EmbOS Translation

[Lucas Brooks]

Background Information:

On Jul 31 2003, 11:54 PM, the OSBetaArchive user Extremo posted

I recently purchased a settop-like Commodore 64 Web.It! computer (actually a x86-based PC unit with built in C64 Emulator).
This thing uses PC-DOS 2000 with IBM EmbOS (in ROM) as operating system. As far as I could find out, EmbOS is IBM's custom version of an embedded MS Windows 3.1.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any more info on this on the internet (like SDK, application notes, whitepapers, etc.)

Has anyone ever heard of this thing and/or seen the development environment in action?


Extremo

here and a few days later, this rare Web Computer International EmbOS appeared on the internet in a Virtual Hard Drive format with German localization.

The interface of EmbOS is creative and user friendly so it gained most users' like, however EmbOS is only available in German. What if I can't understand German? I did some research on EmbOS and found that there are English and Dutch versions , but they were never "leaked". With the hope that the English version will surface one day... I started a translation project so we can enjoy an English version of EmbOS sooner.

The Translation Project:

I started the translation with the very basics - PAGES.INI, then moved on to Windows (EmbOS) Accessories, and then harder ones such as PROGMAN.EXE, SHELL.DLL, USER.EXE and WIN.COM. They are still relatively easy comparing to Web.It apps whose strings were hard-coded into the executable instead of being stored in string-tables of the resource section. I've been working on those for several months now (as I have limited time) and the most challenging part is not only Hex-editing, but the translation.

I can not understand any German so Google translate is doing all the hard work . Well, all I got out of it was a bunch of meaningless strings that makes no sense and I have to guess for their meaning (if any) . (As you know) The translation did not go very smoothly... and here is what I've done so far:

Translated the shell (PROGMAN.EXE and PAGES.INI)
Translated ALL Windows accessories
Translated SHELL.DLL
Translated USER.EXE
Translated WIN.COM
Translated SYSSETUP.EXE
Translated DISPCONF.EXE
Translated SYSBKUPW.EXE
Translated SYSRESTW.EXE
Translated CLEARDSK.EXE
Translated FORMATA.EXE
Translated BOBJECTS.DLL
Translated Lotus 1-2-3
Translated Lotus AmiPro
Translated Netscape Navigator
Translated Netscape Mail
Translated Netscape News Groups
Translated various other applications

And here is the list of thing that I am currently working on or will work on:

Translate ALL other Web.it apps
Translate Lotus Organizer
Clean the OS
Restore timestamps

So why I post this up? I want your help! As I said, I can't understand German and Google Translate's translation does not produce precise and accurate translations, so if you are interested in this, please download it (at the bottom) and try. If you find anything in German, post it here and if you have a better translation, please comment.

Edit: Since Microsoft Virtual PC is becoming unpopular over the years, I decided to migrate the project back to VMware format. Although the newest build is in VMware 14.x format, other emulators and hypervisors can still run it if you convert the virtual disk into their acceptable formats.

Screenshots (Pre-Alpha Release Build 28):


After booting into the OS, a dialog will pop up saying you need to configure preferences to reach optimal system performance. It only happens on the first boot after installation.


This is what happens after you click OK. If you make any change to the preferences, it won't pop up again after boot.


After configuration, here is your Program Manager, fully translated.


Playing Solitaire.


File Manager open with About dialog. It is registered to Web Computer International.


Entertainments


Warning that all apps needs to be closed.


Commodore 64 Emulator starting up


Yes! Commodore 64 Emulator is finally working! Who said it doesn't work on normal computers?


This is what happens after pressing the F9 key, It was made in... 1998.

Credits:

ComputerHunter
Ringding
Google Translate (Translation Tool)
Resource Workshop 4.5 (Software)
Notepad++ (Software)
HxD Hex Editor (Software)

Build List and Download Links:

