Tynemouth Software
@tynemouthsoftware.co.uk
Making new things for old computers.
http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/
https://www.tindie.com/stores/tynemouth/
https://www.patreon.com/tynemouthsoftware
http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/
https://www.tindie.com/stores/tynemouth/
https://www.patreon.com/tynemouthsoftware
Pinned
I guess I should start off with some links.
I write a blog with a new post every Sunday - blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk
I sell my Z80 and 6502 based kits on Tindie (more soon) - www.tindie.com/stores/tynem...
Early access to posts and behind the scenes on Patreon - www.patreon.com/tynemouthsof...
I write a blog with a new post every Sunday - blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk
I sell my Z80 and 6502 based kits on Tindie (more soon) - www.tindie.com/stores/tynem...
Early access to posts and behind the scenes on Patreon - www.patreon.com/tynemouthsof...
I think those would have been 4108's 8K x 1 bit, although the board usually takes 4116 for 16K or 32K if you fit all 16.
But the 6550's yeah, nice idea, but they didn't work out.
But the 6550's yeah, nice idea, but they didn't work out.
February 10, 2026 at 9:29 PM
I think those would have been 4108's 8K x 1 bit, although the board usually takes 4116 for 16K or 32K if you fit all 16.
But the 6550's yeah, nice idea, but they didn't work out.
But the 6550's yeah, nice idea, but they didn't work out.
It is possible this was a dealer thing, rather than a Commodore thing.
If they were selling to businesses, they would be more likely to go for upgrading by buying a whole new machine every couple of years.
If only they could have had a Mini PET replacement board :-)
If they were selling to businesses, they would be more likely to go for upgrading by buying a whole new machine every couple of years.
If only they could have had a Mini PET replacement board :-)
February 10, 2026 at 4:51 PM
It is possible this was a dealer thing, rather than a Commodore thing.
If they were selling to businesses, they would be more likely to go for upgrading by buying a whole new machine every couple of years.
If only they could have had a Mini PET replacement board :-)
If they were selling to businesses, they would be more likely to go for upgrading by buying a whole new machine every couple of years.
If only they could have had a Mini PET replacement board :-)
Something you don't see very often.
Inside an 8K Commodore PET model 2001-8N.
Notice the 4 holes drilled in the front of the PCB to stop you buying the cheaper model and upgrading the RAM yourself.
Yes, they actually did that.
Although it wasn't too hard to add bodge wires, I have seen that done.
Inside an 8K Commodore PET model 2001-8N.
Notice the 4 holes drilled in the front of the PCB to stop you buying the cheaper model and upgrading the RAM yourself.
Yes, they actually did that.
Although it wasn't too hard to add bodge wires, I have seen that done.
February 10, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Something you don't see very often.
Inside an 8K Commodore PET model 2001-8N.
Notice the 4 holes drilled in the front of the PCB to stop you buying the cheaper model and upgrading the RAM yourself.
Yes, they actually did that.
Although it wasn't too hard to add bodge wires, I have seen that done.
Inside an 8K Commodore PET model 2001-8N.
Notice the 4 holes drilled in the front of the PCB to stop you buying the cheaper model and upgrading the RAM yourself.
Yes, they actually did that.
Although it wasn't too hard to add bodge wires, I have seen that done.
Reposted by Tynemouth Software
New blog post - blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/02/10-y...
Something a little different this week, looking back at 10 years and 10,000 miles with my 2016 Nissan Leaf, how much has that cost me?
Normal service will be resumed next week with a PET repair post.
Something a little different this week, looking back at 10 years and 10,000 miles with my 2016 Nissan Leaf, how much has that cost me?
Normal service will be resumed next week with a PET repair post.
February 8, 2026 at 12:15 PM
New blog post - blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/02/10-y...
Something a little different this week, looking back at 10 years and 10,000 miles with my 2016 Nissan Leaf, how much has that cost me?
Normal service will be resumed next week with a PET repair post.
