RC2014 Pro and CP/M

[Jeff Greer]

I would like to purchase an RC2014 Pro with backplane and just the modules needed to boot into CP/M.

It is not clear which modules would be the minimum.

Do I need to purchase the $199 package or would something less get started?

Thank you,

v/r

Jeff

[Phillip Stevens]

To get started the PRO kit is a good start, there is the Grant Searle CP/M version, which uses an 8-bit CF interface.

You don't need the dual clock module, but you have it for when you do want to use it.

To use the CP/M-IDE, then add an 16-bit IDE adapter module which supports both CF and PATA hard drives.

To use the ROMWBW CP/M, then add a 512/512kB ROM/RAM module.

This will support all the hardware you have and options that are available.

Phillip

[Phillip Stevens]

On Thursday, 30 August 2018 12:59:29 UTC+10, Phillip Stevens wrote:

Jeff wrote:

I would like to purchase an RC2014 Pro with backplane and just the modules needed to boot into CP/M.

It is not clear which modules would be the minimum.

Do I need to purchase the $199 package or would something less get started?

To get started the PRO kit is a good start, there is the Grant Searle CP/M version, which uses an 8-bit CF interface.

You don't need the dual clock module, but you have it for when you do want to use it.

Correction. You DO need the dual clock module.

So the PRO kit is the minimum starting point.

My excuse... I was thinking "CTC" whilst reading "dual clock module".

Phillip

[Mark T]

It depends on your experience and available equipment.

Recent system posted by Tom is more compact and possibly lower cost, but you'd probably need an eprom programmer, and you'd need to source components and boards from different sources.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rc2014-z80/93AboThhkTI

Complete kit from Spencer would be easier and more certain to give you a working system.

Mark

[Spencer Owen]

Hi Jeff,

Yes, the modules in the $199 RC2014 Pro kit are the minimum that you'd need to run CP/M

You could save a bit of money by buying the individual PCBs (CPU, ROM, RAM, CF Storage, Clock, Serial and Backplane Pro) and sourcing your own chips, sockets, connectors, etc.

Alternatively, you could build a RomWBW based machine with just a CPU, Clock, Serial, 512k ROM/RAM and Backplane 5. That would be more minimal, although you would probably want to add some form of storage, such as either the CF Module or the IDE Module + hard drive.

But, yes, the RC2014 Pro kit for $199 is designed to be the simplest way to get CP/M up and running :-)

Spencer 

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[karlab]

Hi all

Just for the information; there are two main routes to running CP/M on RC2014 systems, RC-CP/M and ROMWBW-CP/M.

The latter is actively developed and do support many new third-party modules.

If you are going to run CP/M and applications, the RC2014 Pro kit is highly recommended (RC-CP/M).

If you are planning to go a bit further, ROMWBW-CP/M is in my view more future-proof.

Available on TINDIE (not Tinder)

alternative 1;   6 modules / 12 slots backplane

RC2014 Pro - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit, RFC2795 Ltd         $199.00

add later 

512k ROM 512k RAM RomWBW Module for RC2014, RFC2795 Ltd $102.40

alternative 2;   4 modules / 5 slots backplane

Z80 CPU, Clock and Reset Module for RC2014, Tynemouth Software $25.00

512k ROM 512k RAM RomWBW Module for RC2014, RFC2795 Ltd $102.40

Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014 Computer, RFC2795 Ltd $55.52

SIO/2 Dual Serial Module for RC2014, RFC2795 Ltd                 $39.00

Backplane 5 for the RC2014 Bus, DTRONIXS                 $15.00

total                                                $236.92 

If you do not want to start with a full system, but build up from a simpler system there are other alternatives.

Karl

[Phillip Stevens]

Spencer wrote:

Yes, the modules in the $199 RC2014 Pro kit are the minimum that you'd need to run CP/M

Alternatively, you could build a RomWBW based machine with just a CPU, Clock, Serial, 512k ROM/RAM and Backplane 5. That would be more minimal, although you would probably want to add some form of storage, such as either the CF Module or the IDE Module + hard drive.

I'd like to weigh in on the side of getting the Ed / Spencer IDE Module for CP/M storage needs.

