pengan wrote on 2024-06-21, 12:29:

betamax80 wrote on 2024-06-20, 14:32:

I have a PicoMEM board, and this is interesting because it feels like this is pushing the limits of this system. I'm actually wondering if the Parallel and Serial ports are taking up precious IRQ's that might be needed for the USB OTG system on the PicoMEM.

There are some compatibility issues between Book8088's XT-IDE and PicoMEM, requiring additional setup can be found in the PicoMEM Wiki.
https://github.com/FreddyVRetro/ISA-PicoMEM/w … c-configuration

Indeed there are - but the "config.txt" solution works very well - the important thing is to be running the May 28 firmware if you have a Book8088.

Hi everyone.

Sorry for being asking for help in the very first post here, but it is how it is.

Story is, my Pocket 8086 arrived from AliExpress with faulty keyboard.
See video where I compare it with Pocket 386:
https://imgur.com/a/0PPTpP7

The seller refuses to acknowledge the problem, citing contradictory and nonsense arguments (auto translate from chinese doesn't help to make things clear either) such as:

• It's not a keyboard issue. 8086 is just too slow to process keystrokes.
• It's not your specific unit issue. All 8086 keyboards behave like that. You must press at the center of the keys to work.

So, if you own Pocket 8086 I kindly ask you to answer some questions (any you want):

1. Do you think my unit have keyboard issue?
2. Do you have similar issues with yours?
3. Maybe you could make a video of your Pocket 8086 showing existence or absence of such issue?
   (TESTKEY.COM utility I used is attached to this post, I downloaded it from DOS programs on GitHub collection).

If you have any thoughts on this topic (e.g. about fixing, obtaining replacement keyboard etc.), please share.

Thank you!

PS. And bonus question for those who reached this far 😀
Do you have any luck connecting external PS/2 mouse to Pocket 8086?
Mine is working fine with Pocket 386 but not with 8086.
Maybe the reason is there is no way (as far as I know) to switch between internal (keyboard emulated) and external one because 8086 doesn't have such option in SOSD menu (unlike 386).

Greetings to all, long time 😉

Have anyone tried soviet 8086 (KM1810VM86) on this new Pocket8086?

My Book8088 has now his younger brother - Pocket8086 (aligned to compare the size):

KR1810VM86 works just fine, KM1810VM88 should also work (if jumpers switched), haven't tried yet:

While disassembling, I was surprised how much rusty was all the top case screws (will replace them with stainless ones some day):

• It looks like cyrillic symbols will not be easy to embed: video bios appears to be soldered down to the VGA card board...
• Speakers are hell of a loud: don't try to turn on this thing while your child is sleeping near by - your wife will kick your ... 😀
• I had to take Yamaha card out to shut the device up: there's a muting key combination, but unfortunately it can't be permanently saved.
• Loved that OSD display, didn't like it's 'turbo' mode turned on by default.
• User manual is sweet and coloured, it has all the key combinations and instructions on paper - very handy.
• Ctrl+alt+del always hangs the system instead of restarting - I don't know if it is a typical bug, but I haven't had it worked correctly at least once...
• My device came with all the adapters, I'm planning to try mouse/keyboard and VGA out.

Tin Whisker wrote on 2024-07-17, 17:03:

Maybe you could make a video of your Pocket 8086 showing existence or absence of such issue?

There is no problem on my device (just like on your black device), but I sometimes see a lag very similar to what I see on your video when executing 'dir' command: it starts to list the directory structure and once at the bottom, it freezes for some time and finish its job. However, during the lag it actively reads the CF-card (flashing led) - it's hardly visible on your video, but I guess it doesn't do anything.
Indeed, it looks unusual. Shouldn't be like that.

Haven't tried any PS/2 mouse/keyboard - I have COM mouse and I'll try it through the adapter, but I'm sure it will work.

Errand wrote on 2024-08-18, 21:39:

There is no problem on my device (just like on your black device), but I sometimes see a lag very similar to what I see on your video when executing 'dir' command: it starts to list the directory structure and once at the bottom, it freezes for some time and finish its job. However, during the lag it actively reads the CF-card (flashing led) - it's hardly visible on your video, but I guess it doesn't do anything.
Indeed, it looks unusual. Shouldn't be like that.

That's normal for MS-DOS and it's variants. It does not cache the free space count until it's accessed with the "dir" command. It takes a few moments but afterwards, "dir" will be snappy.

