Summary
Implement 32‑bit protected mode transition for CatOS.
Currently, CatOS runs in 16‑bit real mode, which limits memory access to 1 MB. This issue adds support for 32‑bit protected mode, unlocking more memory and modern CPU features.
Open questions
- Should we keep a fallback to real mode for debugging?
- Which GDT layout (flat or segmented) fits best for CatOS?
- Do we need to handle interrupts (IDT) in this PR or leave it for a follow‑up?
Phase 0 (this issue)
Status: exploring - not yet scheduled for a specific release.
Summary
Implement 32‑bit protected mode transition for CatOS.
Currently, CatOS runs in 16‑bit real mode, which limits memory access to 1 MB. This issue adds support for 32‑bit protected mode, unlocking more memory and modern CPU features.
Open questions
Phase 0 (this issue)
lgdtcr0Status: exploring - not yet scheduled for a specific release.