Current public build: Pre-Beta build 40 Download

Pre-Alpha Builds:
Build 1 (17/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 2 (17/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 3 (17/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 4 (19/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 5 (23/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 5.5 (23/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 6 (23/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 7 (23/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 8 (23/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 9 (24/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 10 (24/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 11 (26/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 11.5 (26/11/2018) - Private Build
Build 12 (15/12/2018) - Private Build
Build 13 (21/12/2018) - Private Build
Build 14 (29/12/2018) - Private Build
Build 15 (06/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 16 (08/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 20 (09/01/2019) - First Public Build, VMware format. Link: MEGA
Build 21 (11/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 21.5 (11/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 22 (11/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 23 (11/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 24 (12/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 24.5 (12/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 26 (14/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 27 (14/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 28 (17/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 28.5 (17/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 29 (18/01/2019) - Private Build
Alpha Release:
Alpha Release (Build 30) (20/01/2019) - First Public Release! Microsoft Virtual PC format. Link: MEGA
Post-Alpha Builds:
Build 31 (25/01/2019) - Private Build
Build 32 (14/03/2019) - Private Build
Build 33 (15/03/2019) - Private Build
Build 34 (17/04/2019) - Private Build
Build 35 (17/04/2019) - Private Build
Pre-Beta Builds:
Build 36 (02/06/2019) - Private Build
Build 37 (05/09/2019) - Private Build
Build 38 (06/09/2019) - Private Build
Build 39 (07/09/2019) - Private Build
Build 39.5 (07/09/2019) - Private Build
Build 40 (07/09/2019) - Second Public Build, VMware format. Link: MEGA
More Builds Coming Soon...

Edit 01: Fixed spelling and grammar. (09/01/2019)
Edit 02: Updated project. (11/01/2019)
Edit 03: Updated project. (15/01/2019)
Edit 04: Replaced Screenshots with Build 28, updated project. (17/01/2019)
Edit 05: Added Alpha Release (Build 30), updated project. (19/01/2019)
Edit 06: Added Pre-Beta Release (Build 40), updated project. (07/09/2019)

Regards,
ComputerHunter

[gtgamer468]

The bitmap images could possibly be edited with Photoshop. However, I'm not sure it will work all the time.

[Lucas Brooks]

[Please delete.]

[TwilyDev]

Hmm... Seems very interesting. Thanks, ComputerHunter!

[Lucas Brooks]

Actually, I wonder how to get my translated version to display in 16-bit or higher color depth. I will also remove some drivers because they are useless.

Please help me to translate:

Code: Select all

Versuch, eine dynamische Verknüpfung zu einer Task herzustellen, bzw. ein Fehler bei der gemeinsamen Nutzung oder der Netzwerksicherung.

Code: Select all

Versuch, eine zweite Instanz einer ausführbaren Datei zu laden, die in der Regel nur einmal gestartet werden kann.

Regards,
ComputerHunter

[Ringding]

The first one is horrible German to begin with. It is my mother tongue, and I can only guess what that means .

Adding a DLL to a task failed because of a network sharing violation.

(The true-to-the-word translation would be: Attempt to add a dynamic link to a task or an error with shared usage or network security.)

The second one is quite clear:

Tried to start a second instance of an executable file that can usually only run once.

[Lucas Brooks]

Thanks, I have another one for you to translate:

Code: Select all

Sie möchten die Bildschirmauflösung ändern.

I am not sure if it means:

Code: Select all

You want to change the screen resolution.

or

Code: Select all

You have changed the screen resolution.

Anyway, I found the bitmap images and replaced them.

to
to

Just a few more to go

Regards,
ComputerHunter

[Ringding]

It’s "You want to change the screen resolution."

[Lucas Brooks]

Thanks @Ringding.
I have a few more:

Code: Select all

Speicher konnte nicht zugeordnet werden.
Diskette wird initialisiert...
Bitte warten - die Diskette wird formatiert...
Sicherung bis zur Diskette %d... %d...
Fehler beim Öffnen von Datei %s.
Systembild
Sie sind im Begriff, %s zu sichern.
Sie benötigen %d Diskette(n).
Hinweis: Alle Daten auf den Disketten werden gelöscht!
Möchten Sie den Vorgang fortsetzen?
Sicherung
Legen Sie eine neue Diskette (Diskette %d) ein. Der Datenträger ist voll. Entfernen Sie die Diskette aus dem Laufwerk.
Beheben Sie den Fehler, und wählen Sie OK.
Die Diskette kann nicht formatiert werden. Sie ist u.U. schreibgeschützt oder beschädigt.
Fehler
BACKUPSEL
Bitte warten
Zu sichernde Dateien werden ermittelt...
Für diese Sicherung sind keine Dateien vorhanden.
Die erforderliche Diskettenanzahl wird nicht unterstützt.
Sicherung wurde durch den Benutzer abgebrochen.
Sicherung war nicht erfolgreich.
Sicherung wurde erfolgreich abgeschlossen.

