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A 32-bit virtual-memory 80386 microprocessor may be used as a VME Bus CPU. This chip can intermix operating systems, such as UNIX and MSDOS. The VME Bus allows the user to implement a system that supports high data transfer rates and multiple bus masters. 80386- and 68020-based cards can be mixed in the same system to take advantage of their respective strengths.

Every company's adaptation of a bus structure for use with the 80386 chip is different. IBM's Personal System-2 Model 80 has one as well, but it's not certain it will become a standard. Compaq is the industry leader in the 80386 market with the Deskpro 386. IBM is willing to reveal details of the Micro-Channel, but Compaq doesn't follow suit. A Deskpro 386 with a 40 M-byte hard disk is $6499. The roughly equivalent IBM MOdel 80 starts at $6499. Faraday Electronics of Sunnyvale, CA. is very vocal on how a bus should be constructed, and is critical of the approach taken by the non-IBM entries. Mad Intelligent Systems has introduced the D3000 Desktop Series 80836-based computer. It has a proprietary 32-bit extension of the PC-AT's memory bus. Daisy Systems introduced two 80386 workstations exactly one month before the IBM Personal System-2. Finally, Gold Hill Computers offers the Hummingboard, which provides the speed of a LISP workstation for PCs.

The High Memory Area: Addressing 64Kb More Memory in Real Mode Everyone knows that the greatest possible amount of memory that the Intel 8086 and 8088 microprocessors can address is […]

OEMs Break New Ground With '386 Engines In the good old days--say, two years ago--personal computers and technical work-stations could be reasonably distinguished by price, power and performance capabilities. However, […]

Industry adaption of the Intel 80386 microcomputer has resulted in a stampede of distributors wanting to market 80386-based products. The overwhelming popularity of the Intel technology is spurred by its 32-bit architecture, as well as by its compatibility to 20,000 to 30,000 MS-DOS applications. Vendors note that 80386 technology has competition in the Motorola 68000 family, the industry lacks a 32-bit bus standard, and applications can only address 640Kbytes of RAM. IBM has established a conservative product schedule to address 80386 limitations and add proprietary technology to foil clone makers. Other manufacturers and their marketing strategies are examined.

Investigating the Debugging Registers of the Intel 386 Microprocessor The more complex a program and the microprocessor executing it, the bigger the task of debugging. In very complex systems, external […]