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AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0323E 03-25-91

                      AST-5250 SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY

The following information is to assist in proper utilization of AST 5250 products and software:

               ASYNC                        AST         IBM PC
              DIAL-UP   CLUSTER  GATEWAY  FT/11-A    SUPPORT/PCFSU

5251/11+

1.0, 1.03 N/A N/A N/A N/A PCFSU: S/34-8 with

                                                     ASTVDI PC/SSPT 36-8
                                                     NOT SUPPORTED

1.12 N/A N/A N/A 1.10-1.12 PCFSU: S/34-8 (S/34/36) with ASTVDI PC/SSPT

                                                     36-8 NOT SUPPORTED

1.12 N/A N/A N/A 1.20-1.21 PCFSU: S/34-8 (S/38) with ASTVDI PC/SSPT

                                                     36-8 NOT SUPPORTED

2.0, 2.01, 3.2 3.2 N/A 1.23 PC/SPPT 36 2.03, 2.04 (L.L.) with ASTROUTR (S/34-8) PCFSU: S/34-8 PC/SPPT

                                                     38 NOT SUPPORTED

3.0, 3.01 3.3 3.3 N/A 1.23 PC/SPPT 34-8 (S/34-8) (L.L.) with STARTRTR PCFSU:

                                                     S/34-8

3.02 3.3 3.3 N/A 1.27 PC/SPPT 34-8 (S/34-8) (L.L.) (S/38) with STARTRTR PCFSU:

                                                     S/34-8

3.10 4.11 4.11 N/A 1.30 PC/SPPT 34-8 (S/34-8) (AST) (AST) with STARTRTR PCFSU:

                                                     S/34-8

3.13.* 4.11* 4.11* 4.13* 1.30 PC/SPPT 34-8 (2/34-8) with STARTRTR PCFSU:

                                                     S/34-8

3.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 1.30 PC/SPPT 34-8 with

                                                     STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8

3.22* 4.21 4.21 4.21 1.31 PC/SPPT 34-8 with STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8 AS/400 PC SPPT NOT SUPPORTED 3.23 4.21 4.21 4.21 1.31 PC/SPPT 34-8 with STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8 AS/400 PC SPPT NOT SUPPORTED 5251/12 1.0,1A,2.1, N/A N/A N/A SSI's ETU N/A 3.3 3.50,3.53/4 N/A N/A N/A 1.23 PC/SPPT 36 with STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8 PC/SPPT 38 NOT SUPPORTED 4.0* 4.11* 4.11* 4.13* 1.30 PC/SPPT 36-8 with STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8 4.14 4.14 4.14 4.13 1.30 PC/SPPT 36-8 with STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8 4.21* 4.21 4.21 4.21 1.30 PC/SPPT 36-8 with

                                                     STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8
                                                     AS/400 PC SPPT NOT
                                                     SUPPORTED

4.30 4.21 4.21 4.21 1.31 PC/SPPT 36-8 with

                                                     STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8
                                                     AS/400 PC SPPT NOT
                                                     SUPPORTED

5251/11ENH+

4.01* 4.11* 4.11* 1.30* PC/SPPT 36-8 with STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8 4.15 4.14 4.14 4.13 1.31 PC/SPPT 36-8 with STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.21 1.31 PC/SPPT 36-8 with STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8 4.22* 4.21 4.21 4.21 1.31 PC/SPPT 36-8 with

                                                     STARTRTR PCFSU: S/34-8

4.23 4.23 4.23 4.21 1.31 PC/SPPT S/34-8

                                                     AS/400 PC SPPT NOT
                                                     SUPPORTED

4.30 4.23 4.23 4.21 1.33 PC/SPPT S/34-8

                                                     AS/400 PC SPPT NOT
                                                     SUPPORTED

AS/400 PC SPPT Not Not Not Not Supported by Sup- Sup- Sup- Sup- ASTWNAH.EXE ported ported ported ported

LEGEND:

N/A = Not Applicable

S/3X = IBM System 34, 36 or 38

L.L. = Laguna Labs

* = Version Listed or Greater

= If IBM's Token Ring Network is used, AST5250 Gateway software maintenance release version 4.12.37 or 4.14 must be used * = Supports IBM AS/400

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0428B 04-04-90

                 PREMIUM/286 AND 386 THIRD FLOPPY SUPPORT

The following summarizes installation considerations for a third floppy device in AST Premium Computers:

PREMIUM/286 HARDWARE CONSIDERATIONS

PREMIUM/286 systems equipped with part number 202143-003 or 202143-004 system boards include embedded diskette drive controller circuitry that allows support for a third floppy device. The third floppy is connected to the 34 pin connector on the system board with an additional floppy drive controller cable (AST part number 220085-001). The cable is attached to the third floppy device and the 34 pin connector J20 on the system board.

PREMIUM/386 HARDWARE CONSIDERATIONS

All PREMIUM/386 system boards are built with embedded third floppy diskette control circuitry. The same cable (AST part number 220085-001) is required to install the third floppy device. This cable connects to the P4 connector on the 386 system board.

SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS

Because the third floppy device is not directly recognized by the system BIOS, two device drivers, DRIVER.SYS and ASTDSK.DRV, must be inserted into the CONFIG.SYS file.

DRIVER.SYS is provided with MS-DOS Version 3.3 Release 1.3 and ASTDSK.DRV is provided on the AST Utilities diskette shipped with all PREMIUM systems.

DOS VERSIONS

AST recommends and supports the use of AST MS-DOS Version 3.3 Release 1.3. For best results, users of earlier DOS versions should upgrade to Version 3.3 Release 1.3. Contact your local AST Service Center for additional information.

INSTALLATION

The AST Utilities Diskette provides menu-driven automatic installation of the third floppy device drivers into the CONFIG.SYS file. The following are the configuration commands for each of the possible hardware combinations.

The commands listed below are supported under DOS Version 3.2 and 3.3 unless otherwise noted:

For 360 KB drive (5.25-inch diskettes)

  DEVICE=C:\DOS\ASTDSK.DRV 0
  DEVICE=C:\DOS\DRIVER.SYS /D:2 /F:0

For 720 KB drive (3.5-inch diskettes)

  DEVICE=C:\DOS\ASTDSK.DRV 2
  DEVICE=C:\DOS\DRIVER.SYS /D:2 /F:2

For 1.2 MB drive (5.25-inch diskettes)

  DEVICE=C:\DOS\ASTDSK.DRV 1
  DEVICE=C:\DOS\DRIVER.SYS /D:2 /F:1 /S:15

For 1.44 MB drive (3.5-inch diskettes)

  DEVICE=C:\DOS\ASTDSK.DRV 3
  DEVICE=C:\DOS\DRIVER.SYS /D:2 /F:7 /S:18
  (use /F:3 for DOS 3.2)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0429B 01-02-90

              PREMIUM/386 AND 386C DIAGNOSTICS AND UTILITIES

This bulletin contains reference charts which summarizes the contents of diagnostics and utility software for the PREMIUM/386 and PREMIUM/386C.

                     TABLE OF CONTENTS

+———————————————————–+

CHART
DESCRIPTION NO.
————————————————-+———
PREM/386 AND 386C RELEASE 5.0 UTILITIES/TEST 5
PREM/386 RELEASE 4.1 UTILITIES/TEST 4
PREM/386 RELEASE 4.0 UTILITIES/TEST 3
PREM/386 RELEASE 3.4 UTILITIES/TEST 2
PREM/386 RELEASE 3.3 UTILITIES/TEST 1

+———————————————————–+

                                             CHART #5
   +----------------------------------------------+
   |  PREM/386 & 386C RELEASE 5.0 UTILITIES/TEST  |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |     TO BE USED ON THE PREMIUM/386 & 386C     |
   |        WITH AST BIOS ver 2.3 OR ABOVE        |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |      DISK        | REL#|     FILES    | VER  |
   |------------------+-----+--------------+------|
   |P/386  UTILITIES  |     |              |      |
   |*P/N 910340-001   | 5.0 |  386TEST.EXE | 1.46 |
   |                  |     | ASTMENU1.EXE | 1.50 |
   |                  |     | ASTMENU2.COM | 1.40 |
   |                  |     | ASTMENU3.EXE | 1.63 |
   |                  |     |  ASTMENU.MEN | 1.81 |
   |                  |     |   ASTDSK.DRV | 1.12 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.SYS | 2.41 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.COM | 2.41 |
   |                        |   ASTEMM.SYS | 4.08 |
   |                  |     | ASTSETUP.EXE | 2.01 |
   |                  |     |  FASTEGA.SYS | 3.22 |
   |                  |     | FASTDISK.SYS | 1.61 |
   |                  |     | HDFORMAT.EXE | 2.01 |
   |                  |     |    SPEED.EXE | 1.20 |
   |                  |     | SUPERSPL.COM | 1.72 |
   +----------------------------------------------+
  • This bootable diskette uses the AST Boot Loader Program and does

not contain any MS-DOS system files.

                                             CHART #4
   +----------------------------------------------+
   |  PREM/386 & 386C RELEASE 4.1 UTILITIES/TEST  |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |    TO BE USED ON THE PREMIUM/386 & 386C      |
   |       WITH AST BIOS ver 2.0, 2.1 & 2.2       |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |      DISK        | REL#|     FILES    | VER  |
   |------------------+-----+--------------+------|
   |P/386 UTILITIES   |     |              |      |
   |P/N 910340-001    | 4.1 |  386TEST.EXE | 1.43 |
   |                  |     |  ASTMENU.EXE | 1.38 |
   |                  |     |  ASTMENU.MEN | 1.44 |
   |                  |     |   ASTDSK.DRV | 1.09 |
   |                  |     |  ASTUPDT.EXE | 1.39 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.SYS | 2.19 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.COM | 2.32 |
   |                  |     |   ASTEMM.SYS | 2.67 |
   |                  |     |    ASTMS.EXE | 1.40 |
   |                  |     | ASTSETUP.EXE | 2.00 |
   |                  |     |  ASTSERV.SYS | 1.00 |
   |                  |     | ASTTUPDT.EXE | 1.39 |
   |                  |     |  FASTEGA.SYS | 2.00 |
   |                  |     | FASTDISK.SYS | 1.50 |
   |                  |     | HDFORMAT.EXE | 1.70 |
   |                  |     |    SPEED.EXE | 1.15 |
   |                  |     | SUPERSPL.COM | 1.10 |
   +----------------------------------------------+
                                             CHART #3
   +----------------------------------------------+
   |     PREM/386 RELEASE 4.0 UTILITIES/TEST      |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |        TO BE USED ON THE PREMIUM/386         |
   |    WITH AST BIOS ver 1.3, 2.0, 2.1 & 2.2     |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |      DISK        | REL#|     FILES    | VER  |
   |------------------+-----+--------------+------|
   |P/386 UTILITIES   |     |              |      |
   |P/N 910266-001    | 4.0 |  386TEST.EXE | 2.00 |
   |                  |     |  ASTMENU.EXE | 1.24 |
   |                  |     |   ASTDSK.DRV | 1.09 |
   |                  |     |    ASTMS.EXE | 1.24 |
   |                  |     |  ASTUPDT.EXE | 1.24 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.SYS | 2.19 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.COM | 2.19 |
   |                  |     |   ASTEMM.SYS | 2.27 |
   |                  |     | ASTSETUP.EXE | 1.10 |
   |                  |     |     AUTO.MEN | 1.14 |
   |                  |     |  FASTEGA.SYS | 1.7A |
   |                  |     | FASTDISK.SYS | 1.50 |
   |                  |     | HDFORMAT.EXE | 1.60 |
   |                  |     |     PARK.COM | 1.00 |
   |                  |     | SUPERSPL.COM | 1.10 |
   |                  |     |    SPEED.EXE | 1.10 |
   |------------------+-----+--------------+------|
   |* P/386 H/W MAINT |     |              |      |
   | P/N 910294-001   | 2.2 |  386DIAG.EXE | 1.00 |
   +----------------------------------------------+
  • The 386DIAG diagnostic diskette is included in the Premium/386

Hardware Maintenance Kit (AST P/N 500568-001).

                                             CHART #2
   +----------------------------------------------+
   |     PREM/386 RELEASE 3.4 UTILITIES/TEST      |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |        TO BE USED ON THE PREMIUM/386         |
   |         WITH AST BIOS ver 1.3 ONLY           |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |      DISK        | REL#|     FILES    | VER  |
   |------------------+-----+--------------+------|
   |P/386 UTILITIES   |     |              |      |
   |* P/N 910241-001  | 3.4 |  386TEST.EXE | 1.20 |
   |      910241-002  |     |  ASTMENU.EXE | 1.24 |
   |                  |     |    ASTMS.EXE | 1.10 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.SYS | 2.00 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.COM | 2.11 |
   |                  |     |   ASTEMM.SYS | 2.20 |
   |                  |     |   ASTEMM.COM | 2.20 |
   |                  |     | ASTSETUP.EXE | 1.10 |
   |                  |     |     AUTO.MEN | 1.14 |
   |                  |     |  FASTEGA.SYS | 1.7A |
   |                  |     | FASTDISK.SYS | 1.50 |
   |                  |     | HDFORMAT.EXE | 1.50 |
   |                  |     | SUPERSPL.COM | 1.10 |
   |                  |     |    SPEED.EXE | 1.10 |
   |------------------+-----+--------------+------|
   |**P/386 H/W MAINT |     |              |      |
   | P/N 910294-001   | 2.2 |  386DIAG.EXE | 1.00 |
   +----------------------------------------------+
  • Premium/386 Utility Release 3.4 resides on two 360KB diskettes

and includes the following AST MS-DOS files:

       COMMAND.COM   COUNTRY.SYS   FDISK.COM   FORMAT.COM
      KEYBOARD.SYS      MODE.COM  SELECT.COM    XCOPY.EXE
  • * The 386DIAG diagnostic diskette is included in the PREMIUM/386

Hardware Maintenance Kit (AST P/N 500568-001).

                                             CHART #1
   +----------------------------------------------+
   |     PREM/386 RELEASE 3.3 UTILITIES/TEST      |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |        TO BE USED ON THE PREMIUM/386         |
   |          WITH AST BIOS ver 1.3 only          |
   |----------------------------------------------|
   |      DISK        | REL#|     FILES    |  VER |
   |------------------+-----+--------------+------|
   |P/386 UTILITIES   |     |              |      |
   |* P/N 910241-001  | 3.3 |  386TEST.EXE | 1.10 |
   |      910241-002  |     |  ASTMENU.EXE | 1.24 |
   |                  |     |    ASTMS.EXE | 1.10 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.SYS | 2.00 |
   |                  |     | ASTCACHE.COM | 2.11 |
   |                  |     |   ASTEMM.SYS | 2.20 |
   |                  |     |   ASTEMM.COM | 2.20 |
   |                  |     | ASTSETUP.EXE | 1.10 |
   |                  |     |     AUTO.MEN | 1.14 |
   |                  |     |  FASTEGA.SYS | 1.7A |
   |                  |     | FASTDISK.SYS | 1.50 |
   |                  |     | HDFORMAT.EXE | 1.40 |
   |                  |     | SUPERSPL.COM | 1.10 |
   |                  |     |    SPEED.EXE | 1.10 |
   |------------------+-----+--------------+------|
   |**P/386 H/W MAINT |     |              |      |
   |  P/N 910294-001  | 2.2 |  386DIAG.EXE | 1.00 |
   +----------------------------------------------+
  • Premium/386 Utility Release 3.3 resides on two 360KB diskettes and

includes the following AST MS-DOS files:

       COMMAND.COM   COUNTRY.SYS   FDISK.COM   FORMAT.COM
      KEYBOARD.SYS      MODE.COM   SELECT.COM   XCOPY.EXE
  • * The 386DIAG diagnostic diskette is included in the PREMIUM/386

Hardware Maintenance Kit (AST P/N 500568-001).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0435B 10-06-92

                        TURBOLASER PRINT QUALITY

PROBLEM:

Inconsistency of print quality occurring on various models of the AST TurboLaser printer. Some printers produce output with shadowing or ghosting around characters and graphic drawings.

SOLUTION:

AST has recently qualified an additional toner manufacturer and recommends that those customer experiencing the ghosting and or shadowing problem, change to the new toner as soon as convenient.

The toner is manufactured by the Pelikan Corporation in accordance with AST's specifications. This toner should be purchased from Corporate Support Technologies.

To order call: Corporate Support Technologies

                             1-800-422-3792
                  (part number 500600-049) Kit A/Toner

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0457A 02-21-90

                    AST-3270/FTS-C FUNCTIONAL ISSUES

AST Product Marketing has reviewed all of the open issues relating to this product. They have made the decision that the following issues will not be resolved.

This product has been discontinued by AST. No further enhancements will be made to this product.

These issues are:

  1. User cannot upload files to a TSO host properly. If the customer tries

to upload information to an existing partitioned data set and a non-

    existing member, he receives the error message "UNABLE TO TERMINATE
    INPUT MODE".  If neither the data set nor the corresponding member
    exist on the host, the file transfer will work for the first member
    only.  (PR#A32006)
  1. User cannot transmit more than one file to the host during a file

transfer session. The first file transfers okay, but after entering

    the second file name, the error message from the host "IKJ56712I-
    INVALID KEYWORD, LISTDS IKJ560703A-RE-ENTER" is displayed.  The file
    transfer software displays the message "Unable to open dataset".
    (PR#A32007)
  1. With FTS-C version 1.31, user is reporting intermittent problems when

attempting to upload files of greater than 64K in size. The host is an

    IBM 4381 running CMS under VM/SP release 5.  When FTS-C attempts to
    close the uploaded file, the error message "NON-RECOVERABLE HOST ERROR,
    FTS ABORTED" is displayed.  (PR#A32011)
  1. When attempting file transfer on an MVS/XA TSO/ACF2 host, the error

message "Unable to list TSO profile" message is received when the file

    upload is commenced.  (PR#A32012)
  1. When performing file uploads to the host, user says that FTS-C sends

screens of data faster than the host can process them. The software

    does wait for an acknowledgement from the host that the first screen
    was received, but does not wait to send ensuing screens of data.  The
    host is operating under MVS/XA TSO.  (PR#A32013)
  1. When using FTS-C software with a mainframe configured with TSO/E

version 3.0, downloading of files does not occur correctly. Parts of

    records are either truncated or missing altogether.  Problem occurs
    with files of larger than 10K in size.  (PR#A32008)
  1. "Unrecoverable host errors" occur on a host operating under VM

release 5 with a multi-session manager called "VTERM" installed.

    Errors occur at end of file transfer session as files are being
    downloaded.  (PR#A32014)
  1. Packed record formats are not supported with FTS-C. When the

software encounters the LRECL parameter value of "1024" (for packed

    files) the error message "record length greater than 255" is
    generated.  (PR#A32015)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0499A 05/16/90

                AST-5250 ASYNC DIAL-UP FUNCTIONAL ISSUES

AST Data Comm Product Marketing has reviewed all aspects of the following functional issues relating to the 5250 Async Dial-up product (part number 500307-001). They have made the determination that these issues will not be resolved for this product.

These issues are as follows:

  1. The user is sharing one session between the master and slave systems.

This device is also used as a sub-console. When a change is made to

    the screen of the slave, such as a change of menu, the screen takes
    about 30 seconds to completely refresh on the slave.  (PR#A46011)
  1. A job sent from the IBM System/36 to a printer attached to an Async

Dial-up slave may appear to operate very slowly. The printer will

    print two lines, pause, then print two more lines.  The Async Dial-up
    product is however, operating as designed.  (PR#A46015)



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0500E 11-14-90

                 AST-5251/11 ENHANCED FUNCTIONAL ISSUES

AST Data Comm Product Marketing has reviewed all aspects of the following functional issues relating to the 5251/11 Enhanced product (part number 500417-XXX). They have made the determination that these issues will not be resolved for this product.

These issues are as follows:

  1. An application from IBM for use on the IBM AS/400, called "AS/400

OFFICE", will not operate when used on a terminal which is configured

    using the Enhanced emulation software.  When the program is loaded,
    data on the screen is garbled.  (PR#A45129)
  1. The 5251/11 Enhanced board does not function correctly when installed

in a system with an Orchid "Tiny Turbo" card. The 5251/11 software

    reports various errors such as "Internal stack overflow" and
    "Unidentified error".  (PR#A45059)
  1. The user is printing a job sent from the System 36 to a printer

attached to the PC which is emulating an IBM system printer. If during

    the job the printer is powered down, upon re-starting the printer the
    rest of the printed data is unintelligible.  (PR#A45092)
  1. The utility ASTKBD.EXE may corrupt the AST5251.KBD data file, if

changes are made to the keyboard configuration and the changes are

    written over the existing AST5251.KBD file.  (PR#A45081)
  1. The Enhanced card does not appear to operate correctly when installed

on a line with the IBM 3197 terminal. If the Enhanced card is the last

    device on the line, and the IBM 3197 terminals in front of it are
    operating then the system with the Enhanced card in it may lock up.
    (PR#A45101)
  1. The 5251/11 Enhanced product does not operate in a Toshiba 5100 PC. The

user gets a blank sign-on screen with "SA" highlighted. The emulation

    does not work at any system speed. (PR#A45036)
  1. The keyboard mapping of the 11/Enhanced product does not work correctly

on the Wyse Models 2200 and 2214. The keypad, cursor arrow keys, and

    right "control" key do not operate as they are supposed to. (PR#A45057)
  1. Emulation does not function correctly in the Commodore PC-10 compatible

computer. System locks up when more than one error message is received

    from the System 34. (PR#A45063)
  1. The 11/Enhanced product does not work correctly in the DTK XT-clone

system. It may be necessary to disable the PC's clock to allow

    emulation to operate. (PR#A45113)
  1. With 11/Enhanced board operating in a Unisys PC with a Persyst CGA

adapter, there is more than the normal amount of "snow" on the

    emulation screen. The "no snow" option in the configuration program
    does not have any affect on the problem. (PR#A45118)
  1. The 5251/11 Enhanced software does not support the Keytronics 122-key

keyboard. The right hand "Control" key and the PC "Enter key" issue

    the same scan code in DOS.  For this reason these two keys cannot be
    mapped to different functions by the AST emulation software.
    (PR#A45116)
  1. When running emulation program in EGA mode, all screen attributes that

should appear as yellow on the screen actually appear as a shade of

    brown.  (PR#A45168)



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0513F 11-15-90

                      AST-5251/11 FUNCTIONAL ISSUES

AST Data Comm Product Marketing has reviewed all aspects of the following functional issues relating to the 5251/11 product (part number 500222-XXX). They have made the determination that these issues will not be resolved for this product.

These issues are as follows:

  1. The user is attempting to use virtual print, to print a DisplayWrite 4

document. When trying to print to a 5219 printer, bold character codes

   are being interpreted as blank spaces.  (PR#A00147)
  1. User has 5251/11 cards in IBM XT's and XT clones. User has found that

after signing on the System 38, the systems with these cards will

   randomly lock up.  Removing the hard disk and controller seems to
   resolve the problem.  (PR#A00154)
  1. User has a VGA display adapter installed in conjunction with the 5251/11

card. During a cold boot of the system, the 5251/11 KERNEL program

   fails to load, with an error code "5".  However, during a warm boot
   KERNEL successfully loads.  (PR#A00181)
  1. The use of the Hewlett Packard LaserJet II is not fully supported with

the 5251/11 software. This means that the LaserJet II cannot be used to

   emulate all functions of a true IBM System 3X printer when attached to a
   PC running the AST emulation program.  (PR#A00188)
  1. The 5251/11 adapter does not operate in a Magitronics 12MHz AT clone.

When emulation software is executed, only a blank sign-on screen

   appears.  The "SA" is not highlighted in the status area, and the cursor
   remains in the upper left-hand corner.  (PR#A00185)
  1. 5251/11 does not support Epson LQ850 and LQ1050 printers because

Vertical Motion Index units of n/60 are not recognized by the emulation

   software.  (PR#A00192)
  1. Under 5251/11 emulation, a Hewlett Packard LaserJet II printer is

configured as an IBM 5224 Model 1 printer. When printing any system 36

   application, one or more blank pages (depending on the application) are
   ejected after every form feed, which is not normal operation for this
   type of printer.  (PR#A00171 and PR#A00196)
  1. The 5251/11 emulation is installed in an "AT" type system which has

Award 3.03 BIOS. When loading the emulation software, an error code "2"

   or "3" is generated, and software cannot be executed.  (PR#A00189)
  1. Displaywrite/36 documents do not print correctly through 5251/11

emulation. The PC printer emulating a host printer does not recognize

   the right margins of the Displaywrite/36 document.  Also, when printing
   a legal (8.5 by 14 inch) document, the PC printer does a form feed at 11
   inches.  (PR#A00150)
  1. The "End" (number 122) key on a 122-key keyboard will not remap to

another function in "shifted" or "caps lock" mode. The same key can be

   remapped to another function in "lower case" mode.  (PR#A00194)



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0547A 03-22-90

                   5250 FILE TRANSFER ON THE IBM AS/400

These requirements must be met before using AST 5250 File Transfer software on the IBM AS/400:

  1. The AS/400 library named QSYS38 provides the functions needed for the

System/38 environment. This library must be present and added to a

    user's library list before using the AST 5250 file transfer software.
    Without these functions the software will fail to initialize and
    generate function check errors.
  1. A period occurring in the name of a file which is to be either uploaded

to or downloaded from the AS/400 will cause the following error to

    occur:
                     ERROR 30 S/3X FILE(S) NOT FOUND
 Remove any periods found in file names before attempting to transfer on
 the AS/400.  It should be noted that periods are allowed in files
 transferred on the IBM System/36.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0550A 03-06-90

                 AST-3270 COAX II-CUT FUNCTIONAL ISSUES

AST Data Comm Product Marketing has reviewed all aspects of the following functional issues relating to the 3270 COAX II-CUT product (part number 500564-001). They have made the determination that these issues will not be resolved for this product.

These issues are as follows:

  1. Coax II board fails to operate in a Zenith model Z286LP. When

attempting to execute the loader software the user receives shared

    memory errors.  (PR#A60016)
  1. The use of the PA3 function is not supported by the CoaxII-CUT

software. (PR#A60020)

  1. A video adapter manufactured by Metheus, model number VGA1104,

interferes with the operation of COAX II-CUT. When attempting to

    load the CUT emulation software, the message "IRMA Mode I/O Address
    (0220-022FH) Conflict" is generated.  The COAX CUT program then
    aborts.  (PR#A60039)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0552A 05/16/90

              AST-3270 COAXII-CUT FTS-II FUNCTIONAL ISSUES

AST Data Comm Product Marketing has reviewed all aspects of the following functional issues relating to the COAXII FTS-II product. They have made the determination that these issues will not be resolved for this product.

These issues are as follows:

  1. User has DOS/VSE/CICS installed on host and is running "VSE/SP

Intelligent Workstation Support" facility. When attempting a file

    transfer, the error message "INW0007I ERROR IN HOST TRANSFER FILE -
    TRANSFER TERMINATED" is generated.  The "Intelligent Workstation
    Support" facility is not supported with COAXII-CUT software or FTS-II.
    (PR#B41002)
  1. When downloading files which have record lengths of 80 characters, the

FTS-II software will either duplicate or omit some of the records at

    random places in the file. The host system where this occurs is running
    under VM/CMS Release 4. (PR#B41010)



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0553A 04-26-90

                       AST-3780 FUNCTIONAL ISSUES

AST Data Comm Product Marketing has reviewed all aspects of the following functional issue relating to the AST-3780 product (part number 500113-001). They have made the determination that this issue will not be resolved for this product.

This issue is as follows:

  1. Records of data are duplicated when using the "P" command with CMDP

mode. After several repetitions of this action the file is received

    intact. (PR#A01056)
  1. The 3780 IP program is not supported in an IBM Token Ring network

environment. The error message generated is "NET805": DEVICE NO LONGER

    EXISTS DRIVE XX.  Other systems on the network are no longer able to
    access this system after IP is invoked.  (PR#A01081)



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0559A 02-21-90

                   SCO XENIX AND CONNER CP-344 DRIVES

When installing SCO Xenix on AST computers using Conner CP-344 embedded 40MB hard drives, drive type 17 Translate Mode must be used. AST computers using Conner CP-344 hard drives are shipped in Native Mode as drive type 23. AST identifies Conner CP-344 drives by attaching a label next to the AST part number, 230092-040, that reads, "23C".

Prior to installing any version of SCO Xenix, the drive type in AST Set-up should be changed to 17. Please refer to your AST's User's Manual for information on changing your computer's set-up.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0573A 04-19-90

                5251/12 AND SYSTEM 34 SESSION PARAMETERS

With Version 4.22 and below of AST-5251/12 emulation software, some System/34 session parameters may be deleted after running a procedure. When signing on to a subsequent session with the same workstation ID, the following parameters will have been deleted (zeroed):

                       LIBRARY
                       SYSLIST DEVICE
                       FORMS
                       LINES PER PAGE

The KERNEL.EXE program can be patched to ensure that this does not happen. The patch outlined in this document uses NORTON UTILITIES, but can be modified to fit other debugging programs.

To alter KERNEL.EXE using NORTON UTILITIES do the following:

  1.  Enter the NORTON UTILITIES program.  From the "Main Menu" choose
      EXPLORE DISK.  From "Menu 1" choose the appropriate item.
  2.  From "Menu 1.1" change directory or drive designation as necessary to
      make sure that KERNEL.EXE (found on disk 1 of the emulation software)
      is available to the program.  Next, choose the FILE option "Menu
      1.1.3" and highlight KERNEL.EXE.
  3.  Return to "Menu 1" and take the SEARCH option, then from "Menu 1.4"
      choose TEXT TO SEARCH.  The next screen has two fields.  Tab to the
      HEX field and enter the hex string "B9 0B 00".  Return to the
      previous menu and choose START SEARCH.  The program will display a
      message that the string has been found.
  4.  Move the cursor over the hex digits "0B" and type in "09" over them
      and press <ENTER>.  A screen will appear with choices of action to
      take.  Choose WRITE CHANGE TO DISK.
  5.  When this operation is complete, repeat Step 3, with the exception of
      the hex data to enter.  This time, the string to enter is "B9 68 0B".
  6.  After the text is found, move the cursor over the "0B" and type in
      "09" over the top of these digits.  Repeat the process of saving the
      new data to disk.
  7.  Press <ESC> to return to the "Main Menu" and exit NORTON UTILITIES.
      Be sure to copy the "patched" KERNEL.EXE to the working directory or
      disk to be used when running emulation.
  8.  Enter Model 12 emulation and verify that the changes have the correct
      affect.

