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640-KB committed Dec 5, 2022
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Expand Up @@ -4,17 +4,10 @@ A modern, scratch-built, open-source alternative BIOS for vintage PC, XT, 8088 C

Copyright © 2022, [640KB](mailto:640kb@glabios.org) and contributors.

## Version 0.2.0 released!
## Version 0.2 released!

Version 0.2 is a significant update to version 0.1 adding numerous performance and stability improvements as well as new features and support for more hardware platforms.

- [Cassette tape support](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_cassette_tape) on [5150 PC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Personal_Computer).
- Support for [Faraday FE2010A](https://github.com/skiselev/micro_8088/blob/master/Documentation/Faraday-XT_Controller-FE2010A.md)-based PCs ([Headstart Plus](http://oldcomputer.info/pc/hs_plus/index.htm)/[TURBO 888-XT](https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/vendex-head-start-turbo-888-xt.67609/)/VTI Vendex 33-XT/PC-10 and others) including hotkey speed switching, floppy, FPU and memory auto-detection.
- Support for [EMM Homebrew 8088](https://www.homebrew8088.com/) with 8088, V20 or V40.
- Emulator-optimized build: significant performance increase on virtual hardware.
- Experimental support for micro_8088 / NuXT.
- Greatly expanded feature customization and personalization at build time (see source for details!).

[Download 0.2.0 ROMs](https://github.com/640-KB/GLaBIOS/releases)

[Source Code](https://github.com/640-KB/GLaBIOS/tree/main/src)
Expand All @@ -23,46 +16,42 @@ Version 0.2 is a significant update to version 0.1 adding numerous performance a

The results of the poll for [tagline for the next major version](https://github.com/640-KB/GLaBIOS/discussions/14) are in, and the winner is... everybody! GLaBIOS will now choose a different tagline on every reboot, based on mood.

## License

- GNU General Public License v3.0. See [LICENSE](LICENSE).

## Contact

Please send bug reports, feedback, questions or thoughts to 640kb@glabios.org or submit an [Issue](../../issues).

## Features

- A complete [100% PC Compatible](#compatibility) BIOS for retro/vintage PC, XT, 8088 Clone, Turbo and Homebrew PCs.
- Support for 5150, 5160, FE2010A, Turbo and compatible clone hardware.
- FAST! [Performance-optmized](doc/about/perf.md) CGA/MDA text and graphics routines.
- Accurate PIT-based I/O timing for floppy disk, 10-15% faster seek and read times.
- 5150 Cassette tape support.
- Multiple levels of "[CGA snow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_Graphics_Adapter#Limitations,_bugs_and_errata)" removal (configurable at build-time).
- NEC V20 enhanced instruction set support (enabled at build-time).
- Multiple levels of "[CGA snow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_Graphics_Adapter#Limitations,_bugs_and_errata)" removal (configurable at build-time).
- Accurate PIT-based I/O timing for floppy disk, 10-15% faster seek and read times.
- Customizable POST test screen colors themes.
- Fits in an 8K ROM to drop in to any original PC or clone.

### Platforms Supported

- PC/XT 5160 and clones
- PC 5150 with cassette
- Turbo XTs (DTK, clones)
- [Faraday FE2010A](https://github.com/skiselev/micro_8088/blob/master/Documentation/Faraday-XT_Controller-FE2010A.md)-based PCs ([Headstart Plus](http://oldcomputer.info/pc/hs_plus/index.htm)/[TURBO 888-XT](https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/vendex-head-start-turbo-888-xt.67609/)/VTI Vendex 33-XT/PC-10 and others)
- TD3900A-based PCs (Juko ST-12, UNIQUE, Auva, etc)
- Support for [EMM Homebrew 8088](https://www.homebrew8088.com/) with 8088, V20 or V40
- Emulator-optmized ([86Box](https://86box.net/) and others) for improved performance and stability
- Experimental support for [micro_8088](https://github.com/skiselev/micro_8088) / [NuXT](https://monotech.fwscart.com/) (looking for testers!)

## FAQ

### Why another 8088 PC BIOS in 2022?

Because learning. I've always wanted to know what actually happens inside the big gray box
and how everything actually works on a PC. Like an old car, radio or TV it's actually possible
for a hobbyist to learn all of the inner workings and be able to repair or build.
There are other excellent BIOS projects out there each with it's own design goals and use cases. The goals for GLaBIOS are:

1. A collborative learning effort among the Retro Community
2. A fully open-source PC BIOS, built and improved by the community, free of outside proprietary or copyrighted code
3. Feature-complete with full support for original vintage hardware as well as new projects

### Where did the name originate?

If you aren't familiar with the reference, ask a gamer.

### Project Goals

There are several other excellent BIOS projects out there each with it's own design goals and use cases. These are the goals for this one:

1. Learning
2. A fully open-source PC BIOS, built and improved by the community, free of outside proprietary or copyrighted code
3. Feature-complete with full support for original vintage hardware
4. Fit in an 8K ROM to drop in to any original PC or clone

### Where is the source code?

[Right here](https://github.com/640-KB/GLaBIOS/tree/main/src)
Expand Down Expand Up @@ -133,23 +122,29 @@ Hampa Hug's excellent [PCE/ibmpc emulator](http://hampa.ch/pce/pce-ibmpc.html) w

[Minuszerodegrees (-0°)](http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/) has a lot of information about [original ROM types](http://minuszerodegrees.net/rom/rom.htm) and "modern" equivalents. I found using [Winbond W27E257](http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/rom/misc/Winbond%20W27E257%20as%2027C256%20replacement.htm) EEPROMs worked very well since it could be electrically erased and re-written quickly. Since these are 32K EEPROMS, the image will need to be written 4 times sequentially. I use a TL866 II Plus to write the EEPROMs.

### Contact

Please send bug reports, feedback, questions or thoughts to 640kb@glabios.org or submit an [Issue](../../issues).

## References and Credits:

- https://stanislavs.org/helppc/
- [https://sites.google.com/site/pcdosretro/](https://web.archive.org/web/20220223124950/https://sites.google.com/site/pcdosretro/) (now offline)
- [https://sites.google.com/site/pcdosretro/](https://web.archive.org/web/20220223124950/https://sites.google.com/site/pcdosretro/)
- http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/
- https://www.felixcloutier.com/x86/

- Font bitmaps by "VileR", ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://int10h.org/oldschool-pc-fonts/readme/#legal_stuff))


### Further Credits to:

- The [Code Golf (CGCC)](https://codegolf.stackexchange.com/) community on Stack Exchange for helping me become a better ASM programmer.
- Hampa Hug for the excellent [PCE software](http://www.hampa.ch/pce/pce-ibmpc.html) that helped make development and debugging much easier.
- @Raffzahn, Contributor, Advisor and Meckerhut.
- @MadMaxx12345, @Makefile, @punishedbunny, @PickledDog and many others for testing, bug finding and feature suggestions.
- Dave Nault, my partner in crime for 2 semesters of college assembly language programming classes back in the day. Wherever you are buddy, hope you're doing well!
- @MadMaxx12345, @Makefile and @punishedbunny for testing, bug finding and feature suggestions.

## License

- GNU General Public License v3.0. See [LICENSE](LICENSE).

### Disclaimer

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