Mini i86 Dos machine

I am currently working on a mini i86 DOS machine.

An old modified PC-XT board serve as a test platform for the homemade BIOS.

All IO’s – keyboard, VGA Display, floppy disk, RS232 will be handle by a propeller chip board.

To date,

INT10 (video) and
INT 16 (keyboard) are working.

I am currently working on INT13 (disk) function.

An image disk of DOS 3.1 will be on a SD flash drive connected to the propeller chip.

To date, with INT13 AH=02 (read); sector 0, side 0, track 0, I am able to load DOS boot sector from the propeller chip.

Some pictures:

Video at:

Extract of propeller keyboard micro-code:

PRI sendKey(request) | dataToSend

dataToSend := 0                        ‘ DATA to return to the 8088

if request == KEYB_AVAILABLE
if kb.gotkey
dataToSend := kb.keyNoRetrieve

if request == KEYB_GET_KEY
dataToSend :=  kb.getkey

outa[15..8] := dataToSend

outa[DATA_AVAILABLE_FOR_8088] := 1
waitcnt(Delay_on + cnt)                                    ‘ Wait a moment so the 8088 has time to read it

outa[8..15] := 0
outa[DATA_AVAILABLE_FOR_8088] := 0
waitcnt(Delay_off + cnt)

return 0

Extract of Mini DOS Machine BIOS:

; Project:   MINI DOS MACHINE BIOS
; Auteur:   Alain Boudreault (VE2CUY)
; Date:    2010.01.10
;——————————————————————————–

.code
ORG     0h

start: jmp  cold
include data.inc
COLD:   MOV     AX,40h
MOV     DS,AX
MOV     Word ptr DS:72h,0

WARM:

include cpu_test.asm

JZ      CPU_OK
HALT:   HLT

CPU_OK:

include init_8xxxChips.asm
include Get_MemSize.asm
include Install_int_vectors.asm
ifdef  INST_BASIC_ROM
include Inst_Basic_Rom.asm
endif

include Check_Devices.asm

20 Responses to Mini i86 Dos machine

  1. RITESH says:

    cool work…………..!!

  2. Josue says:

    Very nice! Where can I buy one of those boards?
    Do you have a list of everything that you used so that
    I may attempt to pick this up as a learning project?

  3. Hey there!
    I’m just wondering how you connect the backs of your grid style circuit boards there. I have bought the same kind assuming I could easily connect the points with solder, but I have failed. And connecting them with wire to have a neat look like you have doesn’t work so well. Are you simply soldering wires to and from? I’d love a picture if you’d send me one! Thanks

  4. Nice i am impressed i would like to learn how to design and build computers like this may i ask where you learned this information

  5. Andrew W says:

    This is soooo cool. I really want to build a computer like this. I have built computers from parts but never from scratch. I was wondering if you could post more pictures like the back of the perfboard (i think thats what they’re called) and breadboard. And if you are really in a good mood, part numbers and descriptions of what they are. Thank You so much!

  6. artifex says:

    hi!

    this project looks terrific…

    what font do you use? may i have the font file? i’d love to see it on my console screen and terminal.

    thanks!

  7. KOS says:

    hi,
    Is it complete working, ie you can run DOS on it? I am confused about the co-operation with the PBM PC motherboard.

    I would like to see a single board computer made out of DIPs that can run DOS.

    This one is what I mean, but it does not run dos
    http://www.microwave.gr/giannopk/zxcomputer/index.htm

    • ve2cuy says:

      The IBM PC board was temporary, so I would be able to test access to the floppy disk controller from my BIOS.

      • Kostas says:

        Could you please provide me more info about the project? A schematic and the source code? I really need to experiment with it. My email can be found at the end of my website

  8. Satish Sharma says:

    How did you manage to use BIOS routines??/

  9. Dhruv says:

    Hey can you tell me the components ,ic used and the circuit diagram?! Thanks!!!

  10. That’s incredible! That’s possible to have complete schemes and complete software? I want to rebuild your fantastic project! Can you send me it on an e-mail? I’ll use that only for personal and educational use. Thanks!

  11. sparky4 says:

    1337 as fuck dude! that is awesome!

  12. Kostas says:

    Could you please provide more info about the project? A schematic and the source code? I really need to experiment with it.

  13. Kostas says:

    Hi, is there any update with this project? A schematic and a source code would be the least required to reproduce it. Please let me know

  14. Nicolas says:

    Bonjour Laurent
    J’ai été vraiment impressionné par le super travail que vous avez réalisé avec cette expérimentation.
    Je suis moi-même sur une expérimementation de Bios personnel sur une carte 8088, et ce n’est pas une tache facile. Je n’ai pas bien compris le rôle du « propeller » dans votre circuit.
    J’ai fait aussi diverses éxpérimentations avec la carte V20-MBC2, c’est amusant.
    Encore une fois, un grand bravo pour votre réalisation.
    Et les meilleures 73 d’un radioam de l’autre coté de l’océan 🙂

    • ve2cuy says:

      Merci Nicolas pour votre message.

      Le propeller sert d’interface clavier/écran. C’était, à l’époque, une solution simple pour moi.

      Je vous transmets à mon tour les meilleurs 73 du coté de l’Amérique!

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