TRS-80 DOS – MultiDOS: Part 3 – MultiDOS v1.0 – v1.7.2

MultiDOS v1.0

Released:

• September 1, 1981 (Model I)
• January 31, 1982 (Model III)

Versions:

• Model I (Single-Density)
• Model III

Files:

• 24 (each dated September 1, 1981)

Beta Testers:

• Gordon Monnier, Kim Watt, and David Welsh

Innovations to BASIC:

• p[n] to list a page of lines
• C to CONTinue
• R to RUN
• CMD”V” to display scalar variables.

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.0
• Model III/MultiDOS v1.0

Background:

Originally called ULTRA-II an ‘internal’ DOS as the first name assigned to what became MULTIDOS. ULTRA-II was NEVER sold or given out to beta test.

Was released as a “new operating system by the author of ULTRADOS” and as the only DOS that can read (copy files from) all of the Model I and Model III operating systems. At the time “all” the Model I and Model III operating systems were: TRSDOS, NeWDOS, ULTRADOS, VTOS, DOSPLUS, DBLDOS, LDOS; and MULTIDOS.

Model I version had a “fatal bug” in DOS0/SYS discovered by Kim Watt.

The Model III version compared to the current released version of Model I except that the Model III version added DOS8 and DOS9 (DOS9 superseded HELP/CMD).

Contained the following files:

Contained the following library commands: [Red is Model III Only]

Advertisements:

MultiDOS v1.1

Released:

• January 15, 1982

Versions:

• Model I (Single-Density)

Files:

• 26 files, 12 of which still bear the v1.0 file date of September 1, 1981

Main Changes from v1.0:

• Fixed DOS0/SYS
• Added HELP/CMD
• Added SKIP/CMD

Beta Testers:

• Initial enhancements incorporated from feedback provided by: Johnn Audritsh, Charlie Butler, Mike Friedman, Andy Gariepy, Gordon Monnier, Kim Watt, and Paul Weiner.

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.1(Note: Bears v1.0 Version Number)

Background:

Kim Watt discovered a “fatal bug” in DOS0/SYS, and since MULTIDOS v1.0 did not have a ZAP utility, Vernon had to send all his customers (about 10 at the time) a new diskette. Vernon did not advance the version number (so it still reads v1.0).

What was the bug? Well, there are five ways to interface to a dual-sided disk drive: [1] treat it as a two drives, [2] treat it as an 80 track drive. i.e., if the cylinder is above 39, subtract 40 and select side 1 (this is the way MAXIDOS interfaced with dual-sided drives), [3] treat it as a two-volume diskette (original way DOSPLUS interfaced to dual-sided drives). MULTIDOS/ESOTERIC still supports this scheme, [4] treat it as a one-volume diskette (original way LDOS interfaced to dual-sided drives). MULTIDOS/ESOTERIC supports this scheme, and [5] treat it as a one-volume with overflow.

The intent was to initially write to side zero and use side one only if side zero is full. This is the way DOS0/SYS was designed (incomplete at the time Vernon had to ship product). Vernon thought he had sufficiently ‘JRed’ around the ‘overflow code’ before Vernon shipped any – but he didn’t. Subsequently, Vernon abandoned the ‘overflow’ concept.

Contained the following files:

Contained the following library commands:

Advertisements:

MultiDOS v1.2

Released:

• February 28, 1982

Versions:

• Model I (Single, Double, and Pseudo)
• Model III

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.2S
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.2D
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.2P
• Model III/MultiDOS v1.2

Contained the following files:

Contained the following library commands:

MultiDOS v1.3

Released:

• April 23, 1982 (Model I)
• April 29, 1982 (Model III)

Versions:

• Model I (Single, Double, and Pseudo)
• Model III

Main Changes from v1.2:

• Added CONVERT/CMD
• Added PATCH/CMD

Banner:

• Model I on Track 0, Sector 1
• Model III on Track 0, Sector 4

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.3S
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.3D
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.3P
• Model III/MultiDOS v1.3

Contained the following files:

Contained the following library commands: [Red = Model III Only]

MultiDOS v1.4

Released:

• April 30, 1982

Versions:

• Model I (Single, Double, and Pseudo)
  (There was no Model III version)

Main Changes from v1.3:

• HELP/CMD became DOS9/SYS
• DOS6/SYS split into DOS6/SYS and DOS8/SYS
• Added EA/DOC
• Added CAT/CMD

DOS Banner Location:

• Single-density banner on track 16, sector 9
• Double-density banner on track 1, sector 1

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.4S
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.4D
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.4P

Background:

Released to allow the Model I version 1.4 to catch up with the Model III version 1.3 in having 40 Library commands.

