Imsai 8080 microcomputer system software

Publication date 197605 topics vintage computer, classic computer, s100, advertising collection opensource language english. Ims planned a system including a terminal, small computer, printer, and special software. It was essentially a clone of the earlier released mits altair 8800, and is known to most computer historians as the first clone computer, or computer designed specifically to mimic another computer system. The functional configuration of the pi06 board is controlled by the microprocessor software. The imsai 8080 was an early microcomputer begun in late 1975, based on the intel 8080 and later 8085 and the s100 bus. It is based on the intel 8080 micro processor chip. The unprecedented success of the mits altair prompted many to enter the personal computer arena with competing systems to capitalize on the new market and mits inability to fulfill all of its orders in a timely fashion. Imsai 8080 simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The imsai 8080 was one of the more popular clones, with a more robust design. Leor zolman was an mit student who started a company called brain damage software and developed bds c, the first reasonably priced c compiler for cpm systems. Only true hackers were successful at efficiently operating an imsai 8080.

Imsai 8080 microprocessor system illustrated catalog prices, terms and specifications subject to change without notice. On june 18, 2002 doug earp provided details to the story of imsai s earliest beginnings, and ive posted those developments, along with a very rare image of charles tandys radio shack imsac version of the imsai 8080. They did contract hardwaresoftware work for business and the government. Micro instrumentation and telemetry systems mits was an american electronics company founded in albuquerque, new mexico that began manufacturing electronic calculators in 1971 and personal computers in 1975 ed roberts and forrest mims founded mits in december 1969 to produce miniaturized telemetry modules for model rockets such as a roll rate sensor. Even alpha micro systems used the imsai for its first 16bit multiuser systems.

History of computing hardware 1960spresent wikipedia. The imsai machine used a highly modified version of the cpm operating system called imdos. This 157page book describes the design, operation and specifications of many of the msi and lsi devices used in the imsai 8080. The imsai 8080 was probably the first clone in the pc world. Leor is one of the unrecognized pioneers of the microcomputer revolution, and his first computer was the imsai 8080. Its modular, so you can easily add to your imsai 8080 system. True, there were other, earlier computers, but most were available in kitform only, requiring long and complicated assembly. Imsai pic8 board the pic8 priority interruptprogrammable clock board provided the imsai 8080 microcomputer system with an eight level priority interrupt capability and a software. The imsai 8080 arguably the first personal computer clone, this machine combines function and form in what may be the most attractive microcomputer ever. The imsai 8080 was one of the earliest microcomputers released for the public, and was released towards the end of 1975. Imsai documentation the manuals in this directory were contributed by imsai, a division of fischerfreitas company. Harte technologies online manual archive for ieee696 s100 bus manuals and related documentation.

The imsai is largely regarded as the first clone microcomputer. The fischerfreitas company, who had purchased some of the imsai rights and materials after bankruptcy, produced approximately another 2200 systems. This type of programming is very slow and tedious any mistake could corrupt the system and youd have to start over again. The imsai is largely thought of as the first clone computer.

Intel 8080 microprocessor system users manual an introduction to microcomputers software including monitor, assembler, editor, loader and debugger punched paper tape and source listings. The standard of excellence in microcomputer systems. Imsai 8080 is the name of one of the earliest consumer computers, released in 1975 by ims associates, inc. The imsai 8080 was an early microcomputer released in late 1975, based on the intel 8080 and later 8085 and s100 bus. Imsai 8080 the broad acceptance of the imsai 8080 has made ims associates, inc.