To alter KERNEL.EXE using the MS-DOS DEBUG program, do the following:

  1.  Make sure the DEBUG program is available, then type the following:
      COPY KERNEL.EXE KERNEL.FIX<ENTER> {copy the kernel}
      DEBUG KERNEL.FIX<ENTER>           {make sure DEBUG
                                        is available}
  1. S 0 FFFE B9 0B 00<ENTER> {search for the opcodes}
      xxxx:yyyy                         {location of opcodes
                                        from DEBUG}
  1. E xxxx:yyyy<ENTER> {enter editing mode}
      xxxx:yyyy  B9.<SPACE> 0B.09<ENTER>{change 0B to 09 only}
  1. S 0 FFFE B9 68 0B<ENTER> {search for next string}
      aaaa:zzzz                         {DEBUG prints address on
                                        screen}
  1. E aaaa:zzzz<ENTER> {edit address supplied in

previous step}

      aaaa:zzzz  B9.<SPACE> 68.<SPACE>  {change 0B to 09}
      0B.09<ENTER>
  1. W {write the changes out

to disk}

  1. Q {quit the debugger}
  2.  If you would like to save a copy of the original kernel, type:
      REN KERNEL.EXE KERNEL.OLD
      REN KERNEL.FIX KERNEL.EXE
      If you do not want to save a copy of the original kernel, type:
      COPY KERNEL.FIX KERNEL.EXE
      DEL KERNEL.FIX

These changes should be performed only with those copies of 5251/12 emulation that connect to the System/34. They should never be made to any copy of 5251/12 that normally connects to a System/36 or System/38. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0599 01-15-90

                   AST PRODUCTS AND NOVELL NETWARE/386

The following items should be considered prior to installing Novell Netware/386:

  1.  The AST 3G PLUS and 3G PLUS II display adapters are not compatible
      with Netware/386.  A different video card should be used, (such as
      the AST VGA or VGA PLUS).  Since the 3G PLUS and 3G PLUS II are no
      longer manufactured, no fixes are planned for this problem.
  2.  When installing Netware/386 on an AST Premium/386C, the motherboard
      must be equipped with the -007 or above keyboard controller chip.
      This chip is socketed at location U103 on the motherboard and is
      identified with AST part number 107210-007.  If this chip has a part
      number of 107210-005 or below, Netware/386 will not run.

To obtain the correct keyboard controller chip revision, it is necessary to install an AST Premium/386-386C BIOS Upgrade Kit, AST P/N 500702-001. Contact your nearest AST Authorized Service Center for additional information. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0600 01-16-90

                 486/25 SETUP: COPROCESSOR INSTALLATION

The description of screen number two of the ASTSETUP program in the 486/25 User's manual (p/n 001054-001 A) is different than the actual screen as it appears when ASTSETUP is run.

On page 3-10 of the manual, there are two fields described relating to installation of a math coprocessor. One field is labeled "Math Coprocessor", the other "Math Coprocessor Type".

However, on screen number two of the setup utility (release 1.00 of the 486/25 BIOS, p/n's 107000-690A and -691A) there is only one field present. It is labeled "Math Coprocessor Type". This field will only display one of two entries - "None" and "Weitek" (for the Weitek 4167). The 486/25 will automatically sense that a Weitek coprocessor is installed, and display accordingly, otherwise the field will read "None". 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0601 01-19-90

          REMOVAL OF NON-DOS PARTITIONS FROM AT EMBEDDED DRIVES

Because AST does not recommended using HDFORMAT (the low level formatting program supplied with AST computers) on AST-supplied AT Embedded hard drives, the removal of non-DOS partitions created on these drives can be accomplished using either of the following methods:

  1.  Remove the partition using the utilities supplied with the non-DOS
      operating system that installed the partition in the first place.
  2.  Remove the partition with a low-level format using a hard disk
      utilities program, such as On Track's "Disk Manager".



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0602A 02-26-90

                    XFORMER/286 COMPATIBILITY ISSUES

AST EPM Product Marketing has considered all aspects of the following compatibility issues regarding the Xformer/286 (part number 202204-XXX). They have determined that AST will not attempt to establish the cause of the incompatibilities.

These issues are:

  1. A conflict exists between the AST Rampage/286 card and an SMC Arcnet

PC250 card when the two are installed together in the Xformer/286. The

    system intermittently re-boots when a DOS command is entered from the
    keyboard.  (PR#B33016)
  1. The Xformer/286 intermittently loses setup information stored in CMOS.

(PR#B33020)

  1. After a "warm boot" the <UP> and <DOWN> arrow keys (on an enhanced

keyboard) perform the function of changing system speed. This function

    is normally performed by using the <CTRL>-<ALT> key sequence in
    conjunction with either the <UP> or <DOWN> keys.  (PR#B33028)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0603A 02-27-90

          INSTALLING AST 3G PRODUCTS WITH OS/2 EXTENDED EDITION

To insure compatibility with AST OS/2 Extended Edition 1.10, the AST 3G Plus (part number 202104-XXX) must have BIOS revision level "F" or above installed. The BIOS chip is located at U29. The revision level can be read directly from the label on the BIOS chip.

Likewise, the AST 3G Plus II adapter (part number 202161-XXX) must have BIOS revision "D" or above installed. The BIOS chip on the 3G Plus II is located at U10.

In addition, Hercules emulation must be disabled for both of the above video adapters when used with OS/2 Extended Edition. Hercules emulation generates non-maskable interrupts which conflict with OS/2 initialization. Consult the respective 3G adapter User's manual for the method of disabling Hercules emulation.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0604 01-29-90

             AST DOS 3.3 AND IBM PC SUPPORT INSTALL UTILITY

The IBM AS/400 PC Support Install utility Release 1.02 Level 00 does not work on a PC which uses MS-DOS instead of PC-DOS. The following is a method that may be used to install the AS/400 PC Support software on an MS-DOS system that has an AT-style bus and uses the IBM 5250 Enhanced Adapter card. If using an Enhanced AST-5251/11, Enhanced AST-5251/11 Plus or Enhanced AST- 5251/11A Plus Adapter card, use the AST Twinax Adapter Handler for AS/400 PC Support and its documentation.

This method assumes that the user is using two 360k diskettes on which to install the PC Support system. If the user is using a hard disk or diskettes with higher capacity, all of the files may be put on the single disk in a single subdirectory.

1. FORMAT THE DISKS:

  Format the first working disk and install the operating system on it.
  Label the disk AS/400 PC SUPPORT, FIRST WORKING DISK. An example of the
  command to use for formatting:
        format a: /s
  Format the second disk without the operating system. Label the disk
  AS/400 PC SUPPORT, SECOND WORKING DISK. An example of the command to use
  for formatting:
        format a:
  Copy COMMAND.COM onto the second disk root directory.

2. CREATE CONFIG.SYS:

  Using a text editor such as edlin, create a CONFIG.SYS file in the root
  directory on the first working disk which contains the following lines:
        device=\pcs\eimpcs.sys
        device=\pcs\ecyddx.sys
        device=\pcs\fsdd.sys
        files=15

3. CREATE PCS SUBDIRECTORY:

  On each working disk, create a PCS subdirectory using the command:
        mkdir \PCS

4. CREATE CONFIG.PCS:

  This file is used by the PC Support system to get information on the
  "name" of the PC, the "name" of the host AS/400 and the station address
  that should be used to communicate to the AS/400. The CONFIG.PCS file
  should be created with a text editor and placed in the PCS subdirectory
  of the second working disk. Typical contents are:
        RTYP 5250
        RTLN APPN.Pcname
        EMLI Hostname,2
  Pcname is the name of the PC you are using. Each PC connected to the
  AS/400 via PC Support should have a different name. Hostname is the name
  that was given to the host AS/400 when setting up the system. The number
  2 indicates station address 2 is to be used to connect to the AS/400.
  This number ranges from 0 to 6 and should be unique for each station on a
  single twinax cable.

5. CREATE PCS.BAT FILE:

  This batch file is used to start the AS/400 PC Support system. Using a
  text editor create a pcs.bat file on the second working disk in the root
  directory which contains the following lines:
        [d:]* \PCS\E5250AH
        [d:]* \PCS\STARTRTR \PCS\CONFIG.PCS
        [d:]* \PCS\FSPC ASSIGN I: QIWSFLR
        I:PCSUPDT I:\ \PCS
        I:STARTMSG \PCS\CONFIG.PCS
        I:VPRT
        I:WSF /T
        IF ERRORLEVEL 20 GOTO DONE
        IF NOT ERRORLEVEL 10 GOTO WORKSTRT
        I:STARTWSF 1
        :WORKSTRT
        I:PCO \PCS\CONFIG.PCS
        :DONE
  • Drive letter should designate drive where PCS subdirectory exists.
  This batch file may be customized to start only those features of PC
  Support that are desired.

6. COPY THE FILES FROM THE IBM DISTRIBUTION DISKS TO WORKING DISKS:

  Copy the files from the IBM Distribution Disks to the subdirectory \PCS
  on the working disks using the DOS copy command. For example:
        copy a:eimpcs.sys b:\pcs\eimpcs.sys
  From IBM Distribution Disk 1 to working disk 1 subdirectory \PCS copy:
        EIMPCS.SYS
        ECYDDX.SYS
        FSDD.SYS
  From IBM Distribution Disk 1 to working disk 2 subdirectory \PCS copy:
        E5250AH.COM
        FSPC.EXE
        FSPC.HLP
        XXRTRS.MRI
  From IBM Distribution Disk 2 to working disk 2 subdirectory \PCS copy:
        STARTRTR.EXE
        E5250RTR.EXE
        STOPRTR.EXE

7. REBOOT USING FIRST WORKING DISK:

  Insert the first working disk in drive A and reboot your computer.

8. START PC SUPPORT:

  Insert the second working disk in the default drive or set the default
  drive to the drive which contains the second working disk. Type PCS to
  invoke the PCS.BAT batch file and start PC Support.
  Steps 7 and 8 may now be repeated to run AS/400 PC Support at future
  times.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0605 01-29-90

                PREMIUM SYSTEMS AND LOGITECH MODULA 2/86

AST Premium/386 systems lock-up when running programs compiled from Logitech Modula 2/86 software.

This problem has been resolved by Logitech in the form of a patch to the Modula 2/86 software. Customers experiencing this problem should contact Logitech to obtain this fix.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0606 01-29-90

                   AST MS-DOS AND IOMEGA BERNOULLI BOX

There have been reported problems when booting from an Iomega Bernoulli Box installed in an AST Premium computer and running MS-DOS. "Bad Command.Com Command Interpreter" error is reported when attempting to boot from the Bernoulli Box and using an Iomega PC2 adapter. This problem does not occur when using PC-DOS.

The problem is caused by the Iomega Bernoulli Box's incompatibility with MS- DOS. Customers experiencing this problem should contact Iomega for assistance.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0607 01-29-90

                     ASTCACHE AND 3.5" FLOPPY DRIVES

Premium computer users may encounter a "write protection error" message when reading or writing to 720K or 1.44MB 3.5" floppy drives when using the ASTCACHE program.

To correct this problem, use any of the following workarounds:

  1.  Disable advanced support for floppy writes either by adding the /D-
      parameter, or change the /D+ to /D-, to the ASTCACHE line in the
      AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
  2.  Enable Auto-slowdown.
  3.  Don't cache the 1.44MB floppy, using the /-B option, (assuming drive
      B is the 1.44MB drive, if drive A use the  /-A parameter), on the
      ASTCACHE line in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

For more detailed information, consult the AST Premium Utility Software User's Manual.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0608A 02-26-90

                   ASTEMM.SYS AND MICROSOFT EXCEL 2.1

The device driver ASTEMM.SYS is included with the utilities of the Advantage/2-386 (part number 910248-031). It allows extended memory on the board to be configured as expanded memory in an 80386 based system.

Microsoft Excel version 2.1 has the capability to utilize expanded memory. Excel, however, will not recognize memory allocated as expanded memory by certain versions of ASTEMM.SYS.

To give Excel version 2.1 the use of expanded memory which is allocated by ASTEMM.SYS, version 4.06 or above of ASTEMM.SYS must be used.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0609A 02-01-90

                          REMM.SYS VERSION 4.50

The following incompatibilities and hardware conflicts can be resolved through the use of REMM.SYS version 4.50 (or later):

  1. The application "SAS" (version 6.03), which is a statistical package,

cannot access expanded memory.

  1. A conflict between REMM.SYS and a NEC GB-1 video adapter. Data errors

occur while REMM.SYS is initializing memory if both are installed in

    the system.
  1. In a system which has a Hercules Plus card installed, WordPerfect does

not work correctly when REMM.SYS is present. The symptom exhibited is

    that there is no cursor present on the screen when WordPerfect is
    executed.
  1. A word processing program from SAMNA does not operate when REMM.SYS is

installed. The system locks up as the word processor is executed.

  1. With a Video Seven "VRAM" VGA adapter installed in the system, REMM.SYS

would generate the error message "NO Logical Memory Pages Found", then

    abort.
    NOTE:  The Video Seven adapter runs in 16 bit mode, so the parameter
           "/M=5F" should be added to the REMM.SYS command line in the
           CONFIG.SYS file.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0610 02-07-90

                        SERIAL PORT PARITY ERRORS

Under certain circumstances, the serial ports on some Premium computers may exhibit parity errors during serial data transmission. The problem manifests itself as a bad parity bit when transmitting data with 8 Bits, 1 Stop Bit and Even Parity.

The problem is caused by an anomaly in the Zymos 16C451 and 16C452 Dual UART serial controller chips that were once used on some Premium motherboards.

Users experiencing this problem can resolve the problem in either of the following ways:

  1. Change the data transmission parameters from; 8 Bits, 1 Stop Bit, Even
     Parity, to; 8 Bits, 1 Stop Bit No Parity.
  2. Contact your AST Authorized Service Center and arrange for the
     replacement of the system's motherboard.

ASSEMBLIES AFFECTED:

Chip Identification: Chips can be identified by observing the soldered-in

                       chips at the following locations. These chips will
                       be labeled either,  "ZYMOS 16C451"  or "ZYMOS
                       16C452".
                                  AST

DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER CHIP LOCATION

PCB Premium Motherboard 202273-00X U104 PCB Premium Motherboard 202356-00X U104 PCB WS 386SX Motherboard 202276-00X U123 PCB Bravo 386SX Motherboard 202343-00X U9 PCB Bravo 286 Motherboard 202286-00X U6

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0611 02-08-90

              WORKSTATION/286 WITH NETWORTH ETHERNEXT CARD

The EtherNext LAN adapter (16-bit) from NetWorth may not operate in a Premium Workstation/286 running at 10 MHz. Observable symptoms will be a failure to gain access to a Novell-based network from the EtherNext based Workstation. The symptoms are not present when the Workstation/286 is operating at 6 MHz.

According to NetWorth, there is a component on the adapter that must be replaced in order for the adapter to function at the Workstation's 10 MHz speed. If the above symptoms are being experienced, it is recommended that NetWorth be contacted directly to obtain the latest revision of the EtherNext adapter.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0612 02-14-90

               WORKSTATION/286 AND PROTEON PRONET 10 CARDS

The following items, when installed simultaneously in the Workstation/286, will cause the system to hang:

  1. a Proteon ProNet 10 Model P1303 network adapter,
  2. Novell software version 2.15, and
  3. REMM.SYS (all versions)

The system hangs when accessing applications over the network.

To resolve the above problem, new drivers from Proteon are required. The correct version to use with the P1303 adapter in this situation is 4.03. To obtain the correct version of the drivers, contact Proteon directly.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0613A 04-19-90

                  FASTBOARD 486/25 UPGRADE REQUIREMENTS

When upgrading any AST "CUPID" series Premium computer with a FASTboard 486/25 Upgrade Kit, it is necessary to verify that the correct kit is used and that the system's components meet the requirements listed below.

1. UPGRADE KITS

  Follow the table below to identify which FASTboard 486/25 Upgrade Kit is
  required to upgrade your machine.
  +--------------------------------------------------------+
  |PRODUCT                 KIT REQUIRED         PART NUMBER|
  |--------------------------------------------------------|
  |Premium 386SX/16   FASTboard 386SX-486/25    500744-006 |
  |--------------------------------------------------------|
  |Premium 386/25     FASTboard 386-25/486-25   500744-002 |
  |--------------------------------------------------------|
  |Premium 386/33     FASTboard 386-33/486-25   500744-003 |
  +--------------------------------------------------------+

2. SYSTEM BOARD

  Locate the part number on the front of the system board below the slot
  connectors.  You can install the FASTboard 486/25 if the system board
  matches the part numbers shown in the following table:
                 +-------------------------------------+
                 | PRODUCT   PART NUMBER   REVISION    |
                 |-------------------------------------|
                 | 386SX/16  202273-003    F or above  |
                 |           202356-001    F or above  |
                 |           202356-004    D or above  |
                 |-------------------------------------|
                 | 386/25    202273-001    N or above  |
                 |           202356-002    D or above  |
                 |           202356-004    D or above  |
                 |-------------------------------------|
                 | 386/33    202273-002    J or above  |
                 |           202356-003    D or above  |
                 |           202356-004    D or above  |
                 +-------------------------------------+

3. MEMORY EXPANSION BOARD

  Locate the part number on the front of the memory expansion board.  You
  can install the FASTboard 486/25 if the memory expansion board matches
  the part numbers shown in the following table:
                 +-------------------------------------+
                 | PRODUCT    PART NUMBER   REVISION   |
                 |-------------------------------------|
                 | ALL        202275-004    A or above |
                 |            202275-006    A or above |
                 +-------------------------------------+

If your system does not contain the necessary components, contact your nearest AST Authorized Reseller or Service Center. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0614 03-02-90

              PREVIEW I/O PARALLEL PORT ADDRESS CORRECTIONS

The Preview I/O Manual (000437-001) states that jumper E9 should be used to set the board to LPT3 (I/O address 278h with another parallel port set at 3BCh). The E9 jumper is actually I/O address 378h (LPT1 or LPT2) and E10 is I/O address 278h (LPT2 or LPT3). The affected pages are 2-10 and A-5.

                         DEBUG WITH E8 JUMPERED

C:\>debug -d0:400 0000:0400 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00-BC 03 00 00 00 00 00 00

  1. —-

0000:0410 31 42 FF 80 02 00 00 00-00 00 32 00 32 00 75 16 0000:0420 67 22 0D 1C 64 20 30 0B-3A 27 34 05 30 0B 30 0B 0000:0430 0D 1C 6C 26 73 1F 0D 1C-64 20 65 12 62 30 00 00 0000:0440 77 00 C0 00 00 00 00 00-00 07 50 00 00 40 00 00 0000:0450 00 0B 00 00 00 00 00 00-00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0000:0460 0C 0B 00 B4 03 29 20 08-04 7E 0C 00 30 A8 09 00 0000:0470 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00-14 14 14 14 01 01 01 01

                         DEBUG WITH E9 JUMPERED

C:\>debug -d0:400 0000:0400 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00-78 03 00 00 00 00 00 00

  1. —-

0000:0410 31 42 FF 80 02 00 00 00-00 00 32 00 32 00 75 16 0000:0420 67 22 0D 1C 64 20 30 0B-3A 27 34 05 30 0B 30 0B 0000:0430 0D 1C 6C 26 73 1F 0D 1C-64 20 65 12 62 30 00 00 0000:0440 77 00 C0 00 00 00 00 00-00 07 50 00 00 40 00 00 0000:0450 00 0B 00 00 00 00 00 00-00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0000:0460 0C 0B 00 B4 03 29 20 08-04 7E 0C 00 30 A8 09 00 0000:0470 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00-14 14 14 14 01 01 01 01

                         DEBUG WITH E10 JUMPERED

C:\>debug -d0:400 0000:0400 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00-78 02 00 00 00 00 00 00

  1. —-

0000:0410 31 42 FF 80 02 00 00 00-00 00 32 00 32 00 75 16 0000:0420 67 22 0D 1C 64 20 30 0B-3A 27 34 05 30 0B 30 0B 0000:0430 0D 1C 6C 26 73 1F 0D 1C-64 20 65 12 62 30 00 00 0000:0440 77 00 C0 00 00 00 00 00-00 07 50 00 00 40 00 00 0000:0450 00 0B 00 00 00 00 00 00-00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0000:0460 0C 0B 00 B4 03 29 20 08-04 7E 0C 00 30 A8 09 00 0000:0470 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 00-14 14 14 14 01 01 01 01

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0615 03-02-90

                CONFIGURING FLOPPY DRIVES FOR AST SYSTEMS

To insure proper installation of a floppy drive into an AST computer system, make sure the following conditions are met. The AST diskette drive specification calls for "frame" ground to be connected to "logic" ground.

On many floppy drives this is accomplished by the correct placement of a jumper on the drive's control electronics printed circuit board. Refer to the instructions included with the drive to verify correct placement of the grounding jumper.

In addition, the grounding strap from the power supply should be attached to the drive's metal frame during installation. It should be noted that it may be necessary to move the ground strap from it's normal position on the Premium computer's chassis to a position where the ground connection on the floppy drive frame can be accessed.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0616 03-07-90

                      AST 3780 COMPATIBILITY ISSUES

Data Comm Product Marketing has considered all aspects of the following compatibility issue relating to AST 3780 (part number 500113-001). They have made the determination that this issue will not be resolved for this product.

This issue is as follows:

  1. Neither mode of 3780 - IP.EXE nor CMDP.EXE - will operate in the OS/2

operating system's DOS compatibility window. The system locks up when

    the 3780 software tries to access the communications line.  This
    product is not meant to work under any version of OS/2.  (PR#A01052)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0617 03-14-90

                PREMIUM/286 AND KEYTRONICS 3270 KEYBOARD

"Bad or Missing Keyboard" errors may occur when using a Keytronics 3270 Keyboard with some AST Premium/286 computers. This problem does not occur on systems equipped with AST BIOS v2.0 or above.

To obtain the correct version of AST BIOS, contact an AST Authorized Service Center and order an AST Premium/286 BIOS Upgrade Kit, AST Part Number 500529-001.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0618 03-14-90

                  FASTBOARD 386 AND MICROSOFT WORKS 2.0

Random system lock-ups may occur when running Microsoft Works version 2.0 on Premium/286 systems with PHOENIX BIOS and equipped with a Fastboard 386. This problem occurs only when running Works version 2.0, earlier versions do not exhibit this problem.

This problem can be corrected by upgrading the Premium/286 to AST BIOS version 2.0 or above. Customers experiencing the above problem should contact an AST Authorized Service Center to obtain an AST Premium/286 BIOS Upgrade Kit, AST Part Number 500529-001.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0619 03-20-90

               RUNNING COMPATIBILITY TESTS ON THE VGA PLUS

The IBM VGA standard supports two methods of addressing monochrome and color displays:

  1. The VGA included on PS/2 systems allows software to address both

monochrome and color monitors at the same time with no restrictions

    (colors in monochrome appear as shades of gray).
  1. The VGA adapter for AT type systems allows software to address either

color monitors or monochrome monitors, but not both.

The AST VGA Plus adapter is compatible with the VGA standard for the IBM AT adapter. This means that software used with the VGA Plus will only address a color display in color mode or a monochrome display in monochrome mode. Switching between display modes is accomplished through the use of the ASTVGA.EXE utility included with the VGA Plus utilities.

The adapter, by design, will not pass diagnostics written to test VGA monochrome modes while the adapter is in VGA color mode. In particular, tests from "PC Magazine" issue commands which are meant to test a PS/2 type adapter and will fail on an adapter which follows the IBM AT adapter standard. This is normal operation for any VGA adapter which follows the IBM AT VGA adapter standard.

Some compatibility tests may also fail because of a hardware conflict. The IBM AT VGA adapter supports the use of hardware interrupt IRQ2. However, the AST VGA Plus adapter does not. The VGA Plus will fail tests such as one from "PC Tech Journal" (test 13) which attempts to use IRQ2.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0620 03-27-90

                    BRAVO/386SX WITH TIARA LAN ADAPTERS

A Bravo/386SX may not function as a network workstation if a 16 bit LAN adapter from Tiara (part number 0500671-100) is installed. Running Novell Netware 386 version 3.0, the message "File Server Not Found" is generated when access to a server is attempted.

It has been verified that the problem lies with a component on the Tiara LAN adapter, and not with the Bravo/386SX.

Tiara will update any LAN adapters (having the part number mentioned above) which exhibit problems in the Bravo/386SX. Tiara can be contacted directly for assistance.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0621 04-04-90

           WD7000-ASC SCSI CARDS AND PREMIUM 386/25 AND 386/33

Problems have been reported when attempting to boot AST Premium 386/25 systems using the Western Digital WD7000-ASC SCSI host adapter card. Western Digital has informed AST that the problem is caused by an incompatibility that exists between the WD7000-ASC card and all systems that utilize "fast", (25MHz and 33MHz) microprocessors.

To resolve the problem, Western Digital plans a future release of a modified version of the WD7000-ASC card. User's of AST Premium 386/25 and 386/33 computers experiencing problems running the WD7000-ASC SCSI host adapter card should contact Western Digital Technical Support for further assistance.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0622 04-12-90

             SOFTWARE TOOLWORKS PROGRAMS AND PREMIUM COMPUTERS

Problems have been reported when attempting to install Chessmaster 2100, Gin King/Cribbage King and Mavis Beacon Typing Tutor from the Software Toolworks company on AST Premium computers. The problem is caused by a conflict between Software Toolworks' installation program and the Premium computer's Shadow Ram feature. The Shadow Ram feature determines whether or not the system BIOS is copied to and executed from 32-bit RAM rather than 16-bit ROM during system processing.

To resolve problems encountered during installation of Software Toolworks' programs, disable the Premium computer's Shadow Ram feature before starting the program's installation procedure. After completing installation, the Shadow Ram feature may be enabled because the conflict occurs during installation only and does not occur when running the program. The User's Manual supplied with each AST computer provides complete information on the Shadow Ram option.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0623A 02-08-91

        COMPUTONE INTELEPORT 8 CARDS AND PREMIUM 386/25 AND 386/33

In order for Computone Inteleport Advantage 8 Multiport Cards to function correctly with the AST Premium 386/25 and 386/33 computers, the following items are required:

  1.  Obtain a software patch from Computone for the Inteleport Advantage 8
      card for use with the Premium 386/25 and 386/33.
  1. Version 4.58 for SCO UNIX
  1. Version 4.54 for SCO XENIX
      Computone will provide this patch on request to customers who call
      (404) 475-2725.
  2.  In addition to the Computone patch, the 16th megabyte memory caching
      feature on the Premium 386/25 and 386/33 must be disabled.  Use
      ASTSETUP to disable this feature prior to installing the patch from
      Computone.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0624 04-16-90

           IBM OS/2 1.1, ESDI DRIVES AND PREMIUM 386C COMPUTERS

In order to install IBM OS/2 v1.1 on AST Premium 386C computers with an ESDI hard drive and controller, the Premium 386C must be configured with the Auto-Slowdown feature disabled and the system processing speed set to high. Before installing IBM OS/2 v1.1 on the Premium 386C, use ASTSETUP to verify that these items are set as described above.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0625A 05/16/90

                  AST 5250 GATEWAY COMPATIBILITY ISSUES

Data Comm Product Marketing has considered all aspects of the following compatibility issues relating to the AST 5250 Gateway product (part number 500399-001). They have made the determination that these issues will not be resolved for this product.

These issues are as follows:

  1. The Gateway software will not function correctly when used on a DCA 10

Net LAN. The master and one slave will operate as a Gateway master and

    slave.  However, when a third node on the LAN tries to access one of
    these two (e.g., a workstation accessing a server), then all three
    systems lock up, requiring a cold boot of all the systems. (PR#A41040)
  1. Under Novell Netware version 2.12 software, IBM Token Ring boards

exhibit failures while running Gateway emulation. Any of the slaves on

    the gateway will intermittently lock up or lose communication to the
    master PC.  (PR#A41044)
  1. When running under Gateway emulation, a print job sent to a printer

attached to a server using the Novell "CAPTURE" command does not print

    correctly.  Print data is shifted 3 or 4 columns in from the left
    margin.  (PR#A41051)
  1. Under a configuration where the slaves are communicating with the

master remotely via G-Remote Bridge (from Gateway Communications), the

    response time for communication between slaves and master is very slow.
    (PR#A41052)
  1. The 5250 Gateway does not support an environment which uses IBM Token

Ring cards running with Novell Netware 286 (all versions). When

    operating under this type of environment, the slaves will lose
    communication with the Gateway master, and require a reset to continue
    the session.  (PR#A41023)



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0626 05-02-90

           CONFIGURING AST 5251/11 ENHANCED AS A 3196 TERMINAL

The 3196-2 type terminal, selectable in the AST 5251/11 enhanced configuration file, reflects a model A1 terminal on the host. (PR#A45169) 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0627 05/31/90

                 INCOMPATIBLE DRAMS FOR RAMPAGEPLUS/286

Memory errors in a system which can be attributed to a RampagePlus/286 (part number 202349-001) being present may actually be caused by the use of certain manufacturers DRAM chips on the SIMMS present on the board.

