| BBC Model A / B / B+ |
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_system_s1.jpg |
/media/museum/logos/acorn_bbcb_logo.gif |
/companies/acorn-computer |
Acorn Computer |
| label |
value |
| NAME |
BBC Model A / B / B+ |
|
| label |
value |
| MANUFACTURER |
Acorn Computer |
|
| label |
value |
| TYPE |
Home Computer |
|
| label |
value |
| ORIGIN |
United Kingdom |
|
|
|
| label |
value |
| END OF PRODUCTION |
Unknown |
|
| label |
value |
| BUILT IN LANGUAGE |
BBC Basic |
|
| label |
value |
| KEYBOARD |
Full-stroke QWERTY keyboard, 64 keys, 10 function keys, arrow keys |
|
|
|
| label |
value |
| SPEED |
1.8 MHz |
|
| label |
value |
| RAM |
Model 1 : 16 kb\
Model B : 32 kb\
Model B+ : 64 kb |
|
|
|
| label |
value |
| TEXT MODES |
80 x 32/25 (2 colors) / 40 x 32/25 (2 or 4 colors) / 20 x 32 (16 colors) / 40 x 25 (Teletext display) |
|
| label |
value |
| GRAPHIC MODES |
640 x 256 (2 colors) / 320 x 256 (4 colors) / 160 x 256 (16 colors) |
|
| label |
value |
| COLORS |
16 (8 colors + flashing option) |
|
| label |
value |
| SOUND |
3 channels + 1 noise channel, 7 octaves |
|
| label |
value |
| SIZE / WEIGHT |
41 (W) x 34.5 (D) x 6.5 (H) cm / 3700 g |
|
| label |
value |
| I/O PORTS |
UHF TV out, BNC video out, RGB vide out, RS423, Cassette, Analogue In (DB15), Econet port, TUBE interface, 1Mhz BUS, User port, Printer port, Disk-drive connector |
|
| label |
value |
| POWER SUPPLY |
Built-in switching PSU |
|
| label |
value |
| PERIPHERALS |
Controler card for 1 to 4 5''1/4 F.D. drives (1 400 F.F)\
Floppy disk unit 5''1/4 250 Ko. (3 900 F.F.)\
Numerical cassette recorder 100 Ko. (3 000 F.F.)\
Second 6502 microprocessor with card (3 |
|
| label |
value |
| PRICE |
£399 (UK 1983) - 1181 (France, February 1984) |
|
|
| photos |
| adverts |
| hardware |
| connectors |
| software |
| emulators |
| links |
| docs |
|
48 |
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| BBC MODEL B |
|
|
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_system_s2.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| SIDE VIEWS |
|
|
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_sides_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP |
|
|
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_keyboard_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| BACK PANEL |
|
The Econet interface isn't installed. |
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_rearconnect_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| UNDERNEATH CONNECTORS |
|
**(1)** Tube expansion connector\
**(2)** 1 MHz bus connector\
**(3)** User port\
**(4)** Printer connector\
**(5)** Floppy disk drive interface\
**(6)** Auxiliary power output, mainly intended for the FDD unit. |
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_underneath_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| OPENED |
|
|
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_opened_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| MOTHERBOARD |
|
You may download the complete diagram of the motherboard.
**(1)** FDD controller\
**(2)** NEC 7002 Analogue to digital converter\
**(3)** 6850 Serial interface adapter (ACIA)\
**(4)** Cassette and RS-423 Ferranti custom chip\
**(5)** 6502 CPU\
**(6)** 6845 CRT controller\
**(7)** SAA5050 Teletext chip\
**(8)** 32 KB RAM chips (16x4116)\
**(9)** Custom chip in charge of bus and memory management\
**(10)** Two 6522s manage the various system I/O\
**(11)** Acorn DOS and BBC BASIC 16 KB ROMs\
**(12)** Underneath connectors. |
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_mainboard_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| PROTON VERSION |
|
Rare picture of a Proton version.\
Notice that the Reset key at the right hand side of the function keys was replaced with a Break key in the Model B version.
Thanks to **Jonathan Bluestone** |
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbc_proton_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| VIGLEN VERSION |
|
Viglen company made this improved version of the Model B. Major changes were:\
- A new case with separate keyboard,\
- 2 built-in 5.25" FD drives,\
- Additional ROM programs,\
- Separate power supply unit.
Thanks to **Mike Holdaway** |
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbcb_biglen_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| BASICODE, THE TRANSMISSION OF PROGRAMS BY RADIO |
|
The BBC was one of the systems which benefited from the Basicode standard.
The principle is quite simple: every user of a computer can create a program in BASIC by respecting Basicode's rules (limited number of instructions, line length limited to 60 characters, etc.). This program is then sent through radio broadcasts and recorded by the listeners who can then transfer it to their computer.
