IBM 5120 (was Re: My First S-100 System)

From: Scarletdown <SecretaryBird_at_SoftHome.net>
Date: Sun Oct 13 22:58:28 2002

On 13 Oct 2002 at 10:14, vassilip_at_dsl.cis.upenn.edu wrote:


> "Scarletdown" <SecretaryBird_at_SoftHome.net> wrote:
> > I might just build a very minimalist 386 or 486 system from spare
> > parts I have lying about here, set it up with FreeDOS or MINIX, and
> > make that the console. [...]
>
> Actually the easiest way to build a 386-based terminal is with MSDOS
> (or DRDOS) and kermit. Kermit supports most serial cards and even some
> ethernet cards (so you can telnet over TCP/IP). There is even
> DOS-based software for mouse support (so you can cut & paste text).
>

I've got most of the components gathered and ready for assembly. My
first choice for this is still MINIX. I need to check the FAQ to
determine whether or not this 3COM EtherLink II TP (8 Bit ISA
Ethernet adapter) is one of the few NICs supported by MINIX. Then I
have to check and see if Token Ring and 3270 are supported. If just
one of those is a no go, then I will be using FreeDOS; an open source
MS-DOS compatible OS (think of it as to MS-DOS as Linux is to Unix).

The system thus far will consist of a 486/DX-33 in a MB with 8 16-BIT
ISA slots and 8 MB of RAM, VGA adapter, 16 bit IO card with one
floppy controller, one IDE controller, 2 serial ports, and 1 parallel
port, a 2nd IO card with 2 serial and 1 parallel port, then an
Ethernet adapter and a 3270 adapter (don't have an ISA Token Ring
card yet), 3.5" and 5.25" floppies, and dual IDE hard drives (43MB
and 84MB respectively). If I end up going with FreeDOS instead of
MINIX, the EtherLink II will be replaced with either an EtherLink III
or EtherExpress and the II will be used in the PS/2 Model 30, since
its slots are all 8 bit ISA.

The reason this system will have four COM ports is because in
addition to serving as the console for the Cromemco System Two, she
will also be the bridge between our various other classics (TI-99/4a,
Apple II systems of various models, TRS-80s, KayPros, etc) and the
LAN, as those old beasts don't have Ethernet capability and will
connect via serial connection.

I'm really looking forward to getting this little project started
soon. It should make for a few experience points, much like building
a FreeSCO router did. :)

-- Scarletdown
Received on Sun Oct 13 2002 - 22:58:28 BST