SIMMS which are used to upgrade memory on the RampagePlus/286 have AST part numbers 202279-002, 202280-002, and 202320-002. The DRAM chips which are incompatible with the RampagePlus/286 are manufactured by Motorola and Toshiba. The memory chips are of the 256KX4 type (three IC's present on the SIMMS).

If memory errors or system lock-ups are being experienced, remove all SIMMS containing these DRAM chips and substitute with other SIMMS. Other manufacturers DRAM chips approved for the RampagePlus/286 are:

             Mitsubishi     M5M44256AP-10
             NEC            UPD4242556C-10
             OKI            MSM514256-10RS
             TI             TMS44C256-10N



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0628 06-29-90

                   USE OF ASTEMM.SYS WITH SUPERCALC 5

The application SuperCalc 5 has the ability to access expanded memory. However, SuperCalc 5 will have problems accessing emulated expanded memory created by certain versions of the driver ASTEMM.SYS.

ASTEMM.SYS version 4.08 (or above) must be used to allow SuperCalc 5 to function properly. Earlier versions of ASTEMM.SYS cannot be guaranteed to perform satisfactorily with this application. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0629 06-27-90

                  AUTOSENSING OPERATION OF THE VGA PLUS

When the AST VGA Plus (part number 202262-003) is configured to operate in 16 bit mode (switch position "two" = ON) the entire memory address range from C0000h to DFFFFh is in 16 bit mode for all system memory accesses. This is due to the design of the IBM AT standard I/O bus. This means that an 8 bit adapter which is configured to reside in this region will not be recognized by the system.

Version 3.0 of the VGA Plus BIOS (part numbers 107000-682 and 107000-683) has the ability to detect the standard IBM ROM signature "AA 55". If, when the system is being initialized, the VGA BIOS detects this signature anywhere in the 128K range where it resides, the VGA Plus will switch back to eight bit operation to avoid conflicts.

The BIOS cannot detect the presence of RAM (e.g., shared memory) on an adapter, however. In order for adapters which have this type of memory (e.g., IBM Token Ring II adapters) to be configured to operate in this address range, the VGA Plus has to be manually switched back to 8 bit operation (switch position "two" = OFF) to avoid conflicts. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0630 07-01-90

                       BRAVO 386SX/DEC DEPCA CARD

Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) Depca card will not boot locally or perform a remote boot when installed in an AST Bravo 386SX. The AST Bravo 386SX passes post test. The Depca card will pass its self test. The system will lock up after all drives are initialized.

This problem has been resolved by DEC in a new release of the Depca board hardware revision H3 and firmware version D1. Customers reporting this issue should be referred to contact DEC's Product Support. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0631 07-06-90

                    AST-TURBOSCAN COMPATIBILITY ISSUE

AST Product Marketing has considered all aspects of the following compatibility issue regarding the TURBOSCAN. They have determined that AST will not attempt to establish the cause of this incompatibility.

This issue is:

  1. Printing from Eyestar Plus version 2.04 to an AST Turbolaser/PS, only

"Normal View" window is printed. Suggest using Microtech's latest

    software.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0632 08-13-90

                    PREMIUM 386SX/16 AND VERSACAD 386

When executing a warm boot immediately after exiting the Versacad 386 program on a Premium 386SX/16 with ASTVGA.EXE installed, the color graphic functions appear to be lost. A cold boot is then required to correct the problem.

The problem is resolved by adding the following two command lines to the system's AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

        ASTVGA color
        ASTVGA lock

Note: If using the ASTCACHE utility, the ASTVGA command lines must be issued

     before the ASTCACHE.COM line is executed.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0633 08-15-90

                AST SYSTEMS/DIGITAL RESEARCH FlexOS V2.2

Running FlexOS V2.2 with several windows open simultaneously may cause the hard disk to lock up. The Digital Research FlexOS operating system cannot handle fast hard drives. The hard drives that exhibit the failure are Miniscribe (model 8051A 40MB) and Conner (model CP 3044 40MB) when used with the following computers:

             Bravo 286
             Bravo 386SX
             Premium 286
             Premium 386/25



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0634 08-23-90

                    AST SHADOW BIOS MEMORY ADDRESSES

The following information provides two methods of determining which memory range is used to shadow the system and video BIOS on AST computers equipped with the Shadow feature. In addition to copying the system BIOS, AST Shadow BIOS also has the option of copying the video BIOS. However, the video adapter must be an AST VGA adapter or on-board VGA. The memory range used to shadow the BIOS is based on the CPU type and system architecture. The memory locations on earlier Premium systems differ from those currently manufactured.

To determine which memory locations are used by Shadow BIOS, it is necessary to identify the system's CPU type either by the part number of the processor board or using the DOS DEBUG program.

Listed below are the steps to identify the CPU using DEBUG and which memory locations that system uses for Shadow BIOS. Also included are processor board part numbers as an alternative to running the DEBUG program.

DEBUG

At the DOS prompt, type: DEBUG and press the <enter> key. <Enter> is a prompt to press the "enter" key. At the DEBUG prompt "-", type lines 1 and 2.

Line 1. -OE0 7 <Enter> Line 2. -IE1 <Enter> Line 3. -nn

  Note:  The number displayed on the third line identifies the CPU type.
         If this value is a number between 12 and 18, Shadow BIOS uses the
         memory locations shown in Method #2.  Any other value identifies
         the use of memory locations shown in Method #1.  Enter Line 4 to
         leave DEBUG.

Line 4. -q <Enter>

METHOD #1

When this method is used, the system BIOS uses a 64KB block at F0000-FFFFF. However, when the system BIOS is shadowed, the E0000-EFFFF range is also reserved whether the video BIOS is shadowed or not. If the video BIOS is shadowed it resides in a 32KB block at E0000-E7FFF and the remaining 32KB of that block is reserved.

    Block                            Reserved Area
    Size     Decimal   Hex Address   Between 640 - 1MB
  +------------------ +------------+ -----------------+
  | 64 KB    960 KB   |+++F0000++++|  SYSTEM BIOS     |
  |------------------ |------------|                  |
  | 64 KB    896 KB   |+++E0000++++|  VIDEO BIOS      |
  |------------------ |------------|                  |
  | 64 KB    832 KB   |   D0000    |                  |
  |------------------ |------------|                  |
  | 64 KB    768 KB   |   C0000    |                  |
  |------------------ |------------|                  |
  | 64 KB    704 KB   |   B0000    |                  |
  +------------------ |------------|                  |
             640 KB   |   A0000    |                  |
                      |------------| -----------------+
                      |   09FFF    |
                      |            |
                      |Base Memory |
                      |            |
                      |   00000    |
                      +------------+

The following AST computers use this method for Shadow BIOS:

  1. All Premium 386 and Premium 386C Systems.
  2. Premium 386SX/16 Systems with a 202337-001 Processor Board.
  3. Premium 386/25 Systems with a 202274-001 Processor Board.
  4. Premium 386/33 Systems with a 202347-002 Processor Board.

METHOD #2

The following method is used on all remaining AST computers. When this method is used, the system BIOS uses a 64KB block at F0000-FFFFF, the video BIOS is shadowed in a 32KB block at C0000-C7FFF.

    Block                            Reserved Area
    Size     Decimal   Hex Address   Between 640 - 1MB
  +------------------ +------------+ -----------------+
  | 64 KB    960 KB   |+++F0000++++|  SYSTEM BIOS     |
  |------------------ |------------|                  |
  | 64 KB    896 KB   |   E0000    |                  |
  |------------------ |------------|                  |
  | 64 KB    832 KB   |   D0000    |                  |
  |------------------ |------------|                  |
  | 32 KB    800 KB   |   C8000    |                  |
  |                   |úúúúúúúúúúúú|                  |
  | 32 KB    768 KB   |+++C0000++++|  VIDEO BIOS      |
  |------------------ |------------|                  |
  | 64 KB    704 KB   |   B0000    |                  |
  +------------------ |------------|                  |
             640 KB   |   A0000    |                  |
                      |------------| -----------------+
                      |   09FFF    |
                      |            |
                      |Base Memory |
                      |            |
                      |   00000    |
                      +------------+



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0635 09-17-90

            PREMIUM 386C SYSTEMS WITH PHILLIPS CD ROM PLAYER

Running "Construction Antenna Base", from National Institute of Building Sciences, with the Phillips CD ROM Player may exhibit RUNTIME ERROR R6003. The failure occurs with the following computers:

                               Premium/386
                               Premium/386C

AST Marketing has made the determination that this issue will not be resolved for the above products. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0636 10-02-90

            PREMIUM 486/25 - NOVELL AND IBM TOKEN RING CARDS

Problems have been reported with IBM Token Ring Adapter cards (full length, 8 bit) and Premium 486/25 systems with cache enabled when loading Novell's IPX.COM. The Token Ring Adapter card fails initialization when executing the IPX.COM file.

The cause of the problem has been isolated to a software timing loop that executes too fast for the Token Ring Adapter board to complete its initialization before the driver times out and produces the error message. The cause of the problem is the IBM Token Ring Adapters inability to initialize fast enough on high performance systems such as the Premium 486/25.

The following options are available to customers experiencing the above problem:

1. Disable and enable the cache using AST's SPEED.COM program prior to

  executing IPX.COM by entering the following commands (in the order they
  appear) at the DOS prompt:
        > SPEED CACHE=DISABLE
        > IPX.COM
        > NETx
        > SPEED CACHE=ENABLE

2. An alternate solution is to update the IBM Token Ring card to a short

  card (IBM part number 25f98XX) or a 16/4 (IBM part number 25f73XX) card.
  Customer should contact their IBM Dealer for information regarding these
  cards.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0637 10-04-90

                  AST COMPUTERS AND EVEREX TAPE DRIVES

When installing an Everex EV-811 tape backup with a QIC-02 tape controller in an AST computer that uses an IDE interface controller, customers will experience random lockups at different times during tape back operations.

Everex has confirmed that this problem is caused by a chip which is located on the QIC-02 tape controller at location U10. A Signetics or Texas Instruments chip must be used for the tape unit to function properly with an IDE interface controller.

Anyone experiencing this problem should contact Everex Product Support directly and refer to "ECO 4188". 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0638 10-10-90

               VGA PLUS AND WESTERN DIGITAL ETHERCARD PLUS

The Western Digital EtherCard PLUS 16 bit network adapter may not operate reliably in a system where an AST VGA Plus adapter (AST part number 202262-002) is also installed (and operating in 16 bit mode).

Some versions of the Novell Netware driver supplied with the EtherCard PLUS cannot operate in a memory address area being accessed in 16 bit mode. This is the situation that occurs when the VGA Plus is configured for 16 bit operation.

For the EtherCard PLUS to operate in this environment, the network driver supplied by Western Digital must be version 3.08A (or higher). 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0639 10-25-90

                    SMC ARCNET AND 5251/11-A ENHANCED

When the SMC Micro-channel Arcnet card (PS110) and the AST 5251/11-A Enhanced boards are installed in an IBM PS-2 model 60, and if the IPX.COM driver was loaded, the KERNEL.EXE will fail with a "PC/Twinax memory test error".

The cause of this problem is due to IPX.COM using an area in memory which the KERNEL.EXE is trying to use.

To resolve this problem, load the programs in the following order:

  1.  KERNEL.EXE
  2.  IPX.COM
  3.  APS.EXE



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0640 11-05-90

                 MULTIPLE IPX VERSIONS AND 5250 GATEWAY

When linking multiple file servers and operating systems, (particularly Novell), the following problems may occur when trying to link workstations to a gateway:

  1. Error message "unable to find master gateway".
  1. With sessions connected, "hang-up" or loss of connection to the

gateway may occur.

The problems are caused by the various versions of IPX that use different methods of addressing nodes and sending data packets. There are significant differences between IPX versions 2.XX and 3.XX.

To optimize performance and reliability, common versions of IPX must be used on all nodes. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0641 11-08-90

                      NEW 386SX/16 PROCESSOR BOARD

The following information summarizes a compatibility problem with the new 386SX/16 processor board (part number 202380-001) and Cupid motherboards. This new board replaces the original 386SX/16 processor board (part number 202337-001) and will be shipped with the Cupid enhanced motherboard in all Premium 386SX/16 systems.

PROBLEM:

The new 386SX/16 processor board (part number 202380-001) is not compatible with common Cupid motherboards using BIOS v1.01. System lock-ups occur when attempting to change the processor speed. The problem occurs when using either the keyboard method <Ctrl> <Alt> <Up Arrow> or the SPEED.COM program. Lock-ups also occur during the processor speed change test when running the confidence tests.

RESOLUTION:

In order to resolve the problem, a BIOS upgrade (from version 1.10 to 1.20) on the Cupid motherboard is necessary. This can be accomplished by using a Cupid BIOS upgrade kit (part number 500775-001).

Listed below are the part numbers for the motherboards which require BIOS upgrades:

   202356-001 rev F    202273-001 rev N
   202356-002 rev D    202273-002 rev J
   202356-003 rev D    202273-003 rev F
   202356-004 rev D



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0642 11-12-90

                 VGA MODES SUPPORTED ON AST VGA PRODUCTS

VGA is defined by IBM as a set of display modes up to and including 640 x 480 resolution in 16 colors. "Super" VGA is a super set of VGA, defined by the Video Electronics Standard Association (VESA) to be 800 x 600 resolution, 16 colors.

Other display modes are also called "Super" VGA or "Extended Mode" VGA, depending on the manufacturer of the VGA hardware. These modes do not fall under the above definition of "Super" VGA, even though they are sometimes referred to as such.

AST VGA products (VGA Plus adapter and embedded VGA) support Super VGA as defined in the first paragraph above, plus other high resolution modes. The following table summarizes the resolutions and color combinations supported with AST VGA products:

                              +---------------------------------+
                              |           Embedded VGA          |

+——————————-+———————————|

Resolution Color VGA Plus CUPID Enh. Prem II Bravo II
————+——-+———-+————+———+———-
640 x 480 16 Yes Yes Yes Yes
————+——-+———-+————+———+———-
800 x 600 16 Yes Yes Yes Yes
————+——-+———-+————+———+———-
1024 x 768 16 No No No No
————+——-+———-+————+———+———-
320 x 200 256 Yes Yes Yes Yes
————+——-+———-+————+———+———-
640 x 400 256 Yes Yes No No
————+——-+———-+————+———+———-
640 x 480 256* Yes No No No
————+——-+———-+————+———+———-
800 x 600 256 No No No No
————+——-+———-+————+———+———-
1024 x 768 256 No No No No

+—————————————————————–+ * Requires 256K upgrade 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0643 11-06-90

                  RAMPAGEPLUS/286 AND ZENITH COMPUTERS

The RampagePlus/286 (both part numbers 202247-XXX and 202349-XXX) does not operate reliably when installed in Zenith 80286-based computer systems. Parity errors are generated by memory installed on the Rampage board, either at the time of system boot up, or during the running of an application.

This incompatibility exists as a result of the method by which the Zenith system performs memory addressing. The Zenith implementation of memory read/write cycles does not allow enough time for data from the Rampage memory to be stable, thus the parity errors.

Any hardware change made to the RampagePlus/286 to resolve this incompatibility would prevent the board from operating in AST, IBM or IBM- compatible systems. Therefore, Zenith should be contacted directly for a resolution. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0644 11-12-90

                 AST COMPUTERS AND CHECKIT V3.0 SOFTWARE

CHECKIT software is a diagnostic test program used to test the hardware of MS-DOS compatible personal computers. In addition to testing hardware components, CHECKIT provides configuration information, memory usage and performance evaluations and benchmark comparisons.

AST has tested and verified reliable operation of CHECKIT version 3.0 diagnostic software from Touchstone Software Company on the AST Premium computers listed below.

CHECKIT successfully completed all hardware testing in stand alone test mode on these systems.

+——————————————————+

SYSTEM BIOS VERSION
———————–+——————+———–
Premium 286 Phoenix 3.02
Premium 286 AST 2.00
Premium 386SX/16 CUPID 1.10
Premium 386SX/16 CUPID Enhanced 1.01
Premium 386C AST 1.30
Premium 386/25 AST 386/25 1.20
Premium 486/25 CUPID 1.10
Premium 486/25 CUPID Enhanced 1.01
Premium 486/25T TOWER 1.00
Premium II 386SX/20 Premium II 1.00

+——————————————————+ 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0645 11-13-90

                          NOVELL NETBIOS ISSUES

Customers using our gateway products are experiencing the following problems:

  1. Stations are intermittently locking up (especially when utilization

increases).

  1. Error occurs: "failed to initialize master gateway" upon linking to

master gateway.

Novell has indicated that end-users may experience these or similar problems with all revisions of their v2.15 NETBIOS. All customers that are having related problems should upgrade their NETBIOS version to v3.01. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0646 11-15-90

                      TAPE DRIVE MOUNTING PROBLEMS

Installation problems have been reported using AST external drive mounting brackets (part number 200434-001) and certain tape drives in early Tower systems. The problem is caused by a mechanical alignment incompatibility between these brackets and TechMar, Cipher Wangtek (model 5150E) and Archive (model 2150S) tape drives.

AST has resolved this problem with a new design of external mounting brackets (part number 200582-001), which are now shipped with all Premium computers housed in the Tower chassis. In addition, these brackets are shipped with computers housed in the mid-size chassis (i.e., Premium II and Bravo 486).

Users of AST Premium Computers experiencing problems, when installing any of the above tape drives in AST Premium systems that require external drive mounting brackets, should contact an AST Service Center or AST Product Support to obtain new brackets. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0647 10-11-90

                    AST PREMIUM/386C WITH 16 MEGABYTES

AST Product Marketing has determined that the following issue dealing with the AST Premium/386C will not be fixed.

This issue is:

  1. The AST Premium/386C does not correctly count memory to 16 MBs, when

conventional memory is set to 640 KB. The system will only count to

    14,848KB.  (PR#B29151)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0648 10-23-90

                  BRAVO/286 WITH 3270 EMULATION SOFTWARE

Some keyboard keys will not function correctly when running IBM or Attachmate 3270 emulation software on AST Bravo/286 with NMB keyboard (AST part number 230098-XXX).

This issue is resolved by a new keyboard controller (AST part number 107210-008), located at U7 on all Bravo/286 motherboards. This new keyboard controller is available as a BIOS upgrade kit (AST part number 500740-001).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0649 11-14-90

                   WINDOWS 3.0 INSTALLATION INFORMATION

In order of priority, here are the things recommended when checking for an unidentified problem:

  1.  Check the table below for obvious problems.
  2.  Try renaming CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT.  Reboot to see if problem
      persists.  If problem goes away, restore original CONFIG.SYS and
      AUTOEXEC.BAT, then identify conflicting driver/TSR by process of
      elimination.
  3.  Try removing all non-AST peripherals, drives, memory, bus cards,
      etc.  If problem goes away, restore system and identify problem
      by process of elimination.

Common Installation Problems and Fixes:

+———————————————————————–+

Problem Category Symptom Solution
——————+————————–+————————-
VGA BIOS Enters graphics display VGA BIOS must be version
mode with blank screen. 3.0 or later.
Windows 3.0 is still run-
ning or system may hang.
——————+————————–+————————-
Install as AST Windows hangs system when Select "AST" as computer
brand system. video caching is ON. type during install.
This will add line
(Only required "EMMEXCLUDE=E000-EFFF"
for some Cupid to Windows SYSTEM.INI
systems.) file.
——————+————————–+————————-
Fastboard/386 Windows install puts Edit CONFIG.SYS and en-
HIMEM.SYS as first driver sure FBMON.SYS is first
in CONFIG.SYS. This dis- device.
ables the Fastboard.
Windows cannot run in 386
enhanced mode.
——————+————————–+————————-
ASTCACHE System hangs periodically.ASTCACHE is not Windows
3.0 compatible. Remove
(to be upgraded) ASTCACHE and replace with
SMARTDRIVE. The Windows
3.0 installation program
will attempt to install
SMARTDRIVE.
——————+————————–+————————-
ASTEMM Depending upon system con-ASTEMM is not Windows 3.0
figuration and ASTEMM compatible. Windows 3.0
(to be upgraded) installation parameters: can provide its own LIM
1. System hangs periodi- 4.0 memory management if
cally. in 386 enhanced mode.
2. Windows 3.0 will not Otherwise, use Microsoft
install. EMM386.SYS or compatible
3. Windows 3.0 will only third party memory
run in real mode. manager.
——————+————————–+————————-
DOS mouse driver Cursor does not display Windows 3.0 does not need
missing. in DOS applications. a mouse driver in
CONFIG.SYS, but DOS ap-
plications running under
Windows 3.0 does. Install
mouse driver before run-
ning Windows.
——————+————————–+————————-
DOS mouse driver Cursor does not display Some older version mouse
incompatible. in Windows or DOS appli- drivers are incompatible
cations. System hangs with protected mode.
intermittently. Replace with Windows 3.0
compatible driver.
——————+————————–+————————-
EISA SCSI Unknown. Windows 3.0 swap file may
not be located on SCSI
drive. Run SWAP.EXE to
relocate file to non-SCSI
drive.
——————+————————–+————————-
DOS program will Various. 1. DOS programs cannot be
not run under multitasked except in
Windows. 386 enhanced mode.
2. Some DOS programs em-
ploy incompatible mem-
ory management, or
DOS-extender, schemes.
3. Try creating a PIF
file.
4. Some programs will not
run under Windows 3.0.

+———————————————————————–+

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0650 11-26-90

                    AST PREMIUM WORKSTATION/286 MEMORY

AST Product Marketing has determined that the following issue dealing with the AST Premium WorkStation/286 will not be fixed.

This issue is:

  1. Programs such as Sleuth and Check-it will not identify extended memory

on the Premium WorkStation/286 even though the size of extended memory

    is specified within set-up under the system's extended memory field.
    (PR#B37041)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0651 12-03-90

                        BRAVO/386SX - SEAGATE 157A

Bravo/386SX systems which have the AST part number 500801-XXX may have Seagate ST-157A hard drives installed. The AST part number for this drive is 230119-001. These drives are 40MB IDE type drives, which are configured as drive type "17" in the Bravo's CMOS setup.

The following items are important for proper operation of the system but are not documented by AST:

  1. These drives are configured to operate as the main hard drive in a
     system.  They are not to be configured, and will not operate as a
     "slave" to another hard drive which is installed as a "master" in this
     system.
  2. There is a jumper block on the control PCB labeled "J2". It is located
     at the left rear of the board when viewing the drive from it's front
     panel.  It is comprised of three pairs of 2-pin headers labeled "1"
     through "6".  For use in this system the pair labeled "1" and "2" must
     have a jumper installed.  This configures the drive for a single drive
     system.  Also, the pair labeled "5" and "6" must have a jumper
     installed.  This enables the "external LED", sending the drive
     activity signal to the front panel of the Bravo/386SX.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0652 12-11-90

                STARTEC BALUN HUB WITH AST5251/11 EMULATION

The following problems have been reported using Startec Balun Hub devices with all AST5251/11 emulation cards:

  1. Intermittent dropping of sessions.
  1. Inability to get a sign-on screen when connecting to the Balun Hub.

Startec has made modifications to resolve these problems, incorporating the changes at serial number 37000 and above. Customers with hub devices below serial number 37000 should contact Startec at (508) 393-9393.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0653 12-14-90

                         BRAVO/486 CONFIDENCE TEST

Corruption of the display occurs during the execution of the Confidence test ASTTEST.EXE. This test is included with the Bravo Utilities (AST part number 910402-XXX).

During the portion of the test called "System Board Test", random characters are displayed on the screen, distorting informational text regarding the test.

This occurs due to an incompatibility between the system BIOS and version of utilities in use. When version "X1" of the Bravo utilities is used on a system with version 1.01 (or later) of the BIOS (AST part numbers 230807-001 and -002) installed, the above symptoms will appear. Use revision "A" (or later) of the utilities with this BIOS version.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0654 12-21-90

                   PREMIUM 386/16 WITH MATH CO-PROCESSOR

Erratic operation may occur when using a math co-processor in the Premium 386/16. This condition was first observed when running AutoCAD Release 9 and 10. The system may lock up when running software that uses the math co- processor after the system has warmed up (anywhere from immediately to 30 minutes). The failure is encountered consistently after re-booting until the system has been shut off and allowed to cool down.

The cause of the problem is a contention with the 87BUSY* signal from the math co-processor. The contention situation is eliminated by lifting or cutting pin 16 on the chip at location U34 on the Premium 386/16 processor board (AST Part Number 202323-001). Denoted after the part number is a revision letter (i.e., 202323-001C). Use the following list to determine the appropriate action to be taken:

Revision Action

C or earlier You should return the board to AST for modification.

D Modification may be performed by an AST Authorized

                  Service Center.

E or later Modification has already been implemented, and no action

                  is required.

WARNING: This operation is meant to be performed on Premium 386/16 processor

       boards only (AST Part Number 202323-001), NOT on Premium 386SX/16 or
       386SX/20 processor boards.  All modifications should be performed by
       an AST Authorized Service Center.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0655A 02-04-91

          AST MS OS/2 VERSION 1.2 AND MONOCHROME VIDEO ADAPTERS

When installing AST MS OS/2 Version 1.2, the menu will display "MONOCHROME/PRINTER ADAPTER." To select this option, the user must have an EGA monochrome, CGA or VGA adapter.

User will experience a blank screen if a standard monochrome adapter is installed. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0656A 02-04-91

         CATAMOUNT ATC-16 TAPE CONTROLLER AND CUPID SYSTEMS WITH
                       CHIPS & TECHNOLOGY CHIP SET

Slow and unreliable DMA transfers (resulting in data errors or system lock ups) may be experienced with the following configuration:

  1. Catamount ATC-16 tape controller revision B.
  1. Catamount software release 3.2 revision F.
  1. Cupid motherboard (AST part number 202356-004 Revison A and above) with

"Chips and Technology" chip set (location U85, part number 82C206.)

Catamount is not compatible with "Chips and Technology" chip set. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0657 01/17/91

                         PC SUPPORT VERSION 2.0

Customers have experienced problems when trying to run PC Support version 2.0 (AS/400) running under DOS version 4.X.

While running the ASTPCS.BAT file to initiate PC Support, the following errors may occur:

  5118
  5042

To resolve this problem customers should check the AS/400 for the device description. If the device description is the default, "5251 model 11", this must be changed to "5150 model 1".

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0658 01-21-91

                         VGA PLUS - IRQ 2 CONFLICTS

The VGA Plus adapter, part number 202262-003 revisions A or B, causes a conflict with other adapters in the computer that requires the use of IRQ 2. Such adapters include the IBM 3270 emulation adapter, or networking adapters which may be configured to use IRQ 2.

This conflict is due to the VGA Plus seizing IRQ 2 on the system bus and preventing any other adapter from utilizing this signal.

To resolve this incompatibility, replace this VGA Plus adapter with one that carries the part number 202262-003 revision C (or above).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0659 01-30-91

                      RUNNING 3270 FTS UNDER PROFS

When trying to invoke the 3270 FTS File Transfer program, the initial File Transfer screen would be displayed, then the system would hang. The customer also noted that he was unable to get the system to a "ready prompt".

The problem occurs when running PROFS (an electronic mail package) which is interfering with our File Transfer program.

To run AST's FTS program with PROFS, you must do the following:

  1.  Back out of PROFS by hitting the PF12 key twice.
     (Do not attempt to use any other method.)
  2.  Hot-key to DOS using the LSHIFT + RSHIFT keys.
  3.  Execute AST's FTS (File Transfer program).
  4.  Once the File Transfer is finished, re-initialize the PROFS system.
      This is done by typing:
                   I CMS (from the Host command line)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0660 01-30-91

             AST 3270 COAX II WITH WEITEK MATH CO-PROCESSOR

When trying to invoke the FTSII File Transfer program with a Weitek math co- processor installed, the File Transfer initialization screen will appear and then hang.

To resolve the problem, change the API Vector Address in the 3270CNF configuration program from 7A to 2D.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0661 01-30-91

            AST COAX II-CUT AND WD-1007A CONTROLLER CONFLICT

A Coax Adapter Board (CAB) Error 9 may occur while trying to load the AST COAX II-Cut Emulation software. (Reference Technical Bulletin #0453: Error 9 is defined as "Reserved".)

Any error that is listed as "Reserved" typically is the result of a hardware conflict between an AST card and another card in the machine. The specifications for a Western Digital WD-1007A ESDI Controller states that it uses a shared memory address of C800H. Western Digital has indicated that a potential problem may occur.

To resolve this problem, move Jumper W1 on the controller from 2-3 to 1-2.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0662 01-31-91

                 PREMIUM COMPUTER WITH NASHUA DISKETTES

A "Not ready error reading drive, Abort, Retry, Fail?" will occur when trying to read a Nashua high density (1.2MB) diskette on Premium Computers.

This problem is caused by the vinyl that Nashua uses for jackets on their diskettes. Currently, Nashua is shipping a thicker type of vinyl for their high density diskettes. Customers experiencing this problem should contact Nashua.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0663 02-01-91

                     BRAVO/386SX AND KEYBOARD ERRORS

When using the Bravo/386SX in various software environments, keyboard errors may occur. For example, when using IBM's Attachment 3270 emulation software, the left-hand control key does not function at all. In Lotus and SCO UNIX, the function 5 key generates erroneous characters. In Novell environments, the down arrow cursor key will act as a shift-lock or will not function at all.

To resolve these problems, replace the existing keyboard with an NMB keyboard revision C (AST part number 230098-001).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0664 02-08-91

              PREMIUM COMPUTERS AND MICROSPEED PC-TRACKBALL

Problems may occur when attaching MicroSpeed PC-Trackball, which is PS/2 compatible, on an AST Premium Computer. The system will lock-up at the system password prompt with a asterisk and a blinking cursor. If the system password is disabled, the system will lock-up at a C:> prompt.

This problem is resolved by upgrading to version 1.8 of MicroSpeed's PAL (Micro Coder) chip. Customers experiencing this problem should contact MicroSpeed's Technical Support to obtain this upgrade. 