This configuration is 6 12 shorter in depth than the fulllength imsai series two and original imsai 8080. Megabyte micro microcomputer system imsai manufacturing corp. Basic software furnished includes a resident monitor, assembler, text editor, loader and debugger. It was one of the first microcomputers, with the mits altair 8800 being its competitor. Each set of 24 parallel io lines is derived from intels 8255 programmable peripheral interface integrated circuit. Utilising the s100 bus standard the imsai 8080 was a copy of the design of the altair 8800 the worlds first micro computer. The total production of the imsai 8080 between 1975 and 1979 was more than 17,000, but probably less than 20,000 units. Imsai was the first company to commercially license the cpm operating system from its creator gary kildall, once the most popular operating system in the world for microcomputers until eventually eclipsed by microsofts dos in the early 1980s. One project they had was the development of a hypercube a multiprocessor 8080 cpu system allowing parallel processing. Software available only to owners of an imsai basic computer system. Ive been working on building an imsai 8080 cpa front panel replica since may 2017. As the project evolved they needed a disk operating system hardware and software. Not a cheap photocopy of another poor manual on cheap paper. The function of the pi06 board is that of a general purpose io component to interface peripheral equipment to the imsai 8080 microcomputer system bus.

Used imsai 8080 s100 bus vintage computer with cpm 2. The imsai was sold as a kit and was therefore constructed by its owner. Youll need this book if you are going to program in assembly language. The imsai 8080 was an early microcomputer released in late 1975. This model was featured as a prop in the 1983 movie war games. While it was not strictly a clone of the altair, this machine adopted the bus structure of the altair and used interchangeable plugin circuit. Like all early s100 based systems, the imsai is really just a large metal case with a power supply, and numerous slots to insert the expansion cards. Shortly after the altair 8800 kicked off the microcomputer business, clones of the altair started to appear. Five of these work stations were to have common access to a hard disk, which would be controlled by a small computer. Hew interfaces and systems will also be forthcoming through a. Designed for both office and home use, the imsai series vdp4x places a complete microcomputer system well within the budget of the average small businessman or system developer.

While imsai never became a successful systems house as did cromemco and others, the imsai 8080 with its massive power supply and 22slot chassis was a foundation for almost any 8080 or z80 system you could think of. Interest grew quickly after it was featured on the cover of the january 1975 issues and was sold by mail order through advertisements there in radioelectronics, and in other hobbyist magazines. Many hobbyists during the mid1970s designed their own systems, with various degrees of success, and sometimes banded together to ease the job. Figure 1 is a photo of this single owner imsai 8080 computer origionally purchased as a kit by the seller in the late 70s, the date on the motherboard is 1977. A continuing program to develop and adapt software to the imsai 8080 system has been initiated and most programs will be made available at cost of reproduction and handling. Micro instrumentation and telemetry systems wikipedia. Whether youre a costperformanceconscious oem, or an uncompromising experimenter, imsai 8080 should be your affordable choice. The imsai 8080 is a rugged, highquality com simplicity. Cash, check, money order, bankamericard, master charge include all embossed. The imsai is largely regarded as the first clone computer. I later got hold of imsai schematics and wire wrapped. Theres a wide range of highlevel system software available to registered imsai 8080 owners at very low cost. There is a play list of videos on youtube that demonstrate this stepbystep assembly sequence and includes additional tips for successful assembly.

Megabyte micro microcomputer system imsai manufacturing. The altair is widely recognized as the spark that ignited the microcomputer revolution as the first. The imsai machine ran a highly modified version of the cpm operating system called imdos. A usb 3port hub links the front panel to an 8051style microcontroller for interface between the s100 and pc systems. It was a clone of its main competitor, the earlier mits altair 8800. In 1974, ims was contacted by a client which wanted a workstation system that could complete jobs for any general motors newcar dealership. This microcomputer was designed by ims associates inc in san leandro, california, usa. In fact, the imsai 8080 existed at least 6 months before the altair. The computer in david lightmans bedroom was an imsai 8080 minus the cover, first released in 1975, and one of the first personal computers available as a pre. It was compatible with its main competitor, the earlier mits altair 8800, by which it was inspired. Cpm80 was the first popular microcomputer operating system to be used by many different hardware vendors, and many software packages were written for it, such as wordstar and dbase ii. Copies of s100 board and system manuals many imsai systems were configured with non imsai boards and peripherals. Imsai 8080 microcomputer system imsai manufacturing corp. They include fullsize 11 x 17 copies of schematics and assembly drawings as originally produced by imsai.