# NDR-Klein-Computer

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NDR Klein Computer Kit for 68k-card Also known as NKC Developer Rolf-Dieter Klein [de] and Joachim Arendt Manufacturer Graf-Elektroniksysteme Type Single-board computer Released 1984; 42 years ago (1984) Operating system CP/M CPU Zilog Z80A or Motorola 68020 Memory 64 KB RAM

NDR-Klein-Computer Created by Rolf-Dieter Klein, Joachim Arendt Presented by Rolf-Dieter Klein Country of origin Germany Original language German No. of seasons 1 No. of episodes 26 Production Running time 15 minutes Original release Network NDR-Schulfernsehen Release 1984 (1984)

The **NDR Klein Computer**, abbreviated **NKC**, was a [do-it-yourself](/source/Do_it_yourself) computer project from the early 1980s developed by [Rolf-Dieter Klein](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rolf-Dieter_Klein&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolf-Dieter_Klein)] (RDK) and Joachim Arendt. In 1984, the computer was featured in the educational television series ***NDR-Klein-Computer*** for [NDR-Schulfernsehen](/source/Norddeutscher_Rundfunk) (NDR School Television). It was also broadcast on the computer television show *[ComputerTreff](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ComputerTreff&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ComputerTreff)]* on the Bavarian TV network [Bayerisches Fernsehen](/source/Bayerischer_Rundfunk) (BFS).

## History

The NDR Klein Computer was created by Rolf-Dieter Klein, a computer enthusiast who regularly contributed articles to the German computer magazine *mc*. His plan was not only to give a basic introduction to the way a computer operates, but also to introduce a modular system through which [laymen](/source/Laymen) could learn to complete basic programming exercises, as well as acquire the skills to operate a high-end home computer. Under the direction of Joachim Arendt, they developed a television series that was picked up by [Norddeutscher Rundfunk](/source/Norddeutscher_Rundfunk) (NDR) for its NDR-Schulfernsehen (NDR School Television) channel. The series, titled *NDR-Klein-Computer*, consisted of twenty-six episodes of fifteen minutes each. Klein hosted the show and wrote articles in *mc* to supplement the series. He published a book on the same subject, titled: *Microcomputer Selbstgebaut und Programmiert* (DIY Microcomputer Building and Programming), through [Franzis Verlag](/source/Franzis_Verlag), which also released the TV series on VHS. The computer's hardware was provided by Graf Elektronik System in [Kempten](/source/Kempten), and sold at an electronics store in [Detmold](/source/Detmold). The company [Fischertechnik](/source/Fischertechnik) also produced a robot kit, which was one of the most comprehensive [32-bit](/source/32-bit_application) [programming language](/source/Programming_language) applications at the time.

## Features

The NKC was built with several different hardware configurations, from a simple 8-bit [single-board computer](/source/Single-board_computer) based on a [Zilog Z80A](/source/Zilog_Z80A) processor to a 32-bit system equipped with a [Motorola 68020](/source/Motorola_68020) CPU. The software could be loaded with [EPROMs](/source/EPROM) or involve an operating system such as [CP/M](/source/CP%2FM) which could handle executable programs in various programming languages.

A helper card with an [Intel 8088](/source/Intel_8088) processor allowed the NKC to run [MS-DOS](/source/MS-DOS). Systems could be customized to handle many different peripherals including [PS/2 keyboard](/source/PS%2F2_keyboard), [3½-inch floppy disks](/source/3%C2%BD-inch_floppy_disk), [IDE](/source/Parallel_ATA)-hard drives and modern storage. Users have developed new cards which replaced the former specialized components. For instance, a system could contain a new graphics card (with [VGA connector](/source/VGA_connector)), one serial port, a sound card, PC keyboard and a mouse connector. Another system configuration that supports booting via the IDE-interface has been developed for the [68xxx family](/source/Motorola_68000_series).

## Gallery

		- Kit for a 68K-card

		- Kit for serial card

		- Kit for keyboard interface

		- Assembled graphics card

		- The book

		- Fischertechnik Computing with [Commodore 64](/source/Commodore_64) interface

		- CAS-card for NDR-Klein Computers

## Books

- [Klein, Rolf-Dieter](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolf-Dieter_Klein) [in German] (1988). *Mikrocomputer selbstgebaut und programmiert* (in German). [Franzis Verlag](/source/Franzis_Verlag). 419pp. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-77237162-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-77237162-2).

- [Klein, Rolf-Dieter](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolf-Dieter_Klein) [in German] (1998). *Rechner Modular* (in German). [Franzis Verlag](/source/Franzis_Verlag). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-77238721-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-77238721-0).

## See also

- [BBC computer](/source/BBC_computer)

- [WDR computer](/source/WDR_computer)

- [Thomson EF9366](/source/Thomson_EF9366)

## References

## External links

- [thtec.org - NKC-Seite mit neuen Schaltplänen und Ideen](http://www.schuetz.thtec.org) (*NKC-site with new schematics and ideas*) (in German)

- [computermuseum-mannheim.de/comp_nkc.htm - Fotos und Infos zum NDR Klein Computer](http://www.computermuseum-mannheim.de/comp_nkc.htm) (*Photos and information on the NDR small computer*) (in German)

- [retrobu.de - Geschichte zur Serie und zum NKC](http://retrobu.de/doku.php/graf_ndr-klein-computer) (*History of the series and the NKC*) (in German)

- [NDR-NKC site by Andreas Rohmann](http://www.ndr-nkc.de) (in German)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [NDR-Klein-Computer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NDR-Klein-Computer) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NDR-Klein-Computer?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.