Macro Microcontroller DOS Setup & Usage Guide

Macro Microcontroller DOS is a simple DOS-like environment that boots from a custom BIOS.

Installation

1. First, download macro-microcontroller-dos-0.0.3.uf2 from releases. Current version: 0.0.3

2. Next, plug in your development board while holding the Boot button. A storage drive will appear on your computer.

3. Move macro-microcontroller-dos-0.0.1.uf2 into the storage drive. Your development board is now running Macro Microcontroller DOS, booting from a custom BIOS!

4. Install a serial terminal application on your computer and connect it to the board. If successful, you should see the following:

    _  _
   | \/ | Macro Microcontroller BIOS Version 0.0.2.
   |_\/_| Copyright (C) 2025-2026 Nicholas Lim.
   
   Device: Macro Microcontroller 2 (RP2040 @ 125MHz)
   Serial Number: ****************
   RAM Free: 254K OK
   Serial Status: Connected
   
   Press SW1 to enter Macro Microcontroller BASIC.
   Press SW2 to enter BOOTSEL mode.
   
   Booting system...

Commands and Programs

• HELP: Launches the help guide.
• CALCULATE: Performs basic operations on 2 numbers. Usage: CALCULATE [Number] [+ - * / ^ root] [Number]
• ECHO: Echoes text.
• PROGLIST: Show program listing.
• SYSTEM: Starts another Macro Microcontroller DOS console.
• EXIT: Stops all processes for power off.
• OUT: Turns on a specified GPIO for 1 second. Usage: OUT [LED# IO# BELL MOTOR]
• VERSION: Shows the release version.
• BOOT: Reboots the system. Usage: BOOT -m [BASIC BOOTSEL]*
• DEVINFO: Displays device and memory information.
• UPTIME: Shows device uptime.

Predefined Values for Parameters

• IO*: Set GPIO pins 1, 2 or 3 to high.
• LED*: Set LEDs 1, 2 or 3 to high.
• BELL: Sounds the builtin buzzer.
• MOTOR: Sets motor pins to high.
• BASIC: Reboot in BASIC interpreter mode.
• BOOTSEL: Reboot in BOOTSEL mode.