Contained the following files:

Contained the following library commands:

MultiDOS v1.5

Released:

• May 15, 1982

Versions:

• Model I (Single, Double, Pseudo, and Kernel)

Main Changes from v1.4:

• Added DBLFIX/CMD
• Added ZAP/CMD
• Automatic recognition of Doublers

DOS Banner Location:

• Single-density banner on track 16, sector 9
• Double-density banner on track 0, sector 2

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.5S
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.5D
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.5P
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.5SK (Kernel for Computer Shack)

Contained the following files:

Contained the following library commands:

Advertisements:

MultiDOS v1.6

Released:

• September 25, 1982 (Model I)
• November 8, 1982 (Model III)

Versions:

• Model I (Single, Double, and Pseudo)
• Model III

Main Changes from v1.5:

• Format pattern selectable
• Added DDT/CMD
• Added TAPE/CMD
• Added automatic configuration for any doubler installed
• Merged TU/CMD into VFU/CMD
• v1.6b contained a minor change to BASIC/CMD
• v1.6.? updated CAT/CMD
• v1.6.? updated BASIC/CMD

DOS Banner Location:

• Model I banner track 0, sector 6
• Model III banner track 0, sector 4

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.6S / v1.6D / v1.6P
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.6aS / v1.6aD / v1.6aP
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.6b
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.6c
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.6d
• Model III/MultiDOS v1.6 / v1.6a / v1.6b / v1.6c / v1.6d

Contained the following files:

Contained the following library commands: [Red = Model III Only]

Advertisements:

MultiDOS v1.7

Released:

• December 6, 1983 (v1.7 for MAX-80)
• January 25, 1984 (v1.7b for MAX-80)
• May 1, 1984 (v1.7c for MAX-80)
• September 10, 1984 (v1.7d for MAX-80)
• September 15, 1984 (v1.7 for Model I)
• January 9, 1985 (Model 4)
• January 15, 1985 (v1.7a for Model 4)
• January 18, 1985 (v1.7e for MAX-80)
• September 15, 1984 (v1.7 for Model III)

Versions:

• Model I (Single, Double, and Pseudo)
  Single-Density was a 2-Disk Set
• Model III
• Model 4
• MAX-80

Main Changes from v1.6:

• Mainly merged DIR/SYS and DOS/SYS from v1.6 into INDEX
• Added drive control table for Model I and Model III.
• Removed FORMS code from resident DOS disappointing many customers.
• First version for the Model 4
• Model 4 v1.7a added PRT/CMD and SETCOM/CMD
• First version for the MAX-80
• MAX-80 version was rushed to ship, so 7 programs were not converted. MAX-80 v1.7b added CAT/CMD, DBLFIX/CMD, DDT/CMD, MEM/CMD, RS/CMD, VFU/CMD, and ZAP/CMD
• MAX-80 v1.7c split ‘Index’ into RESIDENT/SYS and DIR/SYS
• MAX-80 v1.7d added TA/CMD
• MAX-80 v1.7e added CDIR/CMD, FMAP/CMD, LO/CMD, MEMDISK/CMD, PRT/CMD, and SETCOM/CMD. Renamed RESIDENT/SYS to SYSRES/SYS and built in type-ahead

DOS Banner Location:

• v1.7D and v1.7 banner appeared on track 0, sector 2
• Model 4 banner appeared on track 0, sector 2
• MAX-80 v1.7 and v1.7b banners appear on track 0, sector 13
• MAX-80 v1.7c and v1.7d banners appear on track 0, sector 12
• MAX-80 v1.7e banner appears on track 0, sector 2

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.7S
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.7D
• Model I/MultiDOS v1.7P
• Model III/MultiDOS v1.7
• Model 4/MultiDOS v1.7
• MAX-80/MultiDOS v1.7

v1.7 for Model I Contained the following files:

v1.7 for Model III/4 Contained the following files:

v1.7a for the Model 4 contained the following ADDITIONAL files:

v1.7 for the MAX-80 contained the following files:

v1.7b for the MAX-80 contained the following ADDITIONAL files:

v1.7c for the MAX-80 contained the following ADDITIONAL files from 1.7b:

New Files:

Removed Files:

v1.7d for the MAX-80 contained the following ADDITIONAL files from 1.7c:

v1.7e for the MAX-80 contained the following ADDITIONAL files from 1.7d:

New Files:

Removed Files:

Contained the following library commands:

Model I Contained the following library commands:

Model III Contained the following library commands:

Model 4 and MAX-80 Contained the following library commands:

MultiDOS v1.71

Released:

• February 11, 1985
  March 4, 1985 (Model 4)

Versions:

• Model I (Single, Double, and Pseudo)
  [Single-Density was a 2-Disk Set]
• Model III
• Model 4
• MAX-80

Main Changes:

• Access NEWDOS/80 diskettes with GPL > 2
• Added CDIR/CMD
• Added FMAP/CMD
• Added LO/CMD
• Added MEMDISK/CMD
• Added PRT/CMD
• Added SETCOM/CMD

Download Links:

• Model I/MultiDOS v1.71S / v1.71D / v1.71P
• Model III/MultiDOS v1.71
• Model 4/MultiDOS v1.71
• MAX-80/MultiDOS v1.71

Model III Contained the following files:

Model III version contained the following library commands:

MultiDOS v1.72

Versions:

• Model III
• MAX-80

Article Navigation:

Continue to …

Part 4: MultiDOS v2.0 – v6.00

Skip to …

Part 5: Z’DOS and ESOTERIC
Part 6: Q & A with Vernon Hester

Go back to …

Part 1: MultiDOS
Part 2: ULTRADOS Page