Questions tagged [8-bit-microcomputers]
For generic questions about 8-bit microcomputers. For specific computers please use the appropriate specific tag.
65
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Did any 8-bit machine select palette by character name instead of color memory?
8-bit home computers, and contemporary third-generation consoles, commonly displayed graphics with an array of character cells, a.k.a. character names, character pointers, name table etc, each of ...
2
votes
1
answer
148
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Connecting the PHI2 pins on W65C22 [closed]
A year ago, I started designing my own 8-bit CPU with discrete transistors (I know this is a crazy goal, but I'm mostly doing it to learn). Now before I order everything for my CPU, I created a PCB ...
8
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2
answers
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What were MECC's specifications for a school computer in 1978?
It is well-known that one key moment for Apple was selling 500 Apple IIs to the Minnesota school system in 1978.
I came across this video which discusses the background to that, including a reminder ...
3
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2
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Can anyone tell me more about flippy games?
I remember having a number of Mastertronic tape games for the Amstrad CPC 464 that could be used on a Spectrum too by using the other side of the tape. These were called flippys I believe.
Was this ...
16
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6
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Which 8 bit computer could display the most colors?
Which 8-bit computer could / can display the most colours on screen?
Please take into account undocumented/newly discovered video modes and other hacks. For example, static sprites supposedly allow ...
1
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0
answers
233
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Why is my crystal oscillator (4 pin DIP 4 MHz unbranded from ebay) producing unusable clock signal waves? [closed]
I was trying to make a Z80 computer (I tried with Intel 8088 and failed because I am dumb) so I bought a 4-pin 4 MHz crystal(from here:ebay listing) and I tried to check the crystal by connecting it ...
14
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1
answer
2k
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How did Altair 8800 interrupts work?
I'm playing around with building an Altair 8800 emulator in my free time in C#. I've read through the Operator's Manual many times in the past, and I'm refreshing my memory of late.
I'm struggling to ...
7
votes
1
answer
334
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Is there really any implementation of a Ada compiler/cross-compiler/interpreter for 6502?
I found some Ada compilers for CP/M machines but no luck for 6502-based C64/Apple II/BBC Micro. I'm not sure if Abacus Ada on C64 exists or how much a subset it implements for Ada.
There is, though, ...
9
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4
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Testing "8-bit readiness" with an emulator or pre-packaged kit
I'm working on a project that intends to implement a dynamically typed language on 8-bit systems. (That is, a CPU with 16-bit pointers and a maximum of 64 kB of RAM. Some language tricks are involved, ...
1
vote
2
answers
192
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Dump Mask ROM on MAB8421
I am trying to find a way to dump the rom contents of several MAB8421 microcontrollers. I know that on many 8048 MCUs, you can use the external access pin to dump the rom, but the 8421 doesn't have ...
9
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3
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801
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BASIC : POKE and PEEK prohibited on the same line?
Having been raised on an 8-bit Commodore, I was never afraid of PEEKs and POKEs.
I remember trying to accomplish something on a computer, in BASIC, using PEEKs and POKEs, and discovering that this ...
34
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8
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What made some 8-bit BASIC interpreters especially slow?
Most 8-bit systems had a BASIC interpreter that ran at a rate roughly commensurate with the CPU type, speed, memory bandwidth and interrupt status. Some systems, however, had interpreters that ran at ...
7
votes
1
answer
323
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Anyone have the 1975 edition of "An Introduction to Microcomputers, Vol 2"?
I'm looking for references to the EA9002, an ill-fated design if there ever was.
Practically the only place I can find it detailed is Osborne's Introduction to Microcomputers, where it was chapter 11 ...
28
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9
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Fastest 8-bit microprocessor for multiply-accumulate?
I'm wanting to identify which 8-bit microprocessor would have the best performance for a multiply-accumulate operation.
By "operation", I mean the minimal implementation for 16-bit operands ...
3
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1
answer
385
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What was the first personal computer store in Australia?
In the US, the personal computer revolution was kickstarted by mail order, which is the channel through which the Altair was sold. However, it did not take long for the new industry to be augmented ...