Actually... A lot.

[Ringding]

Code: Select all

Speicher konnte nicht zugeordnet werden.
=> Memory could not be assigned.
(should maybe mean: Could not allocate memory.)

Diskette wird initialisiert...
=> Disk is being initialized...

Bitte warten - die Diskette wird formatiert...
=> Please wait - the disk is being formatted...

Sicherung bis zur Diskette %d... %d...
=> Backup up to disk %d... %d...

Fehler beim Öffnen von Datei %s.
=> Error while opening file %s.

Systembild
=> System image

Sie sind im Begriff, %s zu sichern.
=> You are about to save %s.

Sie benötigen %d Diskette(n).
=> You need %d disk(s).

Hinweis: Alle Daten auf den Disketten werden gelöscht!
=> Note: All data on the disks will be deleted!

Möchten Sie den Vorgang fortsetzen?
=> Do you want to continue?

Sicherung
=> Backup

Legen Sie eine neue Diskette (Diskette %d) ein. Der Datenträger ist voll. Entfernen Sie die Diskette aus dem Laufwerk.
=> Insert a new disk (disk %d). The storage device is full. Remove the disk from the drive.

Beheben Sie den Fehler, und wählen Sie OK.
=> Correct the error and choose OK.

Die Diskette kann nicht formatiert werden. Sie ist u.U. schreibgeschützt oder beschädigt.
=> The disk cannot be formatted. It might be write-protected or damaged.

Fehler
=> Error

BACKUPSEL
? Not a word ;)

Bitte warten
=> Please wait

Zu sichernde Dateien werden ermittelt...
=> Determining files for backup...

Für diese Sicherung sind keine Dateien vorhanden.
=> There are no files for this backup.

Die erforderliche Diskettenanzahl wird nicht unterstützt.
=> The required number of disks is not supported.

Sicherung wurde durch den Benutzer abgebrochen.
=> Backup canceled by user.

Sicherung war nicht erfolgreich.
=> Backup was not successful.

Sicherung wurde erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
=> Backup completed successfully.

[Lucas Brooks]

Thanks, they are very good translations and I am glad that you are helping me.

BTW, I will release an Alpha of my translation next week.

[ScentedOrange]

Im honestly kinda excited to try this out. Good work guys

[Lucas Brooks]

Thanks, I will be releasing this in a Microsoft Virtual PC format on 20/01/2019. It will be Alpha Release (Build 30).

[Lucas Brooks]

A few more...

Code: Select all

STRINGTABLE LOADONCALL MOVEABLE DISCARDABLE 
{
 3000, "Drucker nicht verfügbar.\nSchalten Sie den Drucker ein!"
 3001, "Die angeforderte Seite ist jetzt nicht verfügbar.\nDer Remote-Standort antwortet nicht.\nVersuchen Sie es später noch einmal."
 3002, "Das Netzwerk konnte die angeforderte Webseite nicht finden.\nÜberprüfen Sie Ihre Eingabe, oder versuchen Sie es später noch einmal."
 3003, "Ihre Anforderung kann mit der Telefonverbindung nicht ausgeführt werden."
 3004, "Dieses Internet-Gerät kann den gewünschten Dateityp nicht abrufen."
 3005, "Verbindung zum Internet wird hergestellt.\n\nWarten Sie, oder wählen Sie Abbrechen."
 3006, "Verbindung ist nicht möglich, weil nicht aufgelegt wurde.\nÜberprüfen Sie alle Telefonleitungen."
 3007, "Verbindung wegen eines ankommenden Anrufs nicht möglich."
}

Code: Select all

STRINGTABLE LOADONCALL MOVEABLE DISCARDABLE 
{
 3008, "Benutzer-ID und Kennwort wurden von Ihrem Dienstanbieter nicht akzeptiert."
 3009, "Verbindung nicht möglich, weil kein Freizeichen vorhanden war.\nÜberprüfen Sie beide Verbindungsenden."
 3010, "Verbindung zum Internet nicht möglich, weil die Anbieterleitung besetzt ist. Wiederholen Sie den Vorgang später."
 3011, "Verbindung zum Internet wegen Fehler auf Anbieterseite nicht möglich."
 3012, "Kommunikationsfehler beim Mail-Empfang.\nWiederholen Sie den Vorgang später."
 3013, "Kommunikationsfehler beim Senden von Mail.\nVorgang wird später wiederholt."
 3014, "Beim Initialisieren der Wählhilfe trat ein unbekannter Systemfehler auf.\nWiederholen Sie den Vorgang, oder starten Sie den Computer neu."
 3015, "Auf den angegebenen COM-Port (Modem) kann nicht zugegriffen werden.\nÜberprüfen Sie Ihre Hardwarekonfiguration."
 3016, "Das System ist nicht richtig für die Modemverwendung konfiguriert, oder das Modem funktioniert nicht.\nÜberprüfen Sie Ihre Benutzereinstellungen."
}

