OpenOSX.com is now shipping a WinTel Pre 1 CD that delivers “true compatibility “with Pentium processors, disk image and CD-ROM support within Mac OS X, according to OpenOSX.com owner Jeshua Lacock.
Floppy disk support can be achieved by creating a disk image with Apple’s Disk Copy software. An OpenOSX utility is provided to transfer data between the emulator and Mac OS X 10.1.
The OpenOSX CD installs separate disk images with FreeDos, Linux, DLX Linux, NetBSD and OpenBSD pre-installed. The user can install Pentium/x86-based operating systems and software of their choice, Lacock said. OpenOSX has tested Windows 95, and are preparing instructions for installing Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0, he added.
“Thanks to Mac OS X’s advanced architecture, multiple G4s are utilized and are emulated as a single powerful Pentium processor,” Lacock said. “Mac OS X is a true chameleon of operating systems; users may now run a long list of operating systems within it: Mac OS 9, Windows 95/98/NT, DOS, Linux, Unix, BSD, etc. software seamlessly.”
OpenOSX.com developed a CD-ROM driver enabling CD-ROM support and they are continuing AltiVec and non-AltiVec optimizations and developing support for networking, SoundBlaster emulation, USB and modem support. The OpenOSX CD installs and fully configures OpenOSX WinTel 1.0 Pre 1, OpenOSX DiskXFer 1.0 Pre 1, Bochs 1.3 Pre 1 applications.
The WinTel CD is available immediately for US$30 and six-month CD subscriptions are available for US$80. The CD is also available bundled with the OpenOSX Office CD. OpenOSX has their Office CD information available electronically. Patrons of the 1.0 Pre 1 CD may upgrade to the 1.0 final version for US$10 when available. All OpenOSX products come with limited installation technical support.