There is a key combo to remember the turbo setting. I forget what it is, it’s in the manual I think. I needed that for my 5mhz 8088 as it hangs my pocket8086 at the 10mhz turbo mode😊 I love that I can swap in my 8088, 8086 and V30 for direct perf comparisons.

STrRedWolf wrote on 2024-08-18, 23:39:

That's normal for MS-DOS and it's variants. It does not cache the free space count until it's accessed with the "dir" command. It takes a few moments but afterwards, "dir" will be snappy.

My IBM PS/2 model 30 (with 8086) does the same with PC DOS 7 and MS DOS 6.22 when doing a directory with my 1gig CF card and xt-ide.

On Pocket8086 the default Windows installation from the supplied CF card isn’t working when non-V30 CPU installed: it is loaded into black screen…
I guess this is due to the non-hacked VGA driver.

Tin Whisker wrote on 2024-07-17, 17:03:

Hi everyone. […]
Show full quote

Hi everyone.

Sorry for being asking for help in the very first post here, but it is how it is.

Story is, my Pocket 8086 arrived from AliExpress with faulty keyboard.
See video where I compare it with Pocket 386:
https://imgur.com/a/0PPTpP7

The seller refuses to acknowledge the problem, citing contradictory and nonsense arguments (auto translate from chinese doesn't help to make things clear either) such as:

• It's not a keyboard issue. 8086 is just too slow to process keystrokes.
• It's not your specific unit issue. All 8086 keyboards behave like that. You must press at the center of the keys to work.

So, if you own Pocket 8086 I kindly ask you to answer some questions (any you want):

1. Do you think my unit have keyboard issue?
2. Do you have similar issues with yours?
3. Maybe you could make a video of your Pocket 8086 showing existence or absence of such issue?
   (TESTKEY.COM utility I used is attached to this post, I downloaded it from DOS programs on GitHub collection).

If you have any thoughts on this topic (e.g. about fixing, obtaining replacement keyboard etc.), please share.

Thank you!

PS. And bonus question for those who reached this far 😀
Do you have any luck connecting external PS/2 mouse to Pocket 8086?
Mine is working fine with Pocket 386 but not with 8086.
Maybe the reason is there is no way (as far as I know) to switch between internal (keyboard emulated) and external one because 8086 doesn't have such option in SOSD menu (unlike 386).

The quality of the keyboards on these machines is indeed somewhat inconsistent. The right [shift] key on my own Pocket 8086 has stopped working.
There are quite a few items in config.sys and autoexec.bat. I noticed that the machine became very slow after I connect Ethernet card, but the issue improved after disabling UMB and the EGA driver.

STrRedWolf wrote on 2024-08-18, 23:39:

Errand wrote on 2024-08-18, 21:39:

There is no problem on my device (just like on your black device), but I sometimes see a lag very similar to what I see on your video when executing 'dir' command: it starts to list the directory structure and once at the bottom, it freezes for some time and finish its job. However, during the lag it actively reads the CF-card (flashing led) - it's hardly visible on your video, but I guess it doesn't do anything.
Indeed, it looks unusual. Shouldn't be like that.

That's normal for MS-DOS and it's variants. It does not cache the free space count until it's accessed with the "dir" command. It takes a few moments but afterwards, "dir" will be snappy.

Hoof wrote on 2024-08-19, 04:47:

STrRedWolf wrote on 2024-08-18, 23:39:

That's normal for MS-DOS and it's variants. It does not cache the free space count until it's accessed with the "dir" command. It takes a few moments but afterwards, "dir" will be snappy.

My IBM PS/2 model 30 (with 8086) does the same with PC DOS 7 and MS DOS 6.22 when doing a directory with my 1gig CF card and xt-ide.

Hi there. You can use FASTOPEN as a workaround. It's an external command and part of MS-DOS.
Alternatively, an NEC V20/V30 can slightly speed up calculation.

SmartDrive has a positive effect, too, I think, but requires more memory.
But speedwise, it works surprisingly well on an 4,77 MHz XT computer (I've tried).
Especially if an MFM/RLL drive is in the system, were data transfer is more limited than CPU power of an 8088/V20.

PS: Central Point PC-Tools 6 and 7 do contain PC-CACHE. It uses about 64KB for HDD/floppy caching.
Other versions of the software may include it, too, but I'm not sure.

