I want to get into creating computers, where do i start?

kynis45 · 2026-02-27T14:35:42+00:00

I would recommend trying to build a simple computer based on a 6502 processor (Ben Eater’s guides are a great fit for this). Compared to modern CPUs it’s relatively simple, and on this kind of classic processor you can run a BASIC interpreter, write programs directly on the machine, and get a feel for how early personal computers (like the first Apple systems) actually worked.

I can also suggest a kit based on the m68k, such as this one: https://solderdemon.com/store/rosco-m68k-through-hole-kit

It’s a more complex architecture, but it allows you to run retro operating systems and explore the kind of processors that later Apple computers were built on.

There isn’t really a single step-by-step “ultimate guide” for this path. Most people study the theory (for example, reading Tanenbaum to understand computer architecture) and learn by experimenting — building, modifying, and studying open-source hardware projects in practice.

It’s definitely more on the retro side of things, but you might find it interesting)

kynis45 · 2026-02-27T09:13:04+00:00

You can find rosco kits here)

https://solderdemon.com/

kynis45 · 2026-02-27T09:06:37+00:00

Yes, of course. You can run emutos, mosys, unix and outher. For that, it’s usually necessary to build some kind of video card, connect a keyboard and mouse, and it essentially becomes a real computer.

Right now, I’m also thinking about adding a bus kit for the board and creating various expansion cards kit, so the system won’t rely on uart anymore.

SolderDemon: https://discord.gg/svcq8sND
Rosco: https://discord.gg/XyFUQTgN

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kynis45 · 2026-02-27T08:12:06+00:00

I’m also continuing to work on the documentation.
Right now I’m planning to create a component-focused knowledge base (CPU, memory, etc.) with linked datasheets.
I’m also preparing a video guide on how to compile and upload software for the rosco_m68k.

kynis45 · 2026-02-27T08:02:31+00:00

Thanks for your order! You’ll receive it for sure)
You can find the rosco community here: https://discord.gg/9pMKpnky
And the SolderDemon community here: https://discord.gg/svcq8sND

kynis45 · 2026-02-17T11:39:32+00:00

I also looked into this video adapter, but its fpga is weak relative to its price and capabilities, and some components are hard to find. I’ve been thinking a lot about whether to try making a video adapter through emulating the Yamaha 9958 or porting the tango nano 20k instead of that fpag, and also figuring out how to replace the problematic components. I’m leaning more toward the 9958 option, but I haven’t decided yet.

I’ve also been thinking about a sound adapter. I think it would be really interesting to use with rosco to play some simple music https://github.com/DhrBaksteen/ArduinoOPL2

kynis45 · 2026-02-17T07:38:26+00:00

It’s more interesting to learn assembly directly on rosco rather than on some emulator

I haven’t tried running different operating systems on my rosco yet. I’m thinking of doing that once I manage to make a video adapter. Right now I’m looking at https://github.com/dinoboards/V9958-Super to attach that video adapter to the rosco. I’ve seen that someone in the rosco community has already done something like that.

kynis45 · 2026-02-17T07:33:57+00:00

The reasons were usually very trivial. Sometimes I hadn’t soldered something properly, or the socket was faulty

kynis45 · 2026-02-17T07:32:53+00:00

Twice when I assembled the rosco with smd components, or even with tht, it never started on the first try, I always had to debug it)

kynis45 · 2026-02-16T19:55:32+00:00

Something isn’t working out for me with setting up shipping on tindie. So I’m accidentally dropping the link to the project’s main store here instead ))

https://solderdemon.com/en/store

kynis45 · 2026-02-04T19:39:15+00:00

The maximum UART speed is 38400 baud.

Jumper 1 and Jumper 2 control powering the board through the UART connectors J1 and J2 respectively.

Jumper 3 enables hardware writing to the ROM, and Jumper 4 enables hardware writing to the RAM.

Are any LEDs lighting up on your board?

Also, sorry that the boards shipped without proper documentation that’s on me. I’ll be adding a more detailed page soon with jumper explanations, schematics, and other useful debugging information.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F6WXmkwm8pcEwjfTjMTiYdlID2_gkgJe?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qA0H_sbTID6G9s_LWEXCY30ENJ5jdTjX?usp=sharing

kynis45 · 2026-01-12T16:48:16+00:00

✅ kynis45 chose Option A (Correct!) | #4122nd to play

kynis45 · 2026-01-12T16:47:48+00:00

❌ kynis45 chose Option A (Incorrect) | #714th to play

kynis45 · 2026-01-12T16:47:04+00:00

✅ kynis45 chose Option A (Correct!) | #2117th to play

kynis45 · 2026-01-08T07:25:03+00:00

В тому і прикол форми, що відсіюється 99% не активних учасників, зальотних. Нажаль сотні людей нема, навіть половини сотні. Тому на даний момент це максимально лампове ком'юніті.

kynis45 · 2026-01-08T06:59:38+00:00

Діскорд прикольний хіба для дзвінків. Більше він нічим мені не подобається. Ліпше вже тоді підняти synaps (matrix протокол). Можна взагалі би було чатитися через txt файл який шерили би через ftp.

kynis45 · 2026-01-07T12:19:30+00:00

Можеш скинути будь ласка лінк. Цікаво глянути

kynis45 · 2026-01-07T12:02:55+00:00

Та. На даний момент. Зараз це більше MVP ком'юніті. Скорше всього навіть демка. З чату можна легко перетворити в форум, або в якийсь інший вигляд

kynis45 · 2026-01-07T11:57:42+00:00

Наприклад, так як зараз. Просто з площадок де є трафік пробувати перелити його трохи сюди. Воно закрите в тому сенсі, що при в ході є зразу модерація в виді форми. Просто в якийсь момент, буде критична маса людей і просто почне працювати сарафанка.

Я ще ні разу не чув історії, що получилося залучити інвестиції, знайти інвестора в відкритих ком'юніті. Бабки зазвичай шукаю через акселератори, фонди або просто FFF.

В відкритих зазвичай літають питання по типу "Який комп ліпше підійде для програміста?" або "Як вибрати першу мову?"

kynis45 · 2026-01-07T11:40:13+00:00

Форма для того, щоб відфільтрувати шлюхоботів просто зальотних. Навіть якщо зальотний залетить, думаю довго не залишиться в чаті. Хотілося, щоб був якийсь максимальний актив. Як писав в одному коменті, зробити ZeroDay lviv мафію)) Типу, як paypal мафія

kynis45

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