💻CP/M-386: A New 32-bit Implementation for Retro Devs
Retro devs get a new toy with CP/M-386
TL;DR
CP/M-386 is a fresh take on the classic OS, now in 32-bit. It runs on modern hardware but with retro flair, supporting VGA and serial consoles without fancy drivers.
CP/M-386 is a new 32-bit implementation of CP/M for modern systems, running in protected mode on x86 processors. This OS is perfect for developers nostalgic for the old days, offering compatibility with classic hardware while adding new features like direct video access and high-resolution timing. It boots via floppy disk or GRUB multiboot kernel but lacks support for advanced peripherals like sound cards or network interfaces. If you're into retro computing or need a lightweight OS for embedded systems, CP/M-386 is worth checking out. It's highly source-compatible with other CP/M implementations and includes utilities like aclock, big, cleartpa, and more. The system supports VGA text mode and COM1 serial console at 9600 baud rate, making it easy to set up on a variety of hardware configurations.
Key Points
Boots via 1.44MB floppy disk MBR or GRUB multiboot kernel, supporting VGA text mode (0xB8000) and COM1 serial console (9600/N/8/1, 0x3F8).
Hardware support includes 2MB+ memory, PC BIOS or UEFI with CSM, VGA, PS/2 keyboard, UARTs, CMOS RTC, and PIT timers.
BDOS reports version 2.2 to applications, offering full parity with CP/M-68K 1.3 and most of CP/M Plus (CP/M 3) BDOS functions.
More than 60% of DOS-Plus additions are implemented, along with half the MP/M extensions for multi-user features.
To compile CP/M-386, you need AWK, Cpmtools, GNU Binutils, Coreutils, GCC or Clang, Make, NASM, and QEMU.
Why It Matters
CP/M-386 is a must-have for retro computing enthusiasts and embedded systems developers. It supports VGA text mode and serial console without complex drivers, making it easy to set up on basic hardware configurations. The BDOS version compatibility ensures broad application support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this matter?
CP/M-386 is a must-have for retro computing enthusiasts and embedded systems developers. It supports VGA text mode and serial console without complex drivers, making it easy to set up on basic hardware configurations. The BDOS version compatibility ensures broad application support.
What happened?
CP/M-386 is a fresh take on the classic OS, now in 32-bit. It runs on modern hardware but with retro flair, supporting VGA and serial consoles without fancy drivers.
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