x86 Boot Tools with Graphics
Budget: £20 – £250 GBP
I need a small suite of utilities that can bootstrap x86-based devices and present basic graphical I/O through serial, VGA, and, where available, an LCD panel. The tools must run under both Windows and DOS so I can use the same media on legacy hardware as well as more modern test benches.
Core objectives
• Build or adapt a bootloader that initializes video (VGA and LCD) and opens a serial console before handing control to my main application.
• Provide a simple graphical interface—text-mode menus or a minimal bitmap splash screen is enough—that lets me choose images, diagnostics, or configuration options.
• Keep everything fully compatible with standard x86 CPUs; no UEFI features are required.
• Supply clear build scripts, source code (preferably C with inline assembly where unavoidable), and a brief README covering how to generate bootable media for DOS and for Windows-based deployment tools such as Rufus.
Success criteria
– A single image (or pair of images, one per OS) that successfully boots on real hardware and in emulators like QEMU.
– Serial output visible at 115 200 N81, plus VGA/LCD display activated during the boot stage.
– Clean, well-commented code and concise documentation so I can extend the menu items later.
If you have existing bare-metal or BIOS-level experience on x86, this should be a straightforward engagement.
Core objectives
• Build or adapt a bootloader that initializes video (VGA and LCD) and opens a serial console before handing control to my main application.
• Provide a simple graphical interface—text-mode menus or a minimal bitmap splash screen is enough—that lets me choose images, diagnostics, or configuration options.
• Keep everything fully compatible with standard x86 CPUs; no UEFI features are required.
• Supply clear build scripts, source code (preferably C with inline assembly where unavoidable), and a brief README covering how to generate bootable media for DOS and for Windows-based deployment tools such as Rufus.
Success criteria
– A single image (or pair of images, one per OS) that successfully boots on real hardware and in emulators like QEMU.
– Serial output visible at 115 200 N81, plus VGA/LCD display activated during the boot stage.
– Clean, well-commented code and concise documentation so I can extend the menu items later.
If you have existing bare-metal or BIOS-level experience on x86, this should be a straightforward engagement.