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Last Revised
AST RESEARCH, INC. SOFTWARE BULLETIN # 0263 10/14/97
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TITLE: Ascentia 950N System BIOS 3.10
FILENAME(S) / PART NUMBER(S) / DESCRIPTION(S):
05568034.EXE / 905568-034
Ascentia 950N System BIOS, v3.10
SUMMARY
File 05568034.EXE contains version 3.10 of the Ascentia 950N
system BIOS. This software applies to the following systems:
501707, 501708, 501741, 501742, 501743, 501744, 501897, 501898,
and 501905.
RESOLUTIONS
Version 3.10 includes the following resolutions:
Unlocked SmartSleep in System Setup.
Modified hard disk Suspend routines to use standby commands for
drives rather than powering down drive and interface.
ENHANCEMENTS
Version 3.10 contains the following enhancements:
Added detection for century change in date/time routines.
PREVIOUS RELEASE(S)
Version 3.02 contained the following problem resolutions and
enhancements:
Fixed the issue where the LCD panel stayed OFF after switching
from an external monitor to LCD using [Fn+F5].
Fixed the issue where Windows 95 retried forever when it read a
write-protected diskette.
Fixed contrast and brightness problems on STN panels.
Fixed the issue where systems with GG AC silicon had memory
problems.
Added flash back prevention to protect 11.8 LCD panels.
Added the ability to switch the Vdd voltage line for Hitachi
11.8" TFT LCD panel to 3.3V.
--------------------------------------------------------
Version 3.01 contained the following problem resolutions and
enhancements:
Disabled SmartSleep in System Setup until SmartSleep Resume
problem in Windows 95 is resolved.
Fixed the issue where the audio was non functional after resume
from SmartSleep.
Fixed the issue where the fuel gauge showed empty when the
battery was fully charged.
Fixed the issue where some SCSI add-on cards did not work.
Fixed the issue where Windows 95 SmartSleep resumed, but had a
hard disk error if left idle a minute or two right after
SmartSleep resume.
Fixed the OS/2 Warp CD (docked) installation issue.
Fixed the issue where the serial mouse was not functional upon
Resume from SmartSleep.
Fixed the issue where the user could not always turn OFF the
power from the docking station power switch.
Fixed the issue where the Windows 95 MIDI sound files did not
play.
Fixed the issue where the LPT port always DISABLED on Resume.
Fixed the VGA issue of [Fn]+[F5] to simulscan on a system with
DSTN SVGA LCD panel.
Fixed the issue where the PCMCIA sensed wrong port resources.
Fixed the issue where the system hung when retry BIOS update in
System Setup.
Fixed the issue where the zerovolt Resume caused an error message
in Windows 95:
"Unable to Control A20 line!"
Fixed the issue where the battery LED went OFF when power was
turned OFF with AC adapter was plugged in.
Fixed the external keyboard hang when [Ctrl][Alt][Esc] was
invoked on external keyboards during POST.
Fixed the system hangs when booting to Windows.
Added font expand support and Font Expand field in Setup.
Fixed the issue where the system was hanging at end of POST if
docked and SmartSleep was ENABLED.
Removed the option to boot to the docking station hard drive from
"Boot Device" field in System Setup.
Fixed erratic performance scores with different memory
configuration.
Enabled the cache RAM chip enable bit permanently.
Re-enabled add-in video card detection.
Fixed font expansion for various panel types.
--------------------------------------------------------
Version 3.00 was the initial release of the Ascentia 950N 90 MHz
System BIOS.
This initial release contains software included with the system
either on the hard drive or in diskette form, at the time the
system originally shipped (First Customer Ship date or FCS).
This release did not contain any known fixes or enhancements.
If for some reason the original software becomes corrupted, and
the user can not retrieve the necessary files from the system's
backup directory, the user
may use the initial release to restore the software to factory
default conditions.
NOTES
Japanese systems users, please see Software Bulletin 0264
(file name 0264SB.TXT) for Japanese BIOS updates.
NOTE about prior BIOS:
After flashing to previous BIOS 3.02, the following situations
may occur:
1. The Ascentia 950N system may not recognize the hard
drive because the default setting for the hard drive
is set to DISABLE in CMOS, under boot options.
To resolve this issue, go to CMOS and set this field
to ENABLE.
2. When loading the cardsoft csalloc driver, the unit may
either reboot, lock up, or give a beep code. This is a
result of the driver being loaded high. To resolve
this issue, edit the CONFIG.SYS file and load this
driver low; for example, change devicehigh to device.
NOTE about version 3.01:
Do NOT flash AST Ascentia 950N notebook systems, part numbers
501707-XXX and 501708-XXX, with BIOS version 3.01. Flashing these
systems with this BIOS can cause irreparable damage to your
system. The system part number is located in the battery
compartment, under the battery.
For information on installing this update, please view the
README.TXT file that accompanies the update.
You can download this file from the following services:
AST WWW Site: http://www.ast.com
AST On-Line! BBS*: See IB0001.TXT
CompuServe: GO: ASTFORUM
Prodigy: JUMP: ASTSUPPORT
* Refer to IB0001.TXT for a list of AST's international BBS
numbers.
To decompress this file, create a temporary directory on your
hard drive, copy the downloaded file to that directory, and run
the file.
TAN
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The information in this data sheet is subject to change without
notice. AST Research, Inc. shall not be liable for technical or
editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for incidental or
consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance,
or use of this material. This material contains information protected
by copyright. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form
without prior written consent from AST Research, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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Template Rev 02
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Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
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Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
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