Help on Altos 586 system...

From: Jeff Kaneko <Jeff.Kaneko_at_ifrsys.com>
Date: Mon Dec 29 10:09:37 1997

Stuff I forgot to mention . . . .
 
<SNIP>

> >
> > When Xenix boots, it indicates that the machine has 840k of RAM, but says
> > little else. I'm not even sure right at the moment what processor is in
> > it. (not dug that far under the panels)

It uses an 8086 (10Mc). Xenix ran almost exclusively on 8x86 CPU's,
although according to the _Microcomputer Buyers Guide_ (1983):

"Micro$oft is enhancing UNIX for commercial applications and porting
it to the popular 16-bit microprocessors such as the Intel 8086,
Zilog Z-8000, Motorola 68000 and Digital PDP-11."

Those were the days, eh, Bill G.? ;-)

840K was Max memory for this machine, although you could add more
(MFM) disk drives via an expansion cabinet.

> >
> > Anyone familiar with this particular machine, and/or this variant of Xenix
> > that might be able to provide some insights? Any thoughts would be
> > appreciated!

IIRC, this Sub-Species of UNIX was of Edition-7 vintage. Once again,
from the _Guide_: "The Xenix Operating System is a 16-bit adaptation
of Bell Labortories' Version 7 UNIX system."

So this thing is pre-System III. IIRC, It had some Berkley-ish
characteristics.

The entry in the _Guide_ goes on to say that this system will also
run CP/M-86, MP/M-86, OASIS-16, and PICK as well as M$-DOS.

The 586-10 had a sticker price of $7990 (in 1983).

> >
> > Thanks!
> > -jim
> >
> > ---
> > jimw_at_agora.rdrop.com
> > The Computer Garage - http://www.rdrop.com/~jimw
> > Computer Garage Fax - (503) 646-0174
> >
> >
> >
>
>
Received on Mon Dec 29 1997 - 10:09:37 GMT

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