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0665 02-14-91

              GUIDELINES FOR USING NOVELL'S COMPSURF UTILITY

The following are some general guidelines that should be followed when using Novell's compsurf utility:

  NEVER use the format option in COMPSURF when:
  1. Using a SCSI drive.
  1. Using a drive over 1024 cylinders.
  1. Using a WD1007A-XXX hard drive controller.
  1. Hard drive manufacturer forbids it.
  To successfully prepare a hard drive (over 1024 cylinders) for Novell, do
  the following:
  1. Set drive type in CMOS per manufacturers recommendations.
  1. Low-level format using the manufacturers format utility (i.e.,

HDFORMAT for an AST drive).

  1. If the drive requires the Novell compsurf "stamp", run compsurf but DO

NOT take the format option.

  1. As soon as the compsurf utility starts, it will check track 0.

Immediately after the track 0 test is completed (usually within 45

      seconds), hit the ALT + F10 keys twice.  This should stop the compsurf
      utility and "stamp" the drive.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0666 02-13-91

                    NOVELL COMPSURF WITH ESDI DRIVES

Problems may occur when running Novell's Compsurf Utility with AST's OEM version of the WD1007 ESDI controller (AST part number 240018-001) and the Maxtor 4380 320 MB hard drive (AST part number 230055-320). Examples of some errors are as follows:

  1. Abend: Disk Channel 0 could not reset controller
  1. Unable to access Sector 14
  1. Unable to read bad block table

To resolve the above problems, you must do the following:

  1. Do a low-level format using the manufacturer's utility software (i.e.,

HDFORMAT.EXE for an AST drive).

  1. Run Novell utility ESDIDISK.EXE. (Do not attempt more than three

passes.)

NOTE: The Novell utility ESDIDISK.EXE is available on Novell's Bulletin

     Board (NETWIRE) and is listed as ESDIDR.ZIP in Library 6, Forum A.
     This utility will:
  1. Check track zero.
  1. Scan the hard drive surface.
  1. Put the COMPSURF "stamp" on the drive.
  1. Create a bad block table that Novell can use.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0667 02-18-91

                    PROTEON 16/4MB TOKEN RING ADAPTER
                          (MODEL 1390) AND OS/2

With a Proteon 1390 (16/4MB) Token Ring board, running in the UTP mode (unshielded twisted pair) installed in a Premium II 386SX-20, errors may occur when trying to run OS/2 version 1.21 or LAN MAN with Proteon's software driver version 2.07.

The problem has been resolved by Proteon. All customers experiencing this problem should contact Proteon for a software upgrade.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0668 03-06-91

                 PREMIUM EXEC BATTERY PACK PRESSURE PAD

Problems have been reported with battery packs that will not charge or hold a full charge on some Premium Exec 386SX/20 systems.

The problem is caused by the contacts on the motherboard not making reliable contact with the battery pack terminals due to compression of the battery pack pressure pad. Under certain circumstances, the battery pressure pad, located on the inside of the battery compartment door, may compress causing a reduction in the amount of pressure applied to the battery pack.

This problem is resolved by replacing the battery pressure pad located on the inside of the battery compartment door.

Customers experiencing the above problem should contact AST Product Support and request a battery pressure pad replacement, AST part number 200366-002. The new pad can be easily installed by either peeling off the original pad and replacing it with the new pad or by placing the new pad next to the original pad.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0669 03-08-91

             PREMIUM 386SX-16 WITH PARADISE 8514/A PLUS CARD

When installing a Paradise 8514/A video card in a Premium 386SX-16 system, certain errors may be experienced. These errors are:

  1. When the Premium 386SX-16 computer is "powered on", the system will go

through post test and, at the memory count, the monitor will go blank

    and the system will give one long beep.
  1. The second error will occur while running the WDAI.EXE program. This

program initializes the video adapter. However, during the

    initialization of the video card, WDAI.EXE does not recognize that the
    Paradise 8514/A video card is installed in the Premium 386SX-16
    computer system.

Customers should verify what Premium 386SX-16 processor board is in the system by removing the cover. If the Premium 386SX-16 processor board has AST's part number 202337-001, it needs to be replaced with AST's part number 202380-001. Customers who are experiencing the above problem should contact an AST Authorized Service Center for replacement.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0670 03-25-91

                  BRAVO/386SX AND THOMAS CONARD TC 4035

For reliable operation of the Thomas Conard Network card model TC 4035 on a AST Bravo/386SX. Version 1.04 of Thomas Conard Network software must be used.

Earlier version of Thomas Conard Network software will intermittently give write errors writing to the local hard drive. The error "abort, retry, ignore?" will be encountered when copying files from the file server to a local drive (C:> drive).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0671 04-05-91

             PREMIUM II WITH IBM'S 3270 ENTRY LEVEL PROGRAM

When using IBM 3270 Coax Board (IBM part number 56X4928) and IBM's PC3270 Emulation program, Entry Level software version 1.1 or 1.21 in a Premium II. The Screen displays characters that are chopped in half, also the usable vertical screen area is chopped in half.

The problem has been corrected by IBM. Customers experiencing this problem should contact IBM at (800) 237-5511 and ask for Maintenance software patch IR80382. To insure proper installation of the maintenance software patch, customers should follow the process outlined on page 8-33 of the Entry Level User's Manual.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0672 04-15-91

                           BRAVO/486 WITH SQL

When trying to access SQL (Software Products International) from an icon under Windows 3.0 on a Bravo/486-25, an hour glass will appear and the system will freeze.

Software Products International has resolved the problem with a software patch. Customers experiencing this problem should contact Software Products International to obtain this patch.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0673 05-02-91

                    DEPCA DE-200A CARD AND ASTEMM 4.0

When using ASTEMM.SYS version 4.0 expanded memory manager, an error message "decnet error: attempt to start line failed" is displayed.

The ASTEMM 4.10 released with the Premium II Utilities, part number 910429-001 will resolve this problem. Use only the ASTEMM.SYS file on this diskette. The remaining files may not be compatible with Premium systems.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0674 05-02-91

                   AST PREMIUM II 386SX/20 WITH ORACLE

When starting Oracle version 5.1A the system hangs with the following message displayed:

        Loading Oracle into Extended Memory.

To recover from this hang, the system must be rebooted or powered off then back on.

Customers experiencing this problem should contact Oracle for an updated version of their registered software.

        Oracle Corporation
        20 Davis Drive
        Belmont, CA 94002
        (415) 341-4333

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0675 05-02-91

                CONFIGURATION FILES FOR ISA OPTION BOARDS

The following is a list of the configuration files which currently ship on AST's EISA configuration diskettes.

The files are listed alphabetically by company with a description of the adapter and the corresponding CFG file names:

Company/Description: CFGfile: Category:

3Com Corporation

 Etherlink 3C500B, ASM 34-0780                 ISA8C02      NET
 Etherlink 3C501, ASM 1221                     ISA8C01      NET
 Etherlink II 3C503                            ISA8C03      NET
 Etherlink Plus 3C505-2012, 16-bit             ISA8C00      NET
 Etherlink Plus 3C505-2012, 8-bit              ISA8C06      NET
 Tokenlink 3C603, 16-bit                       ISA8C04      NET
 Tokenlink 3C603, 8-bit                        ISA8C08      NET
 Tokenlink Plus 3C605-2065, 16-bit             ISA8C07      NET
 Tokenlink Plus 3C605-2065, 8-bit              ISA8C05      NET

Alloy

 FTFA Tape and Floppy Controller               ISABA03      OTH
 IMP2 Multiuser Port Controller                ISABA00      COM
 IMP8 Multiuser Port Controller                ISABA01      COM
 PC-HIA XBUS Controller                        ISABA02      OTH

American Megatrends, Inc.

 Smart Pack 2 with PAL 5.1                     ISAD800      MEM
 Smart Pack 2 with PAL 6.1                     ISAD801      MEM
 Smart Pack 2 with PAL 6.2                     ISAD802      MEM

Anvil

 Stallion Intelligent I/O Controller           ISAB000      COM

Archive

 SC499R Tape Controller                        ISAB800      MSD
 VP402 Tape Adapter                            ISAB801      MSD

Arnet

 Modular SMARTPORT Card                        ISAAE02      COM
 SMARTPORT 16 Card                             ISAAE03      COM
 SMARTPORT Card                                ISAAE01      COM

AST Research

 3270/Coax II Rev. X4                          ISA8200      COM
 5251/11 Enhanced Plus                         ISA8201      COM
 Rampage 286                                   ISA8203      MEM
 RAMvantage                                    ISA8204      MEM
 SixPackPlus, version A                        ISA8202      MEM

AT&T

 Starlan Network Adapter                       ISA8F00      NET
 Truevision Image Capture                      ISA8F01      VID

ATI Technologies

  EGA Wonder                                   ISAAC00      VID
  VGA Wonder                                   ISAAC01      VID

Atronics

 Professional Image Board Plus                 ISACF00      VID

Attachmate

 3270 Coax Adapter (long board)                ISA8100      COM
 Advanced 3270 Coax Adapter (short board)      ISA8101      COM
 SDLC Adapter                                  ISA8103      COM
 SDLC/Autolink Adapter                         ISA8102      COM

Banyan

 Intelligent Communications Adapter            ISAB500      COM

Bell Technologis

 ACE Multiport Serial Card                     ISAC100      COM

Bi-Tech Enterprises, Inc.

 SCSI 2110 HD/Tape Controller                  ISAD000      MSD
 SCSI 2200 Controller                          ISAD001      MSD

BICC

 ISOLAN Ethernet Adapter                       ISAA600      NET

BIT3

 403/404/405 Bus Communication Adapters        ISABB00      OTH

BlueLynx

 BlueLynx 3270 Enhanced Coax                   ISAC304      COM
 BlueLynx 3270 Remote                          ISAC302      COM
 BlueLynx 5250                                 ISAC301      COM
 BlueLynx 5251-12                              ISAC300      COM
 BlueLynx Enhanced 5251-11                     ISAC303      COM

Boca Research, Inc.

 Bocaram/AT Plus                               ISABC00      MEM
 I/O Master AT                                 ISABC01      OTH

Capital Equipment Corporation

 PC 488 IEEE Printer Controller                ISAC500      OTH

Chase Research

 AT4/AT8/AT16                                  ISADD00      COM

Codonol

 Codenet 3051                                  ISAA800      NET

Computer Peripherals

 Graphmaster Plus EGA                          ISAB602      VID
 Monographic Video                             ISAB600      VID
 Vision Master VGA                             ISAB601      VID

Computone

 IntelliPort ATCC Cluster Controller           ISAAF01      COM
 IntelliPort Multiport Serial Card             ISAAF00      COM

Comtrol Corporation

 SMART HOSTESS Multiport Serial Card           ISAD200      COM

Control Systems

 Artist 10                                     ISAA700      VID
 Artist XJ10                                   ISAA701      VID

Core International, Inc

 CNT-ATP ESDI Internal FD Controller           ISAC400      MSD

Corollary

 8x4 Mux (Jumpers)                             ISAC000      COM
 8x4 Mux (Rotary Switches)                     ISAC001      COM

Digital Comm. Associates

 10 Net Adapter                                ISA8507      NET
 IRMA 3278 Emulation Adapter                   ISA8501      COM
 IRMA 3279 Graphics Adapter                    ISA8502      COM
 IRMA2 3279 Graphics Adapter                   ISA8508      COM
 IRMA2 Adapter                                 ISA8500      COM
 IRMA3 Convertible Adapter                     ISA8503      COM
 SDLC Adapter                                  ISA8506      COM
 Smart Alec 5250                               ISA8505      COM

Digital Equipment Corporation

 DEPCA EtherLink Adapter, Rev D1               ISA8B00      NET
 DEPCA EtherLink Adapter, Rev E, F             ISA8B01      NET

DigiBoard

 DigiBoard Com/8s                              ISAB904      COM
 DigiChannel PC/8                              ISAB905      COM
 DigiChannel PC/8e                             ISAB903      COM
 DigiChannel PC/8i                             ISAB901      COM
 DigiChannel PC/Xe                             ISAB900      COM

Digital Storage Systems

 ARC6000                                       ISACD00      MSD

Emerald

 3XPlus 5250 Remote                            ISAB101      COM
 3XPlus 5250 Twinax                            ISAB100      COM

Emulex

 MPC-II Comm Controller                        ISAD300      COM

Eotron

 EOgraph Plus                                  ISABF00      OTH

Equinox Systems

 Megaport Board                                ISAD100      COM

Everex

 Evercom 24 2400 Baud Modem                    ISAB200      COM

Excelan

 EXOS 205E                                     ISAA400      NET
 EXOS 205T 16-bit                              ISAA401      NET

GammaLink

 GammaFax CP                                   ISAD501      COM
 GammaFax NA                                   ISAD500      COM

Gateway

 G/Ethernet 8-bit PC                           ISA9401      NET
 G/Ethernet AT                                 ISA9400      NET
 G/Net LNIM                                    ISA9405      NET
 G/Net VS                                      ISA9404      NET
 G/Token Ring 8-bit                            ISA9402      NET
 G/Token Ring AT                               ISA9403      NET

Genoa Systems Corporation

 QIC-02 Tape Controller                        ISA9F07      MSD
 Super VGA, 16-bit                             ISA9F00      VID
 SuperEGA HiRes+                               ISA9F03      VID
 SuperSpectrum Model 4640                      ISA9F05      VID
 SuperSpectrum Model 4650                      ISA9F04      VID
 SuperVGA                                      ISA9F02      VID

Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.

 Smartmodem 1200B                              ISAAB00      COM
 Smartmodem 2400B                              ISAAB01      COM

Hercules Computer Technology

 GB222 InColor Card                            ISA9000      VID
 Graphics Card Plus                            ISA9001      VID
 VGA Card                                      ISA9002      VID

Hewlett Packard Company

 Dual Serial Interface Board (24541B)          HWP1400      COM
 Enhanced Graphics Adapter Board (45983A)      HWP0030      VID
 HP 82328A Intelligent Graphics Controller     ISA9B00      VID
 HP Serial/Parallel Interface Board (24540B)   HWP1C00      COM
 HP-IB Interface (82335A)                      HWP1420      OTH
 Internal 1200 Baud Modem (24550A)             HWP1450      COM
 Internal 2400 Baud Modem (24551A)             HWP1410      COM
 Monochrome Plus Video Board (35732A)          HWP0000      VID
 Multimode Color Adapter Board (45984A)        HWP0020      VID
 Multimode Video Adapter (45981A)              HWP0010      VID
 Scanjet Plus Interface (88290A)               HWP1460      COM
 ThinLAN Interface Card (27210B)               HWP1810      NET

Hughes Lan Systems

 4140 Ethernet Board                           ISAD700      NET
 6130 Broadband Network Card                   ISAD702      NET
 6140 Token Ring Network                       ISAD702      NET

IBM

 Advanced 3278/79 Adapter                      ISA8303      COM
 Enhanced 5250 Emulator                        ISA8300      COM
 Enhanced 5250 Emulator, Rev B                 ISA8301      COM
 Enhanced Graphic Adapter                      ISA839C      VID
 Monochrome Adapter                            ISA8308      VID
 PC Network                                    ISA8305      NET
 PGA                                           ISA830D      VID
 SDLC (3270 or 5250 Remote)                    ISA8302      COM
 Serial/Parallel Adapter                       ISA8304      OTH
 Token Ring Adapter I                          ISA8306      NET
 Token Ring Adapter II                         ISA8307      NET
 Token Ring Adapter, 4/16                      ISA830B      NET
 Token Ring II Adapter, Short Card             ISA830A      NET
 VGA Display Adapter                           ISA8309      VID

Idea

 5250/Remote                                   ISA8400      COM
 5251 Twinax Plus, Rev D                       ISA8401      COM
 IDEAcomm 5251 Twinax Plus, Rev C              ISA8402      COM
 IDEAcomm 5251 Twinax, Rev A, B, C             ISA8403      COM

Ideatech, Inc

 Ideaphone Input Device                        ISACE00      OTH

IMC Networks Corporation

 PCnic, 16-bit NIC                             ISA9700      NET

Intel Corporation

 Above Board 286 (no Piggyback)                ISA9202      MEM
 Above Board 286 with 2MB Piggyback            ISA9203      MEM
 Above Board Plus 8 (including 6MB Piggyback)  ISA9206      MEM
 Above Board PS/286 (no Piggyback)             ISA9204      MEM
 Above Board PS/286 with 2MB Piggyback         ISA9205      MEM
 Above Board/AT (no Piggyback)                 ISA9200      MEM
 Above Board/AT with 2MB Piggyback             ISA9201      MEM
 Visual Edge Printing Enhancement System       ISA9207      OTH

Iomega Corporation

 Bernoulli Host Adapter Board                  ISAB700      OTH

Konan

 TNT-1050 Caching Disk Controller              ISACB00      MSD

LSE Electronics

 Platinum VGA 16 Card                          ISAC701      VID
 YC808 Color Graphics Printer Adapter          ISAC700      OTH

Madge

 AT Ring Node                                  ISA9600      NET

Matrox

 PG-1024                                       ISA9C02      VID
 PG-1281                                       ISA9C01      VID
 PG-641                                        ISA9C03      VID

Metheus

 UGA 1104 Graphics Controller                  MET1104      VID
 UGA 1124/1128 Graphics Controller             MET1128      VID

Micom-Interlan

 NI5210/16 Ethernet                            ISA9303      NET
 NI5210/8 Ethernet Adapter                     ISA9302      NET
 NP600A Ethernet Adapter, 16-bit               ISA9300      NET

Micro Integration

 PC-MICOAX                                     ISAC201      COM
 PC-STWINAX                                    ISAC200      COM

Microsoft Corporation

 Mouse Controller                              ISA8E00      OTH

National Instruments

 AT-GPIB                                       ISACA01      OTH
 GPIB-PC                                       ISACA02      OTH
 GPIB-PCIIA                                    ISACA00      OTH

NEC

 Multisync Graphics Board GB-1                 ISAD900      VID

Nestar

 ARCNET Plan 2000                              ISA8A00      NET

Novell

 Coax Adapter 3270 Connection                  ISA8700      COM
 Coax Graphics, Rev A                          ISA8701      COM
 NE1000 Ethernet Adapter                       ISA8711      NET
 NE2000 Ethernet Adapter                       ISA8712      NET
 RX-Net, Rev B, C, D Network Interface         ISA8713      NET
 RX-Net, Rev E, F, G Network Interface         ISA8714      NET
 Twinax 5250                                   ISA8702      COM

Nth Graphics

 Nth Engine                                    ISADC00      VID

Orchid

 Enhanced Board OM                             ISAA102      MEM
 Enhanced Board w/IO                           ISAA103      MEM
 ProDesigner VGA/VGA+                          ISAA101      VID
 Turbo PGA                                     ISAA100      VID

Packard Bell

 PB 3270 Coad                                  ISACC00      COM

Paradise Systems

 Autoswitch EGA                                ISAA202      VID
 VGA Plus, 8-bit                               ISAA201      VID
 VGA Professional, 16-bit                      ISAA200      VID

Pixel Works

 Micro Clipper Graphics                        ISA9E00      VID
 Ultra Clipper Graphics                        ISA9E01      VID

Practical Peripherals

 Practical Modem 2400                          ISAAB300     COM

Pure Data

 PDI508 ArcNet                                 ISAA501      NET
 PDI8025 Token Ring                            ISAA500      NET

Qua Tech

 DS-201 Dual Channel RS-422                    ISABE04      OTH
 DSDO-402 Dual Serial/Dual Parallel            ISABE06      OTH
 ES-100 8 Channel Asynchronous                 ISABE01      COM
 MXI-100 IEEE 488 GPIB                         ISABE03      OTH
 PXB-1608 Parallel Expansion Board             ISABE00      OTH
 PXB-721 Parallel Expansion                    ISABE05      OTH
 QS-100M 4 Channel Asynchronous                ISABE02      COM
 SmartLynx Multiport Adapter                   ISABE08      COM
 WSB-10 Waveform Synthesizer                   ISABE07      OTH

Quadram

 QuadEGA+                                      ISA9100      VID
 QuadMeg-AT                                    ISA9102      MEM
 QuadRAM+ w/IO                                 ISA9102      MEM
 QuadVGA Video Adapter                         ISA9101      VID

Rabbit Software

 RB14 X.25 Adapter                             ISADB00      COM
 RB24 Multi-Protocol Comm                      ISADB01      COM

Racal-Interlan

 NI5210/16 Ethernet                            ISABD03      NET
 NI5210/8 Ethernet                             ISABD02      NET
 NP600A Ethernet 16-bit                        ISABD00      NET

Renaissance

 Rendition I                                   ISA9D00      VID
 Rendition II Intelligent Graphics Controller  ISA9D01      VID

Sigma Designs

 SigmaVGA or VGA/HP8                           ISA9901      VID
 VGA-PC-HP160/162                              ISA9900      VID

SIIG, Inc.

 ARCLAN-100 Arcnet Network Board               ISAC900      NET

SMC

 ARCNET PC                                     ISA8900      NET
 ARCNET PC100                                  ISA8901      NET
 ARCNET PC110                                  ISA8902      NET
 ARCNET PC130/E                                ISA8903      NET
 ARCNET PC220/120                              ISA8904      NET
 ARCNET PC270/E                                ISA8905      NET
 ARCNET PC500                                  ISA8906      NET
 Ethernet PC510                                ISA8907      NET

STB Systems

 Chauffer HT                                   ISAB402      VID
 EGA MultiRes                                  ISAB404      VID
 EGA Plus                                      ISAB401      VID
 VGA Extra                                     ISAB403      VID

Street Electronics Corporation

 ECHO PC+ Speech Synthesizer                   ISAC800      OTH

Sun Micro Systmes

 TOPS Flashcard                                ISAAD00      COM

Tecmar

 EGA Master 480/800                            ISA8804      VID
 Maestro AT                                    ISA8805      MEM
 QIC PC36 Tapee Controller                     TEC8001      MSD
 QIC60 Host Adapter                            TEC8000      MSD
 QT Host Adapter                               TEC8002      MSD
 QT PC36 Tape Controller                       TEC8003      MSD

The Complete PC, Inc.

 FAX/9600                                      ISAD600      COM

Thomas-Conrad Corporation

 TC6042 ARC-Card/CE                            TCC030D      NET
 TC6045 ARC-Card/AT                            TCC010C      NET
 TC6142 ARC-Card/CE                            TCC040B      NET

Tiara

 LanCard/A, Rev B                              ISA8D00      NET
 LanCard/E PC 16                               ISA8D01      NET

Torus

 Ethernet Adapter                              ISADA00      NET
 Ethernet Adapter/SB                           ISADA01      NET

Truevision

 ATVista ICB                                   ISAA300      VID

Ungerman-Bass, Inc.

 3270 NIUpc                                    UBIB200      NET
 NIC                                           UBIC100      NET
 NIUpc                                         UBIB100      NET
 NIUpc / Token Ring                            UBID100      NET
 Personal NIU                                  UBIA100      NET
 Personal NIU/ex                               UBIA200      NET

Vector International

 SCC Async/BSC/SDLC                            ISAC600      COM

Vermont Micro Systems

 Cobra                                         VMI0211      VID
 Cobra Plus                                    VMI0E01      VID
 Image Manager 1024                            VMI0201      VID
 Image Manager 640                             VMI0601      VID
 Page Manager 100                              ISAA000      VID

Verticom, Inc.

 M16/M256E                                     ISA9A00      VID
 MX16/AT & MX256/AT                            ISA9A01      VID

Video Seven

 FastWrite VGA Video Adapter                   ISA9802      VID
 V-RAM VGA                                     ISA9800      VID
 Vega Deluxe EGA Adapter                       ISA9801      VID

Western Digital Corporation

 EtherCard + 8003EB 61-600090-00               WDC03E4      NET
 EtherCard + 8003EB 61-600245-02               WDC03E2      NET
 EtherCard Plus 16 8013EBT                     WDC13E0      NET
 EtherCard Plus 8003E                          WDC03E0      NET
 EtherCard Plus TP 8003WT                      WDC03E3      NET
 EtherCard Plus w/Boot 8003EBT                 WDC03E1      NET
 StarCard Plus 8003S                           WDC0300      NET
 StarLink Plus 8003SH                          WDC0301      NET
 TokenCard 8005TR/8005TRWS                     WDC0510      NET
 WD1004A-WX1 Controller                        ISAD400      MSD
 WD1006V-MM2 Winchester/Floppy Controller      ISAD401      MSD
 WD1006V-SR2 Winchester/Floppy Controller      ISAD402      MSD

Total Released ISA Option files: 273

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0676 05-02-91

                   PREMIUM/386-C SERIAL PORT CONFLICT

When using the Premium/386-C BIOS version 3.01 and Hayes modem or IBM serial/parallel card, the following conflict error my occur at boot time:

             "On-board serial port in conflict with Add-on expansion card".

Customers experiencing the above error should obtain a copy of the BIOS release 2.30 kit number 500702-001 to resolve this problem.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0677 05-02-91

             GIGATREND TAPE BACK-UP UNIT AND PREMIUM 386/33

The Gigatrend Model 1235 tape back-up unit is not compatible with the Premium 386/33 Cupid system. When attempting back-up the following error message will be displayed:

        RAM Parity errors - offending segment XXXX

There is no resolution at this time and Marketing has determined that this problem will not be fixed.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0678A 02-05-92

               PREMIUM EXEC BATTERY MANAGEMENT CONTROLLER

Under certain circumstances, some Premium Exec 386SX/20 computers may exhibit one or more of the following problems when connected to the AC adapter after the battery has been completely discharged:

  1. Battery will not charge completely.
  1. Over charge of battery.
  1. Erroneous battery charge level indicators (LED) when connected to the

AC Adapter.

  1. Low battery alarm when connected to the AC Adapter.
  1. Intermittent loss of display when booting.

To resolve these problems, it is necessary to reset the Battery Management Controller (BMC) chip. To accomplish this, follow the steps listed below:

  1.  Power off the Premium Exec.
  2.  Disconnect the AC Adapter from the Premium Exec.
  3.  Wait approximately 10 to 15 seconds, reconnect the AC Adapter to the
      Premium Exec.
  4.  Power the Premium Exec back on.

If this does not resolve the problem, the system may have a defective BMC chip. Contact AST or your nearest AST Authorized Service Center to have this chip replaced (re: Field Change Notice #0058).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0679 05-08-91

                  PREMIUM EXEC, QEMM AND DESQVIEW 2.26

Under certain circumstances, Premium Exec computers with the QEMM Expanded Memory Manager version 5.11 loaded, may take up to 1 1/4 minutes to load Desqview version 2.26.

This problem is resolved by adding the following parameter to the QEMM statement in the CONFIG.SYS file:

             DEVICE=QEMM.SYS IA

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0680 05-08-91

                   ETHERNEXT LAN CARD AND PREMIUM/286

The Ethernext LAN card is not compatible with the Premium/286 when configured with a 3G Plus card and the system memory is set for zero wait states.

When attempting to run application programs from the Novell 2.15 shell environment, a blank screen may appear.

There is no resolution for this problem and Marketing has determined that this problem will not be resolved.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0681 05-17-91

              PREMIUM EXEC SUSPEND/RESUME AND PROTECTED MODE

The Premium Exec 386SX Suspend/Resume feature will not function when running software that requires Protected Mode operation. This includes applications, such as Windows 3.0 and extended memory managers (i.e., QEMM and ASTEMM).

This problem is caused by the 386SX microprocessor's requirement for applications or memory managers using extended memory to run in protected mode only. All 386SX "notebook" type computers, equipped with a Suspend/Resume feature, exhibit this anomaly and to date, there are no known resolutions.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0682 05-06-91

       AST PREMIUM SYSTEMS WITH BUILT-IN MOUSE PORTS AND ADIC'S DCB

When installing two ADIC DCB controller cards, Channel 1 and Channel 2 in an AST computer, errors will occur on the second DCB controller which is Channel 2, (i.e., Channel 2 will fail to initialize under Novell Netware environment and will also fail ADIC diagnostics).

The problem lies with IRQ12, which supports the PS/2 mouse port. ADIC's DCB controller card Channel 2 is hard wired, this cannot be changed. (IRQ12 is accepted as Industry Standard for PS/2 mouse port). ADIC's Technical Support recommends that the customer using the DCB Channel 2, switch and use DCB controller Channel 3 which uses IRQ10. Customers experiencing the above problem should contact ADIC's Technical Support to exchange DCB controller cards.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0683 05-08-91

                  SUN RIVER CARD AND AST PREMIUM/386-33TE

When using the Sun River Fiber Optics Host adapter card, model HA-40, with the AST Premium/386-33TE with greater than 15MB total memory the following error message will be displayed at boot time:

        "Sun River card not found".

The above error message will only occur when RAM is installed in the 16MB space. The Sun River card uses the 16MB space for I/O addressing their card, which conflicts with the processor memory addressing.

If this problem occurs, configure the system with 14MB or less of memory. Marketing has determined that this problem will not be fixed.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0684 05-21-91

              NOVELL 386 WITH AST DESK TOP AND TOWER SYSTEMS

The following problems are occurring with AST Cupid desktop and Cupid Tower systems configured with more than 16MB of RAM with Novell Netware 386 version 3.10:

  1. System will lock up after attempting to mount the drives
  1. Intermittent memory parity errors occur
  1. Intermittent lock-ups occur

The above problems occur because the Novell operating system has not been made aware of any memory above 16MB. This problem can be resolved by registering the memory with the Novell operating system so that it knows how to access the memory. To accomplish this, edit the AUTOEXEC.NCF file within the Novell install option as follows:

REGISTER MEMORY [START(hex)] [LENGTH(hex)].

Using the chart below replace the [START(hex)] and [LENGTH(hex)] with the appropriate parameter.

