The 386 R&D program is divided into two branches: Intel8086 and MC68000 according to the different CPUs used.

Tang Huan naturally couldn't make two completely different systems according to this difference, not to mention that he had already completed the ISA bus in advance.

There is a reason for the development of microcomputer technology in the previous life, and it can be used as a reference, after classifying complex functions, the difference between the two CPUs is isolated through the chipset on the motherboard.

Among the chipsets, the southbridge and the northbridge are the most important, the former is used to process low-speed signals and communicate with the CPU through the northbridge; The latter is used to process high-speed signals, such as the channel between the central processing unit and the RAM.

Of course, the current CPU and memory run at the same frequency.

With the chipset, general-purpose floppy disk drives, sound cards, graphics cards, mice, keyboards, and other equipment can be handed over to third-party manufacturers to produce according to standards, just like Sharp can produce CRT monitors.

Tang Huan felt that this degree of modularity was not enough, and used his brain on the memory again.

Now the random access memory,It's directly soldered to the motherboard,It's inconvenient to upgrade,The kind of memory in the previous life began to appear in the IBMPC286 era,Tang Huan decided to directly use this memory carrying method。

These design intentions will naturally increase the difficulty of implementation, but fortunately, the goal is clear, and the smooth development of the prototype proves that everything is still under control.

In addition, this way that Tang Huan is at the top and modularizes the entire R&D content can also achieve technical confidentiality to the greatest extent.

Now the prototype is showing a dynamic airplane, gliding, flying...... It can be described as a variety of tricks.

Of course, this also means that high-intensity data computing is a severe test for hardware and software.

This is a program compiled jointly by MA and CPC and runs on the operating system Zerone-DOS, i.e. Zheru DOS.

Obviously, Zheru DOS is not perfect, and Tang Huan crashed after adjusting the running parameters of the program.

"The BIOS, which sits between the hardware layer and the operating system, is also problematic." In the midst of everyone's low laughter, Tang Huan, who had commented on it, restarted the prototype.

……

In the world, there will always be some coincidences, such as different people doing similar things.

IBM Headquarters, Amunk, New York, Eastern United States.

Frank Cary, the soon-to-be retiring chairman and chief executive officer, is leading a group of executives, staring at a monitor with a picture of a beautiful woman undressed.

Do the elites of the Blue Giant have such a strong taste?

Of course not, they're watching a demo of a project, and it's quite controversial, and that's why it's so exciting.

And this project is a microcomputer, codenamed the Chess Project.

Soon, the demonstration moved on to the next step, and it was replaced by an animation of a rocket launch, which was much more serious than just now.

"Everyone, give me your opinion." Kari looked around and spoke eagerly.

This time, no one immediately jumped out to question it, and this change may have something to do with Carry's recent strong push, and there is a reason why his attitude is so resolute.

Beneath the surface of IBM, there is also a hidden crisis.

In addition to preparing for the worst in order to cope with the antitrust investigation by the Ministry of Justice, it has also had problems with its own operations.

For example, the entire 1970s product line, after the introduction of the 370 series of computers in 1970, did not introduce new models until 1977.

Although it is the largest computer company in the world, it has lost to DEC in the field of minicomputers and Wang An Computer in the field of word processors.

Microcomputers are in the ascendant, small and medium-sized enterprises are gradually becoming the main users, and the market, which was once monopolized by mainframes, is being subdivided into several sections, and the rules of the game are changing.

The arrogant blue giant was still ignorant, and it was not until the net profit growth rate data in 1979 came out that the first negative number in history gave the entire top management a blow to the head and was collectively shocked.

In stark contrast, the PC market is booming, especially the leader Apple, which shipped more than 15,000 units in January, a staggering growth rate.

Unable to sit still any longer, Carry decided that he had to make some changes before he retired, so he gave the task to the General Systems Division, a new department in Atlanta, Georgia, that would bring together all of IBM's business except the mainframe in response to a possible split of the Justice Department.

In fact, IBM's response to the personal computer market has been much faster than the original time and space, the reason is, of course, that Tang Huan, the promoter, has made Apple computers too dazzling, and IBM's executives have to put aside their arrogance and begin to face up to personal computers.

Seeing that no one answered, Kari knew that he was a little overwhelmed and disgusted, so he gestured to Bill Lowo, the current head of the chess project and the laboratory director of the General Systems Department.

"Throughout the chess project, we are responsible for the hardware design, the parts supply and software design are handed over to third parties, and Samus is making secret contacts in the name of market research, such as Intel, which produces CPUs."

While explaining cautiously, Lovo quietly observed the senior managers, the management committee formed by them is currently the highest decision-making body of IBM, and if a random uncle pops up with a crooked mouth, his chess plan may be stillborn.

