BloodGOS 0.2 Beta – Public Release
Overview
BloodGOS 0.2 Beta is the latest public release of an experimental x86-based operating system developed entirely from scratch. This version introduces a custom bootloader, a simple 32-bit protected mode kernel, a basic VGA terminal for text output, and a kernel loader capable of reading the operating system from disk sectors.
The main purpose of BloodGOS is educational and experimental, providing a platform for hobbyists, students, and developers interested in low-level operating system design and development. This release represents a significant step forward from the initial prototype, offering enhanced stability, improved modularity, and a clear foundational structure for further expansion.
New Features in 0.2 Beta
Custom Bootloader: Displays a visually clear ASCII splash screen with the “BloodG” logo centered on the screen during startup.
32-bit Protected Mode Kernel: Implements a basic stack-safe kernel environment with the ability to execute C code safely after entering protected mode.
VGA Text Terminal: A simple but functional terminal for displaying text and debugging information, fully compatible with standard VGA text mode.
Kernel Loader: Reads kernel data from disk sectors (supports up to 16 KB for the initial kernel) and transitions control safely from the bootloader to the kernel.
Modular Code Structure: Separates kernel logic, device drivers (VGA, ATA), filesystem (FAT12), and utility libraries (string.c, io.c, etc.) to enable easier maintenance and further development.
Splash Screen with ASCII Logo: The bootloader includes a visually appealing ASCII representation of BloodG, designed for readability and style.
Improved Stability: The kernel stack is placed in high memory (0x90000) to prevent conflicts with bootloader code, and GDT setup is fully implemented for protected mode operations.
Technical Notes
BloodGOS is still experimental and primarily intended for educational purposes.
It is recommended to run BloodGOS in an emulator such as QEMU, VirtualBox, or other x86-compatible emulators for safe testing.
All source code is open-source and structured for educational use and future development.
The bootloader remains compatible with BIOS 16-bit, while the kernel operates in 32-bit protected mode.
Key files and directories are organized as follows:
boot.asm – Custom bootloader
kernel_entry.asm – Kernel entry in protected mode
kernel/ – Kernel C source files
drivers/ – Device drivers such as VGA and ATA
fs/ – Filesystem code (FAT12)
include/ – Header files and utility definitions
Known Limitations
BloodGOS currently only supports a basic terminal and kernel loader; additional features such as multitasking, network drivers, or graphical user interface are not yet implemented.
As a Beta version, system stability is limited; modifying kernel or driver code without understanding the stack and GDT may cause crashes.
Maximum kernel size for this release is limited to 16 KB.