Greetings from a New Member!!

[Joseph Corda]

Greetings
My name Is Joe and I just joined your group.  I wanted to introduce myself give you a quick overview into why I asked to join your Cromemco Google group.

My primary reason is recently I acquired a Cromemco Z-2 chassis which is in need of repair/rebuilding. The Z-2 came with (2) floppy drives, back-plane,  power supply, but no boards.  The Z-2 is still completely untested due to (2) broken fuse holders which I need to order.  Over time I would like to restore the Z-2 as close to an original configuration as I can afford.

I''m located in the North East US (in the New England States region) and have worked as computer professional for ~40 years.  That said, I'm relatively new to the S-100 realm and honestly my electronic skills are weak.  I am decent at soldering as I have practiced by building a lot of  "Retro Replica" systems along with a few S-100 card kits,  but my electronics knowledge and circuit design/troubleshooting skills are in need of of work. 

Well thanks for letting me join your group !
Joe

[Aron Hoekstra]

Hey Joe! Welcome to the group! I also have a Z-2D. For a full working original system, you'll need a minimum of 3 S-100 boards.. the CPU (Cromemco ZPU), Floppy Controller (4FDC, 16FDC or 64FDC), and RAM (various combinations of boards available). Once you get the fuse holders, you'll want to reform the caps before applying full power. There are various procedures available for this, I like just using a variac and slowly increasing voltage over the course of a day or two, but others may offer far more scientific methods.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cromemco" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cromemco+u...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/7e709441-9206-4754-b896-5fc2416bcb72n%40googlegroups.com.

[Joseph Corda]

Aron

Thanks for the info.. I have already setup a saved search on eBay for the Cromemco Zpu but will add searches for floppy and Ram.. 

I do already have a Cromemco [TU-ART] I/O card. ( I also have a spare Cromemco Blitz bus 21 port back plane just in case )

As for the power supply Caps I already have the variac.. as a few months ago I have help my brother fix a Imsai ( sadly  those caps wound not reform so had to replace) 

As for the fuse holders do you have any suggestion for a source ? . Digikey .jamesco amazon etc ?

Joe 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/CAD9iBDJJimS9S1QxcVQv_ecVxnjTX6ENCq5kq9CxsQ7qW_ku0g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Mike Stein]

Hi Joseph; welcome to the group!

FYI there is at least one ZPU reproduction (by Rich Camarda); the bare board is available from Todd Goodman for $22:

https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/doku.php?id=boardinventory

Genuine ZPUs are also available for around $150 (or less if  you're lucky).

As Aron says, you'll need a Cromemco FDC (I'd recommend a 16FDC or a 64FDC, not the 4FDC); if you're only planning to run CDOS then most memory boards will work, but if you want to run Z80 Cromix you'll need either at least two 64KZ-IIs or at least one 256KZ.

Good luck, and have FUN!

mike

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/CAACXqMf03O-oAzc0nYEASzE6KamXGMXchTBkvrhtpDR_KyoTuw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Joseph Corda]

Thanks Mike 

I will take a look at the ZPU repro card, I’ve also have a potential lead on a real Zpu card and 16FDC.  Hoping those work out 

As for Ram I been told in the past to stick with static Ram for my S-100 systems to  ease configuration but I see Cromemco oem ram all seem to be dynamic ..  so for this system I will look into the Cromemco dynamic ram cards 

Still a lot of research on my end as what to OS to run ..  most of the S-100 systems (and replica) I have used are running version s of CP/m ( usually 2.2 ) .   It looks like Cdos would be the logical starting point unless I locate those 64ZK banked memory cards .  Though I wound also like to try and run CP/M on it as well 

 

I see a lot more research in my future 

Joe 

  

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/CAHHfo1sr433a3Q0v6aRBaPED%3DC3oD4MGZ9z5O55Eb6zGw8fbMA%40mail.gmail.com.

[David Roberts]

Welcome,

Just for your information, there are Gerber designs available for the Cromemco Dazzler graphics board set you may want to consider at some point in the future (both revisions 'C' and 'D').

These cards require a certain amount of static RAM to be available for the graphics image itself.

The choice of memory card(s) may also be affected by the software you wish to run.

Dave

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/CAACXqMdrdvOpjoGKT4XovLVcrUJTVba8miqwhCsx9JEo59%2Bbww%40mail.gmail.com.

[Mike Arnold]

Welcome to the group and I wish you luck with finding the cards you need. There are plenty of knowledgeable people on the forum to help you if you need it.

By the way, if you cannot get a ZPU then see if you can find an SCC. They can be used as a ZPU if RDOS is put into ROM on it. You also have the additional benefit of a UART on board.

Mike

[Roger Hanscom]

Hi Joe --

Welcome!

I can vouch for the ZPU reproduction that is available.  I built one a while ago, and it worked perfectly ... first try.  It is an excellent project, although you'll have to find a bunch of 74LS367's (? I think that's right).  There are lots of them on the board.

Roger

[Joseph Corda]

Thanks Dave 

I have  heard of a dazzler card and I like the idea of building one .. I’ll take a look at the link you sent 

As for Ram I currently have a couple of static ram cards ( different makes) but plan to get some Cromemco Dynamic Ram cards when I get a chance  and see them At a good price.

Joe 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/CAC5emFFrob_dOi%3DE7x7Tjyv5ZJ%2BoEz_8V2HXDXmJSKMfyRSgEg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Joseph Corda]

Thanks Mike ..  but I think I located a ZPU

But will keep the SCC in mind 

Joe 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/208568f6-443a-4a6e-ba21-cb4e08040521n%40googlegroups.com.

[Joseph Corda]

Thanks Roger 

I think I located a ZPU.  That said I’ll take a look at the ZPU repro board as it might work for a  another project I’m working on 

Joe 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cromemco" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cromemco+u...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/CAJF4YRvBC_KAy9u6w4RdjaVFKTgM4ZE3mdp7x%3DRkXUepZfHCpA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Christopher Mallery]

Welcome.  I myself just restored a Z2 that was in a shed longer than I have been alive, lol. If you have any questions I just spent months debugging badly aged  ZPUs, ram boards, TU-ARTS and FDC boards.  I am also working on a 256KZ reproduction because I want it to be a 6 user cromix box accessible via the internet! 

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cromemco" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cromemco+u...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/7e709441-9206-4754-b896-5fc2416bcb72n%40googlegroups.com.

[Joseph Corda]

Christopher 

Thanks yeah I’ll. Be sure to reach out ..

Joe 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/CAPKaxwL6DoiE74%3Dy6N%2BrkCh6KyCEG5aTWQqZhh_S%2BNeBDNc9Kg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Aron Hoekstra]

Cool, let us know when you get it online!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cromemco/CAPKaxwL6DoiE74%3Dy6N%2BrkCh6KyCEG5aTWQqZhh_S%2BNeBDNc9Kg%40mail.gmail.com.