For those who have asked if PS/2 keyboard is working with Pocket8086: I’ve successfully connected PS/2 keyboard through PS/2+VGA from the device kit - and it worked.
While it is connected, the laptop’s keyboard also work fine.

I also have PS/2 mouse, but I’m sure it’ll work.

Planning to try connecting everything to my old CRT-monitor, so that I can use Pocket8086 as a desktop computer I was using tens of years ago - this tiny laptop keyboard is painful.

Errand wrote on 2024-09-03, 10:23:

Planning to try connecting everything to my old CRT-monitor, so that I can use Pocket8086 as a desktop computer I was using tens of years ago - this tiny laptop keyboard is painful.

I own the Pocket386, not the Book8088,but that was honestly my expectation going into the purchase. I don’t think a 7” keyboard exists that I would be happy to use on a regular basis. If I put both hands in front of me in a non-cramped typing position I’d guess a 12” keyboard would be about the minimum for decent typing experience.

I’ve used my 1994 IBM Model M and an old Logitech trackball with PS/2 connector on my Pocket 8086, no issues. VGA works fine with my CRT too, albeit dimmer than my regular VGA cards. I’d use it this way more if I didn’t also have my IBM PS/2 Model 30 (8086 version) set up.

I have just ordered a Pocket 8086. I have read online that some people have experienced the video chip getting very hot on the book 8088 and also similar issue on the Pocket 386 (to the point of dying). Does the Pocket 8086 suffer the same?

I don't intend to use this as a laptop. I just want a small XT/AT class PC to connect to PS/2 keyboard and mouse with CRT Monitor (I am guessing that this performs somewhere between an XT and AT?).

I mostly just want to try some old very old games and also to try software development on it. Possibly with assembly language. To see what these things can do.

What do you all use your Book 8088 and Pocket 8086s for?

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2024-11-22, 07:03:

Does the Pocket 8086 suffer the same?

Yeah, absolutely: my Pocket8086 is also getting very hot appx at the bottom-left part of the LCD screen. I’m not using turbo mode and still it becomes hot, but in most cases it happens during Windows sessions - during MS DOS sessions the device feels a bit cooler.

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2024-11-22, 07:03:

What do you all use your Book 8088 and Pocket 8086s for?

Well, at this moment I’m still setting it up and copying all the old files I’m able to recover from my old floppy disks to rebuild the state of how it was tens of years ago (including windows wallpaper and folder names I gave - I no longer have my old PC, but I can still remember everything). I want to set it as a compact and mobile “nostalgy” device I can periodically turn on and have fun, show to children how computers felt like when I was young or even use the device for some simple tasks. Probably, I’ll try assembly language and some windows software (if time). I use soviet CPU in the device.

Errand wrote on 2024-11-22, 08:52:

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2024-11-22, 07:03:

Does the Pocket 8086 suffer the same?

Yeah, absolutely: my Pocket8086 is also getting very hot appx at the bottom-left part of the LCD screen. I’m not using turbo mode and still it becomes hot, but in most cases it happens during Windows sessions - during MS DOS sessions the device feels a bit cooler.

Hi there. On Windows 3.x in 386 Enhanced Mode, there's an idle driver that can be used.
It will put the processor to sleep if nothing is to do.
It's WQGHLT by Weiqi Gao.

Maybe it can be modified for Real-Mode, too?
The 386 Enhanced Mode is merely a requirement because it's a VXD, which has full control in Ring 0.
But since Real-Mode has no ring scheme, porting it to 8086 Windows versions might be possible.

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2024-11-22, 07:03:

What do you all use your Book 8088 and Pocket 8086s for?

Do stationary XTs count, as well? 😉
If so, then there's a lot that can be done with it.

(Here's an older thread that I remember participating, too! Re: Anything else besides games on your retro PC? How old are You?)