The first broadcasts took place in 1978 for 4 types of computers: Apple 2, Edixy Sorcerer, Commodore PET and Tandy TRS 80. Basicode was then improved and became Basicode 2. In 1983, the listeners of Belgium, Germany, Denmark, England and France regularly loaded numerous programs successfully.
In England, the BBC broadcast called "Chip Chop" was very appreciated by the amateurs of Basicode. It distributed a cassette tape containing instructions of use on one side and 18 demonstration programs on the other one. |
/media/museum/photos/basicode.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| BBC BROADCAST |
|
The famous "Making the most of your micro" BBC broadcast featuring the Acorn BBC computer.
The BBC wanted to have their own computer to promote through these broadcasts so they signed a deal with Acorn to produce the Proton under the BBC name. |
/media/museum/photos/acorn_bbc_emission.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| BBC NETWORK |
|
In this university, the network is composed of 16 computers and color monitors, a single disk drive and a printer.
Every user shares the resources of the same disk drive without any waiting time, as well as a unique printer through a spooler. |
/media/museum/photos/reseau.jpg |
|
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| UK ADVERT (JULY 1984) |
|
|
/media/museum/pubs/acorn-bbc_uk-pub_july-1984.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| UK ADVERT |
|
From Personal Computer World, October 1983
Here are some answers:\
"The BBC Microcomputers are the limousines of home computers. The graphics are probably the best' of any machine in this class. You are paying for Ii smart machine which would not disgrace the home of a professional."\
*Video World., Feb. '83.*
"Its design has given the BBC Micro an unrivalled potential for business, educational and serious home applications. It has been equipped to function as the heart of a system which can be expanded 10 suit its owner's need?"\
*Which Micro & Software Review, Feb. '81*
"The most attractive and exciting feature of the BBC Microcomputer is its enormous potential for expansion which will allow a higly expansive system to be built-up?"\
*Which Micro, June '82.*
"They (the graphics) are tremendously exciting, and they are one of the features that make this machine stand out head and shoulders above everything else that is available in the market place at this time"\
*Educalional Computing, May '82*
"It is expandable and has a powerful BASIC. It has superb sound and graphics, the software is readily available and the price is righ"\
*BBC Micro owner from Hampshire.*
"The basics are easy to follow. My wife has developed a program for teaching our daughter French vocabulary. Our daughter uses it mainly for games and simple programming"\
*BBC Micro owner from Co. Durham.*
"It is a very powerful computer, My husband has written his own data base. I have been writing programs and programming games. Even the children have written small programs."\
*BBC Micro owner from Devon.*
"No other computer can offer such ease of use when dealing with complex sound effects."\
*Which Micro, June '82.*
"It isn't often a journalist can sit down to write about a computer with the certain knowledge that he has never seen a nicer machine."\
*Personal Computer World, Dec. '82* "It has got huge potential. Besides playing the games, the whole family are learning basic programming."\
*A BBC Micro owner from Staffordshire.*
"Everything possible seems to have been done to ensure that this is not a 'dead end' machine.."\
*Personal Computer World, July '82.* |
/media/museum/pubs/acorn_bbc_pub_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| SECOND 6502 |
|
The Second Processor option features, in a separate case, a 3 MHz 6502 processor and 64 KB of RAM. It was connected to the BBC system through the Tube channel. The BBC RAM was then used as video RAM, so the full memory area of the Second Processor was available for user programs.\
Two ROMs was also delivered. The first one holded a new BASIC version called HI-BASIC that made full use of the new memory configuration. The other updated disc or Econet filling system.
Courtesy of **8BS.com** |
/media/museum/pubs/acorn_bbc_secondprocadv_1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| F.D. UNIT ADVERT |
|
BBC floppy disc unit was delivered with a 8271 FD controller chip and a Filing System software in ROM to be fitted into the BBC system.\
Two versions of F.D. units were available:\
- A single drive unit, single side, single density, 100 KB space.\
- A dual drive version, double side, double density, 800 KB space.
Courtesy of **8BS.com** |
/media/museum/pubs/acorn_bbc_fdpub_1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| FRENCH ADVERT #1 |
|
"Carefully, one last time... I compared everything and I offered myself a BBC"
Lucky guy, he must be rich at more than 6300fr the BBC... At the end of the text we can read :
"The price : 6300fr maximum. Of course it's not given. More expensive than some (but I had already eliminated them)." !!
