My IMSAI 8080

Well that was a nightmare.

If you are into retro stuff, even modern recreations, I do NOT recommend moving country.

Lots of things break in subtle ways.

Finally got my IMSAI 8080 working again.

Yes, those of you of a certain age will recognise it as the computer from War Games.

Mine is a modern recreation that you purchase as a solder-yourself kit.

It’s not an easy kit to build but of course it is wonderful once you get it working.

The designer could not be expected to create it with transatlantic sea voyages in mind.

The SD card was broken in half so it has obviously received some rough bumps as it travelled.

Updating the software and ensuring everything was properly seated seemed to bring it to life, but I expect there are dry joints or some weakened connections.

In particular I might have to reflow the SD card adapter, which is surface mount so not fun.

Being as it is a modern recreation, with an ESP32 at its heart, that means we have modern conveniences such as wifi connectivity and virtual disks.

For me the draw was being able to code the thing like back in the day, but it is also nice to play things like Zork and Rogue!

I might even put COBOL on there, I hear there is going to be a lot of work fixing the work of young maga incels called things like “big balls” soon 😉

Next up, Global Thermonuclear War!