FO-DOS

The FO-DOS Cartridge is a BIOS/BASIC 1.1 ROM upgrade for the CPC 464 from Duchet Computers. The cartridge contains a 32K BIOS/BASIC EPROM, two diodes, a LED, and a switch (for switching between old/new ROM).

Combining the FO-DOS cartridge with an additional Standard Memory Expansion expansion and an external DDI-1 disc drive would upgrade a CPC464 not to a CPC6128 since some banking logic is still missing. For example the RAM configuration &C1 and &C3 are not working.

Exact EPROM content is unknown. It might be an original or modified, english or french CPC6128 BIOS ROM...? (being made in 1989 it probably has the newer french rom). From cpcrulez forum: Boot messages says "...v3 (1985)... basic 1.1"

The meaning of the name "FO-DOS" is unknown - and, it's misleading: it doesn't contain a DOS, only BIOS and BASIC.

Pictures

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Download

• EPROM-Image - none such dumped yet...?

Review

FO-DOS cartridge review from cpcrulez.fr originally from french magazine Amstar & CPC, issue 36 (1989), translated:

Who has not dreamed of having two computers in one. Until now, owners of 464 were to be pitied: Some software runs only on 6128, others require a memory upgrade. It was good to have new versions of CPC.

Finally here is that the dream became reality with the card FO-DOS extension 64K and a floppy drive, the 464 morphed into 6128 except for the look outside. All thanks to a piece of printed circuit supporting a ROM, a diode and a switch. The installation of the card is very simple: just place the connector on the floppy disk and then install the 64K (optional) and then the floppy drive. Obviously this is a little gas plant, especially if one adds a Mirage Imager or a Hacker, but who cares, just change the switch position so that you end up with a 464 or a 6128. If the programs are not used to call Bankmanager. then the extension is not required 64K. The listings published in the journal Amstar & CPC (for example!) Work so no problem.

You can get card FO-DOS with Extended Memory Duchet Computers with manuals in French please!

Hey while we're in Duchet products, the new version of the Hacker arrived. Just change a little ROM and voila: Version 7.0 brings an extra assembler. Then you fiddle with machine language!