Something a little different this week, looking back at 10 years and 10,000 miles with my 2016 Nissan Leaf, how much has that cost me?
Normal service will be resumed next week with a PET repair post.
With hindsight maybe, but when I bought it, I did not know that 6 months later, the investors in the company I was working for were going to pull the plug overnight and I would no longer need to commute.
I clocked up 9000 miles in 3 years on the previous Leaf, and had expected to continue like that.
I clocked up 9000 miles in 3 years on the previous Leaf, and had expected to continue like that.
February 8, 2026 at 5:56 PM
With hindsight maybe, but when I bought it, I did not know that 6 months later, the investors in the company I was working for were going to pull the plug overnight and I would no longer need to commute.
I clocked up 9000 miles in 3 years on the previous Leaf, and had expected to continue like that.
I clocked up 9000 miles in 3 years on the previous Leaf, and had expected to continue like that.
I work from home now, so I was only commuting for the first year of that.
My commute these days involves walking down the stairs.
My commute these days involves walking down the stairs.
February 8, 2026 at 1:50 PM
I work from home now, so I was only commuting for the first year of that.
My commute these days involves walking down the stairs.
My commute these days involves walking down the stairs.
No different than if I had bought a new diesel Golf for a similar price at the time. If anything the Leaf is probably worth a bit more now than a Golf would have been.
But it really owes me nothing and keeping it going as long as possible seems the best option as it suits me and my needs perfectly.
But it really owes me nothing and keeping it going as long as possible seems the best option as it suits me and my needs perfectly.
February 8, 2026 at 1:07 PM
No different than if I had bought a new diesel Golf for a similar price at the time. If anything the Leaf is probably worth a bit more now than a Golf would have been.
But it really owes me nothing and keeping it going as long as possible seems the best option as it suits me and my needs perfectly.
But it really owes me nothing and keeping it going as long as possible seems the best option as it suits me and my needs perfectly.
New blog post - blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/02/10-y...
Something a little different this week, looking back at 10 years and 10,000 miles with my 2016 Nissan Leaf, how much has that cost me?
Normal service will be resumed next week with a PET repair post.
Something a little different this week, looking back at 10 years and 10,000 miles with my 2016 Nissan Leaf, how much has that cost me?
Normal service will be resumed next week with a PET repair post.
February 8, 2026 at 12:15 PM
New blog post - blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/02/10-y...
Something a little different this week, looking back at 10 years and 10,000 miles with my 2016 Nissan Leaf, how much has that cost me?
Normal service will be resumed next week with a PET repair post.
Something a little different this week, looking back at 10 years and 10,000 miles with my 2016 Nissan Leaf, how much has that cost me?
Normal service will be resumed next week with a PET repair post.
It's like someone once saw a PET and was asked to draw it from memory.
Things like that do make you sad.
All of that dross polluting actual factual information and being given equal status.
I saw someone call AI "digital asbestos" and talk of how much work is going to be involved in purging it all.
Things like that do make you sad.
All of that dross polluting actual factual information and being given equal status.
I saw someone call AI "digital asbestos" and talk of how much work is going to be involved in purging it all.
Saw this on FB and it made me cry a little. The post was for a good cause, nothing wrong with that, but for pity's sake why use a terrible AI image of the poor PET? There are a million pictures of actual PETs online, just use one of those for pity's sake.
February 6, 2026 at 12:47 PM
It's like someone once saw a PET and was asked to draw it from memory.
Things like that do make you sad.
All of that dross polluting actual factual information and being given equal status.
I saw someone call AI "digital asbestos" and talk of how much work is going to be involved in purging it all.
Things like that do make you sad.
All of that dross polluting actual factual information and being given equal status.
I saw someone call AI "digital asbestos" and talk of how much work is going to be involved in purging it all.
Wow, a V4.3C, the very earliest menu button driven Penultimate. I hope you have that insured for at least $1M.
The reissues are V4.3D where I moved the ROM and the RAM chips to clear the central support in the case lid.
(before there were actually any of those TFW8b VIC20 cases).
