Chip 1997 March

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Chip 1997 March / CHIP Mart 1997.iso / prg / Amisetup / AMISETUP.DOC < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1995-12-09 | 79.2 KB | 1,926 lines

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╖ │ ║ █ │ ║ █ │ A M I s e t u p ║ █ │ ║ █ │ Documentation ║ █ │ ║ █ │ Copyright (c) Robert Muchsel 1992-1995 ║ █ │ All rights reserved. ║ █ ╘═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ █ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ AMIsetup is an external setup program for 386/486/Pentium PCs with `HighFlex BIOS' or `WinBIOS' from AMI. If you ever considered your built-in setup as incomprehensible, boring, inconvenient or incomplete, you've been waiting for AMIsetup. AMIsetup can save your configuration on disk and restore it. You can even change setup options missing in your BIOS! AMIsetup cracks your password and prints your setup as a list. You can install IDE hard disks automatically! Add comprehensive on-line help, Soundblaster support and an on-line reference that explains many setup options. You can even print a personal BIOS manual! For diagnostic purposes, AMIsetup can on many machines measure the DMA frequency (avoid burnout of the DMA chip due to overload) and display the CMOS error flags. You can display the revision of your keyboard controller, change setup registers manually (experts only) and display the BIOS ID. Switch AMIsetup to high resolution video mode (EGA/VGA) and use the mouse... And once you are finished, AMIsetup can reboot your computer. Professionals will like the batch mode of AMIsetup. Configure identical computers in blitz speed! Important ───────── ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! │ │ This program is based on undocumented data structures. │ │ Improper use, program errors or bad luck can cause hardware, │ │ software and stored data of the computer be irreversibly damaged! │ │ The user is advised always to make adequate Back Ups of all │ │ valuable files or Data. Because he can have no control over how │ │ this program is used │ │ THE AUTHOR ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE! │ │ │ ╘════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ No part of this documentation may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in any retrieval system, or translated into any other language or computer language in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, whether it be electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise, without prior written consent of the author, Robert Muchsel. The author disclaims all warranties as to this software, whether express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, functionality, data integrity or protection, in so far as permitted by applicable legislation. All trademarks are property of their respective owners and appear for identification purposes only. Shareware ───────── ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Writing this program has taken lots of work. If you continue │ │ using it after a reasonable trial period of 30 days, you have │ │ to pay a small fee to the author. │ │ │ │ SHAREWARE is NOT FREE SOFTWARE. You can, however, test shareware │ │ before purchasing it. │ │ │ │ For detailed information, see appendix A. │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ You are encouraged to copy and pass on the unregistered shareware version of this program, if - the program is distributed in its original form (complete, unmodified, uninstalled) - the distribution fee does not exceed the equivalent of DM 15.-. It is forbidden to distribute the program bundled with books, magazines, etc. (including `bookware'). To do this, you must obtain a written permission from the author. The information contained in the on-line reference for registered users must not be copied, published or separated from the program. The author has taken every care to ensure the technical correctness of the information, but cannot accept any liability in case of any error. If you have comments or find an error, please send them to the author! Contents ──────── 1 Caution! 2 Starting the program 3 Menus in detail 3.1 System menu 3.2 Diagnostic menu 3.3 Backup menu 3.4 Setup 1. Standard setup 2. Extended/chipset setup 3. Change register 4. Password 5. Load ROM setup defaults, load ROM power-on defaults 6. Print current setup 7. Print reference manual 8. Analyze BIOS ID 9. Save changes and quit 10. Exit without saving 3.5 Tools menu 3.6 Help menu 4 Key shortcuts Appendix A Registration, limits of the shareware version, addresses, upgrades, about the author B AMIsetup and OS/2, AMI BIOS and OS/2, Windows, Windows NT C Trouble shooting 1. Is AMIsetup compatible with your BIOS? 2. Frequent errors with compatible BIOS versions 3. Stopgap: -O 4. Additional trouble shooting options D Glossary E If the machine won't boot... F Switching to the English user interface G Soundblaster H EISA I Batch mode J Obtaining new or bug fixed program revisions K Tested BIOS revisions What's new Changes are described in a separate file, AMISETUP.NEW. 1 Caution! ─────────── If you are not familiar with setup options or if you don't know what they do, please consider whether changing the setup options is really necessary. ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ On many PCs, the DMA clock speed can be changed. │ │ This may work at first, but later the DMA chip may be destroyed, │ │ thus making the motherboard useless! │ │ │ │ Another critical point is the password option. Since you cannot │ │ erase CMOS RAM on some main boards (see appendix E), it may │ │ happen that because of - forgetfulness, BIOS errors, different │ │ keyboard layout, etc. - you are irreversibly locked out of your │ │ computer. │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Before making ANY change, ask yourself: - is it necessary? - what are the consequences? AMIsetup saves your configuration into a file after installation and whenever you invoke the program. However, this works only if you don't use AMIsetup on a write protected diskette. ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ N E V E R C H A N G E A R U N N I N G S Y S T E M !!! │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ WHEN DID YOU DO YOUR LAST COMPLETE BACKUP??? 