Let's build a Z80 computer, part one

I'd mentioned some time ago that I wanted to build a Z80 computer and there's no time like the present! Or, rather, it sounded like fun this weekend.
This is a slightly different styled video, I do a lot of background here, let me know if it's as boring as your grandfather's stories about the Great Veruca Hunt of '37.
Part two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvTsQUEKWDo

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• geek
• z80
• computer
• build
• homebuilt

[saramakos]

I am trying from scratch like you and am NOT having any luck with the clock... I am using an Arduino for the clock as I have no NAND gates (yes I am sufficiently ashamed ;) ) and am assuming I should just be toggling it from digitalwrite(HIGH)/(LOW) for the clock to single step through? I have one arduino pin connected directly to Pin 6. Does that sound right to the more experienced Z80 fans here? Sorry to hijack your comments JP :)

[jpkiwigeek]

@saramakos That's what I'm doing, too. Pin13 on the Ard (I use it 'cos it has the LED on it) is set to OUTPUT and then I delay, digitalWrite(LOW), delay, digitalWrite(HIGH), and loop. Are you sharing GND with the Z80 circuit to give it a GND reference? (connect GND on the Ard to any ground plane on your test circuit)

[anakinseviltwin]

Are you going to complete this series? Im looking to build a z80 computer, although i have no experience in hardware, and little to none in software.

[jpkiwigeek]

@anakinseviltwin You betcha. Working on a UART. I try to post every 4wks at least.

[anakinseviltwin]

@jpkiwigeek That being said, any tips for an absolute beginner? :D

[jpkiwigeek]

@anakinseviltwin z80.info is a gold mine. Reread datasheets at the first hint something isn't doing what you think it should. A Logic Analyser is an expensive tool, but worth its weigh in gold. Start very small and work your way up in scope.

[Slovenija12345]

when i disconnect ground from z80 all lights light up and it doesnt get hot, but it doesnt work.

[Slovenija12345]

@Slovenija12345

it gets more than 40+ *c

[Slovenija12345]

WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY Z80?

I puted it in socket of this tester and it didn't output D0 and it was very hot.

Hour before it was ok but now is shity its maiby the clock?

[cnoyes72]

As of 2003 Rockwell was still making 6502's. Cool video! I've been thinking of playing around with the Z80 myself.

[Quaaludedude714]

Logical to my Brain :) QC

[Redhawk579]

@jpkiwigeek how long should the delay be

[TheOneToxic]

@saramakos

Use the 4095 shmitt trigger and instead, produces a very nice clock signal ;D

[sciman001]

NICE!

[JUSTforwhitlisting]

got one from a printer