Xenix IBM PC v1.0 Exploration

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Revision as of 02:14, 10 March 2023 by Toxi (talk | contribs)
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Setting up our VM

This specific version of Xenix is apparently only for the IBM PC AT, which uses a 80286. Let's first set up a VM for this, I'll be using 86Box.

I created a virtual machine with the following (stuff that I didn't mention were simply left blank):

Setting type Configuration
Machine
  • Machine: [80286] IBM AT
  • CPU type: Intel 80286, 8MHz
  • Memory: 640KB
  • FPU: 287
  • Time synchronization: Disabled
Display
  • Display: [ISA] Hercules
Storage controllers
  • HD controller: [ISA16] PC/AT IDE Controller
  • FD controller: Internal controller
Hard disks
  • Hard drive: IDE (0:0) drive, 615 cylinders, 4 heads, 17 sectors (20MB), with speed [1989] 3500 RPM
Floppy disks
  • Floppy drive(s): One 5.25" 1.2MB drive (A:), one 5.25" 360K drive (B:)

Using this configuration, try starting up the VM -- without any floppy disks in the drive, or anything like that. You might get a 161. It mentions to run SETUP.

How do you run SETUP, you may ask? IBM provided a diskette which would boot into special software that could configure your IBM AT. Luckily, people have archived this diskette -- it's available on [ https://winworldpc.com/product/ibm-pc-diagnostics/at-1x WinWorld]. Go ahead and download 1.01.

Then, insert the diskette. Simply continue where it said to run SETUP. It may ask you if you have finished connecting the battery. It'll throw a 0151. Press the Enter key a few times (there might be another way to bypass this error, but this is all I know). If you skip the time and date, it'll ask you to confirm -- press N and type the following:

For time, just use the current time.

For date, the current date, but replace the current year with 1985.

When it asks for a fixed disk, say that 1 are installed. If you used a different geometry, check if it's supported by using this list. Since this is the original version of SETUP -- use the first 15.

That's all I have to say really -- SETUP is easy to follow along, so just follow along I guess. When it's done, remove the diskette.

Setting up Xenix

If you want to download this version, please check it out on WinWorld.

Now, back on topic. We'll install Xenix now. Please note that these installation instructions are loosely based off the manuals, which are available at Bitsavers.

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