2 Starting the program ─────────────────────── First of all, please read the manual and the file `AMISETUP.NEW'. The program needs write access to the current directory. Diskettes must not be write protected if file operations are to be used. Normally, you start AMIsetup without additional command-line options. There are exceptions though (see appendix C). You should read appendix B if you want to use AMIsetup under OS/2. If you are using an LCD screen, invoke AMIsetup by `AMISETUP -MONO' (or execute `MODE MONO' or `MODE BW80' first). Adaptec SCSI Controllers: Be sure to use the ASPI4DOS driver to avoid possible problems with the memory management unit. Virus scanners from Central Point Software: The memory resident virus scanner from Central Point thinks there was a `TH TH' virus in AMIsetup. The non-resident version and scanners from other vendors will show you that this is not true. If using AMIsetup for the first time, you have to choose the desired language: ┌──────────── Welcome / Willkommen ! ────────────┐ │ │ │ This is a bilingual version of AMIsetup. │ │ For English help texts and user interface, │ │ press [E]. │ │ │ │ Dies ist eine zweisprachige Version von │ │ AMIsetup. Drücken Sie [D] für deutsche Hilfe- │ │ texte und Benutzeroberfläche. │ │ │ │ [E] English version [D] deutsche Version │ │ │ └───────────────────────────────────────AMIsetup─┘ Should you decide on the German version, please continue reading in the file `AMISETUP.DOK'. Next you must to accept the warning message with a `Y': ┌───────────────── C A U T I O N ────────────────┐ │ │ │ USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! │ │ │ │ This program is based on undocumented data │ │ structures. Hard- and software and stored │ │ data could be damaged irrevocably! │ │ │ │ THE AUTHOR WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES! │ │ │ │ [Y] accept and start program [N] back to DOS │ │ │ └───────────────────────────────────────AMIsetup─┘ If you have set a password under `System|Options', you will be prompted to enter it. ╔══════════════ Password ══════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ AMIsetup is password protected. ║ ║ Please enter the current password. ║ ║ ║ ║ Password **** ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ OK ▄ Help ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════╝ Next, a dialogue box containing program revision and registration number (or `UNREGISTERED') appears. If you haven't yet paid for AMIsetup and a registration number appears anyway, you've got an (illegal) pirated copy. Please contact the author. ╔═[■]══════════ Information ══════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ AMIsetup v2.99 ║ ║ REGISTERED (#.........) ║ ║ ║ ║ Copyright (c) 1992-95 Robert Muchsel ║ ║ All rights reserved ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ Heap memory: 84080 ║ ║ PCI System ║ ║ ║ ║ OK ▄ Help ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝ Quick start ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ In most parts, AMIsetup should explain itself. All explanations are included in the on-line help. However, please note the warning messages and the license restrictions of the personal BIOS manual. 3 Menus in detail ────────────────── Using the mouse or pressing <F10>, you get to the main menu bar. There, you have the following pull down menus at your disposal: System Diagnostic Backup Setup Tools Help ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ Pressing <F1> gets you help. The on-line help contains nearly all of the manual. Hint for mouse users: The right button is equivalent to <Esc>. 3.1 System menu ─────────────── System ┌───────────────────┐ │ Options... │ 3.1.1 │ Video mode Alt-V │ 3.1.2 ├───────────────────┤ │ Reboot... │ 3.1.3 │ Exit Alt-X │ 3.1.4 └───────────────────┘ 3.1.1 Options... ┌─[■]────────────────────── Options ───────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Preferences │ │ [ ] Auto start setup BIOS source... ▄ │ │ [X] Enable reboot command ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ │ [X] Beep on error Password... ▄ │ │ [ ] Reverse mouse buttons ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ │ [ ] Use Soundblaster │ │ [ ] German language │ │ │ │ Display setup options │ │ [X] ■ Hidden options Save ▄ │ │ [ ] ¿ Deleted options ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ │ Cancel ▄ │ │ Backup file path ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ │ C:\AMISETUP\ Help ▄ │ │ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Here you can customize the program to your own needs. Auto start setup Instead of selecting Setup manually each time using the menu, `Setup' can also be started automatically. Enable reboot command If this box is blank, the Reboot function in the System menu is disabled. In addition, you will not be asked whether you want to reboot after saving your setup. Beep on error If this option is checked, the program beeps if you enter incorrect values in input boxes. Reverse mouse buttons You can reverse right and left mouse buttons (for left-handers or southpaws). Soundblaster See appendix G. German language You can disable the English user interface and work with the German one instead. Display setup options There are two types of hidden options in the ROM BIOS. `■' shows that the option is hidden in the built-in BIOS setup. The `■' options work correctly in most cases. `¿' shows that the option is hidden in the built-in BIOS setup and that AMIsetup cannot find a textual description of the possible settings. Often `¿' options don't work. You can enable and disable both types. If neither `■' nor `¿' are enabled, then AMIsetup shows the same set of options as the ROM setup. Backup file path You can change the directory of the backup files. BIOS source The following explanation is very technical. If do not fully understand it, please leave the BIOS source at `Protected Mode'. AMIsetup must completely read your BIOS. Since parts of the BIOS are frequemtly hidden by memory managers or the chip set itself after the system has booted, AMIsetup offers three different methods of accessing the BIOS: Protected Mode This mode is the default mode. AMIsetup switches to protected mode and thereby circumvents memory managers. Conventional Memory AMIsetup stays in real mode and reads the BIOS from F000:0000 (or E000:0000). Problems are to be expected if a memory manager or shadow RAM is enabled. Image File AMIsetup reads the BIOS from a file, which can be created by e.g. `Tools|Create BIOS image' If the image is OK, this mode shouldn't cause any trouble. Password You can define a password under `System|Options', which will be needed at program start. Password protection reduces misuse of the AMIsetup. Changes of the password are written into the file AMISETUP.EXE that must not be write protected for this operation. 3.1.2 Video mode Toggles the display mode between 25 lines and 43/50 lines and requires an EGA/VGA graphics adaptor. AMIsetup automatically stores the last used video mode. 3.1.3 Reboot Executes a cold boot. The keyboard controller is programmed to trigger a hardware reset. The `Reboot' function can be turned off using `System|Options'. CAUTION! If you use a hard disk cache or hard disk doubler, this function could possibly cause data loss. AMIsetup first tries to flush the SmartDrive cache (if it is installed, you can disable this feature using the command line argument `-NOSM'), waits 2 seconds and then resets the computer. Under OS/2, only the program is closed. 3.1.4 Exit Exits the program. 3.2 Diagnostic menu ─────────────────── Diagnostic ┌─────────────────────────────┐ │ BIOS version │ 3.2.1 ├─────────────────────────────┤ │ CMOS RAM checksums │ 3.2.2 │ CMOS RAM information │ 3.2.3 ├─────────────────────────────┤ │ Keyboard controller │ 3.2.4 │ Co-processor status │ 3.2.5 │ DMA clock speed │ 3.2.6 │ Compare DOS/real time clock │ 3.2.7 └─────────────────────────────┘ 3.2.1 BIOS version Verifies whether the BIOS and AMIsetup are compatible. This check is executed automatically whenever you start Setup. If this test fails, ensure the BIOS source is set to `Protected Mode' under `System|Options'. See the trouble shooting section (appendix C) for more information about compatible BIOS versions. 