Refurbishing an Old Intel Prompt 80 Microcomputer Tutor from the 8080 Era
In a fascinating display of vintage computer enthusiasm, Scott Baker has breathed new life into a broken Prompt 80 trainer, an 8-bit Intel 8080 CPU development system. The results of his assembly language programs can be heard and seen in a series of YouTube videos, with the embedded video below showcasing the Cylon LED program.
Baker acquired the trainer on eBay and, after a successful restoration process, input his first assembly program into the restored Prompt 80. The Cylon LED program, in particular, makes artistic use of the LEDs attached to the parallel port of the Prompt 80, creating a captivating visual display.
The author of the YouTube videos detailing the restoration process remains unidentified in the provided search results. However, BrendaEM wrote in to share information about Baker's channel, praising his work and the educational value of his videos.
Baker's work on the Prompt 80 doesn't end with just restoration. He has also written two assembly language programs that say "Scott Was Here" and "This is an Intel Prompt 80 Computer." The Prompt 80 serves not only as a platform for these programs but also for programming, probing, and debugging an attached CPU.
In his quest for improvement, Baker later upgraded to an 80/10B board, which increased the RAM and added a multimodule slot. He also attached his SP0256A-AL2 speech multimodule to the multimodule socket on the 80/10B board.
Interestingly, the trainer originally had an 80/10 CPU board, but Baker installed a newer 80/10A board. To address a failed power supply, he recapped some of the smaller electrolytic capacitors, ensuring the system's continued functionality.
In a remarkable feat, Baker also reduced a version of Forth to 8KB, fitting it in four 2716 chips on the 80/10B board. This achievement underscores Baker's deep understanding of the Prompt 80's hardware and his impressive programming skills.
For those interested in vintage computer restoration and programming, Baker's work on the Intel Prompt 80 is a testament to the enduring appeal of these systems and the passion of their dedicated enthusiasts.
