Windows
While sorting through some of my old computer stuff, I found something very interesting: a set of 5.25″ floppy disks and a manual for Windows.
That’s right, for Windows. Windows 1.0 to be exact.
Apparently someone in my family bought a Zenith Z-100 or Z-200 computer in 1986 which came bundled with Windows 1. This machine was almost IBM Compatible but not 100%. However, the disks that it came with work fine on an IBM Compatible machine.
According to the manual, I need an 8086 or 8088 with 320K memory, two floppy drives, and a CRT. It also says that I can consult the Software Consultation computer bulletin board by modem at (616) 982-3503 if I need help.
For the heck of it, I dug out my 5.25″ floppy drive and copied the disks into disk images and set it up in VirtualBox. And it’s fast. In fact, it loads so quickly that I don’t even get to see the Windows splash screen. I’m going to have to look for some slightly more authentic hardware to run it on. I think I’ve got an original Pentium 65MHz box somewhere around here. I know I used to have one. It was my first PC.
Some things never change. Notepad hasn’t changed (much) in 25 years:
OMG, I can multitask!
Paint’s changed a lot:
I guess there wasn’t all that much to control back then:
Don’t forget to end your Windows Session:
