Retrocomputing – Software n' stuff

Getting the most out of 16KB ROM!

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of work on the rosco_m68k hardware, specifically on integrating the new Yamaha V9958 video board. As part of this, I wanted to extend the firmware to support basic “virtual consoles”, so that if a V9958 is detected it will use that for text output, or fall back to theContinue reading “Getting the most out of 16KB ROM!”

Fake MC68010s Spotted

When you’re in the market for Motorola 68k CPUs (as I am), chances are at some point you’ll turn to eBay. And sure, there are plenty listed on there, with prices ranging from super-cheap to fairly-reasonable. However, as always with eBay, caveat emptor is king! When you receive your chips, have a good look atContinue reading “Fake MC68010s Spotted”

rosco_m68k IO device – An Arduino Adventure

This weekend I’ve had a lot of fun playing with a proof-of-concept Arduino-based IO device for the rosco_m68k. Along the way I’ve learned quite a bit about the Arduino, identified a few future enhancements for the rosco_m68k design, and generally had a fun (if sometimes frustrating) time. It’s been a while since I’ve done anyContinue reading “rosco_m68k IO device – An Arduino Adventure”

rosco_m68k: PCBs Have Arrived!

An exciting day here – after several months of delays (firstly due to me procrastinating followed by production delays due to Coronavirus) the PCBs for my retro m68k computer have arrived! I eventually decided to have these made by JLCPCB in China, and I have to say I’m very impressed with the quality and finish.Continue reading “rosco_m68k: PCBs Have Arrived!”

rosco_m68k: August Update

In which there is (finally) a PCB Design, talk of CPLDs and OS updates!

Running Code and Talking to the Outside World

I’m still having a ton of fun with the rosco_m68k single board computer, and regularly writing project logs on Hackaday. If you’re interested, be sure to follow the project there as that’s where the regular updates happen, but here’s an in-brief update on what’s been happening. Firstly, the board now has a lot more wires:Continue reading “Running Code and Talking to the Outside World”

Retro Computer Update

I’m writing regular logs on hackaday.io about the m68k-based retro computer I mentioned I was building a while back, but I thought I’d post a quick update here too. If you’re interested in the project, be sure to follow it on hackaday as that’s where the regular updates are going. The main progress so farContinue reading “Retro Computer Update”

I’m building a retro computer!

Somewhere around the time I got bored with Advent of Code 2018 (well, the challenges grew to become total time-sinks), I decided my project for the new year was going to be a homebrew retro computer. I decided that, rather than something 8-bit based on the Z80 or 6502, I wanted to go up aContinue reading “I’m building a retro computer!”