🇬🇧 Cambridge Computer Z88: Part 6 (Universal BackPack Drive) [TCE скачать в хорошем качестве

🇬🇧 Cambridge Computer Z88: Part 6 (Universal BackPack Drive) [TCE

Thanks to #PCBWay for their ongoing support! https://www.pcbway.com Now that we've replaced the keyboard, let's try the UBPD again on the Z88. I'm using my Z88 DE9-to-DB25 serial port converter to connect the device and have XOB Disc Manager on a ROM cartridge. Well, it works! I'm a bit limited as to what I can do as I'm still running OZ 3.0 ... with OZ 4.6.2 I can load "RAM Applications" (such as Jet Set Willy and Manic Miner). For now I can load BBC Basic programs into my 512KB of RAM (tried Z88 Transworld Golf). I could probably also load ROM images and write them to a blank EPROM cartridge (will try that next). And, of course, I can no doubt transfer documents. 00:00 ... Intro 01:40 ... Checking free RAM 02:15 ... Universal BackPack Drive and FTDI VDrive3 06:00 ... Configuring the Z88 & UBPD 09:40 ... Loading XOB Disc Manager 13:00 ... Types of applications on the Z88 14:15 ... Loading Z88 Transworld Golf (a BBC Basic program) 19:30 ... Filename limitations of the UBPD (8.3 vs 12.3) 23:49 ... Channel thanks & outro -------------------------------- From Part 5: Okay, let's finally upgrade the stock 32KB of XRAM (what NEC called their Pseudo-static RAM, a cross between DRAM and SRAM) to 512KB (4Mb) of SRAM (B=byte, b=bit). This should also reduce power drain. The upgraded RAM seems to be available even with the original OZ 3.0 firmware, showing over 500KiB free in the Diary application (♢EMF command). I'm using an Alliance AS6C4008 chip as they can still be bought new in PDIP-32 form for AU$11 each (Oct 2025 ... greetings if you're watching this in 2035 ... be sure to say "hi" in the comments!). Next job will be upgrading the stock 28-pin ROM (OZ 3.0?) to a 32-pin 512KB flash ROM with OZ 4.7.1. I've designed a small daughterboard to help with that: https://github.com/0ddjob/Sinclair/tr... -------------------------------- From Part 2: The Universal Backpack Drive (uBPD) can be used on the Z88! I almost got it working before the damn rubber keyboard stopped working. You'll need a converter for the Z88's serial board - a few options are available. I designed my own as I didn't order one with the uBPD, and it was the cheapest & fastest option for me: https://github.com/0ddjob/Sinclair/tr... You'll need a disk manager program on the Z88, perhaps transferred via serial cable using PC Link or Mac Link software. Luckily I happened to have an EPROM with it installed. Unfortunately then the keyboard stopped working before I could continue. Sorry but the keyboard on my Z88 seems to be rubbish. I want to see if I can design a replacement so I can make my Z88 actually usable ... okay, maybe there is still something I could do to improve the rubber keyboard ... ? -------------------------------- From Part 1: What Sir Clive did next. I've always been interested in this machine - a Zilog Z80 based, notepad sized computer with BBC BASIC and a decent screen. Not too sure about the rubber keyboard. But ... the machine does live on with various upgrades available. WoS info: https://worldofspectrum.org/z88foreve... Z88 motherboard mods: https://privat.bahnhof.se/wb782177/z8... Z88 Wiki: https://cambridgez88.jira.com/wiki ROM replacement: https://github.com/bkw777/aDIPters Z88 parts: http://www.rakewell.com/main/index.shtml Universal Backpack Drive: https://www.soigeneris.com/universal-... -------------------------------- Check out my Patreon for regular blog-type updates between videos - there is a free membership tier and two paid tiers (US$2 and US$5). There is also a one-week trial for the paid tiers so if you don't think it's worth it, then cancel ... no hard feelings ... I appreciate any support, even if it's just subscribing to my YouTube channel!   / thecluelessengineer   -------------------------------- Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com    / @whitebataudio