#16 NABU Personal Computer - Unboxing of NOS Z80 Computer 4k

[@JimmWare]

Yes, it has some of the chips of the MSX system. This is also the chipset of the ColecoVision Video Game System.

[@mc10guru]

Ahoy, Yeah it never clicked that those are the MSX spec chips. With 64k RAM getting MSX Basic working on it would be infinitely fun! daveyb

[@LYTOMIZE_Woodshop]

This brings back memories! We had this in my home for the short period of time its services were available. I was 9 or 10 at the time. I look forward to a second video!

[@MyGeekyHobby]

Oh wow! Thanks for sharing. It's great to hear from someone who actually used the unit :)

[@LYTOMIZE_Woodshop]

@@MyGeekyHobby It definitely was ahead of its time. And expensive. We had a neighbour across the street who got into the business. I can't remember how long it lasted... just not VERY long.

[@GORF_EMPIRE]

I too picked one up at the price after watching Adrian show his off. I'll be looking forward to someone coming up with a ROM or some way to make this useful. Subbed.

[@opp31337]

i got one too, well i should say i ordered one... did you get yours yet? i messaged the guy like a week ago and he told me i was DEAD LAST in line and got my order in right before ebay shut him down for being too new an account and selling too fast.

[@ipavemyownroad]

That joystick looks like a specific 80s "personal massager."

[@intel386DX]

Nice machine . It is strange why the power cord is nor detachable like everything else. Too bad that it can not do anything without the other part :( It is funny how the joysticks it uses are from Fearchild Channel F console from 1976

[@MyGeekyHobby]

hmm, not sure when the standard IEC computer power cables/sockets came to the market so maybe this was too early... Agree, currently the computer is useless, but with so many coming to the market I'm sure soon someone will port MSM or CP/M to the machine and it will become a "proper" vintage computer ;)

[@intel386DX]

@@MyGeekyHobby the dechacable power cord standard is from the early 80's , so no reason not to include this

[@mc10guru]

Ahoy, very interesting obscure computer. The second I saw the graphics specs I thought TI 9918ANL as in the TI99/4a computer and the sound is either a TI chip or a GI AY8910/12 chip. Then I saw I was right. It might be fun to try to modify it to run CP/M80. Have fun, daveyb

[@MyGeekyHobby]

Thanks for the comment David. Yep, cool computer ... we just need to get one of the OS ported to it ... CP/M MSX BASIC are all on the list :)

[@avrkris]

@@nemesis2264 Do you have any more details on that?

[@mattmyers9351]

This computer interactive TV was nearly 40 years ahead of it's time.

[@JimmWare]

I thought I had a listing for the ROM which contains a lot of nice assembly language BIOS routines. (I'm still looking for it.)

[@kensegler]

That would help a lot not having to disassemble it

[@garywilkinson5887]

I’ve just bought one of these and subscribed to your channel so I see what on earth I’m going to do with the thing!😂

[@MyGeekyHobby]

Thanks for the sub Gary. Now that Adrian released a video I expect a lot of people will start working on the software, we will all benefit :)

[@FRANKMSXDEMOSFORYOUANDME]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@MyGeekyHobby]

Thanks for the visit

[@JimmWare]

I was told many years ago when I got the NABU Computers that they were manufactured by Samsung. But I haven't been able to find any documentation to confirm this.

[@TheMadisonHang]

Wouldn't surprise me It's not like they started making smartphones overnight

[@ipavemyownroad]

Where were these available?

[@MyGeekyHobby]

I added some more info in the description, you can get a unit from pellmill.com/

[@therealfox]

Too bad the Server Software is missing. This would be awesome if there is an Backup with all games and Software on it. I tried buy the NABU from the ebay seller but shipping and tax are additional 100 Euro to Germany 😭

[@MyGeekyHobby]

...the box is really heavy, the shipping will be expensive unfortunately

[@upcoast]

I had to recycle a full set up last year.

[@Veso266]

Did it come with TV adaptor and floppy drive in the box or was this needed to be bought separatly?

[@MyGeekyHobby]

unfortunately not... but I managed to buy the TV adaptor later from another warehouse :)

[@JimmWare]

I don't know if the memory is the same as MSX or ColecoVision.

[@JimmWare]

I don't know if the memory *MAP* is the same as MSX or ColecoVision.

[@DJSures]

@@JimmWare No, but the hardware is similar. There's a lot of misinformation about this computer - I have a family history with it, so I can clear a few things up. While the coax transmission was 6mhz, the adapter communication to the CPU unit was only 111kb via rs422 connection. The OS is split into a few parts in ROM but also loaded from the adapter and coax. The data direction was download only, although they were working toward an upload that would require the cable companies to cooperate. The coax network at that time was developed for one-way communication due to the network hardware (i.e., amplifiers, combiners, and broadcasters). We had an analog modem test at home that allowed uploading to save your "work," but I don't think it went to consumers. The main customers of the unit were funded by the government because they were rural farmers in Alberta. A minimal paying subscriber count took the initiative to purchase a subscription, so NABU relied heavily on government support to connect rural communities. This was when the Canadian education system focused on computing and developing ICON computers. So there was a push to have computers accessible to everyone. The bus was a 30-pin internal header with 8 data bits and 4 address bits, so several floppy drive units existed. I have a floppy drive but no software. Due to being a modded CPM, the disks were compatible with IBM, Osborne, and several other computers. I am trying to remember if the disks made it to consumers, like the modem. NABU had developed a few different computers that were not part of the NABU network that was x86 based (not Z80) and ran xenix. I have one of those as well, 1600, I believe. Some friends have purchased these new old stock units from eBay as well, and we're working to re-create the network, similar to what york university had done. However, we'll use an ESP32, an RS422 adapter, and an internet server that broadcasts the data. Since the memory mapping is known, some Colecovision or MSX software can be ported to the NABU. If you're interested in memory mapping, the document you want to google is "Nabu_PC_Technical_Specifications.pdf."

[@JimmWare]

RESET: It looks for a keyboard, it looks for an adaptor, and I believe it performs a DRAM memory test.

[@CB3ROB-CyberBunker]

looks like 30 pin sipp ram connectos. but with a pinheader already in it for some reason.

[@MyGeekyHobby]

if you are talking about the 4 white connectors top right of the motherboard, those are expansion ports for additional hardware

[@CB3ROB-CyberBunker]

@@MyGeekyHobby which it clearly needs as there seems to be no way to connect it to anything to use it. :P disks.. network.. whatever :P

[@MyGeekyHobby]

@@CB3ROB-CyberBunker There is a connector that was used to "network" the unit to external unit called "ADOPTOR" ... that connector is in fact a 115kbps capable serial port so can be used to communicate externally ... but more pressing is the lack of proper OS. Something will have to be ported ... considering 1000s of those NOS units are coming to the market, I'm sure we will see something developed soon.

[@DJSures]

@@MyGeekyHobby We're working on it ;) Stay tuned! It is 111kb and RS422 for the adapter - you're close!

[@MyGeekyHobby]

@@DJSures Who are "we" ... where are "we" talking about it :) ??