[comp.os.msdos.misc] help with BIOS upgrade for Wyse 286pc

dbs@decpa.dec.com (Dan Sears) (01/31/91)

Hello,

I have a Wyse 286pc (Model 2200) and want to upgrade it to run Windows 3.0.
Naturally, I got to the second Windows installation disk and the install
hung with
a blank screen.  I stripped down autoexec.bat and config.sys to the minimum and
no luck.  I next tried upgrading to MS-DOS 4.01 but the install hung in
a loop where
the installation program kept on requesting the disk that was currently
in the floppy
drive.  I'm installing from 3.5" diskettes and the 3.5" drive is drive a:.

Next I tried to upgrade the BIOS ROM's since mine are Phoenix version 1.66
(dated 1985).  I got through to Wyse technical support and they told me
to get an
upgrade kit that would contain version 2.75 ROM's, MS-DOS 3.3 and the
setup disk.
This was actually cheaper than buying the ROM's separately.  But still
it's $130
and back ordered 3-5 weeks.

Questions:
    Am I on the right track?
    Can generic Phoenix BIOS ROM's be substituted for the Wyse ROM's?
    What about AMI ROM's?

Thanks for any help.

--Dan

ekalenda@cup.portal.com (Edward John Kalenda) (02/01/91)

> I have a Wyse 286pc (Model 2200) and want to upgrade it to run Windows 3.0.
> Naturally, I got to the second Windows installation disk and the instal
> hung with a blank screen.  I stripped down autoexec.bat and config.sys to
> the minimum and no luck.  I next tried upgrading to MS-DOS 4.01 but the
> install hung in a loop where the installation program kept on requesting
> the disk that was currently in the floppy drive.  I'm installing from 3.5"
> diskettes and the 3.5" drive is drive a:.
> Next I tried to upgrade the BIOS ROM's since mine are Phoenix version 1.66
> (dated 1985).  I got through to Wyse technical support and they told me
> to get an upgrade kit that would contain version 2.75 ROM's, MS-DOS 3.3
> and the setup disk.  This was actually cheaper than buying the ROM's
> separately.  But still it's $130 and back ordered 3-5 weeks.
> 
> Questions:
>     Am I on the right track?
>     Can generic Phoenix BIOS ROM's be substituted for the Wyse ROM's?
>     What about AMI ROM's?

I just did the upgrade to 2.75 and DOS 3.3 from Wyse. Unless your problem
is that the installation disks are 1.44M, I don't think the ROM upgrade is
going to solve your problem. Accessing 1.44M floppies is about all that the
ROM upgrade has that is significant. The DOS upgrade has a number of fixes
and improvements that are also probobly covered by DOS 4.01. I'd look
elsewhere for your problem. Perhaps if you gave more details about the
media, hardware you have installed, what Windows files actually make it to
disk, etc. someone will have a brilliant idea for you.

Ed
ekalenda@cup.portal.com