Ever Wanted To Make Your Own Operating System? I Do!

Yah iv Been Looking For A Way To Create My Own OS To.
But May I Suggest You Start Working With Easy Programing First.
iv Been Working With Visual Basic 6.0 For About 1 Year.
its The Fastist Way To Program Your Own Applications And One Of The Best Ways. it Uses The Easyist Language To. I Created My First Program in
1 Weak it Was A Web Browser. it Comes With Samples To Show You How To Create Programs / Applications. Or You Can Visit http://www.a1vbcode.com
if You Have Any Questions You Can E-Mail Me At software4pc@inbox.com

Im 14 years old, but i really want to create an Operating System.
I see that other’s have read books, read articles etc, and took their time to learn about each individual section of an Operating System, but me being 14, im too impatient to be able to do that.
I have no Operating System files, yet i have already designed what i wish the GUI to look like.

If anyone know’s a lot about how to create an Operating System which can include a GUI, and wouldn’t mind helping out a 14 year old, please email me at rich9252@hotmail.com, or add me on msn at lildjrich@tryhosting.net

Thanks

I have started learning C++ and my dream is to create my own OS but start with a small base and add little bits at a time when I learn them but its finding that small base thats hard but you need that to have something to work with any ideas anyone? and no I would prefer not to learn machine code

I need the details about how to convert my application program into installable sofware on my windows XP PC.

yea I want to make my own OS too. Right now I’m currently craeting a Operating system in VB6. After its done and it has all the features that I want and it works exactly as I want it too then I will move to C or C++ or a program languge that doesn’t need a OS installed to run it. In VB6 it is some what hard but after a while you know where you mistakes are and then fix them. Also I’m a musician and I can play bye ear so I will also make my own music for it Login, logout, errors all of that fun stuff.

Thats all I have to say.

My thoughts on the ideal OS:

- I think the future needs to be geared towards modularity - the OS itself would run from within a single folder which cannot be altered or deleted from within the system, providing an extremely stable, secure platform to work with. Altering or replacing the primary OS would require physical access to the machine. The OS would constitute a single “process” in its Task Manager/TASKLIST equivalent, making it easy to see at a glance what’s actually running. In the present environment this would be considered way too aggressive, but I think as malware becomes increasingly problematic and computer operation becomes ever more necessary to everyday life, people will begin to see a need for this sort of behaviour, especially as it needn’t tie you to a single OS, software-wise (see below).

- All custom settings, modules, themes, caches, drivers, add-ons, etc. would then be stored in user-accessible folders - if you wanted to change the way your system works, you would simply download a new “skin” into the appropriate folder and try it out. If the system failed to detect a folder for, say, themes, it would run with the built-in default. Since anything beyond the basic OS would be completely open to user interaction, even the casual user could get to know everything that should be running and jettison undesirables easily (I envisage being able to delete any running process simply by getting rid of the file; the OS would immediately revert to its default settings upon being unable to find the file). This kind of functionality is already becoming available for the FreeBSD systems but is being resisted by the “big boys” because of potential security/licensing issues. However, in combination with the robust “core” OS suggested above, there’s no reason why a good License Agreement couldn’t support user-created content whilst preserving trade secrets/user safety/quality control.

- An attractive GUI is more or less essential these days, but efficiency is also an issue: many people use the “classic” look on their Windows or Mac simply because they want something they can navigate around quickly - all the snazzy transparencies and smooth animations are wasted. Beryl shows what gifted amateurs are capable of - users should be encouraged to design their own GUIs if they want more graphical pizazz. Having said that, the new X Windows systems like Gnome and Metastation (?) have introduced some phenomenal features: multiple desktops, hundreds of windows open, etc. I imagine that this sort of “plug-in” modular system will be standard in most next-gen OS anyway, as designers come to terms with the fact that Operating Systems need to bridge a two-tier user base of casual users who need idiot-proof reliability and experienced users who want to experiment and share their work. It also means the OS could be quite “light” at the start - if your processor can handle it, you could then swap in a more graphics-intensive interface.

- Experienced users should be able to view the “nuts and bolts” underneath the GUI at any time. This would be the equivalent of allowing a Windows User to peek into the DOS layer (or deeper) or letting a Linux user toggle freely between a graphical interface and the underlying processes (already possible under some configurations?). This isn’t necessarily something that would be used particularly often, but would be a godsend for diagnosticians.

