Award BIOS Earlier than 3.1 Not Compatible with MS-DOS (75105)


The information in this article applies to:
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0a
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
    • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
This article was previously published under Q75105

SUMMARY

Award Software specifically states that versions of the Award BIOS earlier than version 3.1 should not be considered compatible with MS-DOS versions 5.0 and later. Customers with versions 3.05 or earlier should contact Award Software to purchase version 3.1 or later (3.2 and 4.2 are in the process of being released).

For 286, 386sx, 386, and 486 processors, releases of the Award BIOS version 3.1 are available that include optional code capabilities, chip set support, and a new enhanced setup menu.

MORE INFORMATION

New features (beginning with 3.1) include the following:
    • EMS in ROM: Provides an LIM EMS 4.0 expanded memory emulation in the same ROM as the BIOS (available for all 386sx, 386, and 486 machines).
    • User definable drive tables: In addition to 47 preset drive types in CMOS setup, two additional selections (#48, #49) can be programmed by the user to add hard drives not supported by the preset table (allows for specification of number of cylinders, number of heads, number of sectors per track, write precomp, and landing zone).
    • CMOS-based password: A password scheme is now available that can selected through the CMOS setup. The password can be established for the entire system of the CMOS setup only.
    • Wider chip set support: In addition to the standard BIOS to support many discrete component designs, Award's new release offers support for integrated chip sets including those from Intel, Headland, VLSI, Chips and Technologies, Faraday/Western Digital, Suntac, ZyMOS, Trident, OPTi, and others.
    • Extensive POST: Version 3.1 includes POST capabilities for new features, such as the internal cache controller detect and initialization for 486 systems.
The product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.
Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 5/12/2003
Keywords: KB75105
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