I have always wanted to design and build my own
computer. I finally decided to do it. I am using the 65C02 processor. This is
the same basic processor that was used in the Commodore 64, Apple ][ and other
old 8 bit computers. Amazingly enough, you can still purchase the processor and
supporting chips new. I didn't know much about electronics when I started. I
did a lot of reading for about 3 months to learn as much as I could. I then
spent about a month designing my computer and figuring out where all the pins
go. At the end of February, 2002 I started to put it together. Below are
pictures of my process. I'll keep updating them as I go along.
(Top view) First I laid out the chip sockets on the
wire wrap board. I also placed the power connector, reset switch, capacitor and
resistors on the board.
(Bottom View) Next I wired up the power connector,
reset switch, resistors and capacitor. A lot more will be connect to them
before I am done. This is just a start.
Then I started wiring the data connections.
Finally I have all of the connections done.
Here is the top view after I finished all of my
connections. Now all I have to do is plug the chips into the socks shown above.
I also need to create a serial and parallel cable. This will be plugged into my
regular PC to download the operating system into my homebuilt computer. I just
need to finish writing the operating system before I can download it.
Well it is finally working. I put the project off for a long time and got
back on it in January. I now have the
system working. I am using Basic as my
OS. My system is running at 1 MHz with
32K of RAM and 8K of ROM. Here are the
latest pictures.
I will keep this site updated as I make more
process. Be sure to check back.