chuck@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Chuck Rissmeyer) (10/06/89)
I recently purchased a Samsung IBM AT compat. with a PHOENIX 286 BIOS version 1.01 00. I just installed a math coprocessor, but the setup routine, in ROM, won't allow me to change the status of the coproccesor's existance. I can change it using SETUP.COM, but the ROM setup in the PHOENIX ROM still won't show that there is a coprocessor. Also, I have docs, but not for the BIOS; the only way I know of to enter the ROM setup routine is by hitting any key during boot, which causes a keyboard error and produces the Enter Setup prompt. There must be different way to do that. Does anyone have this version of the Phoenix BIOS? If so, would you please help me figure this out? Thanks, +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | --... ...-- -.. . -.- . ----- ...- --. KE0VG | | Charles Rissmeyer (Chuck) | All ideas are mine alone! | | NCR Comten, Inc - Information Services | | | chuck@StPaul.NCR.COM | | | (612) 638-8675 | The body is a vehicle for the brain. | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
chuck@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Chuck Rissmeyer) (10/09/89)
REPOST!! >I recently purchased a Samsung IBM AT compat. with a PHOENIX 286 BIOS version >1.01 00. I just installed a math coprocessor, but the setup routine, in ROM, ^^^^^^^ 3.1 is what the version really is. >won't allow me to change the status of the coproccesor's existance. I can >change it using SETUP.COM, but the ROM setup in the PHOENIX ROM still >won't show that there is a coprocessor. Also, I have docs, but not for >the BIOS; the only way I know of to enter the ROM setup routine is by hitting >any key during boot, which causes a keyboard error and produces the Enter >Setup prompt. There must be different way to do that. > >Does anyone have this version of the Phoenix BIOS? If so, would you >please help me figure this out? > Thanks, +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | --... ...-- -.. . -.- . ----- ...- --. KE0VG | | Charles Rissmeyer (Chuck) | All ideas are mine alone! | | NCR Comten, Inc - Information Services | | | chuck@StPaul.NCR.COM | | | (612) 638-8675 | The body is a vehicle for the brain. | +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
wcf@psuhcx.psu.edu (Bill Fenner) (10/11/89)
In article <1606@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM> chuck@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Chuck Rissmeyer) writes: |I recently purchased a Samsung IBM AT compat. with a PHOENIX 286 BIOS version |3.01 00. I just installed a math coprocessor, but the setup routine, in ROM, |won't allow me to change the status of the coproccesor's existance. I can |change it using SETUP.COM, but the ROM setup in the PHOENIX ROM still The Phoenix AT BIOS that I have experience with has a bug in the coprocessor detect routine. The coprocessor detected line down at the bottom just says whether or not it sees a coprocessor. But there's a bug in the routine, so it never sees it. Try running Norton's SI, or any program that must have a coprocessor, and see what it says. (I have a short program that prints out the first 16 fibbonacci numbers which requires a coprocessor that I can send you if you can't find anything else.) Bill -- Bitnet: wcf@psuhcx.bitnet Bill Fenner | aaaaaaaaa Internet: wcf@hcx.psu.edu | r UUCP: {gatech,rutgers}!psuvax1!psuhcx!wcf | g Fido: Sysop at 1:129/87 (814/238 9633) \hogbbs!wcf | h
schuster@dasys1.UUCP (Michael Schuster) (10/15/89)
In article <1597@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM> chuck@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Charles Rissmeyer) writes: >I recently purchased a Samsung IBM AT compat. with a PHOENIX 286 BIOS version >1.01 00. I just installed a math coprocessor, but the setup routine, in ROM, >won't allow me to change the status of the coproccesor's existance. I can I'm not familiar with this version of the Phoenix AT BIOS, since the generic version right now is 3.10, not 1.X. However, the SETUP routine customarily does not allow editing the "coprocessor" field. When you run the program it checks your motherboard switch settings and then looks for the presence of a math chip. If it finds a chip and a proper switch setting, it will acknowledge the presence of the coprocessor. Does your motherboard have DIP switches? If yes .. is the coprocessor switch enabled? On most Phoenix BIOS sets having SETUP in ROM, you can enter the setup program with CTRL-ALT-ESC. -- l\ /l' _ Mike Schuster ...!dasys1!schuster l \/ lll/(_ Big Electric Cat schuster@dasys1.UUCP CIS:70346,1745 l lll\(_ New York, NY USA BIX,DELPHI,GEnie:MSCHUSTER
twb@tropix.UUCP (Thomas W. Banister) (11/07/89)
*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** In article <1597@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM> chuck@ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM (Charles Rissmeyer) writes: >I recently purchased a Samsung IBM AT compat. with a PHOENIX 286 BIOS version >1.01 00. I just installed a math coprocessor, but the setup routine, in ROM, >won't allow me to change the status of the coproccesor's existance. I can Then Mike Schuster responds: >I'm not familiar with this version of the Phoenix AT BIOS, since the generic >version right now is 3.10, not 1.X. However, the SETUP routine customarily does >not allow editing the "coprocessor" field. When you run the program it checks >your motherboard switch settings and then looks for the presence of a math chip. >If it finds a chip and a proper switch setting, it will acknowledge the >presence of the coprocessor. >Does your motherboard have DIP switches? If yes .. is the coprocessor switch >enabled? >On most Phoenix BIOS sets having SETUP in ROM, you can enter the setup >program with CTRL-ALT-ESC. I'm not going to make guesses about version numbers. It doesn't matter. At any rate, please do not drive yourself crazy looking for a DIP switch to indicate the presence of your coprocessor. It doesn't exist. The BIOS can go looking for it and figure out if the coprocessor is there or not. For whatever reason the ROM setup program does not "know" about the coprocessor until the self-test and boot-up is complete. Now to address the real question; "How do I invoke the BIOS setup program after I'm booted up?". The CTRL-ALT-ESC works with the Phoenix 386 that I've used, but the 286 version that I have calls for CTRL-ALT-s. If that doesn't work, try calling Phoenix; they are in the Thomas Register. Or you can send me a check for $0.05 to go dig up their phone number from my "files". Mike is correct that the Phoenix BIOS doesn't let you edit the coprocessor field Some BIOS setup programs do, they are fooling you. Now I have a question for everyone and hopefully a Phoenix representative is listening. Why is Phoenix so damn stingy with documentation on their BIOS. I've talked to them on the phone and they're very willing to discuss their other products. Tom Banister 716-377-3200 {??}!rochester!tropix!twb