1. Keeping storage on spinning rust is more retro respectful than using new-fangled Compact Flash.

2. The 16-bit wide IDE interface is a more widely used standard, and supports both CF (in native 16 bit mode), and PATA hard drives.

3. Per bit of storage IDE drives are far cheaper than CF drives (about 40x following a quick web search), are more widely available, and are far more reliable.

4. The IDE interface is actually implemented using a 82C55 24 bit PIO device (3x 8-bit ports) that can support many more I/O options than just a disk interface.

5. The IDE interface drivers supports the FAT32 file system, and therefore can support literally 65,517 CP/M drives on a single disk. Knock yourself out.

Off the back of this discussion, the cheapest CP/M option is then...

Alternative 3;   5 modules / 5 slots back-plane

Z80 CPU, Clock and Reset Module for RC2014, Tynemouth Software $25.00

64k RAM Module for RC2014, RFC2795 Ltd $22.42

64k Pageable ROM Module for RC2014, RFC2795 Ltd $21.67

8255 IDE Disk Drive Interface for RC2014 Computer, RFC2795 Ltd $55.52

SIO/2 Dual Serial Module for RC2014, RFC2795 Ltd                 $39.00

Back-plane 5 for the RC2014 Bus, DTRONIXS                 $  9.00

Total                                                $172.61 

[Jeff Greer]

All,

Thank you for the excellent information. It looks like I have two options to choose from. I will probably go with the Pro version. I am handy with a soldering iron but my hands and eyes aren't what they used to be. I was hoping to minimize that side of things. I will just have to take it slow and minimize errors.

I will order tonight.

Thank you again,

v/r

Jeff

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[brwella...@gmail.com]

Hi Jeff,

If all you want is CPM then you could just buy the RC2014 Mini and add the RomWBW module. This will give you a full CPM system at the same cost of a full PRO kit. At a later date you could always add one of the various backplanes available and thus add extra modules if required.

The main advantage here is that it minimises the amount of soldering etc. initially required but naturally you will loose some of the flexibility required for making full use of some of the other RC2014 type modules that are available. 

[karlab]

But you would have to add a storing device.

alternative 4. 

RC2014 Full Monty kit RFC2795 Ltd         $99.00

512k ROM 512k RAM RomWBW Module for RC2014, RFC2795 Ltd $102.40

8255 IDE Disk Drive Interface for RC2014 Computer, RFC2795 Ltd $55.52

Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014 Computer, RFC2795 Ltd $55.52

[karlab]

previous message posted by accident :) 

But you would have to add a storing device.

alternative 4. 

RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit, RFC2795 Ltd         $99.00

512k ROM 512k RAM RomWBW Module for RC2014, RFC2795 Ltd $102.40

either

8255 IDE Disk Drive Interface for RC2014 Computer, RFC2795 Ltd $55.52

or 

Compact Flash Module for CP/M RC2014 Computer, RFC2795 Ltd $55.52

alternative 5.

RC2014 Classic - Homebrew Z80 Computer Kit, RFC2795 Ltd         $99.00

RC2014 CP/M Upgrade Kit for Full Monty, RFC2795 Ltd                                $88.00

total                                                                                                                 $187.00

karl

                

[Jeff Greer]

I just ordered the Pro version along with the Digital I/O board. I may need some guidance as I progress. It is going to be a retro adventure!

Thank you

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[RPP]

The Pro is a bargain at $199 since it comes with everything you need. No muss no fuss. I bought one about a couple of months ago, and absolutely love it. The kit was very well packaged and organized. It would have been almost as good as a Heathkit if there was better documentation. It worked the first time I powered it up!

[Jeff Greer]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I had a lot of experience with Heathkit back in the day. I actually used an old Weller soldering gun for all of the point to point joints. I converted to a temp controlled Weller back in the 90s. I have one of the very early Elecraft K2's that I built somewhere back then. Still works. I intend to pass it on to my EE daughter that is a Chief Electrical Engineer in Huntsville. 

Jeff

On Tue, Sep 4, 2018 at 7:32 PM RPP <rppo...@gmail.com> wrote:

The Pro is a bargain at $199 since it comes with everything you need.  No muss no fuss.  I bought one about a couple of months ago, and absolutely love it.  The kit was very well packaged and organized.  It would have been almost as good as a Heathkit if there was better documentation.  It worked the first time I powered it up!

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