- Hardware secondary to software: imagine an OS capable of re-mapping the physical hard drive at will. It needn’t even write to the hard-drive in an orderly way (though that would be nice too) - it would only need be able to save a custom partition map (again, outside the main OS folder). You would be able to move free space from one partition to another using a slider bar, or create/merge partitions with a few keystrokes (subtracting, say, 10GB from one drive, then moving it from the “slack” to a newly created partition). Need a reformat but don’t want to lose your data? Just create a new partition, move over all your precious files, then format the others. Taking its cues from the best features of Mac OS X, you would be able to move programs without dismembering them; the program folder and all its associations would constitute a distinct “object” that you could re-map to your desktop/start menu with a couple of clicks. At the cost of a few more MB, it should be possible to move the partitions anywhere (even through the OS itself) - files “spanned” between two or more partitions would work seamlessly as an exception to the usual protocol and be viewable normally through a list of spanned files. Even if you were tricked into downloading and running a program that screwed up your partitions, it would never make the machine unbootable. Putting things back to normal would be as simple as pressing a “Return To Defaults” button.

- Crash-proof. The OS comes with a built-in list of instructions that it simply ignores (divide by zero, etc.). It always keeps a portion of the processor free and kicks in any time it looks like a program is stuck in a loop. More “ignore” instructions can be fed into the system via an “Exceptions” file stored in the same partition as the OS. Any error messages would clearly identify the location of the culprit/s (the vagueness of the current generation of error messages is a personal bugbear) and auto-quarantine the file/terminate the process to prevent further issues.

- Able to distinguish between “window” and “full user attention” program. During, for example, a processor-intensive video game, the desktop and any programs open in windows would go into “sleep mode”, freezing any extraneous processes currently running and freeing up runtime for the single FUA program. This should really be common sense, but in practise there is no single industry standard and OS designers fear to make any demands of software writers. My ideal OS would get around this by having a customisable list of FUA programs - allowing the user to choose whether they want to multi-task or focus on one program.

- Ability to run any program for any OS with the correct plugin. My ideal OS would be designed with a recognition of the diversity of systems platforms and accordingly come with the facility to create “compatability mode” plugins for any other operating system. Linux has already come a long way towards this with Windows emulators, but if it had been designed with this functionality in mind, there’s really no reason why there should be any incompatability at all. Imagine the “emulator” as intercessor between the OS and the foreign file, telling the OS what to do with the file, and making the file think it’s being run in a native environment. For example, a Windows installer will want to put drivers in C:/Windows/system32, keys in the registry, and shortcuts on the desktop and Start menu. If it can’t find some of these locations, it’ll freak out. The add-on performs a sort of interpretative dance between the installer and the OS, telling the installer it’s put everything where it should be whilst putting the drivers in a special sub-folder of the HRDDRV/OS/Drivers folder, copying the registry entries to its own log, and converting the shortcuts into a form the OS can understand. If you wanted to run another Operating System, you would be able to do it from within the OS, with no Boot Camp-style program required - the other Operating System/s would be recognised as a Boot Only Program and their space on the drive represented in the interface as a simple icon (inkeeping with the strict policy of modularity). Double-clicking would restart the machine with that operating system or, alternatively, run it in a sort of Virtual Machine environment.

Head to

http://mikeos.sourceforge.net/

Excellent for learning how to create your own OS. I’m building one called Apollo, but I’ve uploaded very little to Sourceforge thus far. I’m building the GUI as we speak.

If not, just shop around for Linux distros. Get a really heavily cut-down Linux core, then just install your own/choice of software. You could even compile your own distro if you liked.

