Skip to content
Gadgets — Technology

Refurbishing an Old Intel Training Computer Model 80-8080 Microcomputer

"On his blog, hacker Scott Baker undertakes the restoration of a Prompt 80, an 8-bit development system for the Intel 8080 CPU, which he acquired in a damaged state on eBay. He embarks on the restoration process..."

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
Refurbishing a Classic Intel 8080 Microcomputer Tutorial Device
Refurbishing a Classic Intel 8080 Microcomputer Tutorial Device

Refurbishing an Old Intel Training Computer Model 80-8080 Microcomputer

In a fascinating display of technical prowess, Scott Baker, a dedicated computer enthusiast, has successfully restored a rare Prompt 80 development system, originally designed for the 8-bit Intel 8080 CPU. The restoration was shared by BrendaEM, who pointed to Baker's YouTube channel for more details.

The Prompt 80, an essential tool for programming, probing, and debugging attached CPUs, was acquired by Baker in a broken condition from eBay. Upon opening the case, he discovered that the CPU board was missing. Undeterred, Baker set out to restore the system to its former glory.

The first step in the restoration process was to replace the missing CPU board with a newer 80/10A board, which Baker purchased for fifty dollars. He also repaired the failed power supply by recapping some of the smaller electrolytic capacitors.

With the power supply fixed and the new board installed, Baker was able to input his first assembly program: a Cylon LED program. This program, designed to make artistic use of the LEDs attached to the parallel port of the Prompt 80, showcases Baker's creativity and technical skill. The results of Baker's assembly language programs can be heard in the embedded video.

In addition to the Cylon LED program, Baker wrote two assembly language programs that make the speech multimodule say "Scott Was Here" and "This is an Intel Prompt 80 Computer". The multimodule socket on the 80/10B board was where Baker attached his SP0256A-AL2 speech multimodule.

Later, Baker upgraded the Prompt 80 to an 80/10B board, which increased the RAM and added a multimodule slot. In a remarkable feat, he also managed to reduce a version of Forth to 8KB, fitting it in four 2716 chips on the 80/10B board.

The Cylon LED program, showcasing the restored system's capabilities, can be seen in the video embedded below. Baker's restoration serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of vintage computing and the passion of hobbyists who keep these systems alive.

Read also:

Related

Latest