Open source BIOS for Micro 8088, NuXT (Git repo),
and Xi 8088 systems

Acknowledgements

Following folks contributed to this project. Thank you!

• 640-KB
  • XT-related fixes
  • Delay implementation using the 8253 PIT
• Aitor Gómez
  • RTC add-on board support
  • CPU clock frequency configuration setting
• horkthane
  • Keyboard code fixes
  • VGA/EGA initialization fixes
• Curt J. Sampson
  • Documentation enhancements
• Rink
  • Video code update that improves compatibility with FreeDOS utilties
• Multiple other individuals that helped this project by testing the code, submitting bug reports, and contributing their ideas for improvements

BIOS Images

Build Instructions

• Linux Build Instructions
• Windows Build Instructions

Release Notes

Changes

• Version 1.0.0

  • Add support for Book8088
  • Use PIT for delays on XT-compatible systems
  • Implement several fixes for IBM XT
  • Update XT-IDE Extension BIOS to r625
  • Use CMake and build ROM images for all supported machines and configurations

• Version 0.9.9

  • Port floppy BIOS from Multi-Floppy BIOS extension
  • Add chipset detection for Faraday FE2010A and Proton PT8010AF chipsets. Disable memory refresh on these chipsets
  • Add a setup option for configuring wait states for Faraday FE2010A and Proton PT8010AF chipsets
  • Add a setup configuration option to disable power-on memory test. Disabling the memory test speeds up the boot process
  • Add support for SST39SF020A and SST39SF040 Flash ROMs. Note that unused address lines on these chips need to be connected to the ground
  • Update XT-IDE BIOS ROM Extension to r624. Add corresponding xtidecfg.com utility. The XT-IDE BIOS ROM image provided with 8088 BIOS is configured for XT-CF-Lite at port 0x320. Use the xtidecfg.com utility to reconfigure that if needed prior to building the BIOS
  • Fix keyboard scan codes for several key combinations: Ctrl-b, Ctrl-v, Ctrl-q, Alt-q, Ctrl-+
  • Fix an issue with BIOS resetting equipment list after VGA BIOS extension initialization, which resulted in a missing or incorrect video output then VGA is connected to a monochrome display

• Version 0.9.8

  • Merge Micro 8088 and Xi 8088 to master branch (use same code base)
  • Implement BIOS setup option for F0000-F7FFF area extension ROM scan
  • Fix FDC data rate setting on systems with 360KB/720KB drives
  • Update the number of floppies in equipment_word when saving configuration
  • Revise POST codes. Display POST code prior to an action, such as device test or subsystem initialization
  • Micro 8088: RTC autodetect fixes
  • Micro 8088: Fix floppy drives configuration
  • Xi 8088: AT / PS/2 keyboard controller initialization code improved

• Version 0.9.7

  • Micro 8088: Implement RTC support and autodetect (based on the code contributed by Aitor Gomez)
  • Micro 8088: Implement setting 40×25 CGA mode using DIP switches
  • Xi 8088: Implement CPU clock frequency configuration in the BIOS setup

• Version 0.9.6

  • Micro 8088: Implement CPU clock frequency configuration in the BIOS setup utility (contributed by Aitor Gomez)
  • Fix the issue where BIOS would activate RTS when sending a character
  • Fix the issue with 24 hours clock rollover

• Version 0.9.5

  • Micro 8088: Fix reading serial port status
  • Micro 8088: Implement checksum for the Flash ROM configuration space
  • Fix booting without XTIDE Universal BIOS

• Version 0.9.4

  • Micro 8088: Implement BIOS setup utility including saving configuration to the BIOS Flash ROM
  • Improve build configurability

• Version 0.9.3

  • Implement turbo mode switching using keyboard on Micro 8088
  • Fix the issue where the number of serial and printer ports was not updated in the equipment word
  • Update XT keyboard reset and buffer flush code
  • Fix the issue where the BIOS would hang when one of the Lock keys is pressed
  • Increase I/O delay in RTC code to solve ‘FF’ displayed in the year issue

• Version 0.9.2

  • Update configuration mechanism to enable support of multiple target platforms
  • Add initial support for Micro 8088 board using Faraday FE2010A chipset

• Version 0.9.0

  • No updates except of BIOS date an