3.2.2 CMOS RAM checksums Verifies the CMOS RAM checksums. There are two areas - the first is in all AT computers, the second only in PCs with an AMI BIOS. If one of these two tests fails, the program declines to run Setup. If you have written your Setup to a file before this error occurred, you can correct the problem through `Backup|Restore CMOS RAM'. AMIsetup saves your configuration automatically - when you first use the program into the file SAVECMOS.SAV - whenever you invoke the program into the file CMOSBKUP.SAV. See the trouble shooting section (appendix C) for information on possible errors. 3.2.3 CMOS RAM information Shows the date of the RTC, the alarm time and information about errors at system boot. ╔════ Information about CMOS RAM contents ═════╗ ║ ║ ║ Date ────────────────────┐ ║ ║ │ 09/16/1995 │ ║ ║ └────────────────────────┘ ║ ║ ║ ║ Alarm ───────────────────┐ ║ ║ │ 00:00:00 off │ OK ▄ ║ ║ └────────────────────────┘ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║ ║ ║ Status ──────────────────┐ Print ▄ ║ ║ │ Battery: √ │ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║ │ Power: √ │ ║ ║ │ Checksum: √ │ Help ▄ ║ ║ │ Configuration: √ │ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║ │ Memory size: √ │ ║ ║ │ Hard disk C: √ │ ║ ║ │ Time: √ │ ║ ║ └────────────────────────┘ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Date: The current system date of the real time clock (RTC). Alarm: The RTC supports an `alarm clock' mode. You need an external program (TSR) that processes the RTC message and then activates. Status: Shows possible errors from the last system boot. A `√' means `no error found'. - Battery: CMOS battery is discharged and CMOS contents were invalid - Power: RTC power supply failed - Checksum: CMOS checksums were invalid - Configuration: Self test results and CMOS configuration were different - Memory size: Memory size determined by self test and memory size stored in CMOS were different - Hard disk C: Hard disk C: (if available) couldn't be initialized and couldn't be booted from - Time: Time was invalid Errors often disappear after a reboot (e.g. Checksum). 3.2.4 Keyboard controller Tries to detect vendor and revision of the keyboard controller. AMIsetup knows chips from American Megatrends, Inc. and Award, Inc. All other vendors are shown as `unknown'. This function is disabled under OS/2. 3.2.5 Co-processor status This function performs a coprocessor hardware check and compares the result with the BIOS coprocessor presence bit, which is set during system boot. If both results correspond (i.e. `Coprocessor present' and `Status bit set' or `No coprocessor present' and `Status bit not set'), everything is OK. If both results do not correspond (`*ERROR*' is displayed in addition), the BIOS most probably doesn't sense the coprocessor. If you have problems with applications which support a math coprocessor and the above error is shown, you should first look into `Setup|Extended SetupÄ and see if you can enable `Numeric Coprocessor' or `Numeric Coprocessor Test'. If no such setting is available, you can create a small `SETNPU' program and add it to your AUTOEXEC.BAT. Please copy all characters exactly as shown: C:\> DEBUG SETNPU.COM The specified file name expression was not found. -a ....:0100 mov ax,40 ....:0103 mov ds,ax ....:0105 or byte ptr [10],2 ....:010A mov ax,4c00 ....:010D int 21 ....:010F [Press Enter] -rcx CX 0000 :0f -w Writing 000F bytes -q C:\> 3.2.6 DMA clock speed Tries to determine the current DMA clock speed (this operation is very hardware dependent and it is possible it won't work - `Error' is displayed then). The measured clock speed is displayed in green (up to 4.25 MHz): Everything OK yellow (up to 5.10 MHz): Caution, possibly decrease DMA clock speed red (from 5.10 MHz): The clock is too fast and can cause damage! Conditioned by `DMA waits' it is possible that too low a clock is shown (especially on fast i486 systems). I.e.: If AMIsetup detects a `red' DMA clock, then it is truly time to decrease it - the DMA chip can be destroyed by overclocking! On many systems, DMA clock is coupled with bus clock (e.g. ETEQ, OPTI, SIS, UMC). You can compute the bus clock using the following formula: Bus Clock = 2 * DMA Clock Depending on the DMA waitstates, the factor can be 2.75 (1 Waitstate) or 3 (2 Waitstates) instead of 2. It is neither possible to measure the bus clock nor the number of DMA waitstates directly. This function is disabled under OS/2. 3.2.7 Compare DOS/real time clock Compares the current DOS time and the RTC time and is used for reference purposes only. If the difference is more than about 2 seconds, you should check hard and software. 3.3 Backup menu ─────────────── Backup ┌───────────────────────┐ │ Save CMOS RAM... │ 3.3.1 │ Restore CMOS RAM... │ 3.3.2 ├───────────────────────┤ │ Save EISA NVRAM... │ 3.3.3 │ Restore EISA NVRAM... │ 3.3.3 └───────────────────────┘ 3.3.1 Save CMOS RAM... Saves the CMOS RAM to a file. You can change the default directory under `System|Options'. 3.3.2 Restore CMOS RAM... Reads an image file back to CMOS RAM and restores the saved state. Time and date are not changed. 3.3.3 Save and Restore EISA NVRAM... On some EISA computers, you can also save and restore the EISA NVRAM (parts of the configuration data are stored in the EISA NVRAM on these machines). See appendix H for more information. 3.4 Setup ───────── ┌─────────────────────────────────── Setup ──────────────────────────── │05/05/91(C)1990 American Megatrends Inc., All Rights Reserved │ │ │ │ │ ┌───────────────────────────────┐ │ │ Standard Setup │ │ │ Extended/Chipset Setup │ │ │ Change Register │ │ │ Password │ │ │ Load ROM Setup Defaults │ WARNING: │ │ Load ROM Power-On Defaults │ Improper │ ├───────────────────────────────┤ Setup may │ │ Print Current Setup │ severe pr │ │ Print Reference Manual │ │ │ Analyze BIOS ID │ │ ├───────────────────────────────┤ │ │ Save Changes and Quit │ │ │ Exit without Saving │ │ └───────────────────────────────┘ │ 30-0201-ABCDEF-00101111-050591-OPWB └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Please read the warnings at the beginning of this document. 3.4.1 Standard setup ──────────────────── You can change the following settings (to change date and time, please use the DOS commands DATE and TIME). ╔═[■]═════════════════════ Standard setup ═════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ Base memory: 640K ║ ║ Extended memory: 16384K Auto detect hard disks ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║ Drive A Drive B HDD 0 ▄ HDD 1 ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║ ( ) None ( ) None Type: 47 NONE / SCSI ║ ║ ( ) 360K 5¼" ( ) 360K 5¼" Cyl: 1024 ║ ║ ( ) 1.2M 5¼" (x) 1.2M 5¼" Heads: 64 ║ ║ ( ) 720K 3½" ( ) 720K 3½" S/Trk: 26 ║ ║ (x) 1.44M 3½" ( ) 1.44M 3½" Size: 832M ║ ║ ( ) 2.88M 3½" ( ) 2.88M 3½" ║ ║ ║ ║ Display adapter Options ║ ║ ( ) Not installed [X] Keyboard installed ║ ║ ( ) Color 40x25 ║ ║ ( ) Color 80x25 ║ ║ ( ) Monochrome ║ ║ (x) VGA/PGA/EGA OK ▄ Cancel ▄ Help ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ At top, the memory size as determined by the BIOS is displayed. Drive A Drive B Allows you to change the type of installed floppy disk drives. 