+———————————————————–+

TOTAL MEMORY START(hex) LENGTH(hex)
———————————————————–
20MB 1000000 400000
———————————————————–
24MB 1000000 800000
———————————————————–
28MB 1000000 C00000
———————————————————–
32MB 1000000 1000000
———————————————————–
36MB 1000000 1400000
———————————————————–
40MB 1000000 1800000
———————————————————–
44MB 1000000 1C00000
———————————————————–
48MB 1000000 2000000
———————————————————–
52MB 1000000 2400000

+———————————————————–+

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0685 05-24-91

                THE SUPER VGA MONITOR WITH AST VGA ADAPTERS

In January of 1991, the "dot clock" frequency of the AST Super VGA monitor (part number 500783-XXX) became 36 megahertz in order to comply with industry standards. This is designated by the characters "36MHZ" on the back of the monitor.

This change causes an incompatibility with AST VGA display adapters in certain display modes. The symptoms appear when the "Enhanced Text Mode" (132 characters by 25 lines or 132 characters by 43 lines) is chosen for the display mode. The monitor will display only horizontal scan lines instead of readable text.

The following table describes the revision level of a given VGA display adapter required to maintain compatibility with the "36MHz" Super VGA adapter.

Description Part Number Revision Level

VGA Adapter (8 bit) 202249-005 C or above VGA Plus Adapter 202262-003 D or above CUPID System Board 202360-001 S or above DSX-16 VGA Adapter 20H004-001 X4 or above

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0686 05-28-91

                 BRAVO 386/SX-16 AND NOVELL'S NE2000 CARD

When using a Bravo 386SX (part number 500736-XXX) with a Novell NE2000 LAN card installed, random characters may appear on the right edge of the screen with normal operation while attached to a server.

This problem can be resolved by removing the jumper W16 on the Novell NE2000 card. This jumper is used to maintain Bus compatibility.

For a detailed description of the usage of W16 see "Novell's Ethernet installation supplement" part number 100-000708-001 revision 1.01.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0687 05-30-91

               PREMIUM/386-25, 33 AND CORE TAPE BACK UP UNIT

It has been reported that the Core Tape backup unit, configured with a Archive model 2060L tape drive and a SCSI Everex model EV-811 controller will not function properly in a Premium/386-25 and a Premium/386-33.

The user may experience system hang-ups when attempting a backup, or the message "communication timeout" will be displayed on the screen.

The problem lies within the Core Tape back-up unit not operating correctly with processor speeds above 20MHz.

Customers experiencing this problem should contact Core Technical Support at (407) 997-6033.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0688 05-31-91

               PREMIUM EXEC 386SX/20 AND GEO WORKS ENSEMBLE

When using Geo Works Ensemble version 1.0 on a Premium Exec 386SX/20 the customer is unable to print through the parallel port. This problem only occurs with this version of the software application.

Customers experiencing the above problem should contact Geo Works for a file called PARALLEL.GEO. This software patch will correct the problem of printing through the parallel port.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0689 04-30-91

                PREMIUM II SYSTEM BIOS AUTOSENSE FEATURE

The Premium II BIOS (version 2.0 and above, AST part numbers 237826-001A and 237827-001A) supports a feature known as "Autosense". This feature allows the BIOS to automatically sense, and use, optimized parameters which take advantage of the full capacity of IDE type hard drives.

Prior to this feature, the parameters for a particular drive had been determined by entering a discrete value (e.g. "17") in SETUP. This value had to operate with drives from several vendors, so these parameters were not always optimal for a particular drive.

This means that the same drive configured by these two methods will have two different sets of parameters, particularly the number of cylinders.

Therefore, a drive which has been partitioned and formatted under a discrete drive type may have to be re-partitioned and re-formatted when configured by the autosense feature. Make sure the following steps are taken before using autosense to configure a drive:

  1. Save the data currently on the drive. Save only files and directories,

not partition information.

  1. Run SETUP and choose "AUTO" for drive type. A set of parameters will

be returned for the installed drive. Save the configuration and exit

    SETUP.
  1. Re-partition and re-format the drive under the new configuration, and

restore the original data.

Note: The Conner CP-3000 40MB drive (AST part number 230092-040) cannot be

    configured via the autosense feature.  This drive must be manually
    configured as type "17" in the SETUP program.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0690 06-18-91

                  EXCESSIVE HEAT IN TOWER EISA SYSTEMS

Tower EISA systems with 80486 processor boards installed exhibit intermittent failures under certain operating environments. Normally under these conditions there are one or more Host Bus Adapters (HBA's) or multiple network interface cards installed in the system as well as the processor card. The failures exhibited are:

  1. Complete system halts, forcing a reset of the system,
  1. Error messages generated by the operating system in use.

The cause of these intermittent failures has been proven to be caused by excessive heat buildup in the tower enclosure due to improper placement or installation of the enclosure itself. To insure proper operation of Tower EISA systems in all operating environments, the following guidelines must be met:

  1.  Proper ventilation must be supplied for the Tower enclosure
  2.  Ambient air temperature must be within the specifications stated in
      the Tower User's Manual.
  3.  All system covers, including drive bay covers, must be installed
      while the system is operating.  These enclosures are designed for
      optimal air flow with the covers in place.
  4.  The processor board installed in the system must be a particular
      revision level.  The processor boards listed below have a vented
      bracket (AST part number 200412-001) installed which aids air flow.
        Processor Board     Part Number    Revision
            486-25           202361-002        N
            486-33           202361-004        D
            486-25           202361-005        D
            486-25           202361-006        B
            486-33           202361-007        B
            486-25           202397-001        X3
            486-33           202397-002        B

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0691 06-19-91

                     PREMIUM II ILLEGAL CMOS VALUES

Premium II systems, while running Power On Self Test (POST), may display the status of cache memory as "Disabled", but CMOS SETUP displays cache as "Enabled". These contrary indications are caused by two bits in CMOS memory being set to illegal values. Systems affected are those with version 2.00 BIOS (part numbers 237826-001 A and 237827-001 A) installed.

The illegal setting can be verified by entering SETUP and using the PAGE DOWN key (instead of using the TAB key) to view the status of "Cache Memory". With the illegal values set, this field will show that neither "Enable" or "Disable" has actually been selected.

To insure that the cache feature is properly enabled and functioning, perform the following steps:

  1.  Enter the SETUP program as described in the Premium II User's Manual.
  2.  TAB down to the "Cache Memory" field and use the ARROW keys to choose
      "Disable".
  3.  TAB to the next field down, then SHIFT-TAB immediately back to the
      "Cache Memory" field and choose "Enable".
  4.  Save the new configuration upon exiting the SETUP program.

The system will boot and display "TESTING CACHE ……ENABLED" during POST, and the cache feature will function normally.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0692 07-12-91

              PREMIUM EXEC 386SX/20 AND XIRCOM MULTIPLEXOR

When the Xircom Ethernet adapter is used with the Xircom Multiplexor attached to the Exec 386SX/20 parallel port, the following error message will be displayed when attempting to connect to the Network:

  "Adapter not found or power is off"

This problem occurs only on the following Premium Exec motherboards:

Part Number Revision Level

202390-001 X17 or below 202390-002 X3 or below

The revision level can be found on a label affixed to the motherboard and is clearly visible after removing the Accessory Door.

Customers experiencing this failure should contact AST or an authorized AST Service Provider for arrangements to have the unit exchanged.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0693 06-20-91

        PREMIUM/386-25 PARALLEL PORT AND INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS UNIX

The following represents a problem as reported from the field:

SYMPTOM:

If the system is "powered on" and the printer is "not applied", the console is rendered inoperative.

CONFIGURATION:

Premium/386-25 Unix System version 2.2.1, running Multi-User mode. Printer attached to parallel port on 386/25.

CAUSE:

This is a known problem with Interactive Systems Unix operating system.

SOLUTION:

There is no known resolution at this time. Customers experiencing the above problem should contact the manufacture Interactive Systems for details.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0694 06-28-91

                     AST PREMIUM 386SX-16 AND ALSYS

When running AlsyComp, from Alsys, Inc. on a Premium 386SX-16 system with a Cupid Enhanced motherboard (part number 202360-XXX), customer will experience system lock-ups. This problem only occurs when the math-coprocessor is enabled.

Customers experiencing this problem should contact Alsys, Inc. They have the following software patches VSTACK87.OBJ and STARTUP.OBJ available to resolve the problem. (PR#B66097)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0695 07-18-91

            DESQVIEW AND AST SYSTEMS WITH BUILT-IN MOUSE PORT

PROBLEM: AST systems lock-up when using DESQview, with a mouse

             connected to the mouse port.

AFFECTED SYSTEM BOARD: All system boards with integrated mouse port and the following

             part numbers:
             202273-001, 202343-001, 202343-003, 202351-002 202352-001,
             202360-001, 202373-001, 202377-001, 202385-001,

CAUSE: Incompatibility between DESQview release 2.31, and AST's

             implementation of the mouse port.

SOLUTION: A permanent solution will be the next release of DESQview.

             However, a temporary patch can be made by following the
             directions below.
             NOTE:  All zeroes in the following text are underlined for
                    readers reference only.

Step 1: On the root directory of your Hard Drive create a file named

             DVFIX.DBG using DOS's COPY CON command or any ASCII text
             editor.  The file should contain the following:
             E 40:0F
             F0
             Q

Step 2: Add the following line to the AUTOEXEC.BAT:

             DEBUG <DVFIX.DBG

The above instructions assume that the MS-DOS DEBUG.COM is accessible from the root directory of your boot disk. If it is not, copy DEBUG.COM to the root directory or make sure it is pointed to in your PATH statement.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0696A 08-16-91

            SCO UNIX BOOT FAILURE WITH MEMORY EXPANSION BOARD

PROBLEM: Under SCO UNIX 3.2 version 2.0, system will hang

               intermittently during boot if memory expansion board is
               present, AST part number 202387-001.

AFFECTED SYSTEM BOARDS: All system boards with the following part numbers:

               202356-004 and 202360-001

CAUSE: During UNIX installation the software will check for known

               devices and will activate a driver for that device.  UNIX
               mistakenly identifies a device that is not present, and
               activates a driver for it.  This causes the system to hang,
               with the following error message:
               WDHA-OUT: command byte 01 rejected
               WDHA-OUT: command byte 07 rejected

SOLUTION: The new release of SCO UNIX 3.2 version 3.0 resolves this

               problem and is scheduled to be released by SCO in July,
               1991.
               NOTE: A temporary solution would be to slow the system down
                     during the boot process, and resume normal speed after
                     completion of boot sequence, which would be the login
                     prompt.  This can be accomplished by using the <CTRL>
                     <ALT> <DOWN ARROW> and <CTRL> <ALT> <UP ARROW>
                     sequence.  For further information on speed commands,
                     please refer to your systems user manual.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0697A 08-19-91

            SIMULATION SCIENCES SOFTWARE AND AST 486 SYSTEMS

PROBLEM: Systems using the 80486 microprocessor will not recognize the

             hardware security key, causing Simulation Sciences Inc's
             Software Process version 4.01 to stop execution.  This problem
             exists on all manufacturers 80486 systems, including AST's
             that have a parallel port implemented on the motherboard.

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. However, AST

             systems can be made to operate by disabling cache in system
             setup.  This is a temporary work around and the customer
             should contact Simulation Sciences Inc. at (714) 579-0412 for
             proper corrective action.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0698A 08-16-91

           INTELLI-TREND SOFTWARE AND AST PREMIUM/386 SYSTEMS

PROBLEM: AST systems will lock-up when using Intelli-Trend software.

AFFECTED SYSTEM BOARDS: All AST Premium/386 systems boards with the following part

             numbers:
             202273-001     202360-001     202373-001

CAUSE: Incompatibility between Intelli-Trend software and AST

             systems.

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. Customers

             experiencing this problem should contact Intelli-Trend for
             more information.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0699 08-05-91

                       AST KEYBOARD AND BRAVO 486/25

PROBLEM: The NumLock status and indicator are always off or inactive

             (after booting) regardless of how the system is configured
             during setup.

AFFECTED SYSTEM: Bravo 486/25 using part number 230098-001 revision "C"

             keyboards.

CAUSE: Keyboard BIOS improperly handling keyboard functions.

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing this problem should have their

             keyboards part number 230098-001 upgraded to revision "D" or
             "E".

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0700A 08-16-91

             PREMIUM 386SX/16 AND COLORADO 120MB TAPE DRIVE

PROBLEM: When a Wang emulation board is installed in a Premium 386SX/16

             and connected to a Wang computer, the Colorado 120MB tape
             drive revision FW63 fails to initialize.

AFFECTED SYSTEM: AST Premium 386SX/16 with the following system board part

             number:
             202360-001

CAUSE: Incompatibility between Colorado 120MB tape drive, revision

             FW63 and AST's Premium 386SX/16 and the Wang emulation board.

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. The Colorado 120MB

             tape drive, revision FW40 does operate correctly.  Customers
             experiencing this problem should contact Colorado's Technical
             Support for more information.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0701 08-07-91

                PREMIUM EXEC SERIAL MOUSE/BACKLIGHT TIMEOUT

When the "Mouse Connected to.." field is set for "Serial Mouse" in the Premium Exec CMOS setup, the Backlight Timeout feature will function correctly only if a mouse driver is installed in the CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

This anomaly is caused by a Hardware/Software Interrupt conflict that occurs when the Serial Mouse field is set and no mouse driver is installed. To correct this problem, install the correct mouse driver in your CONFIG.SYS file or execute the correct mouse driver command either at the DOS prompt or in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0702 09-17-91

                   AST ETHERNODE REMOTE BOOT AND DOS 5.00

SYMPTOM: The remote boot feature on the AST Ethernode network card does

             not work with DOS 5.0.  Workstations attempting to attach to
             the file server will hang during the remote boot process.

PROBLEM: The boot image file (NET$DOS.SYS) is not designed to work with

             DOS 5.0.

SOLUTION: A file called RPLFIX.COM is available through Novell or on

             Compuserve's "Novell Netwire" forum.  This program patches the
             NET$DOS.SYS boot image file that the Novell utility DOSGEN.EXE
             produces.  Please consult the Netware manuals for more
             information on the DOSGEN utility.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0703 09-17-91

           PREMIUM/486-33TE AND WESTERN DIGITAL'S ELITE 16 COMBO

PROBLEM: Banyan Vines version 4.10 network software driver will not

               initialize Western Digital's Elite 16 Combo network card, in
               a Premium/486-33TE computer system.  The error that occurs
               is "Controller Failure", and at this point the workstation
               is unable to connect to the file server.

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. Currently,

               Banyan Vines software version 4.10 does not support Western
               Digital Elite 16 Combo card.  At this time Banyan Vines and
               Western Digital are working together on a software driver
               that will support Western Digital's Elite 16 combo card.

WORKAROUND: Banyan Vines and Western Digital Technical Support, both

               agree that the NDS software driver should be selected when
               installing the network card.  Also, the AST VGA Plus must be
               forced to 8-bit mode.  If the AST VGA Plus is set for 16-bit
               mode the system will not boot.  The reason for this error is
               the software drivers that are supported in Banyan Vines
               software are for the older Western Digital 8-bit network
               cards.  The older software drivers are doing 8-bit writes.

CONFIGURATION: P/486-33TE

               WD's Elite 16 Combo (AutoSwitching)
               AST's VGA Plus (AutoSwitching)
               Banyan Vines 4.10 (Operating System)
               DOS 3.3

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0704 09-06-91

                 AST 5251/12 REMOTE GATEWAY INSTALLATION

PURPOSE: To remotely attach multiple network nodes to an IBM mini (IBM

             System 34, 36, 38 and AS/400) while only installing one
             emulation card.

REASON: Cost effective way to have multiple nodes access emulation

             while only having one emulation card and additional gateway
             software.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: AST 5251/12 (CC-432 Adapter) Emulation Package. A NETBIOS

             Compatible Local Area Network already installed and
             operational.  Synchronous Modems (NOT HAYES COMPATIBLE)

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: 5251/12 Emulation Version 4.30 (part number 910408-001,

             910408-002 and 910408-003).  5250 Gateway Option Version 4.30
             (part number 910411-001)
             NOTE:  Versions of both 5251/12 Emulation Software and 5250
                    Gateway Software may be updated in the future.

HARDWARE SET UP: AST 5251/12 Adapter IRQ=2; I/O=300-30F (DEFAULT)

             The above settings are factory default.  If a conflict arises
             with other hardware in the PC, the user should consult with
             the conflicting hardware's reference manual for the settings
             and change the AST hardware and software, or vice versa, in
             order to resolve the conflict.
             For installing and connecting the two Synchronous Modems
             please refer to the Modem Manual, the AST 5251/12 User's
             Manual (part number 000427-001A) and the AST CC-432 User's
             Manual (part number 000140-001E) for more information.
             Note:  This document assumes that the user is qualified to
                    establish a successful Modem connection with the IBM
                    Host.

INSTALLATION: The Master PC contains the AST CC-432 Synchronous

             Communications Adapter, the 5251/12 Emulation program, the
             5250GATE.EXE program which is attached to the network.  The
             Slave PC contains the KERNELGW.EXE program which is attached
             to the network.
   A.   MASTER PC CONFIGURATION
        1.  Type the following at the DOS prompt for the directory that
            contains the AST 5251/12 Emulation Software:
                  C:\AST> CFG5251 [Enter]
        This assumes that the subdirectory name is AST and is located on
        the C: Drive.
        2.   Answer (n)o for MASTER CLUSTER.
        3.   Answer (n)o for ASYNC DIAL UP.
        4.   Answer (y)es for MASTER GATEWAY.
        5.   Answer (n)o for QUICK START.
        6.   From the AST 5251/12 Configuration Program (CFG5251.EXE) menu,
             highlight EDIT and press [Enter].
        7.   Answer (y)es to modify the configuration file, AST5251.CFG.
        8.   The EDIT 5250 CONFIGURATION menu will appear with the
             following options:
                  HARDWARE  KEYBOARD  STATION  SECURITY  VDISK  CUSTOMIZE
                  CLUSTER  GATEWAY  QUIT
        9.   Highlight HARDWARE and press [Enter].  These options will
             appear:
                  HARDWARE  DSP_ADAPTER  QUIT
        10.  Select HARDWARE again.  This is the HARDWARE selection.  All
             the options in this section pertain to how the emulation
             adapter and communication line is configured.
                  IRQ  BPS  NRZI  I/O_ADR  TRACE  SDLC  QUIT
        11.  The BPS, NRZI, TRACE and SDLC options are not set from AST
             (default factory settings).  The user must set each option
             accordingly.
        12.  The BPS option pertains to the baud rate of the Synchronous
             Modem that the user is connecting to the AST CC-432 (AST
             5251/12) Communications Adapter.  Under this option the
             following list will appear and the user should select the
             correct rate:
                  1200  2400  3600  4800  6000  7200  8000  9600  QUIT
        13.  The NRZI option is host (IBM System 34, 36, 38 or AS/400)
             controlled.  This is IBM's error correction detection system.
             It is either ON or OFF.  The user must verify this parameter
             with the host's system operator.
        14.  Under the TRACE option these options will be displayed:
                  NONE  SNA  SDLC  QUIT
             Note:  It is recommended that the TRACE option be used as this
                    is a good trouble shooting tool.  With this option
                    selected the user will observe a fixed set of numbers
                    followed by incremental numbers on the bottom left and
                    right hand corners of the display during emulation.
                    The numbers on the left bottom corner indicate that the
                    AST package is receiving data from the Modem and the
                    numbers on the right bottom corner indicate that the
                    AST adapter is transmitting data to the Modem.
                    If there are no numbers at either corner then it
                    indicates that the Modem is not communicating with the
                    AST CC-432 Adapter.  Several probable causes for this
                    occurring are as follows:
             A.  Bad or wrong type of cable connecting the Modem to the AST
                 CC-432 Adapter.  User could be using a standard
                 asynchronous null Modem RS-232 cable that does not have
                 pin 15 (transmit clock) and pin 17 (receive clock)
                 connected.
             B.  IRQ or I/O_ADR conflict between other hardware in the PC
                 with the AST Adapters.
             C.  Memory resident (TSR) programs such as; fixed disk
                 organizers, menu programs, keyboard macro programs, and
                 etc., that may conflict with the AST 5251/12 Software.
             D.  The NRZI option does not match between the host and AST
                 5251/12 Emulation.
        15.  Highlight SDLC and press [Enter].  This is the controller
             station address configured at the host (IBM System 34, 36, 38
             or AS/400) site.  The user must verify this parameter with the
             host's system operator.  It is a hexidecimal value and ranges
             from 01 through FE.  Enter the appropriate value and press
             [Enter].
        16.  Press the ESC key and then highlight DSP_ADAPTER and press
             [Enter].  Highlight DSP_ADAPTER on the next screen and press
             [Enter].  Next highlight the type of display adapter you are
             using and press [Enter].  Example: "Color".
        17.  Press ESC until you return to the EDIT 5250 CONFIGURATION
             menu.  Highlight STATION and press [Enter], the following list
             will appear:
                  0   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   QUIT
        18.  Station Address 0 will always be configured as a 5251/12
             display type.  This cannot be changed.  Station Address 1 is
             reserved for SNA and is not available.  The address scheme for
             the AST 5251/12 Station Addresses and the IBM Host Addresses
             are as follows:
             STATION option (AST)     0  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9
             Ports on IBM             0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
             Respectively for an IBM 5251/12 (what AST is emulating) remote
             controller where all device codes are configured for
             workstation address 0.  Page 3-12 of the AST 5251/12 User's
             Manual (AST part number 000427-001) displays this scheme in
             more detail.
        19.  Highlight STATION Address 2 and press [Enter].  These options
             will appear:
                  DISPLAY  PRINTER  CLUS_DISPLAY  CLUS_PRINTER
                  GATE_DISPLAY  GATE_PRINTER  QUIT
        20.  Highlight GATE_DISPLAY and press [Enter].
        21.  Highlight 5251/11 (can also select 5291-1 or 5292-1 but will
             use a 5251/11 for this example) and press [Enter].  Press the
             ESC key when asked to "enter new session name for station
             address 2".  For this configuration, session names will not be
             used.
        22.  Repeat steps 19 through 21 as many times as needed to
             configure all the station addresses that will be given to the
             Gateway.  In this example a total of seven sessions are
             configured.  Make sure that the number of sessions configured
             on the AST 5251/12 software matches the number that the IBM
             host will be allocating to the Gateway.
        23.  Highlight the other addresses and select the appropriate
             DEVICE TYPE and press [Enter].  Configure the station
             addresses as follow:
             ADDRESS 0 - 5251/12 DISPLAY IBM-API: OFF
             ADDRESS 2 - 5251-1* GATE DISPLAY (NO SESSION NAME)
             ADDRESS 3 - 5251-1* GATE DISPLAY (NO SESSION NAME)
             ADDRESS 4 - 5251-1* GATE DISPLAY (NO SESSION NAME)
             ADDRESS 5 - 5251-1* GATE DISPLAY (NO SESSION NAME)
             ADDRESS 6 - 5251-1* GATE DISPLAY (NO SESSION NAME)
             ADDRESS 7 - 5251-1* GATE DISPLAY (NO SESSION NAME)
  • The type of display can vary depending on what the host is

configured for. The other device types that can be emulated

             by the AST 5251/12 software or the 5291-1 and the 5292-1.
             Note:  This sample is configured so the Slave PCs will be
                    assigned an address/session on a first-come first-serve
                    basis which is called "session bidding".
        24.  When all the required addresses are selected press ESC until
             you reach the AST 5250 CONFIGURATION PROGRAM menu.  Now save
             the MASTER/PASSTHROUGH configuration settings and exit to DOS.
        25.  Highlight SAVE and press [Enter].
        26.  The program will ask "Save configuration file: AST5251.CFG
             (Y/N)?" Respond "yes" and press [Enter].
             This concludes the configuration of the MASTER PC.
   B.   SLAVE PC CONFIGURATION
        You can use one configuration file for all the network node SLAVES
        provided that all the Slaves have the same type of display.  The
        slave software when executed will look at the master configuration
        software to see what gateway displays are available.
        1.   Type the following at the DOS prompt for the directory that
             contains the AST 5250 Gateway Software:
                  C:\GATE\CFG5251G [Enter]
             This assumes that the software is located in a subdirectory
             named GATE which is on the C: Drive.
        2.   Answer (n)o for QUICK START
        3.   From the AST 5250 CONFIGURATION PROGRAM menu, highlight EDIT
             and press [Enter].
        4.   Answer (y)es to modify the configuration file, AST5251G.CFG.
        5.   The EDIT 5250 CONFIGURATION menu will appear with the
             following options:
                  HARDWARE  KEYBOARD  STATION  SECURITY  VDISK  CUSTOMIZE
                  CLUSTER  GATEWAY  QUIT
        6.   Highlight HARDWARE and press [Enter].  Highlight DSP_ADAPTER
             and press [Enter].  Highlight DSP_ADAPTER again and press
             [Enter].  Select the appropriate display adapter for this
             particular SLAVE PC (Mono or Color).
             NOTE:  If the Slaves on the network have various types of
                    displays (i.e., monochrome and color), different
                    configuration files (AST5251G.CFG) will need to be
                    created to match each type of display.
        7.   Press the ESC key until you return to the EDIT 5250
             CONFIGURATION menu.  Highlight STATION and press [Enter].
        8.   STATION ADDRESS 0 is already configured for you.
             ADDRESS 0 - 5251/11* DISPLAY IBM-API: OFF
                         (NO SESSION NAME)
  • The device type can also be a 5291-1 or a 5292-1.
             For this setup you do not need to delete or reconfigure.
             Address 0 on the MASTER PC is taken by the 5251/12 Controller
             so this SLAVE PC configuration would then go to the next
             available session on the MASTER PC which would be address 2.
             Note:  We are setting this up for "session bidding", therefore
                    we do not need to configure the exact station address
                    for the slave.  When the slave software is executed, it
                    looks at the master configuration to see which gateway
                    display is available.  This is called session bidding.
                    This is how all the slave configurations should be set
                    up for session bidding.
        9.   Press the ESC key until you return to the AST 5250
             CONFIGURATION menu.  The user will now save the SLAVE PC
             configuration settings and exit to DOS.
        10.  Highlight SAVE and press [Enter].
        11.  The program will ask "Save configuration file: AST5251G.CFG
             (Y/N)?"  Respond (y)es and press [Enter].
        12.  Highlight QUIT and press [Enter].
        13.  Repeat Steps 1 through 12 at each SLAVE PC as needed.
             This concludes the configuration procedure for the SLAVE PC.
   C.   ENHANCED KEYBOARD CONFIGURATION
        If you have an Enhanced Keyboard (Function Keys located across the
        top), you need to run an additional configuration program.  Without
        running emulation, insert the AST5251/12 Terminal Emulation
        Diskette 2 of 3.
        1.  Type: A:[Enter]
        2.  Type: ASTKBD [Enter]
        3.  Use your down arrow key to highlight the COUNTRY selection.
        4.  Use your left arrow key to highlight the UNITED STATES as
            country type.
        5.  Use your down arrow key to highlight the KEYBOARD selection.
        6.  Use your left arrow key to highlight the ENHANCED-LIKE for the
            keyboard type.
        7.  Use the down arrow key to go to the PROCEED option and press
            [Enter].
        8.  Type the drive letter and subdirectory where the KERNEL.EXE
            file is located for the MASTER PC or where the KERNELGW.EXE
            file is located for the SLAVE PC
        9.  Use your down arrow key to get to the EXIT TO DOS option and
            press [Enter].
            This should be done for each machine that has the enhanced
            keyboard.
   D.   STEPS FOR PROPER EXECUTION
        The following steps will show the proper sequence of loading the
        emulation and gateway programs:
        1.   MASTER PC
             A.  Load your network programs.
             B.  Load NETBIOS.
             C.  Execute KERNEL.EXE.
             D.  Execute GATE5251.EXE.
             E.  Execute APS.EXE.
        2.   SLAVE PC
             A.  Load your network programs.
             B.  Load NETBIOS.
             C.  Execute KERNELGW.EXE.
             D.  Execute APS.EXE.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0705 09-17-91

                    PREMIUM EXEC AND LCD BORDER COLOR

Customers have noticed different border colors on the Premium Exec 386SX/20. These colors are blue and black and are only observed by looking at the edges of the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) on the Premium Exec 386SX/20.

AST's Portable Marketing department has concluded that this is not a problem. All three (3) LCD's that AST sources for use in the Premium Exec have a unique border color. The reason for the color difference is only possible to note when looking at the edges of the LCD, since the color beyond the edges is reversed out to white. Most importantly, AST has not compromised the quality of the Premium Exec 386SX/20 in any way by using multiple LCD sources.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0706 09-25-91

         IBM PS/PC SOFTWARE AND PREMIUM EXEC INTERNAL DATA MODEM

PROBLEM: IBM Personal Services/PC (PS/PC) software does not operate

             correctly with the Premium Exec Internal Data Modem.  When
             attempting to make a connection, the modem handshakes but will
             not link to the mainframe.

CAUSE: Incompatibility between IBM PS/PC software version 1.3 release

             PSPC13003 and the Premium Exec Internal Data Modem.

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. IBM PS/PC software

             version 1.3 release PSPC13006 resolves this problem.
             Customers experiencing this problem should contact IBM to
             obtain the above release of the PS/PC software.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0707 10-10-91

              PREMIUM II 486SX/20 AND LOTUS 123 RELEASE 3.1

SYMPTOM: Unable to input numeric values into the Lotus 3.1 worksheet.

             The numeric values appear only as zeros while alphanumeric
             values are fine.

PROBLEM: Lotus 3.1 recognizes that the system has a 80486 Processor and

             assumes that there is a Math Coprocessor available.  This is
             true for the 80486DX Intel Chip but not for the 80486SX.  When
             a Math Coprocessor is present, Lotus passes on the tasks of
             numeric calculations to the Math Coprocessor which is not
             available in the Premium II 486SX/20 as a standard option.
             This can be checked by accessing the Worksheet Status Menu
             option which will show the system information such as;
             Available memory, Processor type, Math Coprocessor type and
             other Lotus configuration information.

