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''Parts of this article have been copied from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS english Wikipedia article].''
'''SymbOS''' is a free multitasking operating system for Z80 based 8-bit computer systems written by [[Prodatron|Prodatron]]. At present it is available for the computers of the Amstrad CPC as well as for all [[MSX]] models starting from the MSX2 standard and , all Amstrad [[PCW|PCW]] (Joyce) models until the PcW10and the [[Enterprise]] 64/128. Contrary to early 8-bit operating systems it is based on a microkernel, which provides pre-emptive and priority oriented multitasking and manages RAM memory with a size of up to 1024 kBfor the executed applications. SymbOS contains a an MS-Windows like GUI, supports hard discs with a capacity of up to 128 GB 2 TB and can already be booted on an unexpanded Amstrad CPC-6128, [[a PCW|PCW]] , an MSX2 or a 128K-MSX2an Enterprise 128 with floppy disc drive.
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*''11/2012'': development continues
*''08/2014'': SymbOS release 2.1 is out
*''11/2014'': Development of the [[Enterprise|Enterprise]] version started *''03/2015'': Development of network support started *''08/2017'': SymbOS release 3.0 is out
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**Maximum possible screen resolution: 16.000 × 16.000 pixel
*'''File manager'''
**Maximum hard disc size: 128 GB 2 TB
**Maximum file size: 2 GB
**Maximum number of devices: 8
**MSX2 with 128KB Ram (unexpanded) and compatibles (MSX2+, MSX TurboR, OCM)
**Amstrad [[PCW|PCW]] (all models until PcW10)
**[[Enterprise]] 64/128
*'''Supported external hardware'''
**[[Dk'tronics|dk'tronics]] memory expansion 64K-512K and compatibles ([[Dobbertin|Dobbertin]], [[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]], X-MEM) **[[SYMBiFACE II|SYMBiFACE II]] (realtime clock; PS/2 mouse; IDE interface, Ram/Rom expansion) and compatibles (X-MASS) **M4Board (ESP8266-based Wifi, SD card reader, Rom expansion)**HxC direct SD card access (FAT32)**Albireo (USB mouse)**MultiPlay (Amiga mouse)**[[AMX Mouse|AMX]] and [[Kempston Mouse|Kempston mouse ]] (PCW)
**Sunrise IDE interface (MSX)
**MegaSD card interface for OCM, MegaflashRomSCC+SD (MSX)
**MP3MSX (MSX)
**DenYoNet (MSX; W5100-based Ethernet)
**GR8NET (MSX; SD card reader, W5100-based Ethernet)
**SE-ONE (MSX; MP3, FM Radio)
**Rookie Drive (MSX)
== Kernel ==
SymbOS has been developed originally for the Amstrad CPC. Because of the modular structure with the strict separation of general and hardware components the porting to other Z80-based systems is quite easy.
The MSX computers starting with the MSX2 standard are supported since summer 2006. The Amstrad [[PCW|PCW]] port is available since August 2007. Versions Since end of 2014 the port for the [[Enterprise ]] 64/128 has been done as well. Versions for Amstrad NC100/150/200 and the SAM Coupé PCW16, Spectrum Next and others are possible, too, as they fulfill the requirements for SymbOS.
By keeping a basic condition for an operating system, the strict separation of hardware and application software by the supply of an intermediate layer, SymbOS applications run platform-independently on each computer and do not have to be adapted for a special system. Exceptions are applications, which access directly the hardware.
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== Motivation ==
== Web links ==
*[http://www.symbos.de SymbOS homepage]*[http://members.home.nl/evanzanten/msxorg/SymbOS%203%20install%20user%20and%20install%20guide.pdf SymbOS installation configuration manual (PDF)]
*[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/symbos8bit SymbOS mailing list (new)]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SymbOS english Wikipedia article]
