Yet another rabbit hole.

[jcdammeyer]

For those of you old enough to remember S100 Z80 computers I fell into this rabbit hole and ordered the bare board. By itself it's just a Z180 CPU with support in the memory for the CP/M OS and access to the MicroSD card. With all the extra chips it can be made into a CPU board that accesses the S100 expansion bus.

Z180 SBC Board

S100 Computers Z180 SBC board

s100computers.com

 

[Arbutus]

I remember those. Your version even has USB !

If you need discrete chips (74xx series) send me a DM.

 

[jcdammeyer]

I remember those. Your version even has USB !

If you need discrete chips (74xx series) send me a DM.

Thanks. Will do. I have lots in stock too but haven't check the BOM since I just ordered the board this morning. I have an extra S100 motherboard and I've already assembled and partly tested this board which would make a good companion. Apparently they've already got drivers for this board and the Z180 one I've ordered.

My other new rabbit hole came on Friday just because it seemed cool, not expensive and has CAN bus.
https://store-usa.arduino.cc/products/uno-r4-minima?selectedStore=us
Also no idea what I will use it for.

 

[gerritv]

You can also run CP/M on an ESP32. I am trying to avoid the rabiit hole although lots of good memories of those heady days when 2kb RAM and a 110 cps paper tape reader/punch where a dream come true. I used to compile programs on a Univac 1108 at Ont Hydro, download over acoustic coupler to paper tape at home.

 

[whydontu]

My sons snicker when I say my first computer had 256 bytes of RAM. Then I go outside and yell at clouds.

 

[jcdammeyer]

You can also run CP/M on an ESP32. I am trying to avoid the rabiit hole although lots of good memories of those heady days when 2kb RAM and a 110 cps paper tape reader/punch where a dream come true. I used to compile programs on a Univac 1108 at Ont Hydro, download over acoustic coupler to paper tape at home.

I've tried and so far succeeded from going that way. OTOH I now have FORTH running on my ELS PIC18. Trying to figure out how to do quad tree data structures in that.

 

[Susquatch]

I put all my s100 stuff out at the curb during our last move. I cried for months and now you have me crying again.......

 

[jcdammeyer]

Well see you can buy the bare board I mentioned at the front of this post. Minimal components get you Z80 CP/M using your PC as the terminal. After that you will realize why you put it on the curb during your last move.

 

[Former Member]

I'm getting old enough to gain enough wisdom to not go down rabbit holes.

 

[jcdammeyer]

I'm getting old enough to gain enough wisdom to not go down rabbit holes.

Lucky you. How do you do that?

 

[Former Member]

I didn't say I was successful

 

[jcdammeyer]

So the processor and PC board arrived on the same day. Have the high end parts in my Digikey shopping basket. Went through my TTL inventory. Only need two other parts from Digikey: SN74LS139AN, SN74LS259BN and the crystal oscillator.
The real monkey wrench is programming the special RAM chip.

The newer EPROM programmers can do this. My old one cannot. So then the rabbit hole question is whether it's worth investing in this:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006015135549.html

Then I could dispose of my old WIN-NT system with 486DX4 that I use to interface via a DOS window to my existing prom programmer.
So many decisions. Probably should go find a new rabbit hole.

Edit: Like this one. This is really cool.

M5Stack Dial - ESP32-S3 Smart Rotary Knob w/ 1.28

Description As a versatile embedded development board, M5Dial integrates the necessary features and sensors for various smart home control applications. It features a 1.28-inch round TFT touchscreen, a rotary encoder, an RFID detection module, an RTC circuit, a buzzer, and under-screen buttons...

shop.m5stack.com

 

[whydontu]

Because I’m an enabler, did you see this one:

M5Stack Cardputer Kit w/ M5StampS3

Description Cardputer is a card-sized portable computer that is perfect for engineers. At the heart of Cardputer is the M5StampS3, a mini development board based on the ESP32-S3 chip. Cardputer features a powerful dual-core processor, supports Wi-Fi functionality and integrates various...

shop.m5stack.com

 

[jcdammeyer]

Because I’m an enabler, did you see this one:

M5Stack Cardputer Kit w/ M5StampS3

Description Cardputer is a card-sized portable computer that is perfect for engineers. At the heart of Cardputer is the M5StampS3, a mini development board based on the ESP32-S3 chip. Cardputer features a powerful dual-core processor, supports Wi-Fi functionality and integrates various...

shop.m5stack.com

yes. That's what pulled me toward the knob.