29 Feb
2008
29 Feb
'08
8:13 p.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org
[mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Josef Chessor
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 11:53 AM
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: front panel display for a modern PC
[snip]
I do dabble in PIC programming, and I've got at couple of 40-pin PICs
that would probably fit the bill with a minimum of other electronics
(or use smaller PICs with more support electronics). Heck, a
sufficiently simple microcomputer emulator could probably be
implemented on said PIC, at some point. (Those are ideas I've been
rolling around in my head for quite some time.)
[snip]
Hi,
I do not have much PIC programming experience but based on a little bit of
study and a small project, I cannot help but wonder a similar thing.
Recently I built a PIC 16F628 serial to parallel converter to change my
spare KayPro II serial keyboard to parallel output with the application
being to attach it to a Vector Graphic FlashWriter II video/keyboard card.
So far, I have gotten the program to run and can convert the serial stream
to light up 8 LEDs and a strobe LED but haven't attached it to the VG FWII
yet.
While working on this rather simple project, it kept occurring to me that
the PIC is practicaly begging to be made into a general purpose low chip
count computer. Add some address and data bus latches, static memory, an
EPROM, maybe a peripheral or two. The parallel and serial ports are
practically built in already. Yes, the PIC doesn't have your traditional
data and address bus but with a small 40 pin PIC protoboard like this, it
doesn't seem like it'd be all that hard to interface one to a small SRAM
like a 6264.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Microchip-PIC-Prototyping-Board-40-Terminal-PIC_W0QQitem
Z360012737667
The idea keeps kicking around in my head. It sounds like fun.
Thanks!
Andrew Lynch