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Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 19 Jul 2024 09:15
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 19 Jul 2024 03:15
Looks really good !
Well done.
Thanks :)
I'm pleased with the progress, but if anyone is thinking of building one, I'd suggest that unless you want to get as close to the original as possible, you go for something like Chris Oddy's MK14E found here:
MK14 E
The reason for this is that things like the RAM used by the original is difficult to find, and the MK14E has replaced this with easier to find RAM and ROMs. I specifically wanted to have mine more original, though I may build a MK14E in the future.
Also, there is an add in card that allows you to replace the RAM/ROMs by plugging into the CPU socket, so there are options.
Fingers crossed the display will arrive today.
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 19 Jul 2024 13:47
by rubber_jonnie
And the display is here:

- IMG20240719133746.jpg (351.13 KiB) Viewed 1089 times
Small amount of assembly to do and then installation to the MK14.
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 19 Jul 2024 14:15
by rubber_jonnie
And the display is assembled:

- IMG20240719140952.jpg (264.89 KiB) Viewed 1084 times

- IMG20240719140955.jpg (244.96 KiB) Viewed 1084 times
Built to plug in and be removable in the event I can find an original LED display.

- IMG20240719141006.jpg (300.31 KiB) Viewed 1084 times
And there are signs of life:

- IMG20240719141017.jpg (282.76 KiB) Viewed 1084 times
The display flickers when I hit reset, so just waiting on the RAM now.
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 19 Jul 2024 14:22
by HigashiJun
rubber_jonnie wrote: 19 Jul 2024 14:15
The display flickers when I hit reset, so just waiting on the RAM now.
So the end of this nice project is approaching...
:(
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 19 Jul 2024 14:28
by rubber_jonnie
HigashiJun wrote: 19 Jul 2024 14:22
rubber_jonnie wrote: 19 Jul 2024 14:15
The display flickers when I hit reset, so just waiting on the RAM now.
So the end of this nice project is approaching...
:(
It is indeed, looking forward to trying some programming on it. Unless of course I have to troubleshoot it first :)
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 24 Jul 2024 13:46
by rubber_jonnie
Somebody over here:
Vintage Radio Forum kindly sent me over a proper OG style display taken from a dead Texet calculator :)

- IMG20240724130223.jpg (513.28 KiB) Viewed 954 times
And since the newer type display I had I made plug in, it was easy enough to follow suit with that display:

- IMG20240724132043.jpg (244.68 KiB) Viewed 954 times
Though it is so tiny it's unbelieveable!! Yes, the display is on!!!
I guess we managed back in the day though.
Rubber feet will be here next, RAM will arrive, well, when it arrives!
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 24 Jul 2024 14:06
by stephen_usher
Yeah, those displays weren't great. :-)
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 24 Jul 2024 14:13
by rubber_jonnie
stephen_usher wrote: 24 Jul 2024 14:06
Yeah, those displays weren't great. :-)
It's funny, but I remember the one on the MK14 I had BITD being bigger, but memory sometimes plays tricks...
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 26 Jul 2024 11:13
by rubber_jonnie
The RAM has arrived :)
And it runs :)

- IMG20240726105106.jpg (366.69 KiB) Viewed 909 times
Admittedly it didn't run right away, but a CPU reseat was all I needed to get it going :)
Next I need to RTFM...
Re: A future project - Science Of Cambridge MK14
Posted: 26 Jul 2024 12:00
by HigashiJun
:cheer: