Which CP/M BOOT .DSK is Best ???

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

Considering there are multiple CP/M BOOT .DSKs ... CP/M 2.2?  CP/M 3.0?  

I'm wondering Which is best for:  

A basic Altair 8800c or even original Altair 8800 computer with an 8080 CPU board?  

How about an Altair using a Z80 CPU?  

How about using the ESP32 FDC+ WiFi modules v. FDC+ Serial Drive Server on a PC?  

Are there direct links to download the .DSK files?  

.

[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

I forgot to mention, those questions would be good for discussion in the next ZOOM on Sunday.  

.

[Patrick Linstruth]

I think the answer is, “it depends”.

Assuming an FDC+ for your disk controller, I would use the following:

1) Real 8” floppy drives: Mike’s buffered CP/M 2.2.

2) Real 5.25” floppy drives: Mike’s 1.5MB CP/M 2.2.

3) Serial Drives: Mike’s 8MB CP/M 2.2

I see no benefit to using CP/M 3 for what I do.

I don’t think there is any difference between using a Z80 or 8080, other than inherent Z80 performance improvements, since all the CP/M images for Altair I know of are written for the 8080. Some CP/M images will not work with a Z80 since the timing is dependent on a 2MHz 8080.

All of the Altair CP/M images I’m aware of require a 2SIO and Altair-compatible disk controller like the FDC+. If you’re wanting to use any other hardware, like boards from s100computers.com or a JAIR, then none of these images will work as none of them support “standard” interfaces.

So, it depends on your hardware and what you’re wanting to accomplish as to which CP/M is best.

I have started a repository of disk images for various disk controllers, but all need a 2SIO. Since this is project that is currently under development, content is subject change without notice and the documentation has not been written yet.

https://github.com/deltecent/altair8800-packages

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[Walt Perko]

Hi, 

My questions are for a more basic Altair 8800 computer using only a front panel, a CPU board, a RAM board and an 88-2SIO (JP or R1 or MITS Original) ... connecting to either the FDC+ Serial Drive Server running on a PC or the  ESP32 FDC+ WiFi module.  Connecting the console to either a terminal emulator on their PC or a real dumb terminal that doesn't require more than a simple Rx/Tx exchange of data.  

This is what I figure is the best starting point for newbies or even people with plenty of experience building a new Altair 8800 compatible computer.  

Later, people can look into adding various external devices to their working system one piece at a time ... like a real floppy drive, or a video console board, or other devices.  

The idea is getting a basic system up 'n running and having a choice of a .DSK file for BOOTing their system.  

.

[Joseph Corda]

Good questions Walt .. along those same lines 
I would be interested in: 

• Learning more about the basic steps needed to be modified in CP/M 2.2 BIOS for adding a different SIO and FDC controller 
• For example a Cromemco TUART (or CompuPro interfacer 1) and CompuPro Disk 1 FDC) to a basic Altair 8800c system.   
• is there a CP/M 2.2 source that is recommend as a good starting point ?  
• Lifeboat, Mike's Altair CP/M ..etc
• Has anyone used SIMH Altair8800 or Altairz80 as a test base for CP/M BIOS changes? 
• Honestly I would think adding the TUArt and DISK! as virtual hardware would be my block point here

As I see it, being able to get different brands of cards to work under CP/M seems like a powerful skill.

Joe

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