Gee-k.net

Loading software from a computer with an audio file was working fine (with the correct settings on the computer), but the audio jack was just hanging out of the case through the datassette key hole. Meaning the whole jack was just loose on the wires. I thought this was something that would be good to fix.
I didn't want to drill my CPC 464 case as it was in ok condition, even though I bought the 464 in question to modify. So I thought about it briefly and came up with the idea of just using the air vents to hold something I 3d printed in place, which in itself holds an audio jack. The wires for which could be hidden inside this wonderful new item.
A few measurements later, I had something mocked up in CAD and then used the 3d p... Read More!

This modification is one that was done just for the hell of it. I have so many LED's for creating my Ben Eater computer, and I'm not that far on with it yet as I've been doing other things like making this website.
I hope to get a bit more of it done in the coming months and document it on here.
Anyway! I digress again.

I opened up the CPC464 that I have for modding and took the keyboard out to get access to the power LED circuit. After de-soldering the old LED, I simply put in a blue one from my packet and made it fit as far down onto the pcb as I could, as it was a slight bit bigger than the original.
It was a tight fit, but it all went back together fine, and I now have a blue power light on my second ... Read More!

One mod that I found a while back that really peaked my interest was the audio input jack on the cpc464. This mod allows you to bypass using an old cassette to play audio files straight into the Amstrad. This means you are able to load software without having to record it to tape and hope that the recording went ok.
I bought some 3.5mm audio jacks when I ordered the parts to make my Amstrad Controller. Once they arrived I had a look over the how to page on the CPCWiki.eu website and followed the instructions there.

After I had everything soldered in, ... Read More!

The very first part of Ben eater's 8 bit computer is the computer clock. This is made by using a 555 timer, some resisters, capacitors and an LED to show it working.
Each time the LED is on, it represents a clock cycle. This will eventually control the computer cycles in a similar way to how an oscillator works on other computers.
I had another look at the video on YouTube that Ben made and followed it the best I could with the parts that I had.
I used a 220ohm resister instead of a 1kohm and tried various different capacitors for the clock speed.
At first the LED just stayed on and I wasn't sure why. I'm still not sure what caused it, but I fixed it by wiggling a few of the components and wires around.
I'... Read More!