RETRO ROOM
Vintage & Retro Computer Project
Rescue, Repair & Relive Yesterdays Technology

Todays Date: November 05, 2024

RETRO DATE: Late 80’s Early 90’s

BBC MODEL B

The British Broadcasting Corporation Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, is a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers in the 1980s for the BBC Computer Literacy Project.

Designed with an emphasis on education, it was notable for its ruggedness, expandability, and the quality of its operating system. An accompanying 1982 television series, The Computer Programme, featuring Chris Serle learning to use the machine, was broadcast on BBC2.

History

The BBC Model B was the first computer I ever used and was introduced to it at Elgar High School, Bilford Road, Worcester which I attended from 1982 to 1987.

Once I saw this computer, my life changed! I was doing OK at school, but had a limited attention span and I believe I was in lower group classes than I should have been as I quickly completed the work and often did homework in class as I was so far ahead of the other students. Once I had done this, I was disruptive and a handful for the teachers.

Then I started taking an interest in computers, namely the BBC Model B. It wasl like a light switch went off, and for the first time in my life I knew that I wanted a career in computers. Once I got more involved with the computer all my subject grades went up as I was more activly involved with being interested in education to ensure my goal of being in the computer industry was achieved.

Having said that, computers were still relativly new, and I feel our maths teacher was give computers to teach because of his mathematics knowledge, and we quickly overtook his knowledge of computers and sometimes programmed the computer to play tricks on him while he was teaching.

Once a computer club was created I was there every night after school. I was always keen to learn more, but eventually it migrated to a games playing club, which I enjoyed but even at this stage of my life, there was a clear divide with the have and the have nots. I was about 12 or 13 when the BBC entered my life, and we were not a wealthy family, and those who had computers at home and those who could afford software had the best of it.

It was not long after the arrival of the BBC that my mother purchased my first home computer, the Commodore 16.

Chuckie Egg

Repton 2

Revs

Elite

EBAY LISTING:

Acorn BBC Micro Model B 32K

O.S. 1.2 (upgraded from O.S. 1.0)
Basic v2 (upgraded from Basic v1)

Issue 3 motherboard

Comes with:

* Acorn DFS 0.9 8271 DFS
* Brand new… MMC Solid State user port memory module which has hundreds of games / utilities on

Details:

* Refurbished power supply (capacitors C1 / C2 and C9 all replaced)
* Motherboard removed and all parts of the case (upper and lower) cleaned; some yellowing as occurs on the older style gritty cases
* Original keyboard and motherboard
* New case and power supply screws
* Keyboard has been cleaned with all keys removed, washed and carefully replaced.
* All keys have been tested and work
* Ashtray cover intact
* Perspex keyboard strip is in good condition and is the correct earlier version

ACCESSORIES & UPGRADES

ACCESSORIES
&
UPGRADES

JOYSTICK ADAPTER

Connect 2x Amiga or Atari style joysticks to your Acorn BBC micro. As original joysticks are hard to find this is a great add-on device
to be able to use a joystick instead of keys in many games

Comes complete in a gray 3D printed case (not white like some photo shown). Just connect to the back of your BBC Micro and
connect your favorite joystick to the 9 pin connector

Please note this item is for Acorn BBC Micro, not for BBC Master. It will not fit BBC Master if you are using the RGB output.

Weight: 33g
Size: 6.9 x 4.0 x 2.5 cm
Color: gray 

RGB SCART LEAD

RGB SCART cable for the BBC Micro Model B, Model B +, BBC Master and Acorn Electron.

Latest Brand New designed PCB circuitry and components fitted for best colour signal ever.

Using extra Heavy duty screened cable for a super high quality picture. Much better than Standard RF aerial cable.

Tested with many different TVs CRT, LED, LCD and Plasma.

Compatible with: BBC Micro Model B

2 Metres 21 Pin SCART plug to DIN plug to 6 Pin DIN plugging into the BBC computer’s RGB video port.

RGB SCART LEAD

RGB SCART cable for the BBC Micro Model B, Model B +, BBC Master and Acorn Electron.

Latest Brand New designed PCB circuitry and components fitted for best colour signal ever.

Using extra Heavy duty screened cable for a super high quality picture. Much better than Standard RF aerial cable.

Tested with many different TVs CRT, LED, LCD and Plasma.

Compatible with: BBC Micro Model B

2 Metres 21 Pin SCART plug to DIN plug to 6 Pin DIN plugging into the BBC computer’s RGB video port.

Summary

I credit the BBC Model B as the computer that first lit the spark that led me to a 30+ year career in the computer industry.

I have very fond memories of learning, programming and playing Repton 2 and Elite at school, and its taken me over 30 years to actually purchase my very own BBC Model B.

Joystick Adapter

RGB Scart Lead

MMC Solid State Drive

Recapped

Recapped PSU

Summary

I credit the BBC Model B as the computer that first lit the spark that led me to a 30+ year career in the computer industry.

I have very fond memories of learning, programming and playing Repton 2 and Elite at school, and its taken me over 30 years to actually purchase my very own BBC Model B.

Joystick Adapter

RGB Scart Lead

MMC Solid State Drive

Recapped

Recapped PSU