CompuPro 8/16

The CompuPro 816 was one of the last of the S-100 based CP/M systems. It was produced in 1983 or so and was based on a dual processor Z-80/8088 card that allowed it to run both 8 and 16 bit software.

The system in my collection seems to be in fairly good condition (although the exterior cosmetics could use a bit of work) and should be functional or close to it once I get a chance to set it up and try it out.

(Submitted March 25, 2008 08:20:33 by Joseph Lee)

Erik: My original posting was Sept 12, 2005 for a Compupro 8/16.

I would to report that my old Compupro 8/16 found a good home March 2006 in Chicago with a competent computer scientist /programmer /engineer , Jack Rubin who has the machine up and running and planning on adding a Hard Disk to expand it potential. The hardware booted up fine after reseating the cards. Jack's last known email address was jack.rubin@americtech.net.

Thanks for the update!

(Submitted March 1, 2008 16:44:31 by Pat Margulies)

Does anybody know the size/dimensions of the CompuPro 816/B or its total weight?

Thanks very much,

Pat M.

(Submitted March 10, 2007 19:01:30 by John)

Do you guys know where do I find a qualified tech that still repairs S-100 computers or better yet can develop a hardware/software to replace an old S-100 system with a new pentium computer? I am in NJ please drop me an e-mail. Thanks!!

(Submitted February 7, 2007 17:34:44 by (a href=mailto:)Steve Jones(/a))

There were people producing 80386 CPU cards for the S-100 bus - heck, CompuPro/VIASYN offered an 80286 card before they bowed out. Microcornucopia magazine carried ads for that kind of gear at least through the end of the 80s, maybe even past 1990. So while the 816 was very powerful and a significant product, it was far from the last word in S-100 systems.

This niche is where I believe Digital Research developed Concurrent DOS, building on Concurrent CP/M, which later made a bit of a splash turning 80386 IBM-compatibles into multi-user systems via cheap terminals. I put together a CDOS system on a Zenith 386 box using Eazy-PC CGA PC clones as terminals that could run standalone apps too -- this would have been the summer of 1988.

(Submitted August 11, 2006 10:23:55 by dreddnott)

Well they trashed all my CompuPro manuals and S- 100 cards at work. That's so irritating it's not even funny. Whenever we ask for space on a downstairs rack, they give it to us but then take it away and destroy all of our stuff without even asking first. I could have easily rescued the manuals and some 8 floppies otherwise.

(Submitted April 28, 2006 09:22:19 by dreddnott)

I found several CompuPro 816 systems with a lot of software and documentation at work today. I'll check it out more later on...

(Submitted September 12, 2005 16:09:20 by Joseph Lee)

Erik: I have a Multi-user MP/M-86 with CP/M 2.2 operating system, Systems integrated by Gifford Computer Systems on a Compupro 8/16 System 19 Rack panel with a pair of 8 inch disc drives with 256 KB memmory. Books, discs & Epson Printer. Wordstar,Mailmerge SW It yours for the asking. It needs a good home.

(Submitted April 1, 2005 20:21:56 by (a href=mailto:)Thomas (/a))

The Apple //gs was the last apple //

(Submitted October 19, 2004 15:06:11 by (a href=mailto:)Mark Rozner(/a))

When a friend of mine wanted the best computer system money could buy in 1983, this was it. I took him to a computer show at the convention center in downtown LA. Walked around a bit, grabbed a shopping cart, and started loading it with the CompuPro 8/16, I/O boards, memory boards, the dual 8 drive system, Hayes 1200 baud modem, terminal/monitor, etc. We wheeled the stacks of boxes to the checkout counter where my friend pulled out his wallet. When the person at the register was done adding everything up, it came to over $10,000.00 While that was amazing in upon itself, watching him pay cash for it was mind-blowing. After stuffing all of it in to his RX-7 (not an easy feat) we got it home and started putting it together. Each piece/board had dozens of jumpers to set up. Of course there was no manual for how to make it all work together! It took hours, but I finally got it to work. It was the coolest system around.

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Description
Manufacturer	CompuPro Corporation
Model	8/16
Date Announced	1983
Date Canceled	Unknown
Number Produced	Unknown
Country of Origin	USA
Price	Unknown, but varied wildly with options
Current Value	$100-$400

Specifications
Processor	Intel 8085 and Intel 8088 (several other processors were optional)
Speed	Varied with processor.
RAM	16K to 1MB
ROM	Varied with ROM boards
Storage	Typically 5.25" or 8" floppies or 5, 10, 20 MB hard drives.
Expansion	22 S-100 slots
Bus	S-100
Video	Depended on video boards installed, but typically Serial IO to an 80x24 text terminal
I/O	Serial, Parallel
OS Options	CP/M, CP/M-86, MS-DOS, MP/M

Notes	The CompuPro 8/16 was one of the last great S-100 systems. It offered more power, more expandability and more options during the early days of the IBM-PC revolution but eventually lost ground to the PC clones as Intel processors advanced beyond the options available to the S-100 bus.

Related Items in Collection	Dual 8" drives
Related Items Wanted	Boot disks, any software, manuals, terminal.