SOLUTION: By typing "123 -s" at the Lotus 3.1 prompt the Premium II

             486SX/20 system will be recognized as a 80386 system with no
             Math Coprocessor, enabling Lotus to handle the numeric
             calculations.  The   "-s" switch instructs Lotus that the
             system has a 386 Processor with no Math Coprocessor instead of
             a 486 Processor.  This will allow the Premium II 486SX/20 to
             be able to input numeric data.
             Lotus is also aware of this issue and customers can  contact
             Lotus at (800) 343-5414 and order the Lotus 3.1 update which
             resolves this problem.  With this update the Lotus program
             will no longer assume that the 80486 Processor has a built-in
             Math Coprocessor and the "-s" parameter will no longer be
             necessary.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0708 10-14-91

             AST PREMIUM EXEC AND TOSHIBA EXPRESSWRITER 301

PROBLEM: When using a Toshiba ExpressWriter 301 portable printer on the

             Premium Exec Notebook errors occur when attempting to print
             through the parallel port (i.e., "write fault error on device
             LPT1:: when copying files directly to the parallel port).

AFFECTED SYSTEM: AST Premium Exec Notebook 386/SX-20

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. Toshiba has

             provided a software patch (INT17.COM) which may be added to
             the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to resolve this problem.  Customers
             experiencing this problem should contact Toshiba's Technical
             Support for more information.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0709 10-14-91

                     AST SYSTEMS WITH IBM'S OS/2 EE

PROBLEM: When installing IBM's OS/2 Extended Edition 1.30.1 on an AST

             system, the following error will occur:
                 "Invalid Configuration"
                 [50.09] diskette drives or types mismatch error.  Run
                 setup...  Press F1 key to continue or Ctrl-Alt-Esc for
                 setup.
             The above error indicates that the system configuration is
             lost and setup must be performed for the system to boot
             properly.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: All AST systems

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. The problem has

             been corrected by IBM.  Customers experiencing this problem
             should contact IBM at (800) 237-5511 and ask for either CSD
             5016 or APAR JR04280.  To insure proper installation of the
             CSD or APAR, customers should follow the process outlined by
             the IBM readme files.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0710A 10-28-91

                 SCO OPEN DESKTOP IN 800X600 VIDEO MODE

PROBLEM: When using the Open Desktop release 1.0 and 1.11 in SuperVGA

           (800x600x16) mode, vertical bars and multiple horizontal images
           are displayed on the screen.  The 640x480 and 640x350 modes work
           fine.

CAUSE: The "grafinfo" file for the video contains some additional

           information which is only required for the AST VGA Plus card.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: All systems with integrated video.

SOLUTION: To fix this problem complete the following steps:

           (Lines starting with the # sign indicate commands that should be
           entered at the root prompt).
           1) Bring the system down to single user mode (init 1).
           2) # cd /usr/lib/grafinfo/paradise.
           3) # cp vgaplus.xgi vgaplus.orig (you are saving the
              file vgaplus.xgi as vgaplus.orig).
           4) Edit the file vgaplus.xgi.
           5) Search for, and remove the following two lines
              from the file:
           out (0x3CE,0x0B); out(0x3CF,0x44); / *256k 16 bit */
           out (0x3CE,0x0C); out(0x3CF,0);
           6) Save the file and exit you editor.
           7) # mkdev graphics.
           8) Select "update" from the main menu.
           9) Choose the Paradise VGA Plus from the list of
              Adapters.
          10) Choose the VGA 800x600 16-color option from the
              list of Modes.
          11) Press return twice to accept the Default
              configuration, and accept the current setting.
          12) Choose "Quit" from the main menu, then "save".
              (This will update the grafinfo database to reflect
              the changes you have made to the file).

The system does not need to be re-booted, just go back to multiuser mode and ODT will now work in 800x600 mode. This updated file will work correctly on the regular VGA Plus board also.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0711 10-28-91

               PREMIUM EXEC 386SX20 AND AST MODEM SOFTWARE

PROBLEM: When the ASTMODEM.EXE program is used to turn the modem off,

             the suspend feature does not function.

CAUSE: Incompatibility between the ASTMODEM.EXE, and the suspend

             feature.

AFFECTED SYSTEM: AST Premium Exec 386SX/20

SOLUTION: The new version of ASTMODEM.EXE (1.01) resolves this problem,

             and can be downloaded from the AST BBS at (714) 727-4723.  The
             file name is ASTMODEM.ZIP, and can be found under the "System"
             file area.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0712A 10-28-91

              PREMIUM EXEC 386SX-20 AND XIRCOM MULTIPLEXOR

PROBLEM: When a Xircom Parallel port Multiplexor is attached to the

             Premium Exec 386SX-20 parallel port, the Xircom Pocket
             Ethernet adapter reports the following error messages while
             operating under Novell 386 OS:
                "Pocket Ethernet failed memory test"
                "Network error on server"

AFFECTED SYSTEM: AST Premium Exec 386SX-20 system.

CAUSE: Incompatibility between Xircom's Parallel Port Multiplexor and

             AST's Premium 386SX-20 system.

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. Customers

             experiencing this problem should contact Xircom for a
             Multiplexor upgrade that will resolve this problem.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0713 10-31-91

      AST PREMIUM EXEC 386SX-20 AND TAYLOR SOFTWARE FOR MODICON 884

PROBLEM: While running Taylor's software on Modicon's 884 PLC

             programmer, the following problem occurs when operating on
             line through the serial port.
             The page down key operates erratically.  One out of three
             keystrokes may be recognized which results in uncontrolled
             page selections.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Premium Exec 386SX-20 systems

CAUSE: Incompatibility between Taylor for Modicon 884 software and

             AST's Premium 386SX-20 system.

SOLUTION: This is not a issue that AST can resolve. Marketing has

             determined that this problem will not be investigated any
             further.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0714A 12-20-91

                  PREMIUM EXEC 386SX AND LOSS OF SETUP

Loss of CMOS setup or Password Enabled error messages have been reported on some new Premium Exec 386SX systems. This problem occurs because the Premium Exec is designed with a rechargeable Ni-Cad CMOS backup battery that has a shelf life of approximately 42 days (worst case) from the date of manufactured.

Under some circumstances when CMOS has been lost, the message "PLEASE ENTER PASSWORD:" may appear prior to any of the error messages listed below. If this occurs, it will be necessary to toggle the Password Override Switch to override the password prior to running ASTSETUP. Please consult the Premium Exec User's Manual for additional information on this procedure.

The problems are resolved by simply powering up the system using the AC Adapter and pressing Ctrl-Alt-Esc to run ASTSETUP after the following messages appear:

  40.08 TESTING CMOS CHECKSUM CHECKSUM...FAILED
  40.01 CMOS RAM ERROR CHECK BATTERY AND RUN SETUP
  20.03 MEMORY SIZE ERROR - RUN SETUP
  PRESS F1 TO CONTINUE OR CTRL ALT ESC FOR SETUP

Please Note: If the F1 key is pressed, the system will attempt to boot first,

           from the floppy drive, then the hard drive. If no floppy disk is
           present, the system will display "Disk Boot Error, Please Insert
           a System Disk and press Enter".   If this occurs insert the
           Premium Utilities Diskette in drive A: and hit the Enter key and
           choose "Run System Setup" from the menu that appears on the
           screen.

To assure complete charging of the backup battery, it is recommended that after running ASTSETUP, that the system remain plugged into the AC Adapter for approximately 8 hours.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0715 11-05-91

                   AST PREMIUM EXEC 286/12 AND DOS 5.0

PROBLEM: When installing Microsoft or AST's version of DOS 5.0 on the

             Premium Exec 286/12, an error will occur.  The error is a
             blinking cursor on the upper left hand corner of the screen
             and the drive A:> light remains on.  When this error occurs,
             the system will lock up.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Premium Exec 286/12

CAUSE: This problem is caused only when the Suspend mode is enabled.

SOLUTION: Currently, AST's Portable Marketing group has determined that

             this problem will not be fixed.  However, there is a
             workaround for this problem.  Before installing DOS 5.0, run
             the Premium Exec 286/12 setup program and disable Suspend
             mode.  then proceed with the installation.  When the
             installation for DOS 5.0 is completed, re-run setup and enable
             the Suspend mode.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0716 10-28-91

          AST PREMIUM II 386SX-20 AND TRAK ENGINEERING SOFTWARE

PROBLEM: The TRAK Engineering application software "Fuel Management

             System" will not communicate with TRAK's custom control box
             through the Premium II 386SX-20 Com port.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Premium II 386SX-20 with the following system board part

             number:
             202373-003     Revision X4 and below

CAUSE: Incompatibility between TRAK Engineering software and control

             box and AST's Com port on the Premium II 386SX-20 system.

SOLUTION: This problem has been resolved. Customers experiencing this

             problem should contact AST and have their system board
             upgraded to revision X5 or above.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0717 10-22-91

    PREMIUM II UTILITIES WITH MIS-IDENTIFICATION OF 386/33 PROCESSOR

PROBLEM: When running Premium II utilities version 2.00 confidence test

             the "view system configuration" option reports the 386/33
             processor as a 386/25.  The mis-identification during the AST
             confidence test is an error in the identification process
             only, the board is fully functional at the full 386-33 speed.

CAUSE: The component on the processor board, that identifies the

             386/33 processor is incorrect.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All processor boards with part numbers 202403-002 with

             revision X7 or lower and 202403-003 revision X8 or lower.

SOLUTION: This problem is fixed on the next revision level of the

             Processor boards, X8 or X9 respectively.  This is not a
             mandatory change and is not covered under warranty.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0718 10-09-91

                    AST's SVGA MONITOR AND OS/2 1.21

SYMPTOM: Various screen problems may occur with AST systems using the

             800x600 resolution mode under AST OS/2 version 1.21 with the
             AST SVGA monitor.  Some of the problems experienced are as
             follows:
                 Shaking of the screen.
                 Slight shift of the screen.
                 A line down the center of the screen.
                 A loss of the screen when switching between video modes.

PROBLEM: The current BVHVGA.DLL driver under AST OS/2 version 1.21

             instructs the video chip on the AST system board to generate
             an output of 34.4 kHz instead of the VESA (Video Electronics
             Standard Association) specified horizontal frequency of 35.2
             kHz for SVGA monitors.  The AST SVGA monitors follow the VESA
             specifications for the horizontal frequency.

SOLUTION: A driver called BVHVGA.DLL with the byte size of 37994 is

             available on the AST BBS under the file name of OS2-VGA.ZIP
             which is located in the file area called SYSTEMS.  This driver
             sets the video chip output to match the VESA specified SVGA
             horizontal frequency of 35.2 kHz for the AST SVGA monitor.
             This new driver will be incorporated in AST OS/2 version 1.3.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0719 11-07-91

                AST ETHERNODE AND SMC CONCENTRATORS/HUBS

PROBLEM: When connecting multiple NetWare servers using SMC's (Standard

             Microsystems Corporation) Concentrators/hubs, the error "file
             server not found" is displayed on the workstation.  If only
             one file server is connected, a connection can be made.

CAUSE: SMC has a documented bug which does not allow connecting

             multiple servers via their earlier concentrators/hubs.

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing this problem should contact SMC for an

             upgrade to a revision G or higher.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0720 11-12-91

            AST PREMIUM 486/33 TOWER EISA AND DPTFMT PROGRAM

PROBLEM: When installing SCO UNIX software on a Premium 486/33 Tower

             EISA system with the DPT Host Bus adapter provided by AST, the
             following error will be displayed during installation:
             "WARNING: No Configuration Information for SDisk Unit 0."

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Premium 486/33 Tower EISA with the following system board:

             202377-001

CAUSE: AST's DPTFMT program does not configure the hard drive type

             properly.

SOLUTION: This problem has been resolved with release 1.01 of AST's

             Driver Support Diskette.  Customers experiencing this problem
             should contact AST and order the following Software upgrade
             and Installation Reference document:
             PART NUMBER       DESCRIPTION
             910452-005     Software upgrade Revision A Release 1.01
             001436-001A    Installation Reference document

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0721A 12-16-91

                       PREMIUM EXEC AND EMM386.EXE

MS-DOS version 5.0 includes an expanded memory emulator, EMM386.EXE. Memory addressing conflicts may occur when running this program on the Premium Exec.

The problem is a result of EMM386.EXE and the Premium Exec System BIOS attempting to load at the same memory address.

To prevent EMM386.EXE from using memory that is already used by the Premium Exec System BIOS, add the following parameter to the device statement in the system's CONFIG.SYS file:

  DEVICE=EMM386.EXE   x=C000-CFFF

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0722 11-01-91

                            ADVANCED FASTRAM

PROBLEM: Several customers have reported being unable to use the

             Advanced FastRam board.  The failure has been isolated to a
             Improperly programmed smart switch device on the FastRam card
             (IC U65 107000-642).

SYMPTOM: The Advanced FastRam is not being seen by the FastRam

             software.  The machine boots, but the I/O and starting address
             is not recognized by the Configuration Utility software
             (910314-301 revision A).

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Advanced FastRam card with the following part number:

             202253-001 or 500565-001

SOLUTION: Any customers reporting this problem should contact their

             local AST Service Center to have the defective IC,
             (107000-642B) replaced.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0723 12-02-91

         AST PREMIUM/386 TOWER EISA DETECTING RAM MEMORY AT 512K

PROBLEM: When the system is configured with 512K of base memory the

             system BIOS may incorrectly identify LAN cards RAM memory as
             system memory.  This problem will occur when the LAN card RAM
             has a starting address of 512K.
             When the system is re-booted via CNTL-ALT-DEL the following
             error message is displayed:
             [20.30] Memory size error - Run EISA config utility.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium/386 Tower EISA system board with the following part

             number:
             202377-002 Revision "D" and below.

CAUSE: System BIOS incorrectly testing memory in the

             512K - 640K range.

SOLUTION: This problem has been resolved with a new release of the

             system BIOS.  Customers experiencing this problem should have
             the system BIOS upgraded to version 1.14, see Field Change
             Notice #0046B.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0724 12-10-91

            AST SYSTEMS AND IBM ENTRY LEVEL 3270 VERSION 2.0

PROBLEM: When running IBM's Entry Level 3270 version 2.0 on AST systems

             the computer will hang showing a blank screen.

SYMPTOM: The system hangs with a blank screen. To recover from this

             problem a cold boot is required.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All AST systems.

SOLUTION: This is not an AST problem. Customers experiencing this

             problem should contact IBM Support at 800-237-5511 and ask for
             Patch Number IR96328.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0725 12-16-91

                  PREMIUM EXEC 386SX/25 AND NUMLOCK KEY

Problems have been reported with the Numlock key being toggled to the wrong state with some Premium Exec 386SX/25 systems. The problem is that the Numlock is enabled when the system boots even if it has been set to "off at Boot" in setup.

The problem is caused by an incorrect line in the system's AUTOEXEC.BAT file that results in an erroneously configured keyboard.

The problem is resolved by removing the following line from the AUTOEXEC.BAT file:

  KEYB US,,C:\DOS\KEYBOARD.SYS

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0726 12-16-91

           PREMIUM EXEC, MS-DOS 5.0 DOSSHELL AND TASK SWAPPING

Problems may occur with the Premium Exec 386SX/20 and 386SX/25 when attempting to use the Task Swapping feature under the MS-DOS 5.0 DOSSHELL. When attempting to swap between tasks, the computer will beep and continue to run without swapping. This problem does not occur when running AST's version of MS-DOS 5.0.

The problem is caused by the MS-DOS 5.0 installation program installing a driver for VGA mono operation (vgamono.grb) when an LCD display is sensed. The Premium Exec's LCD has been designed to emulate VGA color modes and is not completely compatible with the vgamono.grb driver. AST's version of MS- DOS 5.0 installation program has been modified to install the VGA color driver (vga.grb) that corrects this problem.

If running MS-DOS 5.0 on a Premium Exec, the problem can be resolved by manually installing the vga.grb driver supplied with the MS-DOS Distribution Diskettes. Complete each of the steps listed below in order to install this driver:

  1. Insert MS-DOS 5.0 Distribution Diskette #1 in drive A:
  2. At the DOS prompt, enter the following command:
      Copy A:VGA.GRB C:\DOS\DOSSHELL.GRB
  3. Hit the ENTER key.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0727 12-17-91

                 AST 5251/11 ENHANCED WITH P.C. SUPPORT

PROBLEM: When sending large print jobs using the virtual print feature

             within P.C. Support, the system locks up.
             Customer is unable to get P.C. Support version 1.3 or higher
             to initialize.

CAUSE: The AST Twinax Adapter Handler (ASTTWNAH.EXE) version 1.01 did

             not handle the print functions properly.  The 1.01 version of
             the adapter handler was not designed to  work with version 1.3
             or version 2.1 of P.C. Support.

SOLUTION: The new version of the Twinax Adapter Handler version 1.20

             fixes all of the above problems.  The part numbers are as
             follows:
             910395-002     5.25" diskette
             910395-032     3.50" diskette

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0728 12-26-91

             AST BRAVO 486/25 VIDEO BIOS ERRORS DURING POST

PROBLEM: When using a third party video card as the primary video in an

             AST Bravo 486/25, the following error message will be
             displayed during POST:
             "Cannot shadow video BIOS in shadow ram"
             "Press F1 key to continue or CTRL-ALT-ESC to setup"

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Bravo 486/25 system board with the following part number:

             202385-001

CAUSE: System BIOS Rel 1.10 does not have the option to disable the

             shadow BIOS.

SOLUTION: This problem has been resolved with release 1.20 of the system

             BIOS.  This system BIOS consist of two chips, part number
             237801-003 and 237802-003 revision A.  Customers experiencing
             the above problem should have the system BIOS upgraded.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0729 01-03-92

              AST PREMIUM II 386SX-20 AND DEC PCSA SOFTWARE

PROBLEM: System will not remote boot with DEC's PCSA revision 4.0E

             software.  The system will hang during the execution of the
             CONFIG.SYS file.

AFFECTED SYSTEM: AST Premium II 386SX-20 system.

CAUSE: Incompatibility between DEC's PCSA revision 4.0E software and

             AST's Premium II 386SX-20 system.

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing this problem should contact DEC for a

             software upgrade, PCSA revision 4.1 will resolve this problem.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0730 01-06-92

      AST SYSTEMS WITH PS/2 MOUSE PORT AND CH PRODUCTS ROLLER MOUSE

PROBLEM: When a CH Products Roller Mouse is attached to the AST PS/2

             type mouse port , it will lock up the keyboard or display the
             following error message after POST:
             "Mouse not installed"

CAUSE: Incompatibility between CH Products Roller Mouse and AST's

             PS/2 mouse port.

AFFECTED SYSTEM: AST Premium 386SX-20 and Bravo 486-25 with the following

             system board part numbers:
             202382-002 and 202385-001

SOLUTION: This problem has been resolved with release 1.02.01 of the

             keyboard controller, part number 237002-002 revision A.
             Customers experiencing this problem should have their keyboard
             controller upgraded.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0731 01-06-92

                   AST 486 SYSTEMS AND MICROSOFT EXCEL

PROBLEM: When running Microsoft Excel version 3.0 with a Postscript

             printer and doing a "Print Preview" in landscape mode with the
             print expanded 150%, the software will generate the following
             error message:
             "NON-RECOVERABLE APPLICATION ERROR"

SYMPTOM: All AST 486 based systems experience "NON-RECOVERABLE

             APPLICATION ERRORS" (UAE).  A system reset is required to
             recover from this problem.  The UAE's will not occur while
             printing, only when doing a print preview.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All AST 486 models.

SOLUTION: This is not a problem that AST can resolve. Microsoft Windows

             version 3.1 (BETA) has been tested by AST and does not
             experience the same problem.  Customers experiencing the above
             problem should contact Microsoft Product Support at (206) 637-
             7098 for a resolution.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0732 11-04-91

       AST PREMIUM II WITH 387SX MATH CO-PROCESSOR AND WINDOWS 3.0

PROBLEM: Running Windows 3.0 in Standard mode with a 80387SX math co-

             processor installed may cause the system to hang and display
             the error message:
                "Not ready error drive C:, abort, retry, ignore, fail?"

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Systems with the following motherboards installed:

                AST
             PART NUMBER        DESCRIPTION         LOCATION
             202356-00X     CUPID Motherboard         U85
             202360-00X     CLEM Motherboard          U29
             202373-00X     MS CLEM Motherboard       U22

CAUSE: When a Texas Instruments or I.M.P. 82C206 Interrupt Controller

             is used on the above motherboards, the INTR signal is left
             set, causing the system to hang.  This failure is only noticed
             when running Windows version 3.0 in the Standard mode with an
             80387SX math co-processor installed.

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing this failure should have their system

             motherboard returned to AST for replacement of the 82C206 IC
             (AST part number 106000-619).
             NOTE:  The repair/replacement order for the motherboard
                    obtained from AST must specify that the disqualified
                    component at location U?? be replaced.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0733 01-06-92

                    WINFAX ERRORS AND MICROSOFT WORKS

PROBLEM: When faxing/printing documents with Microsoft Works the

             software reports the following error message:
             "The page size and orientation settings for your printer do
             not match the page size settings in your document".
             This is an error in the software only.  To get around this
             problem select the "continue" option in the dialog box.

CAUSE: Microsoft Works for Windows does not read the page orientation

             settings correctly.  This problem occurs when running Works
             for Windows only.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All AST systems running Windows 3.0, Works for Windows and

             Winfax 2.0 from Delrina Technology, Inc.

SOLUTION: This is not an issue that AST can resolve. Customers

             experiencing this problem should contact Microsoft Works for
             Windows technical support at (206) 635-7130 for a resolution.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0734 01-06-92

                    BRAVO 386SX-20 AND MICROSOFT WORD

PROBLEM: When using Microsoft Word version 5.0 and 5.5 on a Bravo

             386SX-20 with a PS/2 compatible mouse the system will lock up.
             The system will lock up when WORD is typed at the DOS prompt
             and the enter key is pressed or when trying to access WORD
             through Windows 3.0.  This lock up occurs when the mouse
             driver is installed.

CAUSE: This problem is caused by Microsoft's file called SCREEN.VID,

             which contains the video and keyboard drivers used for Word.

AFFECTED SYSTEM: Bravo 386SX-20 and Premium II 386SX-20

SOLUTION: This is not a problem that AST can resolve. Customers

             experiencing this problem should contact Microsoft's Technical
             Support for a new copy of SCREEN.VID to resolve the problem.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0735 01-16-92

                      FASTBOARD 386 AND DR-DOS 6.0

PROBLEM: When installing the driver FB386.SYS under Digital Research's

             DR-DOS 6.0, the FB386.SYS driver will fail to load and display
             the following error message:
             "FB386.SYS not loaded - illegal parameter specified".

CAUSE: Incompatibility between the FB386.SYS release 1.2 and Digital

             Research DOS 6.0

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Fastboard 386

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing this problem should upgrade their

             FB386.SYS driver to version 1.22 or later.  This driver is
             available on the AST On-Line! BBS and also on the Fastboard
             386 driver diskette (AST part number 910281-001 revision E).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0736 01-21-92

                    PREMIUM 486/25 AND IMSI PET MOUSE

PROBLEM: When using a Pet Mouse, a PS/2 compatible mouse manufactured

             by Imsi on a Premium 486-25 the following errors will occur:
  1. The system will lock up with the Pet Mouse plugged into the

mouse port (motherboard part number 202360-001).

  1. If the system passes its POST test the Pet Mouse will be

recognized as a serial mouse connect to COM1: IRQ: 4 I/O:

               3F8, instead of a PS/2 mouse.

CAUSE: The cause of this problem is the keyboard controller revision

             1.01, which is located at U15.

SYSTEM AFFECTED: All systems that have motherboard part number 202360-001.

SOLUTION: This problem is resolved by replacing the revision 1.01

             keyboard controller with revision 1.02.  This keyboard
             controller (part number 237002-002) can be ordered through
             AST's Product Support Department.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0737 01-23-92

                  PREMIUM EXEC AND MICROSOFT PS/2 MOUSE

Problems have been reported with some Microsoft PS/2 Serial and PS/2 Mice when attached to the mouse port of AST Premium Exec 386SX-20 and 386SX-25 systems. The mouse may exhibit either intermittent operation or a failure to initialize after executing the mouse driver. This problem does not occur if the same mouse is attached to the Premium Exec's serial port.

The cause of the problem is that some Microsoft Mice release the clock and data lines too quickly when the system is first powered on. The problem has been resolved on Premium Exec 386SX-20 systems with version 1.05 of the Keyboard BIOS and on Premium Exec 386SX/25 systems with version 1.15 System BIOS.

Premium Exec users experiencing this problem should contact an AST Authorized Service Center and obtain the following:

     PRODUCT                   DESCRIPTION           PART NUMBER
  Premium Exec 386SX-20    BIOS Upgrade 1.07/1.05    500892-001
  Premium Exec 386SX-25    System BIOS 1.15          237838-005

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0738 01-23-92

               PREMIUM EXEC AND MICROSOFT BALLPOINT MOUSE

Incorrect operation of the Suspend/Resume Feature may occur when using a Microsoft Ballpoint Mouse connected to the Premium Exec's Keyboard/Mouse Port. The system will lock up when attempting to return from the suspend mode.

This problem occurs only when using version 8.0 and version 8.1 of Microsoft device drivers (MOUSE.COM & MOUSE.SYS). Earlier versions of this device driver do not exhibit this problem. In order to resolve the problem, substitute an earlier version of the device driver.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0739 11-11-91

                 AST PREMIUM 486/33 WITH GERMAN KEYBOARD

An incompatibility was discovered with AST German Keyboard ("AST230098- 004C"), KEYB.COM (DOS versions 3.3 and 4.01) and 486/33 processors. When KEYB.COM is loaded, "^@" will be displayed on the screen. The Alt-GR (third- shift-key) will not function properly.

KEYB.COM, revision 3.30E6 will resolve the problem with DOS versions 3.3 and 4.01. The file name is KEYB.ZIP and can be found on AST's On-Line! Bulletin Board System.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0740 01-15-92

            AST PREMIUM EXEC WITH PC HF WEATHER FAX SOFTWARE

PROBLEM: Software Systems Consulting (SSC) produces a PC HF Weather Fax

             software package that is incompatible with the core logic used
             in the AST Premium Exec notebooks.  The Western Digital
             WD76C10 device is not unique to AST notebooks.  The PC HF
             Facsimile version 5.0 does not properly display the weather
             satellite images.

CAUSE: The Western Digital WD76C10 is not compatible with the

             software timing of the Software Systems HF Weather Fax.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All AST Premium Exec notebooks, as well as all other vendors

             notebooks that utilize the Western Digital WD76C10 device.

SOLUTION: There is no solution to this problem. SSC has agreed to give

             any customers using their software on such a system a refund.
             Customers reporting this problem should contact SSC at (714)
             498-5784.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0741 01-22-92

                    PREMIUM EXEC WITH MICROSOFT EXCEL

PROBLEM: During the installation process, the EXECEL.EXE file does not

             fully copy onto the hard drive.  This results in an incomplete
             installation of Excel.

SYMPTOM: When "double clicking" on the Excel Icon, the following

             message appears:
             "System error: Divide by Zero error".

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium Exec 386SX/25

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing this problem should upgrade the BIOS to

             revision 1.12 or higher.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0742 01-24-92

              MICROSOFT WINDOWS 3.0 AND ENHANCED VGA MODES

PROBLEM: When running the application WordPerfect 5.1 in 132x43 column

             text mode under Windows 3.0 (Real, Standard, or Enhanced
             modes) and switching between tasks using the <ALT> + <TAB> key
             sequence, or using the Task List, when the user switches away
             from and then back to the WordPerfect session the screen is
             blank with only a flashing cursor on the screen.

CAUSE: Microsoft has advised AST that Windows does not support DOS

             applications (WordPerfect and others) running in extended
             graphics modes such as 132x43 column text mode or 640x400x256
             graphics mode.  Windows will only support standard VGA text
             and graphics modes for these applications.

SOLUTION: Run DOS applications in standard VGA modes only.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0743 01-24-92

              AST PREMIUM EXEC 386 AND HEALTHDYNE SOFTWARE

PROBLEM: When the Healthdyne database software accesses the math co-

             processor in a Premium Exec 386/SX-20 the following error
             message "Stack Frame Error" displays and then returns to a dos
             prompt.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium Exec 386/SX-20 and Premium Exec 386SX-25

CAUSE: The software when started with a batch file "GO 1" mis-

             identifies the L.C.D. screen and the environment created is
             incorrect.  The correct environment is created by the software
             if the screen is identified as color CGA, EGA, or VGA display.

SOLUTION: Revision "B" of the software has been released by Healthdyne

             that detects the display attached thereby correcting the above
             problem.  A temporary solution is to start the program with
             the "GO 2" batch file, which identifies the screen as a VGA
             display.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0744A 03-04-92

            AST 486 BASED SYSTEMS WITH ADAPTEC 1540 AND 1542B

PROBLEM: AST 486 based systems using an Adaptec 1540 and 1542B SCSI HBA

             shows a significant loss of performance by Checkit and
             Sprinrite.  Data transfer rates are reduced by 33 percent when
             compared to a Premium/386-33 or a Premium 386SX-16 system.

CAUSE: Adaptec's controller request for the bus are being held off

             while the 486 completes code fetch sequences from Adaptec's
             byte-wide BIOS ROM.  This results in 16 accesses to the ROM
             over the bus, because the 486 processor fetches 128 bits at a
             time then releases the bus.  The 386 processor fetches 32 bits
             then releases the bus.  Since the 486 processor holds Adaptec
             controller off the bus longer during this access, the overall
             performance is significantly reduced as compared to the 386
             based system.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST 486 based systems

SOLUTION: It has been determined that this problem will not be fixed.

