[vcf-midatlantic] Old computer I can learn to repair?

[Bill Degnan]

First you need to know you are working with a calibrated scope.  You should
thus test and learn with known working input sources.  Using a volt meter
or logic probe that you know works. .

Building a kit introduces unknowns, makes it harder to know definitively
that your signal is for example 5V.  Unless your kit building skills are
advanced enough that you know you will get it right the first time

On Sat, May 4, 2024, 9:08 AM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

> Good points.  Maybe this is a good time to build Ben Eater’s breadboard
> 6502?
>
> Benjamin Krein
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On May 4, 2024, at 8:58 AM, Sentrytv <sentrytv at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > Personally, I believe that you should learn the basics of the
> oscilloscopes how to set and configure, how to read and interpret the
> screen, and then how do use it in a practical application.
> >
> > If the scope does not have a built-in calibration tool, probably your
> best bet would be to either purchase, or even better, to build one, so the
> scope can be properly calibrated and you know it is accurate.
> >
> > Yes, of course the calibration source Has to be accurate.
> >
> > Once you’ve done that you can even start with an old handheld a.m. radio
> that runs off of a couple of AA batteries so that it is completely safe and
> use the scope to check waveforms while a signal is present and not present,
> just to get familiar.
> >
> > One of the things you may want to invest in later on and even now it is
> a MicroProcessor trainer, which you can easily use a scope on and will show
> you different signals.
> > The Z 80 CPU trainers are fairly cheap.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> >
> > Sent from:
> > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
> >
> >> On May 4, 2024, at 8:20 AM, Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic <
> vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> Yeah, I'll learn what I can with the computers I have for sure.  There
> is a
> >> motivating reward to fixing something broken though so I thought I'd ask
> >> around.
> >>
> >> That o-scope tutorial kit looks interesting.  I wonder if that'd be easy
> >> enough to build with spare parts?  I'm sure I can simulate plenty of
> >> scenarios with various microcontrollers too.  All good things I can &
> will
> >> do but those still don't have the same reward of actually bringing
> >> something real back to life.
> >>
> >>> On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 10:17 PM James via vcf-midatlantic <
> >>> vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> I just bought this to help me learn how to use an Oscilloscope.
> >>>
> >>>
> https://www.jameco.com/z/WSEDU06-Velleman-Whadda-Oscilloscope-Tutor-Kit-Generate-Safe-Real-World-Signals-to-Measure_2175568.html
> >>>
> >>> I haven't used it yet, but it seems promising enough for the price.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Fri, May 3, 2024 at 9:00 PM Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic <
> >>> vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Ben,
> >>>> You can learn a lot with a working computer.  I would want to start
> with
> >>>> something known-to-work.so you have control over those variables.  To
> see
> >>>> what a proper circuit looks like on a scope will be useful when you
> >>> compare
> >>>> to a non working machine
> >>>> Bill
> >>>>
> >>>> On Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:25 PM Benjamin Krein via vcf-midatlantic <
> >>>> vcf-midatlantic at lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> I just got my first ever oscilloscope (Zoyi ZT-703s) but I have a
> >>>> problem -
> >>>>> I don't have any broken computers! :)  Anyone have any old computers
> >>> that
> >>>>> are repairable they want to get rid of?  Probably something 8-bit
> just
> >>>>> because I'm an absolute beginner.  I'm also thinking something more
> >>>> common
> >>>>> just because resources will be easier to find.  Here's my wish list
> >>> but I
> >>>>> won't look any gift horses in the mouth!
> >>>>>
> >>>>> 1. Commodore 128
> >>>>> 2. Atari 400(xl)/600/800(xl)
> >>>>> 3. Apple IIc(+)
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I've always wanted an Amiga (500) but I'm not sure if that's getting
> >>> too
> >>>>> complicated or not for the scope I got?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I'm in the Philadelphia area.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> - Benjamin Krein
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> - Benjamin Krein
> >
>