I’m 13 and I am making my own OS. I can currently make text based OS’s using emu8086, which is an Assembler based compiler, even as basic as it is. When I make my OS a GUI, I’m going to use a mix of emu8086 and Visual Studio Pro 2008, using emu8086 to handle drivers, I/O, interrupts, file organization, file creation, multitasking and other main system functions. I’ll then use Visual Studio to make the GUI, handle monitor resolution, brightness and other things that would make the OS more attractive looking. Other things that I haven’t mentioned like internet browser, .EXE programs, tool bars and other stuff would be handled by programs off the internet like EXE2COM, etc. Also, anyone out there who wants to make their own should know that it takes a lot of work, time, effort and especially, coding experience. I surprisingly (I think) haven’t been programming for all that long. I started programming about 5 months ago with Game Maker 7. I now know C/C++ (sorta) and Assembler. I personally thinks thats pretty good for a 13 year old XD.

Now, I’m guessing some people are wondering why I’m using two different compilers/code type for my OS, but that is actually a simple question, some types of code are better for other things, like Assembler, it is way faster and easier to use than C/C++, and also can use all/most of DOS’s and your computers BIOS’s functions and interrupts. But C/C++ on the other hand is good for shells and graphics. It is also more powerful then Assembler, but this isn’t always a good thing. Well, good luck with your and everyones OS’s! Cya!

Learn Assembly, C, or C++. By far the most straight forward languages for this type of project, as all three have the capability to directly and easily accesss the hardware of your machine. Assembly is the closest to machine language you can get, so if you like a challenge, this would be the best language for an Operating System.

Hi, im currently making an OS. However, working alone is tough. Im recruiting people to work with me - each peson will get a share in the company that we shall form.

Opening:

Programmer:
Experience in C++ and assembly.

Artist:
Experience with photoshop (or similair).

If your interested please IM or email me at:

scottraine@hotmail.co.uk
or
fusionsystems1@googlemail.com

What the operating system will do:

-Definetly be GUI (graphic user interface)
- Preferably 32-bit
- Able to run different programs from different operating systems.
- Secure (like linux)
- Crash Proof
- Ablity to customize all most every aspect of the OSes look and feel.

So email if your interested

OK i am creating DLL files for my operating system and it is all going smoothly. But now i need to make a partition on install and i don’t kniow how, please help.
To create your own operating system what you need is something called a Core and this is all the main files that build it up, like micrososft having drivers, that is a core which does not include programs like paint and if you were to run the core of Windows Vista, all you will be left with is the start menu and taskbar because explorer.exe is a core file. Or even the actual name is the core as well.
When you done the core you can then spread out, make apps like Paint etc, and even create virtual drivers.
Each driver on the PC has to have it’s own file in the Drivers file of your operating system, otherwise if you don’t do this your operating system will crash in a matter of seconds because also the hardrive, cd, ram and CPU without this it will have a memory dump.

Forgot to mention:
Talk to me or email me on Game__PRO2@hotmail.co.uk

me and my sis are making our own linux based os atm. im 14 but i know quite a bit of programming and stuff. if anyone else out there is makin their own os i could lend a helping hand and a bit of code too!

long live Din.OS.aur Linux (me and my sister’s os)

I am also trying to learn how to develop my own operating system. It will be completely different from anything anyone has ever seen. I just do not know where to start, or everything I would need to create it. I came across this page in the process of researching operating system tutorials.

If you find the way to do it, please feel perfectly free to email me.

ok, it seems im not the only one who wishes to make an operating system.
My plan is to make a Mac look a like ( simple with dock bars etc ) but to have low running specs and to be cheap for the consummer market.
Office software would be handy along with a basic simple games (minesweeper etc)

However i have no coding experience and like many of the above i have only come up with a name and a gui plus my aims for the project.
This project is going to be my summer project since i have 3 months free and i doubt ill be able to keep ocupied throughout, I have already gotten someone to begein working on the looks, style now i need the founations of the O.S to begin work on, im going to take books out form the libary to read soon about coding etc however advice/website links/help would be nost kind.
haxor54@hotmail.co.uk
this is my current email address untill the project becomes real then i shall consider purchaseing website space/name rights.

look forward to hearing from other O.S makers.

Is it possible to create one in Java? If that is possible, and you know where to start in creating your own operating system email me and I will help as much as possible in return for the guidelines of creating an operating system. Email me at Samarkovian@yahoo.com.

So please, if you know where to start, email me and I will help as much as I can in return for the knowledge of what is needed.

I am currently learning Java to create games, and eventually an operating system. I figure that if Java is the 3rd generation of 3, my system will be the 3rd gen of linux.

