kenb@techsup.UUCP (06/19/86)
is anyone aware of computer systems based on the HD64180 from hitachi? what sorts of capabilities and software. anyone have a feel for this? ken brookner uucp: ihnp4!techsup!kenb genie: kbrookner
RCONN@SIMTEL20.ARPA (Rick Conn) (06/25/86)
There are 2 or 3 S-100 cards based on the 64180, and I think as many as 10 OEMs. Echelon mentions them from time to time in the newsletters. Also, Zilog is now second source for the 64180. All that I have heard of are running the Z System. Rick -------
HAAR%RCSMPA%gmr.com@CSNET-RELAY.ARPA (RLH) (07/02/86)
Ken Brookner requested info on HD64180 systems. I know of two types: Steve Ciarcia (of BYTE fame) thru the Circuit Cellar offers a single board computer with HD64180, 256K RAM, floppy controller, etc. for $369, with Z-System software for $499. There are a couple of add-on boards with modem/voice communications and SCSI interface available. There are a couple of companies offering S-100 bus boards with similar capabilities as well as access to other S-100 boards for additional hardware capabilities. As far as software, you could also run CP/M since the HD64180 executes Z80 machine code directly. The HD64180 would be a natural for CP/M 3.0 since it's extended addressing fits CP/M's idea of banked memory quite well. For those with a little more adventurous spirits, I would recommend using the Z-system instead. It consists of ZCPR, a replacement for CP/M's CCP that can be used with a slightly modified CP/M BIOS, and ZRDOS, a complete replacement for the CP/M BDOS/BIOS. Z-system currently offers a number of nice features over CP/M. There are some new versions coming out that support banked memory and multi-tasking on the HD64180. (If anyone from Echelon is listening, would comment on availablity dates?) One of the big advantages of the Z-system is the large and continually growing collection of utility programs that take advantage of it's special features. And, as you might have gathered, it is alive and well with committed support, unlike CP/M's death under Digital Research. Bob Haar [usual disclaimer == these opinions are purely my own personal ones, not that of my employer, my wife and kids, or the guinea pig.]