my age around 14yr old. I'v already started out building the Elektor TV games computer with the Signetics processor 2650.
Now and then the Z80 has come to an end in production, however the itteration level of computing capacity has increased tremendouesly and we might either start emulating the processor with other processor or handcraft own ASIC wafers to replace Zilog parts.
I have an old MB 32 stored in my hardware archive so I can just pop it out and remember old days, however when discover this repository, I need to get the software more accessable than thos old tapes
So discovered the Gotek, however need good help to understan how I can create image and install it on the other MB 120 (with 2x 5,25") by replacing one of them. I saw that there was a PDF describe how to install the Gotek, but have no access as I understan... hope to get help.My current project, I got some discoung ticket of manufacturing PCB, so I just start developing an emulator to direct replace the floppy disc contoller WD179(3) So I can run disks over internet instad... Maybe I will never have time to finalize it - however it is fun to streach the braincells sometimes.
With hope to enrich the lovely microbees nest
/Beezz
RE: Looking 4wd w/h tech knowledge xchange - ChickenMan - 02-10-2024
Hi and welcome to the forum
I see you now have access to the repository so grab the DS40 (they the std Microbee Double Sided 40 track) disk images and copy to a USB drive you have for the Gotek which should have preferably has the Flash Floppy firmware . Most of the disks in the repository are bootable, then start the 'bee and the selected image will boot.
There is a great Microbee emulator you can also try/test out images called ubee512. Its in the Public\Utilities folder so install for Windows or Linux and read the Docs. Any questions just ask.
RE: Looking 4wd w/h tech knowledge xchange - Beezz - 25-11-2024
Thanx for info, good exchange of knowledge here in the forum.
I Got the Gotek working at once, just connected it with a flat cable. Now just study the schematics, trying to have HDMI monitor operation against it. Difficult with standard composit/HDMI converter, it drop the sync and video all time. Probably the levels from micorbee composite need to be adjusted. Maybe better to convert it to colour bee at once...
RE: Looking 4wd w/h tech knowledge xchange - Minuous - 03-01-2025
(01-10-2024, 07:34 PM)Beezz Wrote: I'v already started out building the Elektor TV games computer with the Signetics processor 2650.
I don't suppose you happen to still have any Elektor TVGC tapes? I can help you dump them if so...
RE: Looking 4wd w/h tech knowledge xchange - Beezz - 20-03-2025
Started out to maybe.. emulate the wd2793 floppy interface with some hardware and sotware, however when manage to install the gotek, this was not fun anymore. Instead wrote the Z80 emulator interfacing the z80 io for floppy 46..48 and everything else plus VGA other display and even USB.
It was quite difficult to interface a PS2 kayboard with ggod performence, however with USB all is under fully control.
Manage to run the CP/M and all other softwara. Now it to fully solve the banking and the grapics/color of higher grade of MB.
Now i can play some of those old games, as well as color it and speed it up for more fun. Now have to interface the PIO so a USB joustick can be utilized.
This on on teensy 4.1 run microBee 25x
Now added smallest microBee, emulation on ESP32-2432s028 tiny screen, run only about half the original speed.
RE: Looking 4wd w/h tech knowledge xchange - Beezz - 20-03-2025
(03-01-2025, 06:36 AM)Minuous Wrote:(01-10-2024, 07:34 PM)Beezz Wrote: I'v already started out building the Elektor TV games computer with the Signetics processor 2650.
I don't suppose you happen to still have any Elektor TVGC tapes? I can help you dump them if so...
Have no tapes. Found binaries from the book and some games on internet, so I wrote a program running on a raspi modulating to the casette interface. It worked quite good. Took a time to understand the tape code and checksum. However nowdays I added a I2C interface to the TVGC and changed the casette load rom code to load via I2C instead.