At least they are honest. |
/media/museum/pubs/acorn_bbc_pub_1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| FRENCH ADVERT #2 |
|
"A step toward the future"
Hmmmm..... |
/media/museum/pubs/acorn_bbc_pub_jcs_1.jpg |
|
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| ROM PAGING CARD |
|
There are four ROM sockets in the standard BBC but the OS supports up to 16 sockets. The Watford 13 ROM board allows up to 16 16 KB ROMs to be selected at any one time by the OS. |
/media/museum/hardware/acorn_bbcb_romcard_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| LIGHT PEN |
from RM Electronics |
This lightpen is connected to the "Analogue In" socket. It is delivered with some software, including "Color Graphic". |
/media/museum/hardware/acorn_bbc_lightpen.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| VOLTMACE DELTA CONTROLLERS |
|
Voltmace modified its Database videogame system controllers to be sold for micro-computers, mainly Acorn systems : BBC and Electron (with Plus-1 interface). As the keypad was of no use anymore, it was reduced to only 3 fire buttons. |
/media/museum/hardware/voltmace_joysticks.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| 5''1/4 DISK-DRIVE |
|
|
/media/museum/hardware/acorn_bbc_disk-drive_1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| BBC FLOPPY DISK-DRIVE |
|
It was rather slow and used 100 KB floppy disks. |
/media/museum/hardware/acorn_bbc_floppy.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| CUMANA F.D. UNIT |
|
Cumana CSX-400S. BBC Compatible 5.25" disk drive. Selectable 40/80 track, single/double sided, 200/400 KB capacity. |
/media/museum/hardware/acorn_bbc_cumanadrive_1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| TORCH Z80 DISK PACK |
|
The Torch Disk Pack made it possible for the BBC user to run the CP/M operating system and use its vast range of software. The system included a Z80 microprocessor and 64 KB of additional memory. Some of the components were installed in the BBC computer.
**(1)** The Z80 microprocessor replaced the BBC's 6502.\
**(2)** 64 KB RAM dedicated to the Z80 and CP/M.\
**(3)** The Torch card was inserted into the BBC case and fixed with these fasteners.\
**(4)** The Z80 card was connected to the BBC through the 'tube' interface.\
**(5)** Some additional components had to be inserted on the motherboard.\
**(6)** Two 5.25'' 400 KB disk drives. Each drive was seen by CP/M as two 200 KB virtual drives.\
**(7)** Drive cable connected to the BBC disk drive interface.\
**(8)** These power cords had to be disconnected from the BBC motherboard when the Torch system was connected.\
**(9)** Power is supplied by the Torch unit, the BBC power supply no longer being used.\
**(10)** Power wires coming from the Torch power supply.\
**(11)** ROM chip holding the CP/M operating system (Torch called it MCP). |
/media/museum/hardware/acorn_bbc_torchdiskpack_1.jpg |
|
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| BACK CONNECTORS |
|
looking at the BBC back panel. |
/media/museum/connectors/acorn_bbcb_connectors_s1.jpg |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| JOYSTICKS CONNECTOR |
|
A pair of analog joysticks can be connected to this unique 15-pin connector of which only 12 are used. The connector is found at the back of the computer. The connections of both joysticks are perfectly symmetric.
(1) Right fire button\
(2) Right up/down moves\
(3) Right left/right moves\
(4) Left up/down moves\
(5) Left left/right moves\
(6) Left fire button |
/media/museum/connectors/acorn_bbcb_connjoys_s1.jpg |
|
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| BOULDER DASH |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_boulderdash_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| CITADEL 2 |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_citadel2_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| CHUCKY EGG |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_chucky-egg_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| CYLON ATTACK |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_cylon-attack_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| DAMBUSTERS |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_dambusters_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| ELITE |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_elite_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| THE WAY OF THE EXPLODING FIST |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_exploding_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| FORTRESS |
Zaxxon clone |
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_fortress_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| GRAND PRIX CONSTRUCTION SET |
Title screen |
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_grandprix-cs_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| GRAND PRIX CONSTRUCTION SET |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_grandprix-cs_ss2.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| MAGIC MUSHROOMS |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_magic-mushrooms_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| MATCHDAY |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_matchday_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| METEORS |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_meteors_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| MONSTERS |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_monsters_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| NEVRYON |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_nevryon_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| RAID OVER MOSCOW |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_raid_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| RAVENSKULL |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_ravenskull_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| SIMCITY |
|
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_simcity_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| WAR |
Title screen |
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_war_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| ZALAGA |
Galaga clone |
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_zalaga_ss.gif |
|
| title |
subtitle |
text |
image |
| ZANY KONG |
Donkey-Kong clone |
|
/media/museum/software/acorn_bbc_zany-kong_ss.gif |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| title |
url |
text |
| The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library |
http://8bs.com/ |
Lots of stuff to see and download |
|
| title |
url |
text |
| The BBC Lives! |
http://bbc.nvg.org/ |
The net's largest site catering for enthusiasts of Acorn's range of 8-bit micros |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| /museum/acorn-computer-atom |
| /museum/acorn-computer-bbc-master |
| /museum/acorn-computer-bbc-master-aiv |
| /museum/acorn-computer-bbc-master-compact |
| /museum/acorn-computer-electron |
|
29 |
|
yann64andClaude Opus 5.5
b274874139