The reissues are V4.3D where I moved the ROM and the RAM chips to clear the central support in the case lid.
(before there were actually any of those TFW8b VIC20 cases).
I remember when I caught you posting about them on Twitter BITD, and dm’ing you to buy one. Definitely the best add on for the Vic, closely followed by a SD2IEC.
February 5, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Wow, a V4.3C, the very earliest menu button driven Penultimate. I hope you have that insured for at least $1M.
The reissues are V4.3D where I moved the ROM and the RAM chips to clear the central support in the case lid.
(before there were actually any of those TFW8b VIC20 cases).
The reissues are V4.3D where I moved the ROM and the RAM chips to clear the central support in the case lid.
(before there were actually any of those TFW8b VIC20 cases).
In case you missed it, there is a limited edition 10th anniversary reissue of the original VIC20 Penultimate Cartridge from 2016:
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
More info in the blog post:
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
More info in the blog post:
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
February 5, 2026 at 12:36 PM
In case you missed it, there is a limited edition 10th anniversary reissue of the original VIC20 Penultimate Cartridge from 2016:
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
More info in the blog post:
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
More info in the blog post:
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Reposted by Tynemouth Software
I teased DesTest VIC20 at VCF Montreal. Today I've released it. Take a look here: factorofmatt.com/destest-vic20
There are two binaries: one for use on a standard 8K cartridge and one as a replacement kernal.
There are two binaries: one for use on a standard 8K cartridge and one as a replacement kernal.
Factor of Matt
factorofmatt.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM
I teased DesTest VIC20 at VCF Montreal. Today I've released it. Take a look here: factorofmatt.com/destest-vic20
There are two binaries: one for use on a standard 8K cartridge and one as a replacement kernal.
There are two binaries: one for use on a standard 8K cartridge and one as a replacement kernal.
Reposted by Tynemouth Software
Excellent example of a fake remarked different part in this video from Mick at "Buy it Fix it", including X-raying the part to try to determine what it actually was.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQW...
Great channel by the way if you like someone fixing electronics in my accent.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQW...
Great channel by the way if you like someone fixing electronics in my accent.
Fixing A KS Jive DAB Radio then THIS happens! I Proved they were LIARS!
YouTube video by Buy it Fix it
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Excellent example of a fake remarked different part in this video from Mick at "Buy it Fix it", including X-raying the part to try to determine what it actually was.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQW...
Great channel by the way if you like someone fixing electronics in my accent.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQW...
Great channel by the way if you like someone fixing electronics in my accent.
Excellent example of a fake remarked different part in this video from Mick at "Buy it Fix it", including X-raying the part to try to determine what it actually was.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQW...
Great channel by the way if you like someone fixing electronics in my accent.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQW...
Great channel by the way if you like someone fixing electronics in my accent.
Fixing A KS Jive DAB Radio then THIS happens! I Proved they were LIARS!
YouTube video by Buy it Fix it
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Excellent example of a fake remarked different part in this video from Mick at "Buy it Fix it", including X-raying the part to try to determine what it actually was.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQW...
Great channel by the way if you like someone fixing electronics in my accent.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLQW...
Great channel by the way if you like someone fixing electronics in my accent.
They look tatty enough, and different enough to be real.
The genuine fakes all look clean as they have been freshly sanded and painted and laser etched with exactly the same recent date code and a part number that may, or may not, bear any resemblance to the silicon contained within.
The genuine fakes all look clean as they have been freshly sanded and painted and laser etched with exactly the same recent date code and a part number that may, or may not, bear any resemblance to the silicon contained within.
February 3, 2026 at 1:49 PM
They look tatty enough, and different enough to be real.
The genuine fakes all look clean as they have been freshly sanded and painted and laser etched with exactly the same recent date code and a part number that may, or may not, bear any resemblance to the silicon contained within.
The genuine fakes all look clean as they have been freshly sanded and painted and laser etched with exactly the same recent date code and a part number that may, or may not, bear any resemblance to the silicon contained within.