- run IC Database (Freeware version with ads)
- use STS Orbit Plus to track ISS or CSS (8087 recommended)
- draw pictures using Deluxe Paint (separate VGA and CGA release), Dr. Halo, PC Paint 1.x (has CGA drawings), PC Paintbrush on Windows 2.x
- play point&click adventures (Rise of Dragon has EGA/CGA release)
- run vintage amateur radio soft (Graphic Packet, XPacket, APRSdos, HamComm, Hellschreiber, JV-Fax, GSHPC aka SAW-SCAN, EZSSTV, PKTMON, PRMON)
- run emulators, such as SIM-51 or NO$GMB (SB or AdLib recommended).
- play early Windows games (Balance of Power, Klotz on Windows 2)

PS: You can use your AdLib FM card and Sound Blaster card in Windows 3, maybe even in Real-Mode.
- FM/OPL2 is being accessible by a shareware package, the FM-Driver (has editor and 20 sample songs); more information here (see box art, back side)
- Sound Blaster is accessible via Creative drivers from 1991, the Windows driver (sndblst.dll) and its sample applications work in Real-Mode

Errand wrote on 2024-11-22, 08:52:

Yeah, absolutely: my Pocket8086 is also getting very hot appx at the bottom-left part of the LCD screen. I’m not using turbo mode and still it becomes hot, but in most cases it happens during Windows sessions - during MS DOS sessions the device feels a bit cooler.

That is kinda concerning. I will have to monitor it. Since I don't plan on using it as a laptop, I guess I can always open up the case and put a fan blowing over it.

Errand wrote on 2024-11-22, 08:52:

Well, at this moment I’m still setting it up and copying all the old files I’m able to recover from my old floppy disks to rebuild the state of how it was tens of years ago (including windows wallpaper and folder names I gave - I no longer have my old PC, but I can still remember everything). I want to set it as a compact and mobile “nostalgy” device I can periodically turn on and have fun, show to children how computers felt like when I was young or even use the device for some simple tasks. Probably, I’ll try assembly language and some windows software (if time). I use soviet CPU in the device.

Nice. I guess reliving old memories is part of the charm of these things. For me, my first PC was a 286. So this Pocket 8086 is substantially slower than that.

I am just looking forward to seeing what it is capable of. Maybe I will try to write a simple game for it or something. I think the slower the hardware, the less complex you need to try to be. Writing modern games is, mostly, a huge undertaking, as expectations are so much higher.

I have bought an 8088 and an NEC V30 to try in it also.

Jo22 wrote on 2024-11-22, 10:47:

Maybe it can be modified for Real-Mode, too?
The 386 Enhanced Mode is merely a requirement because it's a VXD, which has full control in Ring 0.
But since Real-Mode has no ring scheme, porting it to 8086 Windows versions might be possible.

Well volunteered. When will you have it done? 😀

Jo22 wrote on 2024-11-22, 10:47:

Do stationary XTs count, as well? 😉
If so, then there's a lot that can be done with it.

That's an interesting list of ideas. Sometimes I am surprised what these old CPUs can do.

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2024-11-22, 12:09:

Jo22 wrote on 2024-11-22, 10:47:

Do stationary XTs count, as well? 😉
If so, then there's a lot that can be done with it.

That's an interesting list of ideas. Sometimes I am surprised what these old CPUs can do.

You're welcome. ^^

The 8086/88 can also run OSes like Coherent, Venix, Xenix, Minix 1 or PC-MOS/386.

The latter is a bit like MP/M 86, but for DOS applications. It's open source now.
Despite its name it will run on 8086/88, too, but without the advanced memory features (needs an 386 or an 286 with extra MMU for that).

Simple multitasking works, though, as long as enough conventional memory is available (sessions via ADDTASK, ALT+num keys).

Later versions are DOS 3 and 5 compatible, can handle FAT16 and EGA/VGA.
Using a serial terminal for i/o is possible, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YkAVojQbi4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtHNEUEF2Iw

Wendin DOS is a neat little multi-tasking/multi-user OS with a DOS emulator, too.
It's based on an VMS architecture and can run DOS 2.11 level applications, I think.

https://lunduke.substack.com/p/wendin-dos-the … n-multi-tasking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl6dZq0aV2w

PS: Also neat is DOS Plus 1.2, I think. It's a version of CP/M-86 with a built-in DOS emulator (PC-Mode).
It can run both CP/M-86 and DOS 2.x applications, but no DOS drivers in config.sys.
It can also read/write both CP/M and DOS filesystem and can boot from HDD.
However, it must be an oldstyle HDD controller, such as an DTC 5150X MFM/RLL controller. IDE is not supported.

It came today. Initial impressions on the device are good. Though, that bundle of wires in the hinge leading to the screen makes me wonder how long that will last before those wires break. I thought usually a ribbon is used for that kind of connection.