2.88 MB disk drives: Using AMIsetup, you can configure the drive type `2.88 MB' on any computer. To run a ED drive, you need a diskette controller capable of the 1 Mbps data rate (e.g. AHA1542CF). If your BIOS does not support 2.88 MB drives, AMIsetup displays a warning message (BIOS versions earlier than 06/12/91). Lack of BIOS support can cause the following problems: - Problems booting from diskette (especially 720 KB diskettes) - The built-in ROM `Standard setup' displays a line containing garbage characters (this does not adversely affect other setup functions). - You'll need software support for your floppy drive. OS/2 automatically detects 2.88 MB drives. DOS 5.0 or later requires a device `DRIVER.SYS' (please consult your DOS manual). The author is currently developing a flexible BIOS enhancement which must be installed in CONFIG.SYS, supporting 360 KB to 2.88 MB floppy drives on any port, IRQ or DMA channel. - Dependent on your hardware, it might be better instead to tell the BIOS the drive was 1.44 MB. You can disable the warning message (displayed if your BIOS does not support 2.88 MB drives) using the command line parameter `-288'. Display adapter With this you set the type of the installed graphics adapter. ( ) Not installed ( ) Color 40x25 ( ) Color 80x25 = CGA ( ) Monochrome = MDA, Hercules (x) VGA/PGA/EGA On older main boards, you have to change a jumper in addition to this setting. Options - Keyboard installed If the keyboard should be checked at system boot, check this box. Should the keyboard not be checked or if there is no keyboard installed (e.g. LAN server), leave it empty. Auto detect hard disks You don't need to enter the parameters of your hard disks manually if you have IDE type drives installed. AMIsetup can detect the correct cylinder/head/sector values automatically (non-OS/2 systems only). ╔═[■]═════════════════ Confirm ══════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ Install the following ║ ║ hard drives into setup? ║ ║ ║ ║ HDD 0: Conner Peripherals 170MB, CP30174E ║ ║ HDD 1: Not installed / SCSI ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ Yes ▄ No ▄ Help ▄ ║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ If no hard disks are found, it's most likely you have SCSI type drives (or old MFM or RLL drives). In the case of MFM/RLL type drives, you must enter the disk parameters manually; this also holds true for some SCSI controllers. HDD 0 HDD 1 With this you can set the type of installed MFM, RLL or IDE hard drives. Using a SCSI controller, you mustn't define a hard disk here - please read your controller and hard disk manual to prevent momentous wrong settings! The current parameters are displayed below the push-button - type (number) of the disk, cylinders, heads, sectors per track and the calculated size. Note: The disk size is displayed in real Megabytes, 2^20 bytes. Many disk vendors calculate in 10^6 bytes (this number is larger!). If you push the button, a list of predefined disk types appears: ╔═[■]═════════ Hard disk 0 parameters ═════════════╗ ║ Type│ Cyls. │Heads│ Precomp│ LZone │S/Trk│ Size ║ ║─────┼───────┼─────┼────────┼───────┼─────┼───────║ ║ 32 │ 1024 │ 15 │ NONE │ 1024 │ 17 │ 128M > ║ 33 │ 1024 │ 5 │ 1024 │ 1024 │ 17 │ 43M ▒ ║ 34 │ 816 │ 15 │ NONE │ 816 │ 32 │ 191M ▒ ║ 35 │ 1024 │ 9 │ NONE │ 1024 │ 17 │ 77M ▒ ║ 36 │ 1024 │ 8 │ 512 │ 1024 │ 17 │ 68M ▒ ║ 37 │ 615 │ 8 │ 128 │ 615 │ 17 │ 41M ▒ ║ 38 │ 745 │ 4 │ 512 │ 745 │ 28 │ 41M ▒ ║ 39 │ 987 │ 7 │ 987 │ 987 │ 17 │ 57M ▒ ║ 40 │ 820 │ 6 │ 820 │ 820 │ 17 │ 41M ▒ ║ 41 │ 977 │ 5 │ 977 │ 977 │ 17 │ 41M ▒ ║ 42 │ 981 │ 5 │ 981 │ 981 │ 17 │ 41M ▒ ║ 43 │ 755 │ 16 │ NONE │ 755 │ 17 │ 100M ▒ ║ 44 │ 887 │ 13 │ NONE │ 887 │ 34 │ 191M ▒ ║ 45 │ 968 │ 10 │ NONE │ 968 │ 34 │ 161M ▒ ║ 46 │ 751 │ 8 │ 0 │ 751 │ 17 │ 50M ■ ║» 47 │ USER DEFINED│ │ │ │ «< ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The columns contain type (number) of the disk, number of cylinders, heads, the precompensation cylinder (see glossary), landing zone, number of sectors per track and the calculated size (rounded) in megabytes. Please compare these items with the data sheet of your hard disk. It's likely you CANNOT find the specifications of the hard disk to be installed in this list. In this case, select type 47 (USER DEFINED). The following dialogue appears: ╔═[■]═══════ Change type 47 parameters ════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ 615 »Cylinders ║ ║ ║ ║ 4 Heads ║ ║ ║ ║ 300 Precompensation (65535 for NONE) ║ ║ [ Save ] ║ ║ 615 Landing zone ║ ║ [ Cancel ] ║ ║ 17 Sectors/track ║ ║ [ Help ] ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Here you can set the parameters yourself. Note that the value of precompensation has a special meaning: 65535 means DISABLED for the whole hard disk. 0 means ENABLED for the whole disk. Modern drives ignore precompensation and landing zone. For reasons of software compatibility, set precompensation to `NONE' and landing zone to the highest available cylinder. 3.4.2 Extended/chipset setup ──────────────────────────── A list of options and their current settings is displayed: ╔═[■]═══════════════════════ Extended setup ═══════════════════════════ ║ Option │Register│Bits │ Current setting ║──────────────────────────────┼────────┴─────┼──────────────────────── ║» Typematic Rate Programming │ 11 10000000 │ 10000000 Enabled « ║ Typematic Rate Delay (msec)│ 11 01100000 │ 00000000 250 ║ Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) │ 11 00011111 │ 00000011 21.8 ║ ¿ Mouse Support Option │ 13 10000000 │ 10000000 <1> ║ Above 1 MB Memory Test │ 13 01000000 │ 00000000 Disabled ║ Memory Test Tick Sound │ 13 00100000 │ 00000000 Disabled ║ Memory Parity Error Check │ 13 00010000 │ 00010000 Enabled ║ Hit <ESC> Message Display │ 13 00001000 │ 00000000 Disabled ║ Hard Disk Type 47 Data Area│ 13 00000100 │ 00000000 0:300 ║ Wait For <F1> If Any Error │ 13 00000010 │ 00000010 Enabled ║ System Boot Up Num Lock │ 13 00000001 │ 00000001 On ║ ■ Numeric Processor │ 14 00000010 │ 00000010 Present ║ Weitek Processor │ 2D 10000000 │ 00000000 Absent ║ Floppy Drive Seek At Boot │ 2D 01000000 │ 00000000 Disabled ║ System Boot Up Sequence │ 2D 00100000 │ 00000000 C:, A: ║ System Boot Up Speed │ 50 00000100 │ 00000000 High ║ Cache Memory │ 2D 00001000 │ 00001000 Enabled ║ ¿ Internal Cache Memory │ 2D 00000100 │ 00000100 <1> ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ The four columns have the following meaning: Option The name of the setting to be changed, peeked from the BIOS. The signs `■', `¿' and `x' in the first column have a special meaning: `■' shows that the option is hidden in the built-in BIOS setup. The `■' options work correctly in most cases. `¿' shows that the option is hidden in the built-in BIOS setup and that AMIsetup cannot find a textual description of the possible settings. Often `¿' options don't work. If you change settings of options marked in this way, be especially careful. You can disable the display of these options selectively under `System|Options'. `x' shows that the BIOS has currently deactivated the option (e.g. because the option is only valid for a 486 processor, but there is a 386 processor installed or because the option can only be activated in conjunction with