Last revision of this page: February 6, 2025

UniForm gives you the ability to directly read and write diskettes from most of the popular CP/M computers, to initialize blank diskettes in the format of your choice, and to transfer files from some non-CP/M operating systems. [2]

UniForm (for CP/M computers) should not be confused with UniForm-PC (for DOS PC's), also from Micro Solutions. According to my information, the CP/M version was there first. The programs INITDISK and SETDISK, for example, were delivered with the first Kaypros (mid-1982).

UniForm already had a market back then because every CP/M computer had its own disk format. Standardisation only came later with the rise of PC and MS-DOS (from 1983 onwards). And then UniForm-PC (v1.00 ~1984) and UniDOS (v1.11 ~1986) were needed.

As you can see from the figure above, there are 16 different versions of UniForm. Each version is specially adapted for one CP/M computer or computer familiy (like the Bondwell, Kaypro, Morrow or Televideo).

1. Actrix
2. Bondwell 12
3. Bondwell 14
4. Epson QX-10
5. Epson QX-10 (European)
6. Kaypro (all models except Robie)
7. Micromint SB-180
8. Morrow MD2/3
9. Morrow MD5/11/16/34
10. NEC PC-8801
11. Osborne 1 (double density)
12. TeleVideo TS 801/802
13. TeleVideo TS 803/TPC 1
14. Toshiba 100
15. Xerox 820-II
16. Zenith Z-100 (CP/M-85)

(4, 5) Epson QX-10

UniForm by Micro Solutions
Version 2.00 for Epson QX-10

I do not own a Epson QX-10 computer, but UCONFIG for the Epson QX-10 can still be run on the Kaypro 10! I have previously used UniForm (for Kaypro 10) to initialize the Epson QX-10 floppy disk format for drive C: and then run the installation routine from the Epson QX-10 disk.

(6) Kaypro

Two Program Version

The very first versions of UniForm were still developed separately for the Kaypro II, 4 and 10.

Universal Disk Initializer
by Micro Solutions
Kaypro II Version

On my Kaypro II there is a very early ("single-sided") version of UniForm by Micro Solutions (on the boot floppy, shipped by Kaypro). In contrast to, for example, the (subsequent) version 3.16, here UniForm consists of two individual programs: INITDISK and SETDISK. [3]

INITDISK

INITDISK is used to initialize a disk to a particular format. It performs the same function as the BLANK option in the COPY program which comes with the KAYPRO, but, in addition to the KAYPRO format, you can also prepare a diskette to operate in the Osborne, Xerox, and TRS-80. [1]

INITDISK is used to initialize a disk to any of the supplemented formats. This program plays an important role in the UniForm package because it enables you to generate an initialized disk which you can use on a different brand of machine. [5]

There are six single-sided disk formats (single- and double density) to choose from.

0. Kaypro II
1. Osborne I (SD)
2. Osborne I (DD)
3. Xerox 820 (SD)
4. Xerox 820-II (DD)
5. TRS-80 mod I (SD)

SETDISK

SETDISK allows you to copy files between the KAYPRO diskformat and the selected format. [1]

SETDISK is used to select the desired disk format for drive B (Drive C for Kaypro 10) on the Kaypro. Once you use SETDISK to select a disk format, you can use that drive just as you normally would, the only difference is that drive B (Drive C for Kaypro 10) should contain a disk which has been initialized to the selected disk format. [5]

All in One Version

UniForm by Micro Solutions
Version 3.16 for Kaypro "xyz"

This "multi-configuration" version of UniForm for all Kaypro's (except Robie, 4X, 12X) consists of five files or programs. These are:

1. UCONFIG.COM
2. UCONFIG.DAT
3. UNIFORM.COM
4. UNIFORM.DAT
5. UNIFORM.OVL

No. 1 and 2 contain the installation routines for the complete Kaypro family (10, 4, 4-84, II, 2X, 2). No. 3 to 5 contain the actual UniForm program.

There was (probably) no UniForm version for the Robie, 4X and 12X, because they are equipped with a 2.6 MByte Drivetec floppy drive. The Drivetec can read "Kaypro" II and 4 floppy formats but not write! [4] This one-way road may also have been a reason why the Robie, 4X and 12X failed to establish themselves in the market.

The file UCONFIG.DAT is only available if there are several variations in a CP/M computer series, e.g. the Kaypro. With the Micromint SB180 this file does not exist, because there is only one computer.

See no. 15 to 17. Was it actually possible to connect 3.5 and 8 inch floppy drives to a Kaypro 10?

(7) Micromint SB-180

UniForm by Micro Solutions
Version 3.00 for Micromint SB-180

I do not own a Micromint SB-180 computer, but UCONFIG for the Micromint SB180 can still be run on the Kaypro 10! I have previously used UniForm (for Kaypro 10) to initialize the Micromint SB-180 floppy disk format for drive C: and then run the installation routine from the Micromint SB-180 disk.

(8) Morrow MD2/3

UniForm by Micro Solutions
Version 3.00 for Morrow MD2/MD3

I do not own a Morrow MD3 computer, but UCONFIG for the Morrow MD3 can still be run on the Kaypro 10! I have previously used UniForm (for Kaypro 10) to initialize the Morrow MD3 floppy disk format for drive C: and then run the installation routine from the Morrow MD3 disk.

• Brochure: Micro Solutions Computer Products (1987)
• Manual (general CP/M Version): UniForm User's Guide (1984)
• Manual (Kaypro II, 4, 10): UniForm User's Guide (1983)

1. (↑) KAYPRO, Introduction to Software, September 1983, part number 1542, page 33
2. (↑) UniForm User's Guide, Micro Solutions, 1984
3. (↑) BYTE, November 1983, page 662
4. (↑) Micro Cornucopia #20, October 1984, page 26
5. (↑) UniForm User's Guide, Micro Solutions, Kaypro II, 4, 10, 1983, page 4

• Part 1: The Three Musketeers
• Part 2: The CompatiCard
• Part 3: UniForm-PC – UniForm
• Part 4: UniDOS