             Customers experiencing this problem should use QEMM-386
             version 5.1 or equivalent as a workaround.  This application
             will allow shadowing of the Adaptec BIOS which will resolve
             the problem.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0745 01-30-92

         AST SYSTEMS AND AST 5251/11 TERMINAL EMULATION PROGRAM

PROBLEM: Customers using AST-5251/11 Terminal Emulation program version

             4.40 or earlier, may experience intermittently displayed
             characters (2,4,6,8) while using the stand alone cursor keys
             on a 101 enhanced keyboard.  When a cursor key is depressed
             and held down a number will be inserted on the screen if
             immediately preceding the depressing of the shift key.

CAUSE: Incompatibility between AST 101 enhanced keyboard part number

             230098-001 revision "C", and AST-5251/11 Terminal Emulation
             program.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All AST systems using 101 enhanced keyboards, part number

             230098-001 revision "C" .

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing this problem should have their keyboard

             part number 230098-001 upgraded to revision "D" or higher.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0746 02-20-92

                   AST SYSTEMS WITH DPTDDL.SYS DRIVER

PROBLEM: When loading the DPTDDL.SYS driver for the DPT hard disk

             controller the following error message is displayed:
             "Warning: SCSI BIOS ROM version is later than the driver
             version".

AFFECTED SYSTEM: All AST systems.

CAUSE: The DPTDDL.SYS provided by AST only supports SmartRom version

             prior to revision "C".

SOLUTION: If the DPT HBA (Host Bus Adapter) PM2012 has revision "C" or

             later of the SmartRom then the DPTDDL.SYS required can be
             downloaded from DPT Bulletin Board Service (B.B.S.), telephone
             number 407-831-6432.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0747 02-21-92

                  RAMPAGEPLUS/MC AND DCA 3270/MC BOARD

PROBLEM: When installing a DCA 3270/MC board in an IBM PS/2 system with

             a RampagePlus/MC board already installed, after completing the
             DCA 3270 installation, the memory previously supplied by the
             RampagePlus/MC board will no longer be counted during post.

CAUSE: The ASTART.EXE program supplied with the RampagePlus/MC board

             does not correctly register memory on the IBM reference disk,
             which allows the DCA 3270/MC board to corrupt the
             RampagePlus/MC memory configuration.

SOLUTION: Use the ASTART.EXE (version 1.21.01) available on the AST On-

             Line! BBS.  (This is not an AST released driver, and AST makes
             no warranty regarding the usability of this driver).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0748 03-18-92

                      BIOS SHADOWING IN AST SYSTEMS

This document presents information on the topic of BIOS shadowing. Persistent misinformation and rumors abound on BIOS shadowing. If properly informed most users should view shadowing as a positive and significant performance enhancer rather than a feature to be avoided.

Performance:

System BIOS and video BIOS shadowing is done to improve performance. This is done by executing the BIOS code out of RAM rather than ROM. A performance gain is achieved by executing out of RAM because it has a much faster response time than the ROM. The slower response time of the ROM acts as a barrier to today's higher speed processors.

Shadowing Location:

During POST the system BIOS copies an image of itself as well as an image of the video BIOS into RAM. The location where this image is copied depends on the vendor's philosophies as well as hardware capabilities. The AST philosophy is to follow the strategy of "in-place" shadowing. What in-place shadowing means is that the system BIOS will be copied into RAM located at F000:0 and the video BIOS will be copied into RAM located at C000:0. For those familiar with the PC architecture, in-place shadowing locates the shadowed BIOS at the same location as the ROM version (unshadowed BIOS).

Early in AST's systems history, the hardware was not able to support the in- place shadowing strategy. The very early systems would shadow the system BIOS at F000:0 but the video BIOS had to be shadowed at E000:0. Progress in AST's hardware development made in-place shadowing possible for systems starting in the latter part of 1989. The choice of shadowing in-place or not is limited by hardware and is not a BIOS design issue.

Advantages of In-place:

Shadowing in-place has the significant advantage of conserving valuable upper memory addresses. A typical unshadowed system will utilize a total of 96K bytes of valuable address space between the 640K and 1M region. This is allocated as 64K bytes at F000:0 for the system BIOS and 32K bytes at C000:0 for the VGA BIOS. The AST strategy of in-place shadowing utilizes exactly 96K bytes of this valuable address space when shadowing is activated. A different shadowing strategy commonly utilizes 160K bytes of this address space between 640K and 1M.

The chart below illustrates how the in-place shadowing strategy conserves valuable upper memory addresses.

Upper Memory Address Utilization:

             No Shadow      In-Place       Other Scheme

C0000-C7FFF VGA BIOS VGA BIOS VGA BIOS (ROM) E0000-EFFFF not used not used VGA BIOS (Shadowed) F0000-FFFFF system BIOS system BIOS system BIOS total space 96K bytes 96K bytes 160K bytes

The second significant advantage of in-place shadowing is that it presents the same characteristics as the typical unshadowed system. For programs which "sniff" or search the 640K - 1M region, a system which has in-place shadowing has the video BIOS and system BIOS in exactly the same locations as the typical unshadowed system. There is no anomaly as in other shadowing strategies which have a video BIOS located at C000:0 (the ROM image) as well as at E000:0 (the shadow image).

Reserved Memory:

All current AST systems as well as all new AST designs have 128K bytes of reserved memory set aside to support shadowing. All memory except this 128K bytes is available to the user. The reserved memory is used as the shadow RAM. There has been no attempt to design systems where only 96K is reserved rather than 128K. Providing this extra 32K to the user would significantly increase hardware costs.

There are a few exceptions to the 128K reserved memory rule. The Bravo 286/16 is an example of a system which gives reserved memory back to the user. This extra 128K is available if shadowing is turned off in specific memory configurations. Because of the costs and complications involved to provide an extra 128K bytes of memory for the minority of users who wish to disable shadowing, AST systems will continue with the 128K reserved memory rule.

Write Protection:

Write protecting the shadowed BIOS is important as it prevents program bugs or poorly designed programs from destroying the video or system BIOS images in RAM. This issue affects AST as well as all system vendors. This write protection attribute coupled with the in-place shadowing yields the perfect shadowing scheme.

Systems with cache can present a wrinkle in write protecting the shadow RAM. Until very recently, AST systems with cache did not provide the hardware capability to write protect the video BIOS shadow area. Write protection of the video BIOS shadow area was complicated by the fact that the cache was caching the video BIOS addresses. (The system BIOS area has been write protected as the cache does not cover the system BIOS addresses.) With the exception of 486 based systems, recent AST designs now fully write protect the shadowed BIOS areas.

The internal cache of the 486 chip presents a challenge to write protection schemes which AST as well as all other vendors are faced with. Essentially there are no hooks in the 486 which allow hardware designers to implement write protection of shadowed areas which are covered by the 486's cache. While full write protection could be achieved by preventing the 486 cache from covering the video BIOS area, this results in a significant performance degradation in video benchmarks.

The AST solution to the write protection dilemma of 486 systems is to write protect the shadow RAM. While this does not prevent the cached copy of the video BIOS from being overwritten, the cache will always be able to fetch a correct copy from the protected shadow RAM whenever a cache load cycle is done. This pseudo write protection of the video BIOS presents a much smaller window of vulnerability to program bugs.

Permanent Shadowing:

All new AST systems and recent BIOS updates provide a feature called permanent shadowing. This feature no longer provides the user with the option to disable shadowing. With in-place shadowing and write protection of the shadowed BIOS, there is little reason to disable shadowing. Disabling shadowing only provides the user with a slower system. As mentioned earlier the reserved memory is typically not returned back to the user when shadowing is disabled.

Summary:

This paper has attempted to answer many of the persistent questions surrounding shadowing. It has also reiterated the long term AST strategy which, when implemented, results in the perfect shadowing scheme.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0749 03-27-92

          INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER SETS AND EXTENDED TEXT MODES

PROBLEM: When using extended video text modes such as 132x25 or 132x43

             on the AST Bravo 386SX-20 using AST DOS 5.0, in conjunction
             with an international code page such as Hebrew, the Bravo will
             revert to the US code page.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All systems using AST DOS 5.0

SOLUTION: AST Product Marketing has determined that this problem will

             not be fixed.  Only the US character set will be supported in
             extended text modes at this time.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0750 04-01-92

                 PREMIUM EXEC NI-CAD BATTERY INFORMATION

PROBLEM: All Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cad) rechargeable batteries have the

             inherent "memory" property that can cause early low voltage
             indications and premature system shutdown.

CAUSE: When a Ni-Cad battery is put through repeated partial-

             discharge / recharge cycles, and is drained to approximately
             the same level each time - down to half capacity, for example
             - it develops a "memory" of this point in the discharge
             process.  Once established, Ni-Cad memory distorts the
             battery's voltage output profile.  The battery will produce a
             normal voltage until drained to the memorized location, but
             thereafter its voltage output abruptly sags to a sub-normal
             value, and stays below normal until actual battery depletion.
             The voltage depression can be deep enough to cause the
             Notebook to prematurely issue the low battery warning (audible
             beep and lighted amber LED) or battery fail warning (audible
             beep and blinking amber LED.)

SOLUTION: The Ni-Cad battery "memory" effect can be corrected by

             "conditioning" the battery, a process which simply consists of
             fully discharging the battery before recharging.
             The battery pack should never be disturbed while the system is
             in use or while the battery is being charged.  To remove or
             install a battery, the system should be powered down and the
             AC adapter removed.
             AST recommends conditioning the battery pack monthly to
             promote optimum performance.  Conditioning of new, out-of-the-
             box Ni-Cad battery pack is also strongly recommended. Listed
             below are the steps required to correctly condition the
             Premium Exec Ni-Cad battery:
             1. Charge the Ni-Cad battery up to full capacity.
             2. Disconnect the AC adapter.
             3. Configure the Notebook's Setup Menu as shown below.

IMPORTANT: Note that Suspend must be ENABLED!

             Default Speed:       HIGH
             Backlight Timeout:   0
             Hard Disk Timeout:   0
             Suspend:             ENABLE
             Software Timeout:    0
             (Exec SX-25 and
             SX-25 color only)
             Turbo Mode:          ON AT BOOT
             Speaker:             ENABLE
             Other Parameters:    Don't care

This configuration results in a near-maximum load on the battery during the first part of the conditioning process. Suspend mode then prevents an excessive drain rate as the battery nears depletion.

             4. Store  the setup  menu setting  and exit.   The system will
                reboot and the screen will display the DOS prompt.
             5. Keep  the Notebook powered up with its LCD display open for
                12 TO 24 HOURS.

Most will find that overnight conditioning of the battery is the most convenient method.

It is safe to use the Notebook in the normal fashion during the conditioning process. However, the following precautions must be observed:

                a. Save your work and exit all applications back to the DOS
                   prompt immediately after the first low battery warning.
                   Allow the Notebook to remain powered up with the LCD
                   display open, however.
                b. A full 12 hours of on-time will insure complete battery
                   discharge even with premature suspend activation caused
                   by the "memory" effect.
             6. After 12 hours, turn the Notebook off.  Recharge the
                battery by attaching the AC adapter.  Connect the AC
                adapter to the Notebook before plugging the adapter into
                the AC socket.  Connecting the AC adapter in this sequence
                insures that the Notebook battery management system senses
                all signals on the DIN connector appropriately.

NOTE: After completing a "fast discharge", wait at least 5 minutes before connecting the AC Adapter/Charger to recharge the battery. If this is not done, the AC Adapter/Charger could switch to Trickle Charge mode instead of Fast Charge mode.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0751 04-06-92

                         HARD DRIVE OPTION KITS

The following Drive Option Kits are partitioned/formatted improperly and contain incorrect documentation:

500747-080: The drive was not accessible due to a "NON-DOS Partition"

             ERROR.  Initially, the drive was formatted/partitioned with
             DOS 5.0, it is not accessible by users of earlier versions of
             DOS.
             The user should contact AST and have the hard drive replaced.

500747-110: This Drive Option Kit contained a Western Digital drive with a

             CDC Installation Guide.
             The correct documentation is available in the Configuration
             Guide Manual (part number 001237-001) for the 110MB hard drive.

500747-200: This Drive Option Kit contained Maxtor drives with Western

             Digital jumper settings and documentation.
             The correct documentation is available in the Configuration
             Guide Manual (part number 001532-001) for the 200MB hard drive.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0752 04-08-92

                   VGA DRIVER SUPPORT FOR WINDOWS 3.1

PROBLEM: VGA drivers distributed with the AST systems do not support

             Microsoft Windows 3.1.  The following two problems will occur
             when attempting to load these drivers under Windows 3.1:
             1) The Windows 3.1 logo will be overwritten with a 3.0 logo.
             2) The 256 color drivers for both the 800x600 and 640x480
                resolutions operate slowly and with considerable flicker.
             The video drivers experiencing problems are contained on the
             following diskettes:
             DESCRIPTION                        PART NUMBER
        Premium II Integrated VGA drivers       910403-003/033
        Bravo Integrated VGA drivers            910524-031
        Advantage Integrated VGA drivers        910527-031

CAUSE: These drivers were written to support Windows 3.0 and were not

             meant to support Windows 3.1.

SOLUTION: There is no solution for the above problems until drivers for

             Windows 3.1 have been released.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0753 04-20-92

                PREMIUM II 386/33 WITH BARR/3 SDLC BOARD

PROBLEM: When using a Premium II 386/33, the BARR/3 SDLC board from

             BARR Systems will not function in DMA mode.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium II 386/33 Systems with Processor card (part number

             202403-002).

CAUSE: Incompatibility with the BARR/3 SDLC card.

SOLUTION: BARR Systems has modified their existing BARR/3 SDLC board,

             revision 1A, which functions correctly under DMA mode.
             Contact BARR Systems for upgrade information.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0754 05-20-92

              AST OFFICE ADVANTAGE 386SX/20 AND WINDOWS 3.0

PROBLEM: When using the AST Office Advantage 386SX/20 with a factory

             installed copy of Windows 3.0, Windows will not, by default,
             run in 386 enhanced mode.  By selecting "help" - "about" from
             the Program Manager menu, Windows will show that it is
             operating in "Standard Mode".

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Office Advantage 386SX/20

SOLUTION: Enter the system set-up screen by pressing and holding <CTRL>

             + <ALT> + <ESC> as the system boots.  Following the
             instructions on the set-up screen for moving the highlight
             bar, move to the "Shadow BIOS" field and select "Disable".
             Save the system configuration and reboot the system.  By
             disabling Shadow BIOS, an additional 128K of extended RAM will
             be available for Windows.  This additional extended RAM will
             be sufficient to allow Windows 3.0 to operate in 386 Enhanced
             Mode without any other modifications.  Alternately, adding
             additional memory to the system will also allow Windows 3.0 to
             run in Enhanced Mode.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0755 05-28-92

              THIRD FLOPPY DRIVE SUPPORT UNDER IBM OS/2 2.0

The system does not recognize the third physically installed floppy drive under IBM OS/2 version 2.0. However, the system recognizes the drive under DOS. The statement BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD in the IBM OS/2 2.0 CONFIG.SYS file is the default configuration for two floppy drive support in a non-IBM system. To have the third floppy drive supported under IBM OS/2 modify the BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD statement so that the file appears as follows:

                  BASEDEV=IBM1FLPY.ADD /UNIT:2 /F:1.2*
                                                 or
                                               /F:1.44

*Select the appropriate format for the third floppy drive which would be either a 1.2MB 5.25" (1.2) drive or a 1.44MB 3.5" (1.44) drive.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0756 06-01-92

                 PREMIUM EXEC 386SX/20 AND BATTERY WATCH

PROBLEM: When using a Microsoft PS/2 mouse connected to a Premium Exec

             with MS-DOS 5.0 and Battery Watch software, the mouse cursor
             will behave erratically when using the mouse in applications
             such as the MS-DOS Shell, Central Point PC Shell, etc.

CAUSE: This problem is caused by a conflict between Battery Watch and

             the Premium Exec keyboard controller.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium Exec systems shipped with the Traveling software

             Utilities disk (part number 910413-032).

SOLUTION: AST Portable Systems Engineering has determined that Battery

             Watch will not be upgraded to resolve this problem.  As a work
             around, AST suggests either attaching the mouse to the serial
             port using the appropriate PS/2-serial adapter or removing
             Battery Watch from the systems AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0757 06-09-92

                   AST PREMIUM 486/33 WITH SQL SERVER

PROBLEM: SQL Server version 4.2 hangs during installation or log-on

             while using the system administrators facility (SAF) with a
             486DX processor card.  This error occurs either in an ISA or
             EISA system.

CAUSE: The problem has been isolated to the current version of BIOS.

             If CMOS byte 41, bit 4 is high (co-processor disabled), SQL
             Administrator will hang.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: 486DX/25 or 33 ISA or EISA.

SOLUTION: The following are two solutions available until a new version

             of BIOS is released:
             1) Using Debug type in the following instructions to determine
                the status of the byte 41:
                o 70 41    ;point to byte 41
                i 71       ;get the byte
             Then adjust the value so that bit 4 is low (example: F8h
             becomes E8h).  Write the new value back to CMOS using the
             following instructions:
                o 70 41     ;point to the byte
                o 71 xx     ;xx=new value in hex
             2) Temporarily install a 386DX or SX processor board. Boot and
                go into setup.  Tab down to the field for Enable/Disable
                Co-processor.  Set to enable.  Save and  exit.  Then,
                reinstall the 486 processor board.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0758 05-27-92

           AST PREMIUM EXEC AND THE WESTERN DIGITAL 60MB DRIVE

PROBLEM: The following symptoms occur in Premium Exec systems which

             have a Western Digital WDAH-260-00 model drive installed:
  1. An "ERROR INITIALIZING HARD DRIVE" occurs upon booting the

system.

  1. The hard drive will spin down on its own.
  1. The drive cannot be accessed for 25-30 seconds after

returning from SUSPEND operation.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All Premium Exec systems.

CAUSE: This is a firmware problem with the Western Digital drives.

             The version of the firmware can be identified by the "CCC"
             (Customer Configuration Code) which is part of the
             manufacturer's configuration information displayed on the
             label.  Drives with a CCC of "D6" will exhibit the above
             symptoms.  To view the label, the keyboard must be removed.
                                CAUTION:
             This operation should be performed by a qualified service
             technician.  It is strongly recommended that it be completed
             by an AST Authorized Service Center.  In no case will AST
             Research, Inc. be liable for damage to the system and its
             components or loss of data caused by improper modification.

SOLUTION: The hard drive should be replaced with a drive having a CCC

             code designated "B2".  The model number for this drive is
             WDAH260-02.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0759B 12-15-92

                               SIMM MATRIX

The ensuing chart list the appropriate part numbers for SIMMs to be used with the AST line of computers. Please note the appropriate speed and memory size for the SIMM to be used.

Note: As a portion of the data is in pictorial form, it is not included

     here.  To obtain a complete copy of this techncial bulletin, contact:
                           AST RESEARCH, INC.
                           16215 ALTON PARKWAY
                            IRVINE, CA 92718
                       ATTENTION:  PRODUCT SUPPORT

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0760 06-10-92

             ASTIVGA.EXE ON THE PREMIUM II AND BRAVO SYSTEMS

PROBLEM: The Premium II User's Manual (AST part number 001129-001

             revision X), refers to using a video utility called
             ASTIVGA.EXE.  When trying to access ASTIVGA.EXE, an error
             occurs indicating that this file is not found.  The problem is
             a result of an upgrade to the System Utilities disk for DOS
             5.0 support.

EFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium II and BRAVO

RESOLUTION: AST combined the ASTIVGA.EXE module with the ASTMENU.EXE

             module.  Unfortunately, the documentation does not reflect
             the  changes to the section regarding the proper use of the new
             ASTIVGA.EXE.  These additional commands were not added.
             However, the following mode instructions will enable specific
             mode commands to be entered from either the command line or from
             within a batch file.  These commands are not upper or lower case
             sensitive.

SYNTAX: ASTMENU ASTIVGA <mode> [<option>]

PARAMETERS: <mode>

             COLOR, MONO, EGA, CGA, MDA, HERC0, HERC1, 13225C, 13225M,
             13243C, 13243M, 800C, 800M, LOCK, REBOOT
             [<option>]
             LOCK, REBOOT
             The LOCK and REBOOT options may also be implemented as a <mode>
             statement.  LOCK maintains the selected mode through a
             warm-boot, but is reset by a cold-boot, system reset, or if the
             ASTIVGA.EXE program is repeated.  The REBOOT option is used to
             reboot the system into a particular mode.  This option is
             typically used to warm boot the system into a non-VGA environment.
             If the selected mode is 800x or 132xxx, the REBOOT option will
             revert back to the monitor's native mode.

EXAMPLES: ASTMENU ASTIVGA CGA REBOOT

             ASTMENU ASTIVGA MONO LOCK
             ASTMENU REBOOT

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0761 06-24-92

   AST PREMIUM EXEC 386SX-25 AND CARRIER CORP. SOFTWARE PROTECTION KEY

PROBLEM: When using the application "Building Supervisor III" from

             Carrier Corp. on the Premium Exec 386SX-25, the application
             will fail to load and display the error message "Access key
             not attached!"

CAUSE: This problem is caused by an incompatibility between the

             Carrier Corp. software protection key and the parallel port
             implementation of the Premium Exec.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium Exec 386SX-20 (All models)

             Premium Exec 386SX-25 (All models)
             Premium Exec 386SX-25C (All models)

SOLUTION: AST Sustaining Engineering has determined that this problem

             will not be fixed on the Premium Exec.  Carrier Corp. has
             advised AST that a software patch may be available which eases
             the timing requirements for accessing the security key.
             Customers experiencing this problem should contact Carrier
             Corp. and request the software patch for AST notebooks.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0762 07-01-92

      AST 5251/11 ENHANCED AND PC GUARDIAN "VIRUS PREVENTION PLUS"

PROBLEM: When using the application "Virus Prevention Plus" from PC

             Guardian Security Products, with AST 5251/11 Enhanced
             emulation software, any attempt to unload emulation from
             memory will result in a system lock-up.

CAUSE: With "Virus Prevention Plus" resident in memory, AST 5251/11

             Enhanced emulation will not unload correctly because its
             software interrupt vectors have been changed by the PC
             Guardian software.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST 5251/11 Enhanced

SOLUTION: AST EPD Marketing has determined that this problem will not be

             fixed.  The AST 5251/11 Enhanced emulation product is working
             as designed.  To force emulation to unload after its software
             interrupt vectors have been changed may corrupt the interrupt
             vector chain and cause failures with other DOS applications.
             As a work around, AST recommends either not loading "Virus
             Prevention Plus" when using 5251/11 Enhanced emulation or
             rebooting the system to unload emulation.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0763 07-16-92

                       AST MONOCHROME VGA MONITORS

PROBLEM: When using the AST Monochrome VGA monitor near fluorescent

             lighting, the display may flicker slightly, especially when
             turning on fluorescent lights.

CAUSE: The flicker is caused by the frequency difference between the

             fluorescent light (60Hz) and the scanning frequency of the
             monitor (50Hz).

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Monochrome VGA monitors.

SOLUTION: It is recommended that any fluorescent lighting, such as that

             found in modular workstations, be located at least 20" or more
             from the rear of the monitor to prevent flickering.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0764 07-17-92

      AST POWER PREMIUM SYSTEMS AND HARDWARE CURSOR IMPLEMENTATION

PROBLEM: When using the AST Power Premium with Windows 3.X running in

             32K color video modes, such as 640x480x32K, the mouse cursor
             will blink when placed over areas of the Windows desktop that
             are being redrawn.

CAUSE: The Western Digital 90C31 VGA controller is not specifically

             designed to utilize the hardware cursor in 32K (16 bit) color
             modes.  This limitation is not a problem with the Western
             Digital controller, but is caused by the lack of a color
             palette in 32K color mode.  In addition, mouse cursor width
             and color availability would be adversely affected.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Power Premium systems.

SOLUTION: Due to the limitations outlined above, a hardware cursor is

             not implemented in 32K color mode.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0765 07-20-92

                     AST SYSTEMS AND NORTON DESKTOP

PROBLEM: When running Norton Desktop under Windows 3.1 in 800x600 video

             mode, the screen does not refresh correctly and all colors are
             not displayed.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Various AST 486 and 386 systems.

CAUSE: The problem occurs when the software tries to identify the

             video controller and define a new color palette.  It falsely
             identifies our video as an EGA and hence we see the problem.

SOLUTION: The software has an undocumented switch that fixes this

             problem.
             The following line should be entered into the NDW.INI file,
             which is located in the Windows directory.
                  [SYSTEM INFORMATION]
                  skipvideo=1
             The editing should be done using a text editor such as the
             Windows Notepad.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0766 07-21-92

                AST POWER PREMIUM AND PEN POINT SOFTWARE

PROBLEM: After running Pen Point software from GO Corp when the system

             is re-booted the CMOS information is corrupted.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All AST Power Premium systems

CAUSE: The problem is caused by a bug in the software due to which an

             I/O write of F0h is executed to I/O port 816h, this is an
             address at which EISA CMOS resides.

SOLUTION: A file named MIL.INI contained in the \penpoint\boot directory

             should be modified as indicated below:
                  1. At line 145 change LPT1=true to LPT1=false
                  2. At line 147 change LPT2=true to LPT2=false

NOTE: For further information customers can contact GO Corp and reference

     bug# 29273.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0767 07-17-92

         ADVANTAGE/BRAVO SYSTEMS AND AST/WINDOWS 3.1 LOGO SCREEN

Some AST Advantage and Bravo systems are shipped from the factory with Microsoft Windows 3.1 pre-installed on the hard drive. The initial logo screen which is displayed when Windows is started is a special logo, which is a combination Microsoft and AST banner. When the Windows SETUP program is used to change the default display driver from "VGA" to another type of display driver, the "dual" logo is overwritten by the standard Microsoft-only logo.

To restore the original "dual" logo, perform the following steps, first making sure that Windows is not loaded:

  1.  From the DOS prompt, change directories to "n:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM", where
      "n" is the drive where Windows is installed.
  2.  Using the DOS COPY command, copy the file ASTWLGO4.RLE to
      VGALOGO.RLE.
  3.  Change directories to n:\WINDOWS.
  4.  Run SETUP and select DISPLAY from the "System Information" list.
  5.  Use the arrow keys to select VGA.
  6.  Accept this configuration.
  7.  Choose "use current driver" when prompted by SETUP, and exit SETUP.

The next time Windows is started, the logo screen should be as it was shipped from the factory.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0768 07-23-92

            AST PREMIUM II 386/33 AND TORUS ETHERNET ADAPTER

PROBLEM: When using the AST Premium II 386/33 with the Torus Ethernet

             Adapter in a Microsoft LAN Manager 2.X environment, the system
             will fail to map drives or access files on the file server and
             will display the error message "DOS Error 5."

CAUSE: The Torus Ethernet is a bus-mastering card that is not

             compatible with the Premium II, Premium CLEM, and Bravo 486
             series of computers.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Premium II systems.

             AST Premium CLEM systems.
             AST Bravo 486 systems.

SOLUTION: AST Sustaining Engineering has determined that this problem

             will not be fixed.  AST suggests using an alternate network
             interface card.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0769A 11-10-92

                   AST SVGA 14" LOW RADIATION MONITOR

PROBLEM: When using the 1024x768 mode on the SVGA 14" low radiation

             monitor, the picture will shift to the left.

CAUSE: This is due to a timing issue within the monitor itself.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: SVGA 14" low radiation monitor part number 500902-XXX

             revision A.

SOLUTION: Replace revision A monitor with a revision B monitor part

             number 500902-001, 002, or 003.

NOTE: The part number 500902-XXX on the packing box will remain revision A.

     However, the part number on the monitor itself will change to 230253-
     XXX revision B.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0770 07-28-92

      PREMIUM EXEC DATA FAX\SEND RECEIVE MODEM AND BITFAX SOFTWARE

PROBLEM: Unable to receive facsimiles while using BITFAX version

             3.07.03, by Bit Software Inc., on a Premium Exec with a Data
             FAX/Send Receive Modem.  May also display error message: "COM2
             not functional--Try another COM port", if the "Test Fax Modem"
             option is selected under BFtest.

CAUSE: The modem needs to be initialized before connecting the

             Premium Exec to a facsimile machine.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All Premium Exec systems using the BITFAX software with a Data

             FAX/Send Receive Modem with one of the following part numbers:
                     230175-002 or 230175-003

SOLUTION: Execute the "ASTMODEM ON" file which is included with the Data

             FAX/Send Receive Modem package before the BITFAX software is
             executed.  This file can either be executed from the
             AUTOEXEC.BAT file or from a DOS command prompt.  Use "ASTMODEM
             OFF" to disable the modem.  The "Internal Adapter" option
             under SYSTEM SETUP should also be set to "ENABLE".

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0771 08-12-92

                         AT&T UNIX AND AST SYSTEMS

PROBLEM: Cannot boot with AT&T UNIX System V/386 Release 4.0 Version

             2.1.

CAUSE: AT&T UNIX interprets an SMC floppy controller as a 82077

             controller when in fact it is a 37C65. This puts the 37C65
             part into an invalid mode causing a "panic error".

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: All systems using an SMC floppy controller.

SOLUTION: AT&T only supports AT&T machines with AT&T UNIX. Therefore,

             AST cannot support the Operating System and recommends that
             customers use SCO UNIX System version 3.2.4, Microport SVR4 or
             other upcoming UNIX's which will support AST systems.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0772 08-17-92

            BRAVO 386SX/16 SYSTEMS HANG ON DOS 5.0 INSTALLATION

PROBLEM: AST DOS 5.0 hangs during installation when using keyboard

             part number 230098-001 revision E, E1 and G.
             The AST DOS 5.0 installation will complete using keyboard
             part number 230098-001 Revision D.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Bravo 386SX/16

SOLUTION: If Revision E, E1 or G keyboards are being used, you must

             disable NUMLOCK in the CMOS setup before attempting to
             install AST DOS 5.0.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0773 08-25-92

                   3COM COMPATIBILITY IN AST EISA SYSTEMS

PROBLEM: There is a bus timing problem with 3COM's 3C507 Coax board

             previous to modification 11, revision B and on the 3C507 TP
             board modification 4, revision B.

