Mini PET - Build a Commodore PET from all new parts!
The 8-Bit Guy・2 minutes read
Received a package from The Future was 8-Bit containing mini-PET kits and accessories, soldering components and testing the mini-PET with various ICs and chips, discussing cost, compatibility, and software, including custom keyboard design and game testing on the PET.
Insights
- The mini-PET kit requires meticulous soldering of various components, including capacitors, crystal, power regulators, and more, with a detailed testing process to ensure proper functionality, showcasing the intricate assembly process involved.
- The PET computer kit, along with the Commander X16, offers compatibility with off-the-shelf software, Microsoft BASIC, and development tools, emphasizing the versatility and programming capabilities of these new 6502 CPU-based systems, opening up possibilities for software development and exploration beyond standard usage.
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Recent questions
How is the mini-PET kit assembled?
The mini-PET kit includes a pre-assembled keyboard and chips, with sockets needing soldering. Solder sockets one at a time, starting with low-profile items, ensuring flatness against the board. Inspect solder joints with a magnifying glass, fixing any missed or cold joints. Proceed to solder capacitors, crystal, power regulators, resistor packs, dip switches, and video output jack. Adjust DC barrel jack polarity with jumpers, solder keyboard connector on the bottom of the board. After hours of work, test the mini-PET by installing ICs, including 65c21, 65c02, 32K SRAM, ROM chip, and video RAM chip. Discover the PET video chip is an Atmel microcontroller, finish soldering and test the mini-PET on a TV. Troubleshoot a short circuit issue, find and fix a solder bridge causing a short, leading to successful power-up.
How can programs be saved on the mini-PET?
To save a program, press Play and Record on Tape #1, then reset the PET and load it back. The MSD dual drive is compatible with both IEC serial and IEEE-488 ports, allowing for disk drive support. An SD-2-PET cartridge can be used as an alternative to PET-compatible disk drives, emulating a disk drive with an SD card. Loading times on the PET are quick compared to later Commodore machines. The computer kit allows for off-the-shelf software and Microsoft BASIC, with development tools available for further programming.
What is the compatibility of the MSD dual drive?
The MSD dual drive is compatible with both IEC serial and IEEE-488 ports, allowing for disk drive support. An SD-2-PET cartridge can be used as an alternative to PET-compatible disk drives, emulating a disk drive with an SD card. Loading times on the PET are quick compared to later Commodore machines. The computer kit allows for off-the-shelf software and Microsoft BASIC, with development tools available for further programming.
How was the new keyboard for the mini-PET created?
A PCB designed by Kevin from Texelec allows for a PET keyboard matrix with Cherry MX switches, fitting in a real PET. The PCB for the keyboard was quickly produced by PCBWAY and assembled by Kevin, with the keys soldered in place. Keycaps were ordered and labeled to fit the Cherry MX switches, with custom labels printed and applied to the keys. The new keyboard was successfully connected to the mini-PET, providing a functional and improved typing experience.
What games can be played on the Mini-PET?
Various PET software games are tested on the Mini-PET, with some games like Defender and Ladybug running smoothly, while others like PET Panic and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy encounter compatibility issues due to the machine's limitations. The speaker has developed a tile and map editor for a real-time strategy game on the PET, showcasing its adaptability to other Commodore machines like the C64, Plus/4, and VIC-20 with minor code adjustments, hinting at the potential for various tile-based games on the PET.
Related videos
Summary
00:00
Building a Mini-PET Computer Kit
- Received a package from The Future was 8-Bit, containing an SD card reader for the PET and mouse pads.
- The mini-PET kit includes a pre-assembled keyboard and chips, with sockets needing soldering.
- Solder sockets one at a time, starting with low-profile items, ensuring flatness against the board.
- Inspect solder joints with a magnifying glass, fixing any missed or cold joints.
- Proceed to solder capacitors, crystal, power regulators, resistor packs, dip switches, and video output jack.
- Adjust DC barrel jack polarity with jumpers, solder keyboard connector on the bottom of the board.
- After hours of work, test the mini-PET by installing ICs, including 65c21, 65c02, 32K SRAM, ROM chip, and video RAM chip.
- Discover the PET video chip is an Atmel microcontroller, finish soldering and test the mini-PET on a TV.
- Troubleshoot a short circuit issue, find and fix a solder bridge causing a short, leading to successful power-up.
- Discuss the mini-PET's cost, size comparison to the original PET board, video output settings, and stand-alone use.
11:03
Retro PET computer upgraded with custom keyboard
- To save a program, press Play and Record on Tape #1, then reset the PET and load it back.
- The MSD dual drive is compatible with both IEC serial and IEEE-488 ports, allowing for disk drive support.
- An SD-2-PET cartridge can be used as an alternative to PET-compatible disk drives, emulating a disk drive with an SD card.
- Loading times on the PET are quick compared to later Commodore machines.
- The computer kit allows for off-the-shelf software and Microsoft BASIC, with development tools available for further programming.
- The Commander X16 and the computer kit are both made from new parts, run on a 6502 CPU, and feature Commodore BASIC.
- A PCB designed by Kevin from Texelec allows for a PET keyboard matrix with Cherry MX switches, fitting in a real PET.
- The PCB for the keyboard was quickly produced by PCBWAY and assembled by Kevin, with the keys soldered in place.
- Keycaps were ordered and labeled to fit the Cherry MX switches, with custom labels printed and applied to the keys.
- The new keyboard was successfully connected to the mini-PET, providing a functional and improved typing experience.
21:45
"Keyboard layout, games, and potential of PET"
- The keyboard layout of the PET computer differs from what the speaker is accustomed to, requiring the use of the thumb and two fingers, with the top row of keys producing symbols instead of numbers.
- A custom keyboard design has been proposed by Kevin as a potential replacement for the PET, with the speaker suggesting a re-arrangement of the keys to mimic a C64 layout.
- Various PET software games are tested on the Mini-PET, with some games like Defender and Ladybug running smoothly, while others like PET Panic and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy encounter compatibility issues due to the machine's limitations.
- The speaker has developed a tile and map editor for a real-time strategy game on the PET, showcasing its adaptability to other Commodore machines like the C64, Plus/4, and VIC-20 with minor code adjustments, hinting at the potential for various tile-based games on the PET.