some other option). By the way, blame the BIOS manufacturer for reversed letters in this column (however, AMIsetup has a built-in spell checker since version 2.99). Register Hexadecimal number of the CMOS register that stores the setting. This information may help experienced users to change settings manually using Change Register. If a `+' sign is displayed after the register number, there might be other registers affected. Bits Bit mask for the setting. Only Bits marked with a `1' are used for the specified setting (see also Register). Current setting Bit mask of the setting stored in the program copy of CMOS RAM and the corresponding text in clear. If plain language is not available, a decimal value in acute brackets is shown. Example: <2> denotes the third possible setting, since <0> is valid, too. Now you can select an option with the mouse or the enter key, as appropriate. A new window is displayed (see below). Instead of pressing the enter key, <Ctrl><RightArrow>, <Ctrl><Enter> or <Ctrl><LeftArrow> increase or decrease the current setting respectively by one (for the hurried user). List: Radio buttons: ╔═[■]════════ Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) ╔═[■]════ Typematic Rat ║ ║ ║ »Options Bits ║ »Options ║ 30.0 < 00000011 ║ »(x) Disabled« ║ 26.7 ▒ └00011111┘ ║ ( ) Enabled ║ 24.0 ■ ║ ║ »21.8 «▒ [ ║ ║ 20.0 ▒ ║ ║ 18.5 ▒ [ ║ ║ 17.1 ▒ ║ ║ 16.0 ▒ [ ║ ║ 15.0 > ║ ║ [ ║ ║ ║ ╚═══════════════════════════════════════ ╚══════════════════════ Marked below `Options' or `Setting' is the current setting. To change the setting, scroll the list or press the appropriate button. The `Bits' field shows you which bit mask corresponds to the selected setting. Listed below the bit field are once again the bits that can be affected by the option. `Save' copies the changed setting into the program copy of CMOS RAM (use Save Changes and Quit to make the change permanent), `Cancel' cancels the operation. Caution: Some settings are `Reserved' or `RESERVED'. Do consider whether you really want to set an option to `Reserved'. For safety reasons, these changes have to be confirmed. `BIOS help': Sometimes, the BIOS ROM has an own (English) help text to the respective option. You can view this text using `BIOS help', e.g.: ╔═[■]═════════ BIOS help ══════════════╗ ║The base address changes in ║ ║steps of 16k and 512k ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════╝ `Reference': Registered users can look up explanations to the setup options (only one in five explanations will be shown to unregistered users). Options that are controlled entirely by the BIOS (these usually change more than eight bits and are marked with a `+') display a window containing the buttons `« < > »'; you can also use (<Ctrl>)<RightArrow> and (<Ctrl>)<LeftArrow>. The buttons `« »' are intended for fast leafing and don't work on all machines. On some machines, a window appears after pressing `« < > »'. Here you can enter data - this input window is controlled by the BIOS, so mouse input and function keys are disabled. Setting controlled by BIOS: ╔═[■]════════ Non-Cacheable Block-0 Base ════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ [BIOS help] ║ ║ Setting ║ ║ _0 KB_______________________ [Reference] ║ ║ ║ ║ [ « ] [ < ] [ > ] [ » ] [ Save ] ║ ║ ║ ║ [ Cancel ] ║ ║ ║ ║ [ Help ] ║ ║ ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Note that some options affect each other! 3.4.3 Change register ───────────────────── You may not be able to set the CMOS the way you want from the `Extended/Chipset Setup' menu. In this case, you can make the change manually. Caution: Use this function only if you are absolutely, positively sure about what you're doing! First, you have to enter the register number in hexadecimal and then the new value. 3.4.4 Password ────────────── This function enables you to display the current CMOS password and to change it. This password can be called for at system boot or when entering the ROM setup. ╔═[■]══════════ Password ══════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ Current password is `AMISET'. ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ [Change] [Cancel] [ Help ] ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════╝ ╔═[■]══════ Change password ═══════════╗ ║ ║ ║ New password: FIDO__ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ [ OK ] [Cancel] [ Help ] ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════╝ Caution! If you use a foreign language keyboard (i.e. non-USA), note that no foreign keyboard support is loaded at boot time. Example: On German keyboards, `Z' and `Y' are reversed. Often you can enable the US-American keyboard by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><F1> and then test which keys are which. Use <Ctrl><Alt><F2> to re-enable the foreign keyboard. On some machines the password function has to be activated by the `Password' option in `Extended/Chipset Setup'. CAUTION! If you set the `Password' option to `Always', you cannot boot your machine if you forget the password! Hint: Try the setting `Setup' first. 3.4.5 Load ROM Setup Defaults, Load ROM Power-On Defaults ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────── There are two tables of predefined CMOS settings in the ROM. One of those, the `power-on defaults' is used to eliminate all possible hardware problems; thus the processor is switched to low speed, the cache is turned off, etc. Using `power-on defaults', the machine should boot in any case. Using this function, you can load a predefined configuration or simply view it for reference purposes, since all settings will be written to the program copy of CMOS RAM first and only be saved if you use `Save Changes and Quit'. 3.4.6 Print current setup ───────────────────────── With this function, you can print the current settings of the program copy of CMOS RAM. ║ Format ║ ║ (x) Standard (current/possible) ║ ║ ( ) Alternate (current bin&hex) ║ First the settings of Standard setup will be printed; then, a list: Standard: The list is formatted as follows: Option │ Current │ Possible settings ───────────────────────────────┼──────────┼───────────────────── Typematic Rate Programming │ Enabled │ Disabled Typematic Rate Delay (msec) │ 250 │ 500 750 1000 Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) │ 24.0 │ 30.0 26.7 21.8 [...] ¿ Mouse Support Option │ <1> │ ■ Above 1 MB Memory Test │ Disabled │ Enabled ∙∙∙ `Margin' (61-254) is the maximum width of the list. `Possible settings' will be truncated to `[...]' if exceeding the maximum width. Alternate: The list looks as the list displayed in Extended/Chipset Setup. `Margin' is ignored. Option │Register│Bits │ Current setting ───────────────────────────────┼────────┴─────┼─────────────────── Typematic Rate Programming │ 13 10000000 │ 10000000 Enabled Typematic Rate Delay (msec) │ 13 01100000 │ 00000000 250 Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) │ 13 00011100 │ 00010000 15 ■ Mouse Support Option │ 11 10000000 │ 10000000 Enabled ∙∙∙ Hint: If you disable `■' and `¿' under `System|Options', you can create a list of those settings that can be changed from the ROM setup. For example, you could distribute this list to your customers as a reference. 