I have no idea what this is, Google Translate gave me a bunch of rubbish that doesn't make sense... Please help

Regards,
ComputerHunter

[Ringding]

These are crazy strings .

Code: Select all

STRINGTABLE LOADONCALL MOVEABLE DISCARDABLE
{
 3000, "Printer not available.\nSwitch the printer on!"
 3001, "The requested site is not available right now.\nThe remote site does not respond.\nTry again later."
 3002, "The network could not find the requested web site.\nCheck your input or try again later."
 3003, "Your request cannot be performed on the telephone connection."
 3004, "This internet device cannot retrieve the requested file type."
 3005, "Internet connection is being established.\n\nWait or choose Cancel."
 3006, "Connection is not possible because the line was not hung up.\nCheck all telephone lines."
 3007, "Connection not possible because of an incoming call."
}

Code: Select all

STRINGTABLE LOADONCALL MOVEABLE DISCARDABLE
{
 3008, "User ID and password were not accepted by your service provider."
 3009, "Connection not possible because there was no dial tone.\nCheck both ends of the connection."
 3010, "Connection to the internet not possible because the provider line is busy. Try again later."
 3011, "Connection to the internet not possible because of a provider error."
 3012, "Communication error while receiving mail.\nRetry later."
 3013, "Communication error while sending mail.\nWill be retried later."
 3014, "There was an unknown system error while initializing the dialer.\nRetry or restart the computer."
 3015, "Cannot access the specified COM port (modem).\nCheck your hardware configuration."
 3016, "The system is not configured for modem use, or the modem does not work.\nCheck your user settings."
}

[Lucas Brooks]

@Ringding, Thanks a lot! I am still working on my Alpha build... It will get released today or tomorrow. Your name will be in the credits section!

[Lucas Brooks]

EmbOS English Translation Alpha Release (Build 30)

Release Information

File : EmbOS Hard Disk.vhd
Type : Virtual Machine (Microsoft Virtual PC VHD Format)
Size : 40.0 MB (41,955,840 bytes)
SHA-1 : CE235D94FCA4E54C8F2B50CF6421C8FBCB47A7DC
Release Date : 20/01/2019
Version : Build 30 (Alpha Release)
Language : English (Translated from German)
Link : https://mega.nz/#!xVEVTQRJ!hMc3S9RNuRLR ... c860d-fRFw

Translated Apps

PROGMAN.EXE
PAGES.INI
ALL Windows accessories
SHELL.DLL
USER.EXE
WIN.COM
SYSBKUPW.EXE
SYSSETUP.EXE
DISPCONF.EXE
Lotus 1-2-3
Lotus AmiPro
Netscape Navigator
Netscape Mail
Netscape News Groups

Credits

ComputerHunter
Ringding
Google Translate (Translation Tool)
Resource Workshop 4.5 (Software)
Notepad++ (Software)
HxD Hex Editor (Software)

Notes

1. Not all applications and drivers preinstalled with EmbOS are translated.
2. You could find German strings while using the OS, mostly in error messages. They are not yet translated.
3. This is an Alpha Release, which means it is not stable and could cause potential damages.
4. If you want to contribute, please post below.
5. If you have suggestions or have a better translation, please post below.
6. If you have the English version of EmbOS, please share it below.
7. If you want to share this project or any builds of it, please include the credits.


Released by ComputerHunter on 19/01/2019.

[vlad557776]

Some man called "Noogle Khrome" released a video on YouTube about installing EmbOS build 999 on Bochs, but didn't provide any download links.

[Lucas Brooks]

That has nothing to do with this.

[Lucas Brooks]

I need some translations for this project!