He was worried when a manager unceremoniously asked, "How will the product be sold in the future, will it also be through third-party channels?" ”

For this question, Lovo has already thought about it, he nodded, "It is true, there are now several computer stores in the form of chains, such as ComputerLand and ByteShop, and traditional retailers like SearsRoebuck can also cooperate." As for our task, it is mainly advertising. ”

So how to solve the problem of after-sales service? You know, customer first has always been IBM's motto. Another manager asked.

"This kind of microcomputer, the semiconductor parts it uses, the production process is very mature, the reliability is enough to guarantee, and the failure rate is very low. PC manufacturers such as Apple, Tangdy, and Commodore are not bothered by such problems. And microcomputers are less expensive, so customers don't have the same strict after-sales requirements as mainframe users. ”

Obviously, this question was considered by Lovo in advance, and although there was some personal speculation in the answer, the members of the management committee agreed with it and did not continue to dwell on it.

Seeing that everyone had finished their sense of existence, Kari glanced at John Ober, the president of the company he had promoted, and the other party coughed lightly, "Since everyone has no objections, let's allocate more funds and R&D personnel for the follow-up research and development of the chess plan." ”

As soon as the voice fell, the director of the General System Department took over the conversation, "At present, the General System Department is responsible for enough projects, and the resources are really limited, and the Xiangqi Project is different from IBM's previous development model, and its R&D cycle and investment are not within the scope of our control, so the General System Department does not plan to accept this project." ”

The reason was so high-sounding that the members of the management committee began to whisper, and many of them had expressions of disapproval.

Unexpectedly, he was dragged back by his top boss and stabbed with a knife, Lovo couldn't help but glare, but he was helpless.

IBM is so big that the management mechanism is to quarrel through various disagreements, and then compromise, to put it mildly, "bureaucracy".

And Lovo also guessed why his project was given a cold reception, and the reason for this is really difficult to talk about on the surface.

When Kari forcibly promoted the personal computer project, the General Systems Department gave a suggestion, that is, to enter the microcomputer market by acquiring a personal computer company, labeling its products with the IBM trademark, and then cooperating with IBM's peripheral product sales.

But when Carry saw that the acquisition target was not Apple, he directly rejected it. In his opinion, Apple is the best personal computer manufacturer at the moment, and according to IBM's purpose of "pursuing the first", it is natural to acquire Apple.

But the directors of the general system department are aggrieved, Apple's share structure is complicated, in addition to the founder's shareholding, there are also a lot of venture capital.

Taking a step back, even if Apple is willing to throw in the arms, what if it provokes a greater degree of displeasure from the Justice Department, which is investigating the monopoly of the market.

After thinking about it, he decided to rely on IBM's own strength to develop personal computer products, and repeatedly emphasized at the meeting, "We need IBM's own microcomputer." ”

After the General Systems Department's plan was rejected, Lovo, as the director of the General Systems Department's laboratory, complied with Carry's call and expressed his opinion.

He believes that under IBM's existing corporate bureaucracy, it will take at least four years to develop all the hardware and software of a microcomputer on its own. After the product development is completed, it is also outdated in the market.

As a result, Lowo proposed the development model of the chess project in front of him, and Cary praised it and fully approved it.

The political struggle in big business is so fierce, even if Lovo resents such an atmosphere, but in order to work, he can only pinch his nose and endure it silently.

Seeing that the limelight of the meeting was about to change again, Kari's face undisguised his displeasure showed that if he didn't cut through the mess quickly, no matter how good the plan was, it would have to be shelved.

He asked Lowo in a deep voice, "Will you be able to complete the chess plan in one year?" ”

"No problem." Lovo, who was on fire in his heart, replied categorically.

"Okay, move on to the next step and report directly to me on the progress." Kari immediately clapped his head.

"I have a request that the R&D team work in a different location, not in Atlanta." With that, Lovo glared at his boss.

"It's fine." Kari muttered, "We have an R&D center in the industrial area of Boca Raton, Florida, so let's go there." ”

Seeing that it was a little cold, Cary quipped: "The conditions in that place may be a little shabby, but I heard that Apple computers were developed in a garage, and even became an inspirational Silicon Valley story, and I hope you can also write a legend." ”

"I think so, sir." Lowo spoke firmly.

Finally making it to the end of the meeting, a still angry Lovo and his right-hand man Don Estlic were together.

He was just about to complain about all the things that didn't go well just now, when he found that the other party was holding two boxes in his hands, so he couldn't help but ask, "What is this?" It's pretty babyy. ”

"A mouse, an input device that can be used on an Apple computer to control the cursor of the screen. This is the expansion card, and this is the mouse. Estlic explained.

Luo Vo took the mouse and looked at it, and saw that the packaging was printed with ZeroneMouseForAppleII, and he couldn't help but mutter, "Hell, it's this philosopher again, and I don't know if we have enough time in a year." ”

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