3.4.7 Print Reference Manual ──────────────────────────── This function prints a personal BIOS manual (the unregistered version prints only one in five explanations). Please read the license restrictions! 3.4.8 Analyze BIOS ID ───────────────────── This function explains the meaning of the BIOS ID string displayed in the lower left corner. Note: The information determined by AMIsetup is not always 100 per cent correct, since not all manufacturers adhere to the standard (this is especially true for `Required processor'). The ID string displayed at boot time shows the keyboard controller revision level in addition to the information displayed by AMIsetup (see also `Diagnostic|Keyboard controller') Example: 30-0201-ABCDEF-00101111-050591-OPWB-KF, where F is the revision level. ╔═══════════════ Analyze BIOS ID string ═══════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ 30-0201-ABCDEF-00101111-050591-OPWB ║ ║ 23H-0-0000-00-00-0000-00-00-000 ║ ║ 23H-1-0000-00-00-0000-00-00-00-2 ║ ║ ║ ║ Required processor: 386 OK ▄ ║ ║ BIOS size: 64 KB ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║ Version: 2.01 ║ ║ Reference number: ABCDEF Print ▄ ║ ║ BIOS date: 05/05/91 ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║ Chipset ID: OPWB ║ ║ Clock switching pin: 23 Help ▄ ║ ║ Cache control pin: 23 ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║ BIOS modified flag: 02 ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Use `Print' to print the information or to write it into a file. 3.4.9 Save Changes and Quit ─────────────────────────── Not until you use this function will changes be made permanent. `Save Changes and Quit' writes all CMOS settings from the program copy of CMOS RAM into the real CMOS RAM and exits setup. If `System|Options', `Enable reboot' is enabled, you will be asked whether you want to reboot your computer (cf. `Reboot'). 3.4.10 Exit without Saving ────────────────────────── Quits setup without changing the CMOS RAM. 3.5 Tools menu ────────────── Tools ┌────────────────────────────┐ │ Create BIOS image... │ 3.5.1 ├────────────────────────────┤ │ Print CMOS RAM contents... │ 3.5.2 │ Clear CMOS RAM │ 3.5.3 └────────────────────────────┘ 3.5.1 Create BIOS image... Using this function, you can create a `BIOS image' file. This file is necessary mainly for diagnostic purposes. To create a `BIOS image' file, do the following: 1. Select and execute `Tools|Create BIOS image' and enter a file name (e.g. `ETEQ.ROM' and a description (e.g. `ETEQ-386 baseboard'). 2. Select `Protected Mode' as BIOS source. 3.5.2 Print CMOS RAM contents... Prints the CMOS RAM contents and is used for diagnostic and reference purposes only. To get a readable, plain English print, use `Setup|Print current setup'. Data is written in the following format: Reg │ Current value ────┼────────────── 00 │ 13 00010011 01 │ 23 00100011 ... ... 7E │ 00 00000000 7F │ 00 00000000 Opposite to the register number (hexadecimal), the current value is printed in hexadecimal and binary format. 3.5.3 Clear CMOS RAM Caution: This function erases the complete CMOS RAM contents, including checksums, date/time, hard disk parameters, etc. Please make a paper backup of your configuration before clearing the CMOS RAM! 3.6 Help menu ───────────── Help ┌──────────────────────────────┐ │ About AMIsetup... Shift-F10 │ 3.6.1 ├──────────────────────────────┤ │ Contents │ 3.6.2 │ View AMISETUP.DOC │ 3.6.3 │ Help about registering... │ 3.6.4 │ Print order form... │ 3.6.5 ├──────────────────────────────┤ │ On-line reference │ 3.6.6 └──────────────────────────────┘ 3.6.1 About AMIsetup Shows a dialogue box containing program revision and registration number (or `Unregistered Shareware'). If you haven't yet paid for AMIsetup and a registration number appears anyway, you've got an (illegal) pirated copy. Please contact the author. 3.6.2 Contents Gives an overview about on-line help. 3.6.3 View AMISETUP.DOC You can view AMISETUP.DOC without leaving AMIsetup. It is necessary that AMISETUP.DOC be installed in the same directory as AMISETUP.EXE. 3.6.4 Help about registering See Appendix A. 3.6.5 Print order form To order AMIsetup, you can print an order form to the printer or to a file. 3.6.6 On-line reference AMIsetup contains explanations of approx. 200 of the most widespread setup options (unregistered users will see only one in five explanations). Select `On-line reference', and the index is displayed. Next, you can mark one of the bold terms using <Tab> or the mouse and get a closer explanation. The cursor keys are for scrolling. 4 Key shortcuts ─────────────── <F1> Help <Alt><F3> Close active window <F5> Zoom active window <Ctrl><F5> Move active window (Cursor keys) Change window size (<Shift>+Cursor keys) <F9> Start Setup <F10> Activate main menu <Shift><F10> Show program information <Alt><X> Exit Setup or program or <Alt><F4> NB: <> = <Shift> <Return>, <┘> = <Enter> <> = <Tab> A P P E N D I X ─────────────── A Registration ─────────────── Thank your for trying the shareware version of AMIsetup. The shareware version is lacking some features of the registered version. You may test the shareware version thoroughly for 30 days. You may copy it and share it with your friends. The author makes no money out of the shareware version - if you paid for it, the payment only covers the shareware vendor's cost of copying and shipping the software. If you'd like to purchase the latest registered version, which includes the complete feature set and does not display this message, please print the order form using `Help|Print order form'. Only the registered version entitles you to use the program for more than 30 days. If you do not like the program contrary to expectations, just delete it. But maybe you'd like to suggest a future improvement first, so that the author will be able to fit the program to your needs. See the registration form for the registration fee valid for your country (DM 40.- to DM 55.- depending on the country). ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Please use the form `REGISTER.FRM' included with this program. │ │ You can print it using `Help|Print order form' directly from │ │ AMIsetup. │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ Japanese users: Please print the file REGISTER.JPN instead. Commercial users in the European Union ONLY: Please provide your VAT registration number and save 15% VAT! Send DM Eurocheques (other cheques: add DM 10.