ET-188

ET-188

Novkabel ET-188A
Manufacturer	Novkabel
Type	Personal Computer
Release date	1985; 40 years ago (1985)
Operating system	MS-DOS 3.20
CPU	Intel 80188 @ 8 MHz
Memory	256 KB (ET-188) or 512 KB (ET-188A), expandable to 640 K
Storage	22MB Tandon hard disc
Removable storage	2 x 5.25’’ 360KB floppy drive or 5.25’’ 360KB floppy drive
Display	DE9 RGB output
Graphics	Hercules or CGA compatible adapter
Sound	Beeper
Connectivity	RS-232, parallel port
Backward compatibility	IBM PC XT compatible

ET-188 was an IBM PC XT compatible computer made by the Yugoslav company Novkabel (Novosadska fabrika kabela - Novi Sad Cable Factory) from Novi Sad (now Serbia) in the 1980s.[1][2][3]

Novkabel already had experience in developing computer systems (ERA 20, ERA 60 and others) which was used to make ET-188 as an original design, compatible with IBM PC XT.[4]

To save space and to lower the cost, ET-188 used 8 MHz Intel 80188 CPU, with integrated timer, DMA and interrupt controller. This also made it faster than the original XT. ET-188 was offered to the public in 1985 and advertised in the Yugoslav computer press.[5]

An improved ET-188A model was in May 1986 presented to the public at the Belgrade International Fair of Technique and Technical Advancements with more RAM and a new redesigned case.[6] Among other things, ET-188A was used for education in classrooms throughout Vojvodina province.[7]

Technical specifications

• CPU: Intel 80188 running at 8 MHz
• ROM: 8 KB custom made BIOS
• RAM: 256KB (ET-188) or 512 KB (ET-188A), expandable up to 640 KB
• Operating system: MS-DOS 3.20[8]
• Secondary storage: 2 x 5.25’’ 360KB floppy drive or 5.25’’ 360KB floppy drive + 22MB Tandon hard disk
• Display: CGA or Hercules compatible adapter
• Sound: beeper
• I/O ports: DE9 video output, RS-232, parallel port, keyboard

[7]

References

1. "Novkabel ERA". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
2. Ivona (2023-05-10). "Novosađani pre 40 godina napravili jedan od prvih kućnih računara u regionu- priča o ET 188 (FOTO) | NSU". Retrieved 2023-08-17.
3. "Yugoslav Home Computers" (PDF).
4. Marčenko, Sergej (October 1985). "Izlagači Interbiroa - Informatike '85 (RO Novkabel)". Svet kompjutera (in Serbian). pp. 27–76(38). Retrieved 8 November 2016.
5. "Novkabel ERA račuranski sistemi (commercial)". Svet kompjutera (in Serbian). May 1985. p. 3. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
6. Puzović, Jovan (June 1986). "PC i kako ga steći". Svet kompjutera (in Serbian). pp. 12–13. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
7. Stančević, Tihomir (May 1987). "Naše gore list". Svet kompjutera (in Serbian). pp. 10–11. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
8. Uputstvo za rukovanje mikroračunarom ET-188A (in Serbian). Novi Sad: Novosadska fabrika kabela. 1988.