Code: Select all

AutoConnect wird beendet - mehrere Kopien.
AutoConnect wird beendet - RegisterClass fehlgeschlagen.
AutoConnect wird normal beendet.
AutoConnect-Systemfehler: WINSOCK kann nicht geladen werden!
AutoConnect stellt eine Vebindung her...
Fehler: Der Trägerton wurde unerwartet unterbrochen.
Kombiniert mit ADDPROC v1.2 - (C) IBM Corporation 1998

Thanks

[Ringding]

Code: Select all

AutoConnect stopped - multiple copies.
AutoConnect stopped - RegisterClass failed.
AutoConnect stopped normally.
AutoConnect system error: WINSOCK cannot be loaded!
AutoConnect is connecting...
Error: The carrier tone was interrupted unexpectedly.
Combined with ADDPROC v1.2 - (C) IBM Corporation 1998

[Lucas Brooks]

EmbOS English Translation Pre-Beta Release (Build 40)

Release Information

File : EmbOS [English Translation] [Pre-Beta Release] (Build 40) (VMware).rar
Type : VMware Virtual Machine (Full VMware 14.x VM)
Size : 11.6 MB (12,181,730 bytes)
SHA-1 : 7ECBB8298ADA49F0684383D0C1B3A6A06FBD9E09
Release Date : 07/09/2019
Version : Build 40 (Pre-Beta Release)
Language : English (Translated from German)
Link : https://mega.nz/#!UQ1zWATS!pGMrRLuEhPIZ ... el4WoMXCo8

Translated Apps

Translated PROGMAN.EXE
Translated PAGES.INI
Translated ALL Windows accessories
Translated SHELL.DLL
Translated USER.EXE
Translated WIN.COM
Translated SYSSETUP.EXE
Translated DISPCONF.EXE
Translated SYSBKUPW.EXE
Translated SYSRESTW.EXE
Translated CLEARDSK.EXE
Translated FORMATA.EXE
Translated BOBJECTS.DLL
Translated Lotus 1-2-3
Translated Lotus AmiPro
Translated Netscape Navigator
Translated Netscape Mail
Translated Netscape News Groups
Translated various other applications

Credits

ComputerHunter
Ringding
Google Translate (Translation Tool)
Resource Workshop 4.5 (Software)
Notepad++ (Software)
HxD Hex Editor (Software)

Notes

1. Not all applications and drivers preinstalled with EmbOS are translated.
2. You could find German strings while using the OS, mostly in error messages. They are not yet translated.
3. This is an a Pre-Beta Release, which means it is not stable and could cause potential damages.
4. If you want to contribute, please post below.
5. If you have suggestions or have a better translation, please post below.
6. If you have the English version of EmbOS, please share it below.
7. If you want to share this project or any builds of it, please include the credits.


Released by ComputerHunter on 07/09/2019.

[Lucas Brooks]

Does anybody know how to connect EmbOS to internet? I tried many times without success.

[Agret]

I really appreciate your work in making this accessible and with an English translation, this is a cool find.

Looks like to get Ethernet networking with it you will have to import some Windows 3.11 files to run Setup Manager so you can install the MS-TCP/IP-32 support & the Advanced Micro Devices PCNET Family (NDIS2/NDIS3) Ethernet driver as there is no button to install drivers on the EmbOS driver screen. You will also have to change the virtual machine config from NAT to Bridged as legacy OS don't play well with VMWare networking unless bridged.

I found these these resources about Windows 3.11 networking in VMWare:

https://blog.udance.com.au/2018/05/23/v ... oups-3-11/ (says virtualbox but same setup for VMWare basically)
This blog links to a since offline'd Tripod page but you can still access the web site and the floppy/cd resources from wayback machine
https://web.archive.org/web/20190612203 ... ripod.com/

https://www.vmware.com/support/ws3/doc/ ... tos11.html (vmware official docs)
https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=51190 (unfortunately the images/attachments are gone as it is an old post)

I'm pretty confident it's possible to get the networking going with these resources. I'm going to have a go at it myself but i'm not very good with these legacy OS anymore

If you want to do it more 'natively' to EmbOS you would have to install software on the host machine to emulate a dialup modem and then connect that to the virtual machine COM port. I'm not sure if any free software exists for Windows hosts but I found this commercial one https://www.eltima.com/products/virtual-modem-pro/

There are a couple errors i've seen with the translation, when you mouse over the Sound Recorder it says 'Klang Recorder' at the bottom of screen and when you click on the Flash Card it says 'Incert Disk' instead of 'Insert Disk'.
With the "Restore Backup" prompt it says "To restore your system follow the following steps" this could be rephrased as "To restore your system perform the following steps"