New Acquisition: Acorn Electron
| Make | Model | Serial Number |
|---|---|---|
| Acorn Computers | Electron | 07-ALA01-0093653 |
Overview
- Manufacturer: Acorn Computers.
- Production Years: The Acorn Electron was introduced on August 25, 1983.
- Historical Significance: The Acorn Electron was designed as a more affordable alternative to the BBC Micro, targeting the home computer market. It retained many of the BBC Micro's features, including compatibility with BBC BASIC, while offering a compact and cost-effective design.
- Architecture: The Electron was based on the Synertek SY6502A processor and featured a custom Uncommitted Logic Array (ULA) for graphics and I/O handling.
Specification
- Processor: Synertek SY6502A running at 2 MHz when accessing ROM, 1 MHz when accessing RAM.
- Memory: 32KB RAM and 32KB ROM.
- Storage: Programs could be saved and loaded via cassette tape. Optional expansions, such as the Acorn Plus 3, added floppy disk support.
- Display: Capable of multiple display modes, including:
- 160×256 resolution with 4 or 16 colors.
- 320×256 resolution with 2 or 4 colors.
- 640×256 resolution with 2 colors.
- Audio: Basic tone and noise generation capabilities.
- Connectivity: Included a cassette interface, RGB video output, and expansion ports for peripherals.
- Expansion: The Acorn Plus 1 provided additional ports for joysticks and printers, while the Acorn Plus 3 added floppy disk support.
- Operating System: Acorn MOS v1.0, with BBC BASIC II included in ROM.
- Common Faults:
- Failure of the ULA chip, which could cause display or I/O issues.
- Degradation of the cassette interface, leading to unreliable program loading or saving.
- Age-related wear on power supplies, resulting in instability or failure.
How Did I Acquire It?
Where Did I Get It From?
I picked this up from a facebook group that I am a member of.
How Was It Described to Me?
Acorn Electron Computer inc Power Supply
- Acorn Plus 1 Interface
- Advanced Plus 4 Module For Disk Drive Attachment (Picture Added To Show Roms Fitted in Plus 4)
- Cumana 5 1/4 Floppy Drive
- Various Software Games (Untested) & Manuals As Pictured
- All in Very Nice Condition Having Been Dry Stored
Tested Acorn and it powers on and displays on the screen / Did not test plus 4 as it did not show Acorn DFS on startup but no time to explore the issue could just be me not knowing how to set it up
Price plus postage
Supplier Photos
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Now That I Have It in My Hands
Initial Observations
The machine is as described, knowing the seller this is what I would expect.
Initial Inspection
It is described dirty with some age related yellowing but not too bad.
Inspection Photos
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Next Steps
Repair and Restoration Plan
- Giving it a good clean
- Testing it and the accessories out
Goals
- A fully working machine, refurbished and clean!
- Packed with all the original equipment that it would have come with
- In the original packaging
Challenges
Finding original packaging equipment
Wishlist
- Boxes and pollys for the Electron
- Boxes and pollys for the Plus 1
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