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Vintage Computers Any vintage computer systems, calculators, video games etc., but with an emphasis on 1980s and earlier equipment.

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Old 12th Mar 2011, 7:23 pm   #1
terrybull
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Default Multitech Micro Professor

Found this today at a local emporium. I have never seen one before. I thought some of you may remember these.
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Old 15th Mar 2011, 12:04 pm   #2
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

I used to lust after one of those as a teenager! Never had any cash though!
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Old 15th Mar 2011, 9:41 pm   #3
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

I think I used one of these in my college days. Is that the one which had an assembler on board? It's a long time ago now and the memories are a bit fuzzy but I remember the name. I've recently got back into programming PIC's and this has brought back quite a few memories of sitting trying to work out why a program crashes or does completely the wrong thing after spending hours inputting hex codes.
Alan.
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Old 16th Mar 2011, 9:11 am   #4
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

I saw this at an auction and thought it looked interesting and I got it quite cheaply. I know nothing about it. There are several empty chip sockets where optional expansion items could be added, speech synthesizer, EPROM programer etc. Physically it looks brand new and seems to have never been touched. I haven't powered it up as I have no suitable power supply and intend to sell it.
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Old 16th Mar 2011, 3:01 pm   #5
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Looks like an interesting item, if you do decide to sell, please let me know as I may be interested.

Reminds me of the 6502 system I used to program in A-level. That had all sorts of add-on bits but was a bigger system all round.

Dave.
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Old 22nd Mar 2011, 1:18 am   #6
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

If you are interested there is all manner of useful stuff here on it:

http://electrickery.xs4all.nl/comp/mpf1/doc/

And you can still buy a new version:

http://www.flite.co.uk/microprofesso...ing-system.htm

Regards

James
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Old 7th Apr 2011, 10:25 pm   #7
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

I had one about 1980


I learnt Z80 assembler on it.
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Old 9th Apr 2011, 8:17 pm   #8
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Blimey, that takes me back!

We did machine code programming on those exact devices when I was doing my C&G course; as late as 2003(!)

I'm amazed they are still in production.

This is a good tool to play with if you want to learn how computers really work, but is no use without a copy of the Z80 instruction set. It does require patience, as I remember, though!

Cheers,

Colin


3E 0F D3...
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Old 15th Apr 2011, 9:43 pm   #9
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

just been given one this evening!

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Old 15th Apr 2011, 9:54 pm   #10
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

I have a Z80 Machine Code handbook that I had since 1982 if you want it for postage cost.
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Old 3rd Sep 2011, 7:09 pm   #11
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Quote:
Originally Posted by terrybull View Post
Found this today at a local emporium. I have never seen one before. I thought some of you may remember these.
Hmm! Always wanted one as they were very neat but very expensive, so I bought a much cheaper Maplin kit (GB86) instead.

By a strange twist of fate, some of the multi-IO add on boards for the Microprofessor became available from Greenweld about 10 years ago so I bought one and laboriously connected it to the Maplin kit, which until then had no onboard I/O capability at all.
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Old 4th Sep 2011, 10:19 pm   #12
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

I've got a box load of Micro Professors and IO board if anybody fancies one.
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Old 5th Sep 2011, 6:59 pm   #13
SiriusHardware
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Quote:
Originally Posted by donutty View Post
I've got a box load of Micro Professors and IO board if anybody fancies one.
Seriously? In working order? All ICs present on the boards?
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Old 6th Sep 2011, 12:18 pm   #14
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

I wouldn't say no to one.

Dave.
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Old 6th Sep 2011, 12:38 pm   #15
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Wow, I'd love one too...I can think of some projects for it already!
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Old 6th Sep 2011, 7:23 pm   #16
SiriusHardware
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Quote:
Originally Posted by davegsm82 View Post
Looks like an interesting item, if you do decide to sell, please let me know as I may be interested.

Reminds me of the 6502 system I used to program in A-level. That had all sorts of add-on bits but was a bigger system all round.

Dave.
Was that an EMMA by any chance? Same sort of concept as the Micro Professor, but 6502 based rather than Z80?

Last edited by SiriusHardware; 6th Sep 2011 at 7:33 pm.
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Old 7th Sep 2011, 8:37 pm   #17
neon indicator
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Here is code compatible to MicroProfessor, made in 1980 1st prototype of a Eurocard Z80 computer:
Jumpers for type of RAM and ROM
header for ROM/RAM expansion
Space for a National Semi RTC clock/calendar + 32.768kHz crystal , two diodes and NiCd, removed as it didn't survive power off. No Idea why.

It did play "greensleeves" (programmed by my wife) by connecting a loudspeaker to a PIO pin. Possibly with a external transistor, memory hazy.

1st computer board I made and last design to be done without CAD and taped up in red, blue and black larger than life size.

A few mistakes on rear. It's not all the original 1980 ICs and I have no eprom programmer any longer to make it go.
I'll Stick to PICs up to 18F with Pickit2 also ARM and MIPS with my home made JTAG interface.

It's also the the 1st Through hole plated and commercial made board. Before that it was just a hobby and the PCBs home etched. The revision of board had proper size outline, actual euro-connector, procoat, silk screen and the RTCC still didn't survive power cycle.

For comparison is a 2006 piece of Veroboard with complete PIC16F627 or PIC16F628 "system". No ICSP header, the chip is plugged into a programmer.
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Old 7th Sep 2011, 10:21 pm   #18
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Yeah, all working but not in their vac-moulded cases, not exactly in mint condition and no PSUs (just use a 9v adaptor).

Actually, I wasn't giving them away but they would be £5 plus about the same again for P+P... but that's practically giving them away. Just want to re-coup the cost of them.

Will start a new thread in Sales section.
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Old 7th Sep 2011, 10:30 pm   #19
donutty
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Oh yeah... and just to recap it's the Application boards I've got not the IO boards as I previously stated. My bad.
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Old 8th Sep 2011, 12:53 pm   #20
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Default Re: Multitech Micro Professor

Quote:
Originally Posted by SiriusHardware View Post

Was that an EMMA by any chance? Same sort of concept as the Micro Professor, but 6502 based rather than Z80?
You could be right there, it was definately 6502 and If I remember right it was a modular thing with PSU's in the base of the sloped front cabinet.

Programming was done via Keypad and 8-displays, there were provisions round the outside of the main case for things like lights and a speaker (with amp) etc.

If I was smart enough i'd go digging in my mum's loft to find my A-Level work and it would tell me in there exactly what it is.

Dave.
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