-), cash or postal money order to the following address: How to Contact the Author ───────────────────────── Please address all correspondence to: Robert Muchsel Hegaublick 2 D-78465 Konstanz Germany Fax: +49-7533-3151 Electronic Mail (this is a lifetime address): Internet: muchsel@acm.org CompuServe: >INTERNET:muchsel@acm.org Upgrades ──────── If the user has a modem, upgrades are free. Other registered users only have to pay the fee of their shareware vendor. Upgrades will not be free if - there are too many illegal pirated copies - there are major enhancements Read README.!!! on your registration diskette for more information. The Author ────────── ...studies Computer Science at the ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) in Zurich/Switzerland (this is the explanation of the `Additional contributions' field on the order form). B AMIsetup and OS/2, Windows, Windows NT ───────────────────────────────────────── OS/2 Versions 2.1, 2.11, 3 ────────────────────────── The program will run in a DOS session of OS/2. Some closely hardware related functions will be disabled to preserve system integrity. OS/2 Version 2.0 ──────────────── The program will not run in a DOS session of OS/2 2.0, not even in a DOS image (VDM). Write accesses to the CMOS RAM are redirected to a buffer by OS/2, which is discarded when exiting the virtual machine (source: `Redbooks, Vol. 2: DOS and Windows-Environment, Virtual CMOS Device Driver'; IBM Document Number GG24-3731-00). OS/2 in General ─────────────── An OS/2 version of AMIsetup is impossible, since AMIsetup directly executes code of the real mode BIOS. If you create a DOS boot disk and copy AMIsetup as well as a disk editor there, then you've got a sort of `emergency disk'. AMI BIOS and OS/2 ───────────────── There are NO general problems with OS/2 and the BIOS versions supported by AMIsetup. OS/2 runs with BIOS versions PRIOR to 05/05/91 and with keyboard controller revision -K8. However, problems might arise e.g. when using faulty memory chips, too low refresh rates, wrongly installed cache memory, faulty EIDE chips (on PCI boards) or wrong bus clock. Because of the protected mode architecture, OS/2 is much more sensitive to errors than DOS software, which often ignores or doesn't even notice them. Windows ─────── Running AMIsetup under Windows is not recommended. The icon file, AMISETUP.ICO, contains an OS/2 icon which cannot be displayed under Windows. Windows NT ────────── The Windows NT DOS emulator is not compatible with AMIsetup. C Trouble shooting ─────────────────── 1. Is AMIsetup compatible with your BIOS? For technical reasons, AMIsetup only works with two generations of the AMI BIOS, the so-called `Hi-Flex BIOS' and `WinBIOS'. Both versions are manufactured by `American Megatrends, Inc.' (`AMI'). This you can see when powering on your computer. Currently, AMIsetup does not support the AMI-BIOS on later Intel baseboards (Plato, Endeavour, Premiere, Batman, etc.). Example of a power-on screen on HighFlex or WinBIOS: ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ 05/05/91(C)1990 American Megatrends Inc., All Rights Reserved │ │ │ │ (C)1990 American Megatrends Inc., │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ 30-0101-ABCDEF-00011001-050591-FORX │ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ The HighFlexBIOS has three levels of setup (`Standard', `Advanced' and `Advanced Chipset'), `Password' and `Hard Disk Utility'. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ BIOS SETUP PROGRAM-AMI BIOS SETUP UTILITIES ║ ║ (C) 1990 American Megatrends Inc., All Rights Reserved ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ STANDARD CMOS SETUP ║ ║ ADVANCED CMOS SETUP ║ ║ ADVANCED CHIPSET SETUP ║ ║ AUTO CONFIGURATION WITH BIOS DEFAULTS ║ ║ AUTO CONFIGURATION WITH POWER-ON DEFAULTS ║ ║ CHANGE PASSWORD ║ ║ HARD DISK UTILITY ║ ║ WRITE TO CMOS AND EXIT ║ ║ DO NOT WRITE TO CMOS AND EXIT ║ ║ ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ Standard CMOS Setup for Changing Time, Date, Hard Disk, etc.║ ║ ║ ╚═════╡ ESC:Exit |-|-:Sel F2/F3:Color F10:Save & Exit ╞════════╝ Older, custom-made BIOS versions are NOT compatible with AMIsetup, even though they are from AMI. These have a so-called `XCMOS Setup' (and they are black & white). The setup built into the WinBIOS has Windows-like icons and should be easily recognized. 2. Frequent errors with compatible BIOS versions The BIOS source is not correctly set. Verify that the BIOS source under `System|Options' is set to `Protected Mode'. 3. Stopgap: -O As a last resort you can start the program with the command-line option `-O' (CAPITAL letters). This option disables all error messages; faulty operation or a locked-up computer may result, though. 4. Additional trouble shooting options If the program hangs when you start the `Extended setup', you may want to try the command line argument `-N'. D Glossary ─────────── Some frequently used abbreviations and terms (explanations for setup options only on-line): AMI American Megatrends Inc., a BIOS manufacturer BIOS Basic routines contained in a nonvolatile memory (ROM) of the PC which e.g. drive the hard disk, but are also needed for system boot and system setup. BIOS Checksum The AMI BIOS calculates a 16 bit checksum (addition w/ overflow) over the BIOS ROM. If this checksum is 0, it is assumed that the BIOS is OK. CMOS RAM This chip can be read from and written to; unlike normal memory the contents are buffered by a battery or an accumulator after turning off the PC. CMOS RAM contains data like type of installed floppy disk drives, the time, etc. CMOS RAM Checksum A checksum is calculated for parts of the CMOS and stored in CMOS. If checksum and CMOS RAM contents differ, either the battery is defect or the CMOS RAM contents are invalid. In any case you must reenter the data, possibly replace the battery or accumulator, too. EISA See appendix H. Extended Character Set, Graphic characters Characters like äöü or µ■¿. Some printers cannot print these. NVRAM See appendix H. Precompensation Precompensation is used with some hard disks to compensate for the higher recording density in the inner tracks during write. Normally, precompensation and reduced write current begin approximately at half the cylinder count. The precompensation logic shifts certain bit patterns by +/- 12-15ns. Precompensation only affects writing, not reading of data. Many hard drives work perfectly with or without precompensation, newer hard disks ignore the setting (you should turn it off then). ROM Read Only Memory - memory that can only be read from and not written to. E If the machine won't boot... ─────────────────────────────── If the setup has been altered so that the PC doesn't even display `Press <DEL> for Setup', some models have the following possibilities: 1. On newer models, you can press <Ins> while powering on. All settings will be reset to standard values. 2. On many machines there is a jumper on the main board which you can use to erase CMOS RAM. Sometimes this takes several hours. 3. Often there is the possibility of connecting an external battery pack. To install it, you have to remove a jumper residing on a 4 pinned connector. This jumper does the same as (2). 