Re: PC Transporter help!

[venom@nudge.io.org (Robert Tate)]

David Empson (dempson@atlantis.actrix.gen.nz) wrote:
: In article <3g625c$5f1@ionews.io.org>, Robert Tate <venom@bonk.io.org> wrote:
: > Arrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhh!  Let's try again....
: > 
: > I'm looking for help with my PC Transporter card.  Actually, I want to 
: > know what changes would be necessary for me to be able to run 286 based 
: > programs on it and I also want to know if it would be able to perform 
: > multitasking.

: The PC Transporter uses an NEC V30 microprocessor, which has several
: extra instructions (compared to an 8088 or 8086).  All of these
: instructions were taken from the 80186 and 80286 instruction set.
: Any software than requires an 80286 but runs in "real" mode (not
: "protected" mode) should work on the PC Transporter.

: Software requiring "protected" mode (sometimes called "16-bit" mode)
: can not be used on a PC Transporter.  This rules out any software that
: requires extended memory (beyond 1 megabyte), which is only accessible
: in protected mode on an 80286 or later.  One feature you might see
: mentioned with some programs is "DPMI" (DOS Protected Mode Interface).
: This feature requires an 80286 or later processor running in protected
: mode, so it won't work on the PC Transporter.

: One program that comes to mind is 4DOS, a replacement for COMMAND.COM.
: Earlier versions of 4DOS included 8088 and 80286 versions.  The 80286
: version didn't offer any more features, but was faster and required
: less memory.  It worked fine on the PC Transporter.

: (With later versions of 4DOS, both the 8088 and 80286 versions are
: incorporated into one COM file, and the appropriate instructions are
: used; the PC Transporter still benefits from this.)

: Most multitasking software for the 80286 will only run in protected
: mode.  Some, such as Windows, can run in real mode, but with severe
: limitations.  (The PC Transporter's video is another major limitation
: when running Windows.)

: In summary, you are limited to a very small subset of programs that
: require an 80286.

: You cannot replace the microprocessor on the PCT with an 80286.

: > I am also interested in increasing the amount of RAM (currently 640k) to 
: > a meg or more.

: No can do.  The PC Transporter's design does not allow for any more
: memory.  It actually has 768k of RAM, but the extra 128k is used for
: video memory, buffering, and emulated hard drive and BIOS ROMs.


: If you want a more powerful PC, buy a real PC.
: -- 
: David Empson
: dempson@actrix.gen.nz
: Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand

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