CAUSE: When 3COM 3C507 Coax and 3C507 TP network interface cards are

             installed in AST EISA based systems, the following symptoms
             will occur:
  1. Intermittent lock ups
  2. Unreliable performance
  3. ABEND (NetWare)
  4. Trap Errors (OS/2)

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: 386 Tower EISA, 486 Tower EISA, Premium SE, Power Premium, and

             486 Desktop EISA.

SOLUTION: The following revisions must be installed to fix the problem:

             The 3C507 Coax board must be a modification 11 or higher and
             of revision B or higher.  This information is located in the
             upper right hand column of the board and is displayed as
             follows:
             ASSY 6750-11 REV B
             The 3C507 TP board must be a modification 04 or higher and of
             revision B or higher.  This information is located in the
             upper right hand column of the board and is displayed as
             follows:
             ASSY 7508-04 REV B
             Customers with the above problem should call 3COM's RMA
             department for an upgrade at (800) 876-3266.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0774 09-01-92

         AST POWER PREMIUM AND PAGEMAKER 4.0 IN 800X600X32K MODE
               This Technical Bulletin has been cancelled.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0775 09-01-92

               AST BRAVO 386/486 SYSTEMS AND BOOT FAILURES

PROBLEM: When a BRAVO 386 or 486 system is booted up an error message

             "Auto sense parameters too large" is displayed.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST BRAVO 3/25s and 4/33 systems model 83B, Part Numbers

             500859-005 and 500882-009.

CAUSE: The problem has been attributed to the Quantum 80 MB hard

             drive Model LPS85AT.
             If the System BIOS is set to Auto and the system has 2MB of
             RAM then the drive does not initialize fast enough.  This
             problem does not occur with 4MB of RAM.

SOLUTION: Set the System BIOS to Drive Type 16 and the error will not

             occur.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0776 09-15-92

           UPGRADING THE BRAVO-II 486/XX BIOS TO VERSION 1.22

PROBLEM: When upgrading the system BIOS to version 1.22, the auto drive

             type is not saved.

CAUSE: Version 1.22 does not have an option to enable or disable the

             shadow BIOS area.  This area is where the auto drive type (97)
             is stored.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: All Bravo-II 486/XX

SOLUTION: Before upgrading the BIOS, enable the shadow BIOS region, so

             the auto option is supported.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0777 09-15-92

       AST 5250 MCA ADAPTERS AND IBM MODEL P70 PORTABLE COMPUTERS

PROBLEM: When using an AST Micro Channel 5250 adapter in certain IBM

             systems the system locks up.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: IBM Model P70-121, 386/20MHZ IBM P/N: 40857312

             IBM Model P70-061, 386/20MHZ IBM P/N: 518573061

SOLUTION: These portable hardware platforms were introduced after

             implementation of the AST 5250 adapter.  The AST 5250 MCA
             Adapter has been tested in IBM's existing desktop Micro
             Channel product line and conforms to specification.  AST has
             therefore determined that this problem will not be fixed.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0778 09-22-92

       BRAVO LC MEMORY UPGRADES WITH APPROVED VENDORS/PART NUMBERS

The following is a list of the approved vendors and part numbers for Memory Upgrades to be used with the Bravo LC computers.

BRAVO LC 3/33s

1 MB SIMMs (P/N 104000-173) - 60ns, 30-pin, Fast Page Mode JEDEC SIMMs, 8-bit

  MANUFACTURER     PART NUMBER
  Goldstar         GMM781000NS-60
  Micron           MT2D18M-6
  Mitsubishi       MH1M08A0AJ-6
  Motorola         MCM814305-60
  NMB              MM1M0J8S-06C
  Samsung          KMM581000BN-6
  TI               TM124GU8A-6
  Toshiba          THM81070AS-60

4 MB SIMMs (P/N 104000-178) - 60ns, 30-pin, Fast Page Mode JEDEC SIMMs, 8-bit

  MANUFACTURER     PART NUMBER
  TBD              TBD

BRAVO LC 486

1 MB SIMMs (P/N 104000-163) - 70ns, 72-pin, Fast Page Mode JEDEC SIMMs, 32-bit

  MANUFACTURER     PART NUMBER
  Fujitsu          MB85331-70PSG
  Micron           MT8D25632G-7

4 MB SIMMs (P/N 104000-171) - 70ns, 72-pin, Fast Page Mode JEDEC SIMMs, 32-bit

  MANUFACTURER     PART NUMBER
  Hitachi          HB56D132BR-7A
  Micron           MT8D132G-7
  Toshiba          THM321000ASG-70

16 MB SIMMs (P/N 104000-165) - 70ns, 72-pin, Fast Page Mode JEDEC SIMMs, 32-bit

  MANUFACTURER     PART NUMBER
  HITACHI          HB56A432B-7

INTEGRATED VGA MEMORY FOR BRAVO LC

256KB (P/N 230223-002) - 70ns, 256K x 4, 20-pin DIP

  MANUFACTURER     PART NUMBER
  Fujitsu          MB81C4256A-60P
  Micron           MT4C4256-7
  Motorola         MCM514256AP70
  NMB              AAA1M304P-07
  Siemens          HYB514256B-70
  Toshiba          TC514256AP-70



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0779 09-25-92

            PREMIUM SE 4/33 AND MAYNARD INTERNAL TAPE ADAPTER

PROBLEM: When using a Maynard (2000 DAT) Tape Backup with a 16-bit

             internal Maynard SCSI adapter the system hangs.

CAUSE: The problem is caused by the Maynard SCSI controller cards

             (part number 08-9-6010000 revision 3) that uses an AMD 33C93
             chip at location U12.  This chip generates noise which results
             in an un-requested interrupt causing a system hang.
             Maynard controllers shipping with a WD 33C93A chip at location
             U12 do not have this problem.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium SE and Premium TE systems with EISA motherboards (part

             number 202377-00X).

SOLUTION: Contact Maynard Technical Support at 800-227-6296 for further

             information and resolution.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0780 10-28-92

                  PREMIUM EXEC AND ULTRACOM 9600 MODEM

PROBLEM: The modem for the Exec will not sync down to 2400 BAUD while

             communicating with an UltraCom 9600 modem.  The message "no
             carrier" appears on the screen and no connection is made.

CAUSE: The Rockwell modem firmware contains an error, creating this

             condition.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: All models of the Premium Exec notebook.

SOLUTION: Replace modem, part number 230175-002 revision C with a

             revision D.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0781 11-02-92

              PREMIUM 486/33E AND COGENT DATA TECHNOLOGIES
                   E/MASTER II-AT/TP ETHERNET ADAPTER

PROBLEM: Access to an Asynchronous Server fails using Netware

             Asynchronous Services Interface (NASI) with a Cogent Data
             Technologies E/Master II-AT/TP bus-mastering Ethernet adapter
             (IPX shell version 2.32) installed in an AST Premium 486/33E
             system.

CAUSE: The problem is attributed to an incompatibility with the

             Ethernet Adapter IPX shell and the Premium 486/33E system.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Premium 486/33 EISA

SOLUTION: To resolve this problem, customers should upgrade their Cogent

             Data Technologies E/Master II Ethernet Adapter IPX shell to
             version 2.41.  To obtain this IPX shell contact Cogent Data
             Technologies Technical Support at (206) 378-2929.



AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0782 11-05-92

                     ADVANTAGE! PLUS SETUP ANOMALIES

Manufacturing has experienced CMOS Setup problems with motherboard (part number 202529-XXX) on the Advantage! Plus Mini-Tower systems. Changes in Setup do not always take effect the first time. If this problem presents itself, Setup should be run twice to ensure that changes will take effect. Examples under which this problem may occur are:

1. When replacing the motherboard.

2. When adding or changing memory.

3. When changing the existing hard drive with another type.

4. When adding a second hard drive.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0783B 01-11-93

           POWER EXEC WITH FILE TRANSFER AND LAPLINK SOFTWARE

Time-out problems have been reported during file transfers when running Laplink version 3.00 on the AST Power Exec product in the maximum battery life power management mode.

These problems can be resolved by changing the Power Exec's Power Management mode to "Max Performance" during file transfers. The problem can also be resolved by upgrading the Laplink software to version 3.00A or to Laplink Pro. Contact Traveling Software for information regarding Laplink software.

The recommended file transfer method between your Power Exec and other computer systems is the supplied utility INTERLINK.EXE and INTERSRV.EXE. Other programs utilize communication methods which often disrupt the Power Exec's Intelligent Power Management by attempting to directly control hardware components.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0784 11-06-92

    AST PREMIUM EXEC DATA/FAX INTERNATIONAL MODEMS AND WINFAXPRO 2.0

PROBLEM: When sending a fax thru the AST Data/Fax modem (International

             Only) using the WinFax Pro software version 2.0 for Windows
             the system hangs displaying an Unrecoverable Application
             Error.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All Premium Exec Systems with motherboard part number

             202390-004 rev x30 or below using an International Data/Fax
             Modem part number  230208-XXX.

CAUSE: Incompatibility between the modem firmware and the system.

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing the above problem should upgrade the

             motherboard to rev x31 or above and replace the modem.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0785 11-06-92

                      FASTRAM MEMORY BOARD FAILURES

PROBLEM: It has been reported that the AST FASTRAM memory board for the

             Premium 286 may fail after a few years of successful
             operation.

CAUSE: This is due to a possible defective capacitor located at one

             or all of the following locations on the FASTRAM memory board;
             C1-C3, C6, C11-C13, C20 and C34.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST FASTRAM Memory Boards with part number 202146-003 and

             202146-004.
             The suspect FASTRAM boards can be identified by the above part
             number and by the capacitors.  The capacitor is a cylinder 5
             millimeters high and 5 millimeters in diameter.  The color
             scheme is dark blue with a light blue vertical stripe, except
             for the top that is exposed aluminum metal.

SOLUTION: Customers experiencing problems on the above boards should

             contact AST Research Technical Support for a Return
             Authorization Number (RAN) to have the board repaired.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0786 11-16-92

                    POWER EXEC AND FLASH BIOS UPDATE

When updating the Power Exec's Flash BIOS, be sure that no devices are attached to the Power Exec's parallel port. Certain devices, (e.g., parallel port loopback plug), attached to the parallel port during the BIOS update will cause the BIOS loader to fail and issue a beep error code, (Floppy disk controller error) of 2 long and 3 short beeps.

If this error occurs, be sure to remove any device or loopback plug attached to the Power Exec's parallel port and repeat the BIOS update. If the problem persists, follow the corrective actions indicated in the AST Power Exec Hardware Maintenance Manual (AST part number 001617-001).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0787 11-10-92

                    PREMIUM EXEC SYSTEMS AND IBM OS/2

AST Premium Exec monochrome systems using IBM OS/2 version 2.0 may experience lock-ups during operation. Any attempt to open an application in a DOS window will cause the operating system to generate a "SYS 3176" error, and then lock up, forcing a power-off or reset to recover.

Customers experiencing this problem should contact IBM at 1-800-3-IBMOS2 and request the Corrective Service Diskettes (CSD) update that will bring the OS/2 operating system to CSD level "XR 06055".

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0788 11-17-92

             AST 486 SYSTEMS WITH IBM'S 5250 EMULATION CARD

If an IBM 5250 adapter is installed in an AST 80486-based system, errors may occur while accessing a high-density floppy drive. The DOS error generated is "FAILURE READING DRIVE X: ABORT, RETRY, IGNORE, FAIL", where "X" is the drive to which access is being attempted.

The problem occurs because the IBM 5250 emulation card, which defaults to using IRQ 5, interferes with the operation of the floppy controller (at IRQ 6), causing DMA overruns.

To resolve this problem the following change needs to be made to the configuration of the PC Support program.

   In the STARTPCS batch file, at the line "E5250AH.COM" add the switch
   "/L7".  The command line should read "E5250AH /L7". A capital "L" must
   be used.

This effectively changes the IRQ used by the IBM5250 adapter board to 7. Note that no other device in the system should be using this interrupt.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0789 11-19-92

       PREMIUM 486/25 SYSTEMS AND NOVELL NON-DEDICATED NETWARE 2.2

PROBLEM: After installing an Intel Overdrive processor (ODPR486DX-25)

             into an AST Premium 486/25 system configured with Novell Non-
             Dedicated Netware 2.2, the system will briefly display the
             message "ABEND: Double Exception Interrupt" and then reboot
             when attempting to start the server.

CAUSE: Novell Netware 2.2 uses timing dependent loops when toggling

             the status of the GATEA20 line.  With the Intel Overdrive chip
             installed, this loop executes so quickly that the GATEA20 line
             is not set to the proper state before Netware begins accessing
             extended memory.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST CUPID Desktop Systems (motherboard part number 202356-00X

             & 202337-00X).

SOLUTION: The file NET$OS.EXE may be patched to increase the length of

             the timing dependent loops.  The following procedure uses the
             DOS DEBUG command to implement this fix:
             c:\>copy net$os.exe net$os.bin<cr>
             debug net$os.bin
             - s 100 FFFF 8B 0E 71 05<cr>
             xxxx:yyyy
             - e xxxx:yyyy<cr>
             xxxx:yyyy  8B.B9<space> 0E.C0<space> 71.00<space> 05.90<cr>
             - s (x+1)xxx:0000 FFFF 8B 0E C8 4B
             XXXX:YYYY
             - e XXXX:YYYY
             XXXX:YYYY  8B.B9<space> 0E.C0<space> C8.00<space> 4B.90<cr>
             -w<cr>
             Writing zzzzz bytes
             -q<cr>
             C:\>copy net$os.exe net$os.old<cr>
             1 file(s) copied
             C:\>copy net$os.bin net$os.exe<cr>
             1 file(s) copied

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0790 12-01-92

                BRAVO 4/33 LC AND IRWIN TAPE BACKUP UNIT

PROBLEM: Bravo 4/33 LC fails to recognize an Irwin A250EP Parallel Port

             Tape Backup Unit.  The EZ-Tape software that is provided with
             the unit is unable to detect the tape drive connected to the
             parallel port.  This generates the error message "No tape
             drive found."

CAUSE: The EZ-Tape software has several delay loops that are executed

             too quickly on the Bravo 4/33 LC.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All Bravo 4/33 LC systems.

SOLUTION: By patching the software and increasing the delay loops, the

             EZ-Tape software can run properly on the Bravo 4/33 systems.
             These delays can be added by manipulating an environment
             string as follows:
                         SET PPCFDC=O:12,I:18
             This string represents the environment for the Parallel Port
             Controller Floppy Disk Controller (PPCFDC) to have an Output
             delay factor of 12 (O:12) and an Input delay factor of 18
             (I:18).  These values were found to provide the best results
             for the software to function properly.  This environment
             string can be typed at a DOS prompt before executing the EZ-
             Tape software or by adding this line to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
             This string will not decrease the functionality of the
             software or system.  The delay factors are only providing the
             normal delay that would be done on systems that the software
             was originally designed for.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0791 11-20-92

          ADVANTAGE! PLUS MINI-TOWER AND I/O PORT CONFIGURATION

PROBLEMS: Customers may experience one or more of the following problems

             with the Advantage! Plus Mini Tower and/or I/O port
             configuration.
  1. No label on back panel for Com Port 1 or Com Port 2.
  1. No label on back panel for Parallel Port.
  1. A reversed internal serial cabling which would cause a

problem while attempting to connect the mouse to Com 1.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Advantage! Plus Mini-Tower.

SOLUTION: Make sure that the mouse is connected to the bottom connector,

             which is Com 1.

Note: Not all systems will exhibit this problem. This is more of an FYI,

     since all systems have been corrected.  Com Port 2 is disabled since
     it is in use by the Data/Fax Modem.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0792 12-04-92

             PREMIUM EXEC 3/25C AND CENTRAL POINT PC COMMUTE

PROBLEM: When using the AST Premium Exec 3/25C and Central Point PC

             Commute, the system will hang for 5 to 10 minutes before
             returning an error indicating that PC Commute is not loaded.

CAUSE: The Suspend mode feature of the Premium Exec Color system does

             not work with PC Commute.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Premium Exec 3/25C systems.

SOLUTION: When running on battery power, disable the Suspend mode option

             in setup.  When operating on AC power, Suspend mode is
             automatically disabled.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0793 12-08-92

                  FASTBOARD/386 WITH RAM PARITY ERRORS

PROBLEM: Certain three chip configuration 1MB SIMM modules for the

             FastBoard/386 cause ram parity errors when used.

CAUSE: Incompatibility between the three chip 1MB SIMM configuration

             and the FastBoard/386.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: FastBoard/386 boards with the following part numbers:

                  202196-001 or 202323-001

SOLUTION: To resolve this problem use the nine chip configuration 1MB

             SIMM modules.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0794 12-09-92

              POWER PREMIUM AND DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR DS1255

PROBLEM: When running the application View386 from Lavenir Technology,

             the software displays the error message "software key not
             found".

CAUSE: The Intel 82351 Local I/O EISA chip used on the Power Premium

             systems has a minor functional difference with the AT parallel
             port design which prevents it from working with the Dallas
             Semiconductor DS1255 Keyring.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All Power Premium systems.

SOLUTION: This is not a problem that AST can resolve. As a work around,

             the following options are available:
             1) Install a third party I/O card.
             2) Lavenir technology has been advised of the problem, along
                with a possible workaround which may be implemented through
                software modification. Contact Lavenir for a possible
                update.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0795 12-10-92

               PREMIUM II 386SX/20 AND XENIX 2.3 VERSION 4

PROBLEM: When installing Xenix 2.3 version 4 the process will take up

             to ten minutes to get through the first diskette.

SYMPTOM: The duration it takes to get through the install diskette

             should be two minutes.  At the end of the install cycle the
             system will appear to hang and after about six minutes it will
             then prompt the user for the next diskette.

CAUSE: The problem stems from a timing error with the CPU card.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Premium II 386sx/20

SOLUTION: This lapse of time only occurs on the Spitfire CPU card part

             number 202438-001.  Replace the Spitfire CPU card with part
             number 202380-002 to resolve the problem.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0796 12-09-92

                    PREMIUM 386C WITH 386 TO THE MAX

PROBLEM: When installing "386 To The Max" on a Premium 386C the system

             will hang during the second stage of the optimization process.
             At this point there is no response from the keyboard and the
             system must be rebooted.  As a result the software does not
             complete the installation.  The BIOS version that demonstrates
             the conflict is 3.01.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Premium 386C.

CAUSE: Engineering has determined this to be a BIOS conflict with the

             software.

SOLUTION: BIOS version 2.30 part number 500702-001 resolves the issue.

             This is a downgrade in BIOS versions and will only function on
             a Premium 386C motherboard part number 202184-001.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0797 12-16-92

                    POWER PREMIUM AND MICROSOFT C/C++

PROBLEM: Microsoft C/C++ version 7.0 fails to install under DOS.

CAUSE: Failure with the "get video mode" function call on the Video

             BIOS.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All systems that utilize the Western Digital 90C31 Accelerator

             Chip.  Power Premium and Server EISA with motherboard part
             number 202472-001.

SOLUTION: A work around for the customer is to run VESA.EXE in the

             AUTOEXEC.BAT or from the command line, before installing
             Microsoft C/C++.  VESA.EXE can be found on the AST Bulletin
             Board System under the filename VGA-1DWA.ZIP.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0798 12-21-92

               ADVANTAGE! SYSTEMS AND MICROSOFT PUBLISHER

PROBLEM: When installing Microsoft Publisher on an AST Advantage!

             system, using the diskettes provided by AST, an error message
             is displayed after the user is prompted to enter his name and
             company, stating that the diskettes must not be write
             protected.  (PR#C07002)

CAUSE: The installation diskette (AST part number 910574-001) is

             write protected.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All AST Advantage systems shipped with Microsoft Publisher.

SOLUTION: Replace the original installation diskette (AST part number

             910574-001 Revision A) with a new installation diskette (AST
             part number 910574-001 Revision B).

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0799 12-16-92

                    BRAVO AND ADVANTAGE MEMORY ACCESS

The Bravo and Advantage computers utilize a memory addressing architecture known as "interleaved", or "bank switched". Instead of placing sequential memory addresses one after the other within the same bank of memory, sequential memory addresses are interleaved between banks of memory. In the case of 80386 systems, for example, the first 32-bit address is in Bank 0, the second is in bank 1, and so forth for the number of banks installed.

Interleaving speeds memory access by enabling subsequent memory banks to be prepared (precharged) for access while the data is being retrieved from the current bank (address). Under normal operation, in a system with one bank populated with memory, memory access is slower than when compared to a system with two or more memory banks populated.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0800 12-30-62

               POWER EXEC WITH STACKER AND NORTON DESKTOP

PROBLEM: Difficuties have been oberved when using Stacker 2.0 with

             Norton Desktop version 2.0.  The problems obseved are being
             unable to access setup after Stacker is installed as well as
             disabling the Norton Anti-Virus option inside of Desktop.
             There may be other sporadic problems under DOS as well as
             Windows.

CAUSE: The failures observed stem from Stacker 2.0.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: The errors were observed on a Power Exec. But errors can be

             seen on any system using this software configuration.

SOLUTION: A version 3.0 of Stacker is availble and released. If a

             customer wants to know what the fixes are they will have to be
             referred to Stack Electronics for more information.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0801 01-06-93

                  BRAVO 486/33 AND PIXEL WORKS RA-1280

PROBLEM: When using the AST Bravo II 486/33 with the Pixel Works RA-

             1280 graphics board installed, the diagnostic software bundled
             with the RA-1280 may hang when running board tests, requiring
             a cold boot to restart the system.

CAUSE: The RA-1280 is a bus-mastering card that is not compatible

             with the Premium II, Premium CLEM, and Bravo II 486 series of
             computers.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Premium II systems.

             AST Premium CLEM systems.
             AST Bravo II 486 systems.

SOLUTION: AST Sustaining Engineering has determined that this problem

             will not be fixed.  AST suggests using an alternate graphics
             adapter.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0802 01-04-93

                POWER EXEC MODEM SOFTWARE AND EMM386.EXE

PROBLEM: Communication software used for modems may experience problems

             on the Power Exec if EMM386.EXE is used along with the Card
             Configuration Utility (CCU.EXE) program, part number
             910717-031 release 1.0.  This currently occurs with all
             versions  of EMM386.

CAUSE: Both the EMM386 program and the CCU program load into memory

             at the same D000h memory location.  CCU.EXE takes two 16KB
             memory windows; one at DC00h for PCMCIA common memory and one
             at D800h for attribute memory.  Also CCU will establish a
             memory window at D000-D400h for network adapters which is
             documented in the Power Exec User's Guide, part number
             001492-001.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: All Power Exec systems.

SOLUTION: Exclude the D000h-DFFFh memory range in EMM386. This will

             prevent EMM386.EXE from using this memory range and allow the
             CCU program to use the memory range.
             For example;
             DEVICE=C:\EMM386.EXE X=D000-DFFF
             For more information on EMM386 and the exclude switch, please
             consult your MS-DOS manual.  Make sure the appropriate files
             are backed up before modifying this statement.

CAUTION: In no case will AST Research, Inc. be liable for damage to the

             system or loss of data caused by improper or faulty
             installation of this file.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0803 12-30-92

                EISA SYSTEMS WITH THE RACAL INTERLAN CARD

PROBLEM: The drivers shipped with the RACAL Interlan card, used in the

             AST SE system and sold as an option kit for other EISA
             systems, do not support either PBurst or ODI capability.  The
             Burst Mode protocol is a new technology for expediting large
             file reads and writes over wide area network links.  The ODI
             protocol allows multiple protocols to link to one card,
             (i.e., IPX and TCP-IP).

CAUSE: The advanced PBurst and ODI capabilities of the RACAL card not

             supported by the drivers that were supplied by RACAL and
             originally shipped with AST systems up to 12-18-92.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: Any system using a RACAL Interlan adapter AST part number

             500875-001 or 230214-001.

SOLUTION: Obtain the diskette of drivers released on 12-18-92 using AST

             part number 910462-004 release 1.02 from RACAL.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0804 01-11-93

              POWER EXEC WITH SUSPEND AND PARALLEL PRINTERS

The Power Exec may be unable to recognize the mouse when resuming from Suspend if a printer attached to the parallel port is powered on. When placing a Premium Exec or Power Exec system into suspend, make sure that the printer that is hooked up to the parallel port is not powered up before suspending your system.

The printer has its own power supply which is still connected to your portable computer. This power supply leaks current into the peripheral control area of the suspended system. This does not pose any serious problems to the electronics inside the computer, but when the computer resumes from suspend, the peripheral controller will not be able to distinguish a PS/2 mouse or a SmartPoint trackball until any current applications are reset.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0805 01-11-93

              POWER EXEC AND "MOUSE CONNECTED TO..." FIELD

The Power Exec's System Setup field "Mouse Connected To" is how the system keeps track of a mouse connected to a serial port. The serial port may be on the Power Exec, the EasyPort or PowerStation.

If you change the type of mouse to SmartPoint or PS/2, and forget to change the "Mouse Connected To" field in System Setup, there will be no effects to the correct operation of your system.

If you remove the mouse hardware completely, be sure to set "Mouse Connected To" to "None" so that the system will know that your keyboard mouse may bring the video backlight back after it has timed out.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0806 01-11-93

              POWER EXEC AND RECEIVING DATA COMMUNICATIONS

Set your Power Management option in System Setup to Max. Performance when receiving data or FAX communications at 4800 Baud or greater and powered only by the system battery.

Many software communications programs are dependent upon a fixed speed of the CPU. One of the Power Exec's many power management attributes is its ability to slow the CPU below the speed of a traditional desktop system. Any communications software program which exhibits correctable errors or retries is likely to be slaved to the CPU speed.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0807 01-11-93

         POWER EXEC, EXTERNAL KEYBOARDS AND DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAMS

When running some diagnostic programs on the Power Exec with an external keyboard attached, the external keyboard 'lock indicators' will not function.

The indicators on the Power Exec system unit will however operate correctly.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0808 01-11-93

                  POWER EXEC SL AND 12:05 ERROR MESSAGE

If the Power Exec computer is configured for Max Performance, and is allowed to fully discharge the NiMH battery, after booting, an error message may appear: [12:05]. The computer cannot identify the hard disk.

If this occurs, enter SETUP, ( use <Fn><F2> ) then exit and save changes. The system will boot normally.

To avoid this condition, select "Max Battery Life" in SETUP when discharging the NiMH battery.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0809 01-11-93

                   POWER EXEC SL COM PORT COMBINATIONS

Due to a design limitation of the Intel 360SL, (the peripheral controller chip for the 386SL and 486SL processor), the Power Exec does not support sharing of interrupts 3 and 4. This means that only certain configurations are supported. Listed below are the configurations supported by the Power Exec:

   COM1 alone
   COM2 alone (PCMCIA configured as 2 or serial device using a Dock Box or
   Docking station)
   COM3 alone (PCMCIA card)
   COM4 alone (PCMCIA card)
   COM1 and COM2
   COM1 and COM4 (PCMCIA)
   COM2 (Dock Box or Docking Station) and COM3 (PCMCIA)

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0810 01-11-93

                      POWER EXEC AND FULL POST TEST

In order to avoid errors when initiating the full post tests on the Power Exec:

Wait 2 seconds after the AST logo appears at boot-up before using <Fn><F7> to cause a complete Power On Self Test (POST.) Do not repeatedly enter <Fn><F7> after the AST logo appears. During the crucial machine startup timing, one to three entries of the hot key suffice.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0811 01-11-93

                     POWER EXEC SETUP FIELD CHANGES

Beginning with the Power Exec BIOS version 2.0, the System Setup fields used to enter password input and verification no longer display a moving cursor or asterisk while typing.

AST, in compliance with an evolving international security implementation specification has adopted this practice.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0812 01-21-93

            PREMIUM EXEC SUSPEND MODE AND BITFAX SOFTWARE

PROBLEM: When sending a fax using BitFAX software, the Premium Exec

             will not suspend.

SYMPTOM: Without user intervention, suspend mode is disabled after

             sending a fax using BitFAX software.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: All AST Premium Exec Systems.

SOLUTION: Reinitialize the modem. This is performed by using the

             command "astmodem" and involves toggling the modem off  and
             then on.  The commands can be executed from the DOS command
             line or from a batch file.

Command Line Example:

After the faxes have been sent and the BitFAX program has been exited, enter the following two commands at the DOS prompt:

astmodem off astmodem on

Batch File Example:

Include the following three entries in a batch file:

bitfax astmodem off astmodem on

Then execute the batch file. Upon exiting the BitFAX program, the commands "astmodem off" and "astmodem on" are executed automatically.

Note: These examples assume the DOS path statement is pathed to these two

     commands.

AST RESEARCH, INC. TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0813 02-02-93

       CUPID 486/33 SYSTEMS AND INTEL OVERDRIVE PROCESSOR UPGRADES

PROBLEM: After installing an Intel OverDrive processor (ODPR486DX-33)

             into an AST Cupid 486/33 system, POST errors indicating memory
             parity or memory verify errors may occur.

CAUSE: The problem has been traced to the high input capacitance of

             the Signetics 74F543 transceiver part.  The Signetics chip
             input capacitance causes exaggerated signal reflections on the
             data lines between the P-Bus and the microprocessor, resulting
             in distorted waveforms and data errors when the ODPR486DX-33
             accesses the P-Bus.

AFFECTED SYSTEMS: AST Cupid 486/33 Processor boards (part number 202397-0XX).

SOLUTION: Contact AST Technical Support at 1-800-727-1278 and request

             the Overdrive Termination Module Kit (part number 501182-001).
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