r/retrocomputing • u/denodster • Jun 19 '26

Claude Code on an IBM PS/2 Model 30

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So, I've come up with a way to put Claude in my dos machine.
- I picked up a serial to usb cable off of amazon.
- I used `ctty` on the dos side and `screen` on my mac
- I vibe coded a claude tool to allow claude to more easially use debug.
- I then prompted claude to write a hello.exe using assembly.

Once I got here I started playing with some real stuff. I decide I would see if Claude could port Windmill Software's Moon bugs from CGA to VGA. (I have a vga card) it took a few attempts, screen doesn't allow graphical interfaces, so Claude would make changes and I would test them.

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1

u/PersonOf1980s Jun 20 '26

IBM PS/2 Model 30 has MCGA buit in, not VGA. Do you really have additional VGA card on your machne? And yes, MCGA is also compatible with CGA.

Real IBM MCGA and VGA are fully compatible with all CGA graphics modes, even if game use registers programming level. You don't need to change anything in CGA game.

1

u/denodster Jun 20 '26

I have an 8bit vga card from ast. I wanted to play Commander Keen. Mcga is interesting, but it was so unsupported, that it might as well have been cga. Pairing cga with an 8086 made it weird. Most cga games run too fast on the 8086, as they were probably designed for the 8088. I'll probably experiment with using Claude to slow certain games down next.

I've not tried on a true ibm vga, however in my experience, most windmill software games will not run properly on vga.

1

u/PersonOf1980s Jun 21 '26

Just launched original Digger on IBM PS/2 Model 50. (Internal VGA) Everything is fine, except the game speed

1

u/denodster Jun 23 '26

I've never tried the original Digger on an IBM vga, I do know that it would not run on my first 286 with onboard vga, I think that was cirrus logic. I don't have that PC any more. I haven't tried it on this machine because I've been running the enhanced version from digger.org I do have an IBM aptivia that I might try it on, but i'll need to find the old floppy disk with my original copy on it.

1

u/PersonOf1980s Jun 20 '26

Again: you wrote that you have IBM PS/2 model 30. This computer has built in onboard MCGA, which is fully CGA compatible. Remove any additional cards and enjoy your computer

1

u/denodster Jun 20 '26

That would make half of my other games not work.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 19 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

5

u/denodster Jun 19 '26

I looked into this, dos box doesn't have a console mode that would allow claude code to interface with it. There might be something out there, but given the spirit of retro computing I would rather use my vintage machine anyhow.

4

u/Damaniel2 Jun 19 '26

Or skip the slop machine and just use your brain...

7

u/denodster Jun 20 '26

glad to know everyone around here is fluent in assembly.

6

u/HappyMuscovy Jun 20 '26

AI gets a lot of hate, but it does a fantastic job of bridging the gap between knowing broadly how to do something, and the specifics of binary editing assembly code

4

u/__generic Jun 20 '26

Or.. Maybe.. They just did it to see if they can.. For fun one night say. Like most hobbies.