I can sit for hours and code this system, but I need to know where to start. IF anyone can tell me where, please email me and I will help you as much as I can.

Thanks,
Samarkov

Yes, but not on a PC or Mac. Java Operating Sytems are only involved in other devices. Such as cars or your phone. Java is not that powerful to be a operating system for a PC because you need to declare all the devices. Locate and install them, need i go on.
So the answer to your question for making a Java Operating System is no. If you have any information or questions email or talk to Game__PRO2@hotmail.co.uk

Really I dont want to build full operating system I want to build standalone application like use old computers to do One function with one program this will need some kind of OS programing to simplify my idea it is like make your old pc work like DVD player or MP3 player and can deal with touch screen…
At the end you will customize your PC for your need…
If someone know any sites can help please send it to me.
Thanks for help.

HOLY JESUS!!!!! I am so excited to come across this page!! I am 15 and have been trying to make an OS for like 2 years. I know a little C++, and have great ambitions and creative ideas for an operating system. I heard you an build upon Unix if you are good at programming. Good idea?

Anyways, I had a basic idea. What if you could buy a DVD-R online or whatever for like 15 bucks, and install it like a regular program on your computer. Setup would be selecting certain essential folders and files on your HD, and then the program would run full screen on BOOT. It would be like a simple interface OVER TOP of your windows/linux/mac or whatever! This way, there is no need for Batch files and complex programming, just making a program. There are already programs similar, but nothing exactly like it. You would click on a button in the program, and it would load up a specific (earlier specified upon it’s initial setup) folder and load all your music into a built in player. It would browse the internet in a custom browser, and play video games in full screen like normal. And it can be minimized at the press of lets say Alt+F9 or something. Liking it?

Please give any thoughts!!!!!!!!!

I would love to be in partnership with someone.

PS - if steve and steve can make a fully workin OS in their garage using minimal technology way back then, why cant someone with almost unlimited technology (well not completely unlimited, but pretty advanced considering what they had back then) and alot more skills! Like I said, if you want to make a video game or start a company, just think of how much easier it would be to do it now, compared the the millions of times it has been done before under harder conditions!!!!! THINK ABOUT IT!!!

Peace,
Aaron Liron

SORRY. MY EMAIL IS wasabininja-xx@hotmail.com

hey my name is james i understand your trying to make your own operating system. I want to remake dos. I know the coding for the bios part of it. But i dont know how to program gui’s .But if you do want your own operating system i suggest going to cprogramming.com and learn C++ programming. It isnt easy because i tryed but if you do make yur own operating system I wanna know how u did it.

ok your getting sick of your operating system batch files and vbs scripting will kill your boredom.go to my web site and find more info.

ngfhsg

IM MAKING ONE RIGHT NOW

IM MAKING ONE RIGHT NOW IM STILL THINKING OF A NAME

I’m thinking of creating an OS with the best hardware for less. I’m thinking of creating an extension for newer motherboards to discontinue RAM slots. I want to revolutionize the RAM market by instead using RAM sticks, use a internal-flash drive with using a special cable to make the RAM even faster, and affordable for PCs, Macs, or any computer platform available on the planet

How I want my OS to be like is having WAY DIFFERENT SYSTEM FILE EXTENSIONS! i don’t want any windows, mac, or unix-based OS. The OS will be super secured like linux, the speed of the OS will be quicker than any OSes available on this world. It will even accept older computers and will be universal to any personal computers available. The OS will have ALL THE CODECS installed! will contained third-party software for such devices like the iPod, Zune or Windows-Mobile powered device. it wont require a such expensive graphic card for the OS, like vista! the minimum requirements will be to 16 MBs of RAM, 50 Megahertz CPU, and a 16 MB video card. i want the OS use just a single file to launch programs, similar to apple’s OS with the DMG file… [To Be Continued]

Sorry I forgot to mention my E-mail
amro_elroubi@yahoo.com

ok im working with emu8086 too, but whoever said they’re making an OS in VB6, sorry to burst your bubble, but thats not even the slightest bit possible, sorry.

