# FLOSS 850: One Rom To Rule Them All

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/floss-weekly/floss-850-one-rom-to-rule-them-all
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/floss-weekly/floss-850-one-rom-to-rule-them-all.md
Podcast: [FLOSS Weekly](https://stenobird.com/podcast/floss-weekly)
Published: 2025-10-08T17:03:00+00:00
Episode link: https://b27a1a7a-dbb9-4922-ac3e-601e2d6ca1e1.libsyn.com/floss-850-one-rom-to-rule-them-all
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/b27a1a7a-dbb9-4922-ac3e-601e2d6ca1e1/FLOSS-850.mp3?dest-id=4272468
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/floss-weekly/episodes/floss-850-one-rom-to-rule-them-all
Duration seconds: 4546

## Resource

One ROM is an open-source hardware project designed to replace scarce, aging EPROMs in retro-computing systems like the Commodore 64. By using a modern microcontroller, it provides a programmable, easy-to-update alternative for preserving and enhancing classic 6502-based hardware.

## Highlights
- Main idea: One ROM acts as a programmable replacement for hard-to-find vintage ROM chips in 6502-based systems
- Practical takeaway: The project uses an STM32 microcontroller with 5V tolerant GPIO to ensure compatibility with retro hardware voltage levels
- Technical hurdle: The hardware design required a complete PCB redesign to fit the modern MCU and layout within the original ROM footprint
- Innovation: The project leverages WebAssembly and Rust to allow users to parse and generate firmware images directly in a web browser
- Future vision: Potential expansion includes using flash or RAM to implement more complex interpreters, such as Python, on legacy hardware

## Topics

Retro computing, Open source hardware, Commodore 64, Microcontrollers, 6502 microprocessor, Embedded systems, Firmware, EPROM replacement

## Chapters
- 1:00 — Personal Connections to Retro Computing: The hosts share their early experiences with 386, 486, and Commodore 64 machines.
- 12:40 — The Scarcity of Vintage ROMs: Discussion on the difficulty of finding original EPROMs and the need for a modern, programmable solution.
- 18:35 — Hardware Implementation and Voltage Compatibility: Details on using the STM32 microcontroller to maintain 5V compatibility with classic systems.
- 24:15 — PCB Redesign and Hardware Constraints: The challenges of redesigning the board layout and the limitations of physical footprints.
- 29:50 — Web-Based Firmware Generation: How Rust and WebAssembly enable firmware generation directly within a browser without local drivers.
- 41:45 — Expanding Capabilities: Beyond Basic: Exploring the possibility of running modern interpreters like Python on retro hardware via flash memory.
- 1:04:35 — Long-term Hardware Preservation: The goal of creating a ROM solution that can sustain retro-computing hobbyists for decades.

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## Transcript

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