On this page I will briefly list my future projects, my ToDo list. This also has the advantage that I don't lose the overview. Over time, quite a lot accumulates!
Still to be done
- PDP-11 replica kit: the PiDP-11 (29.06.2021 / dd.mm.yyyy)
- Micro 8088 (17.06.2021 / dd.mm.yyyy)
- Kaypro 10 & Gotek (dd.mm.yyy / dd.mm.yyyy)
- Commodore C64C (10.04.2021 / dd.mm.yyyy)
- Greaseweazle (06.03.2021 / dd.mm.yyyy)
- Intel Inboard 386/AT (26.12.2020 / dd.mm.yyyy)
Done
- FLUXCOPY (15.06.2021 / 27.08.2021)
- Raspberry Pi Floppy Controller Board (08.05.2021 / 17.05.2021)
- Altair-Duino Pro (08.10.2019 / 14.03.2021)
- Interface 34p to 50p (28.02.2021 / 08.03.2021)
- DEC RX180 (27.12.2020 / 15.02.2021)
- ISA Floppy Disk and Serial Controller (05.06.2020 / 27.01.2021)
Still to be done
PDP-11 replica kit: the PiDP-11
(c) Oscar Vermeulen
Micro 8088 - Sergej Kiselev
This is what it should look like!
(c) Sergej Kiselev
The beginning is made!
Kaypro 10 & Gotek
Since I can now update my Gotek drives myself with flash floppy, I decided to equip one of my two Kaypro 10 computers with it.
In this context, I will also test my two WD1002-HDO hard disk controllers that I bought. They are not originally from a Kaypro 10, but they should be compatible. I will report back. But that will still take a while.
Commodore C64C or C64-II
This project wasn't actually planned because it doesn't really fit in with my other systems. But the topics Datasette, VC 1541, C64 Reloaded MK2 and the products "Fascination C64" on ebay made me curious. So now I own a C64C (C64-II) with VC 1541-II as floppy drive. I can't say yet where the journey will take me.
Update 12.04.2021: In the meantime I am quite happy that I bought the C64C. It's a universe of its own. VICE also runs on my iMac and under Parallels Desktop/Windows 10.
Timeline
- Bought at ebay: .......... 18.03.2021
- Cleaning: ................ 10.04.2021
- Capacitors: .............. 10.04.2021
- PSU: ..................... 14.04.2021
Cleaning
10.04.2021: I've never seen so much dirt in a keyboard; pet hair, lint, dust, sand and drink residue. Simply disgusting!
I first soaked the keys for 20 minutes (dish detergent, water) and then cleaned them with a soft brush. What a mess!
I cleaned the rest of the casing, of course; water and dish detergent. I am still thinking about whether to bleach the slightly yellow casing.
And it came as it had to, now I'm missing a keyboard spring. Well, it can be bought later, but it's still annoying.
Since the upper and lower parts of the case are clicked together, there are unfortunately already a few breaks in the plastic. It's a pity, but it can't be helped, but everything is still holding together well. The rubber feet are also missing.
When I look at the case and the keys, the yellowing is not that dramatic.The colour on the outside is almost identical to the inside, as are the keys.
I think that completes the cleaning. I am now waiting for the rest of the capacitors.
Capacitors
I have already replaced half of the electrolytic capacitors on the mainboard. I had to order the rest from Mouser first. I have also replaced the capacitors on the floppy drive.
... to be continued ...
PSU - Power Supply Unit
Today my new power supply for the C64C arrived. A power supply for both the C64C and the 1541-II.
GreaseWeazle
I already own the Kryoflux, let's see what the Greaseweazle can do.
Timeline
- short test: .............. 01.05.2021; OK!
- V4 delivered: ............ 02.07.2021
Intel Inboard 386/AT
The basis for my new long-term project is laid: Intel Inboard 386 cable for the IBM AT. It will take a long long time until I have all the components together.
What is needed?
- IBM AT 5170 or motherboard: ... done, 21.10.2021
- Intel Inboard 386/AT: ......... in search of
- Intel Inboard 386/AT cable: ... done, 26.12.2020
Done
FLUXCOPY
Project for hardware and software for copying hard-sectored floppy disks.