I am 14 and I know a bit of C++, I had been trying to make an OS since summer time. I had idea for name of my would-be OS called Xenon OS. Xenon OS would be written in C++ and other programming languages(I don’t know other and C++ is only I know). Xenon OS would be GUI-based OS and not have idea for that GUI yet. I need a help for me to learn how to build Xenon OS in C++ and other programming language(maybe C# and C), email me coolboyplus@yahoo.com and let me know where i can learn how to write a kernel for Xenon OS and where to learn more C++, C#, and C. Please email me coolboyplus@ yahoo.com. PEACE, roarke murray

erm, if you want to make your own os, then whats the point of building it based on compilers (C++) and APIs already being used by OS like windows, linux and macintosh.

The idea of an os is an original API (interpreter) and your own language/compiler. If you build your os based on C++, it will be compiled as exe files, which is not what you want.

Designing your own api and compiler lets you have control of everything, including file extentions. You control how data is interpreted with hardware and what each module does.

So lets say i create my own language, i define a function draw_rectangle, i actually have to integrate it with my api, and the api calls your graphics card (which in return links up with the monitor/pixel controller) and fills up pixels until a rectangle is drawn.

It is not an easy task, theres no point in daydreaming about creating your own OS. Maybe a shell (its still windows) or a gnu (its still linux). Data is interpreted in the same way.
A 100% original os has its own set of libraries ( also known as dlls where dlls communicate with apis to execute a function using your computer hardware), and also your own language (linking each function with dlls).

to sum it up
possible? yes
one man team? no
10 man team? no
100 man team?-> u need at least 5 yrs of programming

toodles, go play CS n stop daydreaming.

With “a little” to 0 programming, it’s impossible to create one without taking code from others (and half to nothing understanding what it actually does and why).

I have been programming for 10 years. 4 years ago i started with assembly. I have been working on my own operating system, but much further then a simple commandline it never goes. It is simply that hard if you are doing everything yourself. There are a couple of websites out there that will take you through the beginning step-by-step but this doesn’t go further then putting text on a screen and maybe a simple scheduler. A nice book to read is http://www.amazon.com/Developing-32-Bit-Operating-System-Cd-Rom/dp/0672306557

A thing you guys might want to look at for beginners is a nice project that allows you to use visual studio and C# or any other .net language. This will not get you the operating system you dream about, and it will never be better then windows. It’s just fun to experiment with:

http://www.gocosmos.org/index.en.aspx

But once again, with little to no programming knowledge it’s a no-go. Also, you must have knowledge about the x86 platform, it’s opcodes, interrupt handling, registers etc. etc. That alone can be a whole study.

i’ve seen many projects scattered on SourceForge, Google Code and other sites, so i started a community wiki for everyone interested. You can add and discuss name ideas, GUI’s, code or just add a link to your website.

http://os4us.wikispaces.com

Anyone that wants to make an OS, , EMAIL me! I can help!

coldfusion72@gmail.com

you guy seen to like to make an OS. I too want to make more like a Pac Man OS: at least a small on. sort of like Linux but it has more ability added with so little space . I wish I can make it more powerful and uses alot less memory around 128mb of ram, 32mb of video, under 600mb of CPU. I know this sounds inpossilbe but my plans to built this os is to make it alot easyer to use and its almost like useing a GUI of an xbox 360 or ps3. ill add alot of useful software so you can do more than the standers. I at least want to know how to start, ILL spend years on it if I have to. plus I need help on creating it. I wish I knew but I guess ill have to ask questions or go to a school for that I guess. maybe ill do more resarch on it.

anyways hope to see you all soon and like to talk about it some time.

LR7 LOGGING OUT

i m 20yrs.i really want to build my own operating system.
i m enginnering student (information technology) .i know abt
c/c++.plz suggest me form where to start.i dont know how i start to build my OS …i m very great full if u help me to this…..

