A hardware enthusiast has resurrected a Harris 80C286-12 processor from the 1990s to create a simulated computer environment, essentially building a virtual reality system for vintage computing. The project uses a Raspberry Pi as the brain to control the 286 chip through MCP23S17 IO expanders, allowing the ancient processor to boot and run simple assembly code.

Two years after initially attempting the build, the creator returned to solve wiring issues and timing problems that had stalled progress. The setup involves mounting the processor in a PLCC-68 socket with an adapter PCB, then connecting 57 pins to four IO expander chips. While the expanders can't support the processor's full 12 MHz speed, the slower pace is acceptable for this experimental setup.

The implementation uses MicroPython on a Pi Pico to manage communication with the expanders over SPI. Custom code handles pin configuration, register management, and processor control sequences. The creator had to debug unusual hardware addressing requirements where messages needed to be sent to both default and configured addresses to enable proper operation. This retrocomputing experiment demonstrates how modern microcontrollers can breathe new life into vintage processors.