Cheese and Gravzronox ?
Pentagravzronox ?
Gravzronoxman ?
Pentagravzronox ?
Gravzronoxman ?
February 3, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Cheese and Gravzronox ?
Pentagravzronox ?
Gravzronoxman ?
Pentagravzronox ?
Gravzronoxman ?
Tynemouth computer kits are from Tynemouth.
February 2, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Tynemouth computer kits are from Tynemouth.
Reposted by Tynemouth Software
New blog post - Celebrating 10 years of the VIC20 Penultimate Cartridge with a limited edition reissue of the 2016 version
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Available now from Tindie
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
Or get the latest Penultimate +3 from TFW8b
www.tfw8b.com/product/penu...
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Available now from Tindie
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
Or get the latest Penultimate +3 from TFW8b
www.tfw8b.com/product/penu...
February 1, 2026 at 12:17 PM
New blog post - Celebrating 10 years of the VIC20 Penultimate Cartridge with a limited edition reissue of the 2016 version
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Available now from Tindie
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
Or get the latest Penultimate +3 from TFW8b
www.tfw8b.com/product/penu...
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Available now from Tindie
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
Or get the latest Penultimate +3 from TFW8b
www.tfw8b.com/product/penu...
New blog post - Celebrating 10 years of the VIC20 Penultimate Cartridge with a limited edition reissue of the 2016 version
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Available now from Tindie
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
Or get the latest Penultimate +3 from TFW8b
www.tfw8b.com/product/penu...
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Available now from Tindie
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
Or get the latest Penultimate +3 from TFW8b
www.tfw8b.com/product/penu...
February 1, 2026 at 12:17 PM
New blog post - Celebrating 10 years of the VIC20 Penultimate Cartridge with a limited edition reissue of the 2016 version
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Available now from Tindie
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
Or get the latest Penultimate +3 from TFW8b
www.tfw8b.com/product/penu...
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/10-y...
Available now from Tindie
www.tindie.com/products/tyn...
Or get the latest Penultimate +3 from TFW8b
www.tfw8b.com/product/penu...
Reposted by Tynemouth Software
Sadly I don't have a #ZX80, but I do own the next best thing, a @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk #Minstrel2. Happy birthday to the ZX80! #retrogaming
January 29, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Sadly I don't have a #ZX80, but I do own the next best thing, a @tynemouthsoftware.co.uk #Minstrel2. Happy birthday to the ZX80! #retrogaming
Dear Texas Instruments, please put the SN76489 back into production.
The SN76489 was used in so many home computers & Arcade of the 80's
January 28, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Dear Texas Instruments, please put the SN76489 back into production.
Reposted by Tynemouth Software
New blog post: Part 3 of the new CRTC microcontroller for the Minstrel 4th.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/a-ne...
The pictures show the stages of the hardware development (so far)
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/a-ne...
The pictures show the stages of the hardware development (so far)
January 25, 2026 at 12:52 PM
New blog post: Part 3 of the new CRTC microcontroller for the Minstrel 4th.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/a-ne...
The pictures show the stages of the hardware development (so far)
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/a-ne...
The pictures show the stages of the hardware development (so far)
Really? I thought they were interchangeable, the pinout looks the same to me.
Usual caveats about not mixing brands and speeds etc.
Usual caveats about not mixing brands and speeds etc.
January 25, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Really? I thought they were interchangeable, the pinout looks the same to me.
Usual caveats about not mixing brands and speeds etc.
Usual caveats about not mixing brands and speeds etc.
New blog post: Part 3 of the new CRTC microcontroller for the Minstrel 4th.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/a-ne...
The pictures show the stages of the hardware development (so far)
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/a-ne...
The pictures show the stages of the hardware development (so far)
January 25, 2026 at 12:52 PM
New blog post: Part 3 of the new CRTC microcontroller for the Minstrel 4th.
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/a-ne...
The pictures show the stages of the hardware development (so far)
blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2026/01/a-ne...
The pictures show the stages of the hardware development (so far)