THANKS

I’m devoloping a small program that could be an alternative OS, but it’s just an application. Oh well. I would reccomend doing that before you get into the bigger stuff.

hi im 12 and i’ve just started making my own OS.
have any of you tryed http://custom.nimblex.net/ its easy to use and for all you linux lovers its all linux and you can put programs when you go through the steps.
i hope i helped

I’m the same as the others. I’m 10 (don’t mind my age) and I’m trying to build a GUI OS. I FAILED. All I can make is a dumb text based OS with NO INPUT available.
Hmmm…. Better try configuring Damn Small Linux. It’s DAMN SMALL, DAMN GOOD, and DAMN GUI linux. RUNS ON USB! GOOD, eh. OR Linux From Scratch. Possibly kernel only, though.

okay im starting to planning an os so i need guys that are want to do this, add me on msn Holmisen_man@hotmail.com

how you guys dream like this are very nice indeed…
but i can tell that most of you (I hope not everybody)
has no chance of accomplishing what you dream of…
you can’t do it in weeks, months or maybe in your own lifetime
if your still thinking like childish once-upon-a-time readers…
do your self a favor and get a life…

macs are for fags

I am 13 and have thought of ideas for an os but i dont know shiz about codeing and need help, where should i start?

btw… bwillwall@yahoo.com (reply to last comment)

I made my own os and I’m testing on an old computer but it’s not something anyone would want to download. There is no eye candy at all i just wanted an os that was fast and worked for ME.

I have been working on her for 2 years now and to be frank i would not suggest anyone try it’s just to much for one person.

I doubt my os will ever fulfill my needs but i wont give up yet as each day i spend a little time on her she does improve a little.

And all the new os’s seem to be getting more and more eye candy and seem to forget about performance.

P.S. i only started this to have a talking os and i have all ready stopped thinking of that lol it’s just to much

I’ve been thinking of restarting my attempts at OS development. I noticed a lot of fairly young people post with goals that are a little too extreme. You should know a few things before going for this.

1) Whatever language you use you must be able to interact directly with the hardware.

2) This makes C# and Java impractical languages.

3) You will need assembly.

4) Once you enter 32-bit protected mode you are pretty much on your own. No libraries and BIOS interrupts stop working.

5) It will take time. Especially if you are trying to create a GUI.

6) You will need to create your own device drivers, unless you are not designing the kernel.

I hope this clears up some things. Well I am off to research. Good luck to you guys; we’ll both need it.

Wow, a ten year old, a twelve year old, a thirteen year oold and a fourteen year old… kinda sad. But just know that learning programming is really good, but buiilding an OS! its not a walk in the park. I currently know:
C++
C#
 VB.NET
VB
BASIC
Assembly
PHP
HTML
Java
And building an OS would still be borderline impossible for me. But if you insist,
Good luck

anybody trying to use vb to make an os are idiots

look you need to start small here get microsoft c# then go to

http://www.codeplex.com/cosmos

and i would like to help to

what do ya say?

well my os olny needs 4mb of ram

lol
i bult it with cosmos
and if anyone needs help with makeing a os you can let me know
mine is a small os but a good one it will get bigger

Please, can someone help me,
I am trying to make an OS but i don’t know how to put it on DVD so someone else can install it on their computer.
Help, please.
My mail: val.kalinic@gmail.com

Hi, remember me? y know the guy from a few posts up. Well I just discovered that Most Operating Systems use C, C# or C++ for their programming (no kidding. anyways now I’m 11).
Here’s the big hint: DON’T USE COMPILERS. Why? Well you could, but you’ll end up using 2 programs to make one tiny OS. Like cosmos. It uses C#.NET 2008 (use the free one from Microsoft!) and install the cosmos plugin. You can CREATE AN OS WITH C#!!!
Anyways Java needs to run on it virtual platform so our os - being an os - can’t possibly run on Java. Why? You need to install Java!!!! How are you supposed to install Java on a nonexistent OS?
Well I’m still thinking of using assembly language or possibly binary (which means my OS is gonna take light years make if I use binary).

If anybody needs a great idea heres one: MAKE AN OPERATING SYSTEM THAT CAN RUN WINDOWS MAC AND LINIX PROGRAMS/ PATCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT would be an os to sell!!!!!

Hi i’m 13 years old and i have been trying to create a OS for months but have no experience in programming but i am currently learning BASIC on old computers and in Visual Studio 2008. I really need help so email me at jordan.ewbank@googlemail.com . Thanks

hi guys. i am 16 years old. i am working from last to years professionally in programming side.
i know oracle, C#, vb.net, vb, asp.net, php.
well building an operating system is not the work of kids.
one can not make it even in his life time.
try to learn programming completely first.