PE6502 Usage Demo, and new PutnamElectronics Forums

Just a quick update- to give a super quick view of the PE6502 computer now in kit form, quick usage demo, quick file transfer demo, etc.

Join if you like- it's free and a fun way to discuss this computer and similar topics!

[mohinderkaur]

Great kit. The RS232 converter should be optional with pins being broken out to header for use with USB-TTL adapters or a place to put in a USB-TTL adapter. optional DS1233 reset generator for 555 would be nice. solder pads for hardwired 5v power with 5.1v 5w zener diode +resistor protection. zener diode protection on usb-ttl and other inputs.

[CBROB-CyberBunker]

why people keep screwing around with systems that actually -are- 30 to 40 years old by now physically, of vendors long dead, most of which containing propriatory chips anyway, preventing new mass production and a whole lot of shadyness in whom to buy the patents and designs from to get that fixed, beats me. seems like the market is entirely open for a new system 'at that same techlevel' (40 pin dip packages, 8mhz or so, fully cmos) which hijacks the entire market for systems that simply do as they're told and nothing else. i bet most of the atari and apple II and c64 scene would jump over. none of that 'changing the memory map' such as is done in the c64, just plain and simple computers that do the job and which can be put to use anywhere from your desk to opening the garagedoor. which are all exactly -the same-. as that always was the main selling criteria for 8 bit micros. something that runs on one c64 or atari will pretty much always run on another one. no "operating system" and "drivers" needed. go back to -that-. not by copying some old crap. but by just getting a new company with a new factory pooping out -new- ones. (and just like with the apple II, facilitating a whole range of clones that do the same ;)

[jeffnay]

I am looking to build the Ben Eater 6502 Breadboard computer, but I would like to add a keypad into it, so that I can view and set memory as well as possibly view and set registers.
I have created a few videos, while trying to learn a little bit about keypads and how to integrate them, but I think I am at a point where I may need some help to go any further.
I realize that I may have to program a micro controller of some sort to scan the keypad, but I am also stumped on how to address 2 - 7 segment displays.

[ronsherr]

I will definitely buy one of your kits within the next 1 1/2 months...gotta save up my $130, but that looks like a very nice project. Keep making videos to show it off!

[carrot]

Very impressive! This looks like a super fun project! I definitely want to try when I have $130. I think half the fun for me would be trying to construct cool case with my 3D printer or some old wood. Also do you think you will sell replacement parts for this computer? It would be reassuring to know I can easily buy a replacement PCB or 6502 CPU if I damage it or something.

[predragmiletic]

fantastic... need to buy this ASAP! such awesomeness

[gliderspace]

I am always curious in how could we run something more powerful than BASIC in this machine... Can I code Assembly directly in this machine? Or even better, can we run C directly in it? Commodore 128 had Power C, Could we run anything like that in this machine?

[CBROB-CyberBunker]

would actually replace most pc's with anything like that with a standardized memory map, cs8900A ethernet, 2x 6551 (or preferably 16550As, whatever as long as they're always the same and it's a hardware standardized platform). let's see if that 'expansion bus' has some pin we can pull down to hijack addresses from the mainboard and what other aspects to copy and standardize for mass production. don't like the video circuitry in a single vendor reprogrammable thing tho. should get some asics made for that. preferably something software compatible to something 'old and common' while only having dvi-out on the other end. at like 200x100 8x8 char text only. ... maybe add one of those yamaha opl things (not sure if they had FM, or just the built in waveforms, guess at least one of them did).

[thegovenor]

I need one of these :D, also where can i buy one, i cant find a purchase option on your web page?

[CBROB-CyberBunker]

this thing could already sell in the 100s of 10000s. more or less as-is. provided it gets ethernet and a 65C22+all i/o pins of that 1:1 to a pinstrip connector. 65c02s are hell a lot more easy to program to 'open garagedoors' and turn lights on and off than anything else out there and last for centuries. (unlike, let's say, raspberry pi's ;) maybe a second rs232 port as well. (one for console, other to control things). and basically. when they're halted using the new instructions waiting for an irq power usage is next to zero. none of that bloated linux stuff either. (needless to say linux doesn't run on much hardware which doesn't look like it will fail within 5 years after coming out of the box, especially outside ;) the number of people that know how to program 6502s also far exceeds the number of people that know how to program for linux. millions of 8 bit homecomputers and games consoles made sure of that. lol. din rail "hutschienen" mounting case around it and good to go. :P (although in that case it's probably best to fit all i/o inputs with optos and 24vdc to 5v conversion and all outputs with something capable of driving 24v as well as that seems to be the standard for such things ;)

[carrot]

Very impressive! This looks like a super fun project! I definitely want to try when I have $130. I think half the fun for me would be trying to construct cool case with my 3D printer or some old wood. Also do you think you will sell replacement parts for this computer? It would be reassuring to know I can easily buy a replacement PCB or 6502 CPU if I damage it or something.

[ryanmichalski]

The 6502 use for this buid is it the same as the old MOS 6502 for programming and assembly.

[gregclare]

Looks like a pretty cool project. I also found you via the 8 Bit Guy. I've still got several 8 bit computers I designed and built way back in the late 70's / early 80's, but in those days they were all built using grid board / wire-wrap. Very compact boards, but obviously "one off" builds. Your PCB design is nice and tidy. I'm still not 100% on the thought of a retro design that implements a retro 8 bit CPU combined with a modern Propeller MCU. But I guess that makes it somewhat unique, and I suppose the Propeller in a 40 pin DIP package kinda fits. I'm not familiar with Propeller, but will your design support PAL Video Generator mode? Also S-Video (seperate Chroma + Luma) for sharper image than Composite?  Have you investigated International shipping cost (eg. to New Zealand)?  Finally, have you checked if there will be any issues with Apple copyright? (sorry, so many questions).

[CBROB-CyberBunker]

btw what's up with the 555 being abused as a reset 'timer'. the DS1813 is a lot more suitable for that. the 555 won't check for voltage conditions and will happily bring the board up when the voltage is not what it should be. it only 'times'.

[unebonnevie]

You cheated by using the Parallax processor! $130 for this thing is too expensive! No SD card. Only 32KB of SRAM. No VRAM!

[CBROB-CyberBunker]

anyway it';s about time some hardware standardized widely available microcomputers enter the market again... just that this one lacking ethernet and normal rs232, causes it to not be it. it would be a rather small modification to give it a 65816 (while ignoring the top 8 bits of the address bus and keeping it 6502 compatible board wise), adding all the stuff needed for -actual use- nowadays (multiple rs232 ports and ethernet primarily), and tadaa. instant computers of which we actually -know- what they're doing without any of the fuzzy undocumented crap going on in the 'pc world' on the desks yet again. we never asked for 'usb' or 'pci'. we most certainly don't see it as a nessesity. :P but ethernet muss sein.

[SteveHacker]

I'm another sent over from the 8 Bit Guy... Question: Will individual parts be available from you if we screw something up during assembly, e.g. in case we fry something?