Raspberry Pi Floppy Controller Board
Timeline
- Delivered: ............... 08.05.2021
- BOM list: ................ 08.05.2021
- Raspberry Pi: ............ 11.05.2021
- Assembling: .............. 13.05.2021
- Goal achieved!: .......... 17.05.2021
Disk drives and controllers are simply fascinating. And since I've never worked with the Raspberry Pi before, all the better. This is a project by Dr. Scott M. Baker. He has already developed a floppy controller for the RC2014. Of course, I have that too.
BOM list
I have gathered the BOM list to the best of my knowledge. I did not find any specifications for C1, so I took a corresponding capacitor from Dr. Scott M. Baker's RC2014 Floppy Disk Controller.
In his video, however, Dr. Scott M. Baker uses a shunt for RN3 and also speaks of a resistance of 150 ohms. On his circuit diagram, however, a value of 1K Ohm is shown. Beyond that, there are no further details on his website.
When comparing with other FDC circuit diagrams, I noticed that in this case (RN2) a resistor network (6 pin / 5 resistors) with a value of 10 KOhm is used between the floppy controller and the floppy header. In comparable circuit diagrams (Baker / FDC RC2014, Kiselev / ISA FDC and Kiselev / Zeta SBC V2), on the other hand, a resistor of 1 KOhm is used only.
Raspberry Pi
Today (08.05.2021) I was able to start my Raspberry Pi 4 (model B). I was still missing an HDMI-DVI adapter. An update is currently being carried out; the basic setup/installation was very simple. Not to be compared with my first Linux floppy installation (SLS or DLD; I do not know exactly anymore).
Assembling
Update 13.05/15.05.2021. The assembly and soldering worked. I have done all the necessary updates and installations on the Pi, but I can't get the board to work.
Goal achieved!
Writing an image with:
cat 0360.img | sudo python ./fdtool.py --realtime --pincpu 3 --media 360 --disk write
Altair-Duino Pro 8800
This is a cycle-accurate recreation of the original Altair 8800. What does that mean? It means the Intel 8080 CPU is emulated, as is some of the basic I/O (disk drives, serial ports, etc.) but everything else is REAL Altair machine code and CP/M that was created more than 40 years ago!
Source: https://www.tindie.com/products/kb0wwp/altair-duino-pro/#product-description
Timeline
- Bought at Tindie: ........... 08.10.2019
- Finally unwrapped: .......... 07.03.2021 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- It starts today! ............ 07.03.2021 (300 solder points)
- LEDs and switches ........... 12.03.2021
- Some tests, all OK .......... 12.03.2021
- Done! ....................... 13.03.2021
All beginnings are hard!
It starts today!
Around 300 solder points set! That's enough for today.
Done!
The assembly and soldering worked wonderfully. If you take your time and don't rush it - it's supposed to be fun - you'll need about 6 to 8 hours in total. Maybe a little less!
Interface 34p to 50p
Currently in production (JLCPCB). Let's see if the board really works! I have never constructed a circuit board before. The boards are scheduled for delivery on 08.03.2021. I will report later.
Arrived today, 08.03.2021 as announced. Unpacked, soldered on both plugs, tested and ... the adapter works. Hooray!
Here, however, without the logo. I added this again after the order.
And what can I say. The price is extremely good. I paid only 2 EUR for five PCBs; shipping 10 EUR. Customs duties were not incurred for this small invoice amount. The PCB is easy to solder. What more could you want.
DEC RX180
This is an external double diskette drive (RX180) for the VT180 system from Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). I intend to connect the drive to a DOS computer, whereby the conversion should of course be reversible.
What is to do?
- Disassemble und cleaning: ... done, 28.12.2020
- Housing ................ done, 27.12.2020
- PSU .................... done, 28.12.2020
- FDD's .................. done, 28.12.2020
- AC circuit OK? .............. done, 27.12.2020
- PSU (ASTEC) ok? ............. done, 28.12.2020
- FDD's ok? ................... done, 29.12.2020
- Connecting to DOS FDC ....... done, 29.12.2020
- PSU Capacitors .............. done, 31.12.2020
- New Cables .................. done, 06.01.2021
- Finished .................... done, 15.02.2021
ISA Floppy Disk and Serial Controller - Sergej Kiselev
What is needed?
- PCB's: ............ done, 05.06.2020
- FDC (PC8477AV): ... done, 05.06.2020
- BOM: .............. ordered, 30.12.2020
- BOM: .............. see here
- Assembled: ........ Jan 2021
The FD controller (PC8477) is not listed here. I got three on ebay US (NOS) for very little money. Beware of cheap bids from Asia! For the required parts you have to pay about 31 EUR without VAT.