NABU Computer Unboxing & Testing: Let The Hacking Begin
Here I unbox my brand new 40 year old NABU computer, test it out and discuss what I'd like to do with it in the future. The computer is spotless, and works perfectly, as much as it works without the NABU Network anyway. I was pleasantly surprised to find the computer in good cosmetic and working condition given the ugly state of the box it came in. 40 years in a dank warehouse left the box moldy, but fortunately the contents were perfect. I want to turn this old network computer into a stand-alone computer by re-purposing some of the firmware I've written for the Teletek Systemaster and my JAZ80 breadboard computer. I really didn't need another big project, but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to pick up my very own NABU. There is now a web page here dedicated to my hacking efforts on the NABU. Several videos and some firmware from my hacking efforts can be found there.

UPDATE: I am up to 13 video episodes on hacking the NABU computer. I've had a lot of fun working with this old computer, and there's a lot more to come.

The JAZ80 Homebrew, Breadboard, Z80 Retro-Computer Project Series

Introducing The JAZ80 Homebrew Breadboard Retro-Computer. based on the Z80 processor. This is the first video in a series. Here I introduce the rough, early breadboard computer that I intend to upgrade in future videos. I have also created a companion web page for this project that will have all the schematics, BOMs and example code for each level as I build it up. I created this computer as a software development system for another project. (See the Teletek Systemaster project below.) In this first video of the series I discuss how and why I built this system, and go over the improvements I want to make over the next series of videos to turn it into an awesome Z80 retro-computer. I have big plans for this machine. First I will upgrade it to Level 1, which will have serial communication, a monitor in ROM and eventually a BASIC interpreter. Level 2 will have shadowed ROM, a CF or SD card drive system and the CP/M 2 operating system. Level 3 will have bank switched RAM and the CP/M 3 operating system, plus maybe some other bells & whistles. I hope you will follow along as I make upgrades to and write firmware for this cool little retro-computer.

UPDATE: Over the course of six vido episodes, The JAZ80 Breadboard retro-Computer has been upgraded to full level 1 functionality. It is now an extremely usable little computer. Check it out. Level 2 upgrades will be coming soon.

Resurrecting A 486 DX2 66 Computer Headed For Scrapping
In this series of videos I work on restoring a viewer donation computer. It is a Compaq 486 DX2 66 Computer that was headed for scrapping for its gold and silver content.

3: It's finally done, and it is awesome! - In this third video of the series I install more RAM, a bigger CF card drive, clean up and repair the case, and finish turning it into a fully functioning and darn good looking system, plus I discuss more possible future plans.

2: Getting It All Up And Running Again - In this second video of the series I install a CF card drive system and MSDOS, and get the system booting up. I also contemplate future changes and modifications.

1: Pulled From The Scrap Heap, In Pieces - In this first video in the series my friend Rick Brock sent me a totally disassembled, 30 year old, Compaq 486 DX2-66 computer that was heading for scrapping for its gold and silver content. I put it back together and found signs of life in it.

A video of mine went seriously viral!
While we were away on one of our trips out west, a video on my new electronics oriented Youtube channel went seriously viral. It was a video I made about Radio Shack stores making something of a comeback. It didn't get much traction during the first month or so that it was up on Youtube. Then suddenly, while we were on vacation out west again, it took off like a rocket. In just a few days it got over 200,000 views, and well over a thousand comments, with 98.8% positive reactions. Holy cow! The Youtube algorithm really smiled on me for a while. This led to a lot of increased views on a lot of the other videos on the nearly new channel too, plus exponential subscriber growth. After launching the second channel only about six months ago, it blew well past Youtube's requirements for subscriber numbers and viewing hours practically overnight to qualify for monitization. So Now I have two successful and monetized Youtube channels that I have to keep making content for. Whew, that's going to be a lot of work. I just hope I can make the lightning strike a few more time like it did for this Radio Shack video.

A Bench-Top Power Supply Built From An ATX Computer Power Supply
In this video I show how to build a really nice bench-top power supply using an ATX computer power supply. It is a quick and super simple build, Inexpensive too. You can be up and running with a working, basic bench-top power supply in only 15-20 minutes. I'll also show you some optional upgrades to make it a sleeker and more useful power supply with only a little extra effort.

Resurrecting an old Teletek Systemaster S-100, Z80, single-board computer video series:

Episode 13: The Teletek Systemaster Has a Home!

Episode 12: Careful what You Wish For

Episode 11: BASICally Amazing!

Episode 10: Firmware Frenzy!

Episode 9: RAM and Serial I/O Are Working!

Episode 8: We Have Blinking Lights!!!

Episode 7: Virtual Floppy Format Issues

Episode 6: Floppy Drives: No Easy Options

Episode 5: A Failure To communicate

Episode 4: Powering Up With No Smoke!

Episode 3: Taking Cautious Baby Steps

Episode 2: Figuring Out How to Power It

Episode 1: Unboxing and Buyer's Remorse

Bringing a trashed Heathkit ET-3400 Microprocessor Trainer back to life video series:

Episode 3: It's Alive!!!

Episode 2: Baby's Got Back, Again!

Episode 1: The Unboxing (it has issues)

My entry in the 2021 Hackaday 555 Timer Design Contest

Assembly and testing of the Z80 MBC2 retro computer kit

PC Archaeology with Mike Video Series

Episode 1: What is this old Z80 board?
In this video I show off a mystery Z80 board that I think might have come from a video display terminal. I don't recognize the board and would love it if someone watching this video could tell me who made it and what piece of equipment it came from. Better yet, I'm hoping someone can point me to technical data on this board that would help me get it up and running again. UPDATE: A viewer recognized this board as the main board from a Human Designed Systems Inc. video terminal.

How to test salvaged Z80 CPU chips, and the start of a Breadboard Retro Computer

Testing Salvaged Logic IC TTL Chips for Use In Retro Computing Projects

My Favorite Electronic Surplus Stores series

Episode 3: A visit to Electronics Parts Outlet in Houston, Texas. In this video I stop at EPO in Houston while driving across the country from Florida to Arizona. EPO will now always be a stop on that trip. They store is amazing. They literally have everything. It is packed from floor to ceiling. You have to see it to believe it. Very friendly and helpful staff too. I could have spent days there. Unfortunately I only had a couple of hours. I'll definitely be back.

Episode 2: A Last Visit To Apache Reclamation And Electronics In Phoenix. In this video I take a tour of and shop at Apache Reclamation and Electronics in Phoenix Arizona. This is another of my favorite electronics surplus stores. Unfortunately they are shutting down. I got there as they were packing up the inventory to be shipped to their sister store Surplus City in Albuquerque New Mexico. I got one last chance to shop this amazing store and talk to the great people who have run it for so long. They and their store will be missed.

Episode 1: A visit to Surplus City in Albuquerque New Mexico. In this video I visit my favorite electronics surplus store, Surplus City in Albuquerque New Mexico. I give a video tour up and down the isles, and in the expansive yard outside. I visit this store often as it is on the way when I drive between our homes in Florida and Arizona. I always find something to buy here.