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Computer Devices Dot MS-DOS v1.25 and Computer Devices Dot 8088 CPU and CRT Card ROMs

02k-guy02k-guy
in Software
https://archive.org/details/dot-ms-dos

Computer Devices Dot MS-DOS v1.25
by Computer Devices Inc

Publication date 1983-04
Topics floppy, disk image, operating system, dos
Item Size 5.5M
"This is a flux image of the MS-DOS operating system for use with a Computer Devices Dot. This computer uses 3.5in floppy drives was released in 1983, before a standard was settled on. As a result the disks for it are not compatible with any other PCs. The disk image here is provided in KryoFlux raw format for writing back to a disk directly."

https://archive.org/details/cdi-dot-roms

by Computer Devices Inc.

Publication date 1983-06
Topics ROM, computer
Item Size 2.0M
"These are the ROMs from an 8088 CPU card and CRT controller from a Computer Devices Dot. The computer was IBM compatible design wise but had an unusual wide format CRT with the ability to display 132x25 characters."





Comments

  • 02k-guy02k-guy
    Amazing1 I just stumbled on a YouTube video of a 1983 Dot Computer. Wasn't looking, it appeared in my usual feed of assorted crap.




  • SomeGuySomeGuy
    That's Gurgle's tracking for you.

    Interesting and odd little machine. Short screen CRTs like that were used in some single-purpose word processing machines. I wonder if this was really intended to be a word processing machine too. I wonder exactly how IBM PC compatible it really was.
  • 02k-guy02k-guy
    @SomeGuy : the video in the link of my post gives a pretty thorough history of the company, the Dot, and it's innards.

    "That's Gurgle's tracking for you.". Yes, dammit. This time I'm not unhappy about it.
  • 02k-guy02k-guy
    edited July 13
    More: went back to the link I posted for the MSDOS and roms, then checked out the uploaders page. Yup, several more uploads, including DOS, manuals, etc.

    https://archive.org/details/@akbkuku




  • SomeGuySomeGuy
    That video also has some interesting information about very early 3.5" drives, and those two units demonstrate two different early models. They use a different TPI at 70 tracks.

    I remember people complaining about the 3.5" drive in my Kaypro 2000 being "non-standard", even though the format was 100% the same as eventually used in the IBM PS/2 (and I think also the same as the IBM Convertible)

    So these would have been an even bigger headache.
  • 02k-guy02k-guy
    @SomeGuy Yes! I had no knowledge whatsoever of the 3.5 era, only that Sony set the standard and later, Sony/Phillips for CDs. Coming into the PC era from the CoCo world - where we had 5.25 floppies and flippies - there wasn't much time left in my day to do the deep digging I used to.

    The fact that CDI was able to put together such a high functioning machine with so few hardware and software resources just amazes me.

    And technology was moving at a breakneck speed. We just came to expect back then that something new would pop up every day.

    Also: did you catch the part that the Dot could also function as a terminal to mainframe?
  • SomeGuySomeGuy
    edited July 14
    Well, their earlier products involved portable terminals, so that functionality would fit well in their product line. The Visual Commuter could also act as a hardware terminal.

    Most "personal computers", being programmable devices, would use software based terminal programs instead of ROM based.

    But with a ROM based terminal, you could use less ram, did not need an OS, and could do without a disk drive. They could have chosen to sell a disk-less version if they had wanted to.

    BTW: It looks like there is a code listing for their io.sys in the deleted space.
  • SomeGuySomeGuy
    edited July 17
    Here are the files extracted from the floppy image, including the deleted files.

    By the way, the video mentions the difficulty of getting files on to the machine. The disk is a standard FAT, and uses normal 512 byte sectors, but is formatted for DOS 1, so it does not have bios parameter block info describing the geometry.

    A disk formatted with a PBP as follows should theoretically work:
    Tracks: 70
    Sectors: 8
    Heads: 1
    Root directory entries: 64
    Sectors per cluster: 2
    Format ID: $F8
    Sector Fill: $00
    Interleave: 1

    The kick in the teeth is the non standard 70 track floppy TPI track spacing. A normal 3.5" drive can't read/write that. But if they have a Kryoflux hooked up to one of these early drives, then generating a disk should work.
  • 02k-guy02k-guy
    Good work sir.

    Looking at MSDOS.SYS with a hexer, proudly displayed is:
    "MS-DOS version 1.25..Copyright 1981,82 Microsoft, Inc"

    Half expect that there'd be a crank to start the old girl up.
  • SomeGuySomeGuy
    According to the tech manual CDI had the following titles available for the DOT:

    Base Software KIT : MS-DOS(TM), BASIC(TM) Interpreter and documentation
    GW BASIC Interpreter with Graphics
    Basic Language Compiler
    FORTRAN Compiler
    PASCAL Compiler
    COBOL Compiler
    DOT MACRO Assembler
    IBM 3270 emulator
    IBM 3780 emulator
    Z-80, CP/M 2 .2 including Z-80, CP/M 2 .2 diskette, manual, and single use license
    Diagnostic kit including manual, diagnostic diskette, two formatted diskettes
    IBM to DOT, DOT to IBM File transfer utility kit . Includes cable, 3-1/2 inch
    diskette, 5-1/4 inch diskette software and documentation .

    MULTIPLAN(TM) Spreadsheet From Microsoft
    Volkswriter(TM) From Lifetree
    Time Manager(TM) From Datamension Corp .
    Records Manager(TM) From Datamension
    Project Manager(TM) From Datamension
    Report Manager(TM) From Datamension

    DOT MS-DOS BIOS KIT (Includes Documentation) with BIOS licenses

    Due to the low number manufactured, some of these may never have left the building. Some of these, like the compilers, may be identical to the IBM PC version.

    GW BASIC might support its oddball graphics resolutions. It would be interesting to see a graphics program running.
  • 02k-guy02k-guy
    It is good that you did more research. I checked that guy's Youtube channel, he said the rarity and novelty of the machine warranted a 2nd video, but none yet. Folks like him with a large following will often get additional software/hardware donated by devotees once something like this is brought back to life on YT.

    I mean, it's ms dos 1.25, and already, people have recognized it's potential, and imagining what new ways hardware can be configured for new uses.

    So now, we wait.
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