4. Only when encountering password errors and only with BIOS from 12/12/91 on: Pin 32 of the keyboard controller can be grounded to erase the password. Please note that after these steps all configuration data must be reentered. Make certain that you set the correct hard disk parameters! If you are not a hardware expert, you should contact your dealer first before destroying your hardware by wrong handling! F Switching to the English user interface ────────────────────────────────────────── If you have installed the German version and want to switch, do the following: Disable `German language' or `Deutsche Oberfläche' under `System|Options'. Select OK, exit and restart AMIsetup. G Soundblaster ─────────────── To make the monotonous task of setting up computers a little more fun, AMIsetup supports the Soundblaster audio card (by Creative Labs). Soundblaster support must be explicitly enabled (AMIsetup is, after all, a serious program). - Turn on `Soundblaster' under `System|Options' (default: OFF) - The environment variable `BLASTER' must be set correctly, e.g.: SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 The BLASTER variable has the following meaning: A220 : Port address of Soundblaster card I5 : IRQ (Interrupt) level D1 : DMA channel (all other settings, e.g. T4, will be ignored) If the variable is NOT set, the default values A220 I7 D1 will take effect. Note: The program could crash if a wrong DMA channel is given! - You must have the VOC files. To save disk space and transfer time, the unregistered version contains only a small subset of the files. All versions include: ERROR.VOC - Replaces the error beep In addition, the registered version is shipped with: CONFIRM.VOC - Confirmation COPYRIGH.VOC - About AMIsetup ERRORBOX.VOC - Error EXIT.VOC - Program exit WARNING.VOC - Warning Not included: HELP.VOC - Help AMIsetup has its own, built-in Soundblaster driver. This built-in driver should work with all Soundblaster and compatible cards with DSP level 1.05 and higher. If the driver CTVDSK.DRV is included with your Soundblaster card, AMIsetup can use it and adapt itself to the special features of your card (e.g. Stereo sound). AMIsetup looks for CTVDSK.DRV in the following directories: 1. in the current directory 2. in the directory of AMISETUP.EXE 3. in the subdirectory `DRV\' of the directory specified by the environment variable `SOUND' 4. in the subdirectory `DRV\' of the directory specified by the environment variable `CPSPRO4' 5. in the PATH The built-in driver will only be activated if CTVDSK.DRV cannot be found. You can delete single VOC files and the corresponding action will be `quiet'. You can replace these files with files from your own sound collection. AMIsetup can play files any size you want; if disk activity is too heavy, you can increase the replay buffer which defaults to 4*4 KB. Set the DOS enviroment variable SBBUF to the desired value. Example: SET SBBUF=16 -> replay buffer will be set to 4*16 KB. All sounds are turned off immediately when the corresponding action is aborted/finished. If the program hangs when you activate Soundblaster support, you can force the program to use its built-in driver. Type `SET SOUND=' at the DOS command prompt. If you cannot get sound support to work at all, don't be sad - AMIsetup's real functionality will not be affected by this gadget. H EISA ─────── EISA is an `Extended' and faster bus architecture found in better machines. AMIsetup tells you whether you have a standard ISA, a PCI or EISA system. On some EISA computers, parts of the setup data are stored in the EISA NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM). On these machines, AMIsetup needs to access the NVRAM. On others, AMIsetup doesn't need to know about EISA NVRAM and simply ignores it. Since EISA NVRAM access is chipset dependent, AMIsetup uses EISA.CFG (see EISA.CFG for explanation of the syntax). If AMIsetup detects an EISA system and EISA.CFG contains valid data, `Backup│Save EISA NVRAM...' and `Backup│Restore EISA NVRAM...' are automatically enabled. Setup registers 40h to 7F are mapped into the EISA NVRAM. However, it is possible that AMIsetup doesn't know about YOUR particular EISA computer and displays `The BIOS register table contains invalid entries!'. Please mail a copy of your BIOS.DAT, CMOS.SAV and EISANVR.SAV (if available). EISA.CFG can then be extended to include your computer. I Batch mode ────────────── You can use AMIsetup in batch mode. This is especially useful if you - want to configure several identical machines (you don't have to use time consuming ECU, CMOS setup any more!) - want to document CMOS settings and/or save CMOS/EISA NVRAM automatically The batch mode of AMIsetup understands the following commands: -SAVE:CMOS:FILENAME Save CMOS RAM into FILENAME. -SAVE:EISA:FILENAME Save EISA NVRAM into FILENAME. -RESTORE:CMOS:FILENAME Restore CMOS RAM from FILENAME. -RESTORE:EISA:FILENAME Restore EISA NVRAM from FILENAME. -PRINT:DEVICE Print setup to DEVICE. -PRINT:ALT:DEVICE Print setup (alternate style) to DEVICE. Examples: You want to save CMOS & EISA NVRAM in a file: AMISETUP -SAVE:CMOS:CMOS.BIN AMISETUP -SAVE:EISA:EISA.BIN And now configure several more machines with the same settings: AMISETUP -RESTORE:CMOS:CMOS.BIN AMISETUP -RESTORE:EISA:EISA.BIN Finally, print setup to a parallel printer: AMISETUP -PRINT:LPT1 J Obtaining new or bug fixed program revisions ──────────────────────────────────────────────── There are lots of different BIOS/chipset combinations out there. If the program doesn't work with your machine, please do the following: 1. Read the manual, especially appendix C (you did, didn't you?). 2. Use the latest version of the program only. You can get it from your shareware vendor or, if you have a modem, from the mccs BBS in Singen/Germany. mccs BBS Singen/Germany (Sysop Martin Grass, Fido 2:246/8100-8104) Line 1: Phone +49-7731-65833 FidoNet users: Request the file using the `magic' name AMISETUP. Others: Please log in as `GAST', password `GAST' and download AMISETUP directly from the main menu. You can also get the AMIsetup shareware from the Internet. SimTel ftp server and its mirrors (e.g. nic.switch.ch) carry the latest version in the directory msdos/sysutl. 3. ONLY if the latest version doesn't work and you are sure it should work (appendix C!): Send a BIOS image and a CMOS RAM image produced by AMIsetup to the author. Please follow the instructions in the manual; ensure that NO memory manager is loaded. Thank you. K Tested BIOS revisions ───────────────────────── Among others, the program has been successfully tested on the following chip set/BIOS combinations (the list was generated automatically): Chip set ID- BIOS Date 4X521 - 04/04/93 80486 - 07/07/91 80486 - 12/15/93 80X86 - 06/06/92 ACC2046 - 06/06/92 ACC2046 - 12/12/91 ACER1217 - 07/07/91 ALI1419 - 12/12/91 ALI1429 - 08/08/93 AMI/S50 - 12/12/91 AMI/S61 - 12/12/91 BENG386 - 12/12/91 BENG486 - 12/12/91 CAESAR - 07/07/91 CTQ386&486 - 12/12/91 CTQ596 - 06/06/92 ET/386H - 02/02/91 ET/486H - 05/05/91 FORX - 05/05/91 FORX - 07/07/91 ITOPDX - 05/05/91 MERCISA - 12/15/93 NxVL - 11/11/92 O546822 - 06/15/94 O546822 - 07/25/94 OP802G - 12/15/93 OPEISA - 12/12/91 OPT4 498 - 06/06/92 OPT495SX - 11/11/92 OPTI597 - 08/08/93 OPTI802 - 07/25/94 OPTi895 - 12/15/93 OPTIEISA - 07/07/91 OPWB - 05/05/91 OPWBSX - 06/06/91 OVIPER - 10/10/94 PCI82420 - 01/25/94 PCI82430 - 04/06/94 PCI82430 - 06/16/94 PEAKDM_B - 05/05/91 PICO168 - 06/06/92 SATURN - 08/08/93 SATURN_1 - 12/15/93 SHASTA - 11/11/92 SIS-EISA - 06/06/92 SIS-EISA - 12/12/91 SIS3486 - 06/06/92 SIS3486 - 11/11/92 SIS401 - 08/08/93 SIS461 - 08/08/93 SIS471 - 07/25/94 SIS471 - 12/15/93 SIS471G - 07/25/94 SIS486 - 07/07/91 SIS496AB - 07/25/94 SIS50X - 07/25/94 SIS550X - 07/25/94 SISD - 07/07/91 SISEISA - 06/06/92 SUMMIT_C - 12/12/91 SYM-486 - 05/05/91 SYM486B - 07/07/91 SYMP - 03/15/91 SYMP - 05/05/91 SYMP - 12/12/91 SYM_386B - 05/05/91 TIEISA/S - 12/12/91 TOPCATSX - 05/05/91 U4800VLX - 11/11/92 UMC480 - 06/06/92 UMC480 - 11/11/92 UMC480B - 11/11/92 UMC491C - 04/04/93 UMC491f - 04/04/93 UMC498 - 07/25/94 Ver1.00 - 06/06/92 Ver1.01 - 06/06/92 VIAEISA - 06/06/92 VIPER - 10/10/94 10/01/1995