Learning Single Board Computers

Hello people of the element 14 community! My name is Nehemiah and I am 14 years old. Over the past two years I have been learning electronics such as arduino and a little bit of raspberry pi. I have made a few projects with my arduino (one being my science fair project) and want to do more advanced things. I watch this video by Ben Heck (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXllm5JWWAs&list=UUhturLXwYxwTOf_5krs0qvA) and wanted to do something similar to that. Could anyone give me a link to the explanation of single board computers and projects like that? That would be so helpful!

Thanks in advance,

Nehemiah

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dougw over 10 years ago +1

If you want to try an ambitious retro build, the AIM 65 was a cool single board computer: The schematics are posted here: Rockwell AIM-65 and 6502 related devices Index of /aim65

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dougw over 10 years ago

Maybe your next step should be a computer kit where the parts are supplied and there are instructions and support to help get it working.
You could check out the Maximite Color Computer kit to see if it is about the right level.
Note there are many variations of Maximite from several different suppliers so be sure to check which one looks most interesting to you.
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Problemchild over 10 years ago in reply to dougw

I must agree with Douglas, a kit or a very well documented project would be the way to go.
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dougw over 10 years ago in reply to Former Member

Yes, he calls it a ROM. You can build or buy an EPROM emulator, but they don't seem to be low-cost. I might try it with a FRAM chip or a non-volatile static RAM chip (both available from Cypress Semiconductor), but this is beyond a simple cookbook build.
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Problemchild over 10 years ago in reply to Former Member

Yes the 27128 is an EPROM part. If they are supplying a working image then this isn't too bad .

You will still require the EPROM programmer and Eraser and a few EPROMS but you should have near instant satisfaction.

Having to wait for an EPROM to be UV erased is a source of great frustration ..Buy a few and cycle them as you are working and this will save you waiting 10-20 mins per mistake. I used to hate that bit !
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Former Member over 10 years ago in reply to Problemchild

Do you recommend any EPROM programmers or erasers?
I have about $50 USD to spend!

Thanks,
Nehemiah
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Problemchild over 10 years ago in reply to Former Member

At that kind of budget you'll need to got to EBAY something like
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOP853-USB-Universal-Programmer-40-Pin-Socket-12-MHz-s-EPROM-MCU-GAL-PIC-PLCC-/291285858875?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item43d1fd7a3b
for the programmer
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UV-Eprom-Eraser-Erase-Ultraviolet-Light-Erasable-New-Timer-/271646003634?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f3f5d11b2
for the eraser (Check for compatibility in your country)

You can get better kit from a store but the budget would be blown
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Problemchild over 10 years ago in reply to Problemchild

Check Ben Heck's Apple clone build it's actually quite good this time.

http://www.element14.com/community/community/experts/benheck?ICID=hp-e14TV-topvideo#bhtrailer
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Former Member over 10 years ago in reply to Problemchild

Is this the cheapest they go because I would still have to buy the rest of the parts!

Thanks,
Nehemiah
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Former Member over 10 years ago in reply to Problemchild

Could I make an eprom programmer by myself? Would that be cheaper?

Thanks again
Nehemiah
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Problemchild over 10 years ago in reply to Former Member

You can go cheaper but in reality you need one that works reliably and with out too much hassle so that kind of figure is what you need
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dougw over 10 years ago in reply to Former Member

/dev/meeprommer | Ich bin zuständig!
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Problemchild over 10 years ago in reply to dougw

Nice one Doug I wanted to show him one using modern components that didn't need a PC parallel port and old software. This fits the bill!
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Problemchild over 10 years ago in reply to dougw

Nice one Doug I wanted to show him one using modern components that didn't need a PC parallel port and old software. This fits the bill!
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