Commander X16

Hey everybody,

Greetings from Denmark, the least Scandinavian part of Scandinavia.

I was told about the command x16 project, because I was dumb enough to start a similar project on my own, but using a Motorola 68000, original DIP-64 version, instead of a 6502. So far, I'm still waiting for parts so nothing is working at all (I'm not even at the amateur stage of designing computers). So naturally, I had to have a look.

My experience with 8-bit and even 16-bit hardware is restricted to playing with computers of friends, mostly the C64 and older Amigas. My most memorable experience was playing around with a 80286 my school had lying around, they had no idea about what to do with, so it was just stored in my classroom. Before long I had my first pixel-scrolling JRPG-like world engine running on it.

So here I am, ready to get chickens in my farm house from 1920 and about to burn ICs while trying to get a computer functional a la 1979.

On 2/15/2022 at 1:28 PM, Jormundgand said:

similar project on my own, but using a Motorola 68000, original DIP-64 version, instead of a 6502. So far, I'm still waiting for parts so nothing is working at all (I'm not even at the amateur stage of designing computers).

That's certainly jumping in feet first!

Welcome!

On 2/15/2022 at 5:28 AM, Jormundgand said:

I was dumb enough to start a similar project on my own, but using a Motorola 68000, original DIP-64 version, instead of a 6502.

Likewise, welcome!

The 68000 is certainly a great processor that helped advance computing to the next level in its day. They powered several different computers, unlike the X86 line which gave just the PC. I wonder what would have happened if IBM had gotten behind the processor.

 I don't think that its a dumb idea, but it would certainly be a step up from an 8 bit 6502 system. Consider finding a copy of Alan Clements' Microprocessor Systems Design: 68000 Family Hardware, Software, and Interfacing  https://www.amazon.com/Microprocessor-Systems-Design-Hardware-Interfacing/dp/0534948227 as a good solid read to guide you on that project.  

When the X16 ships, perhaps the kit will make a good trainer project on your way to a 68K system. 

 

PS - With chickens, perhaps you could be a supplier of 100% authentic "chicken lips" for the x16 community. ?

On 2/15/2022 at 6:45 PM, Edmond D said:

 I don't think that its a dumb idea, but it would certainly be a step up from an 8 bit 6502 system. Consider finding a copy of Alan Clements' Microprocessor Systems Design: 68000 Family Hardware, Software, and Interfacing  https://www.amazon.com/Microprocessor-Systems-Design-Hardware-Interfacing/dp/0534948227 as a good solid read to guide you on that project.  

Already got that one ? I acknowledge that I know nothing about this, so looking up all the information I can was priority 1. Lots of people have recommended that book over the ages.

Regarding what would have happened if IBM had chosen the m68k over the x86, I think the main difference would be that we would have gotten 32 bit systems faster. The m68k was superior to the x86 pretty much until they stopped developing it, switching to PowerPC, but in the end, a CPU is a CPU is a CPU is a CPU. The m68k is simpler to design around, than the x86. I wrote a kernel for the x86 about 10 or so years ago and I hated it. The memory tables you have to set up has the most horrible format I could imagine anyone ever designing. Switching to 64 bit mode is a PITA too.

I managed to get one thing working yesterday -- minipro refused to acknowledge that my EEPROM was the version I thought they were. Turns out I got an upgraded version, twice as large but otherwise the same, that was marked wrong. Sometimes when your supplier tries to cheat you, its to your advantage.