*BSD News Article 31202


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Newsgroups: comp.os.386bsd.development
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From: aarond@twolf.StorTek.com (Aaron Dailey x4989)
Subject: Re: Answer to question on the virtual machine
In-Reply-To: jmonroy@netcom.com's message of Tue, 31 May 1994 05:33:07 GMT
Message-ID: <AAROND.94May31105253@twolf.StorTek.com>
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References: <jmonroyCqnJF8.3I8@netcom.com>
Date: Tue, 31 May 1994 16:52:53 GMT
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In article <jmonroyCqnJF8.3I8@netcom.com> jmonroy@netcom.com (Jesus Monroy Jr) writes:

	   Information has it that some lower end 386 chips don't
	   have the VM on board.   Other information is that
	   some 386-clone makers also are not adding the VM support.
	   IN addtion embedded systems designers seem not to need
	   the VM.

	   All this information is unconfirmed at this time.
	   It was passed to me by another (well-qualifed) source.

As far as I know, the only 386 type chip that does not have virtual
8086 mode is the Intel 376 CPU, a specialized part made for the
embedded market.  It's essentially a 386 SX, except, the 376 can't run
in real mode, and has the paging support stripped out.  Because it
can't run in real mode, I don't think that any general purpose PCs
would use this chip.

I can't imagine CPU clone makers not including v8086 mode - I'm not
saying it's possible, but it would just seem like a stupid move to
introduce an incompatability.

Any confirmed examples would be appreciated.

--
Aaron Dailey Internet: Aaron_Dailey@stortek.com
StorageTek Corporation   Voice: (303) 673-4989, FAX: (303) 673-2570
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