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AST RESEARCH, INC.         SOFTWARE BULLETIN # 0246B               12-21-95

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			   ASCENTIA 950N SYSTEM BIOS


Production Release: 2.59
Available: December, 1995

Revision: A

Part Number:              Description                   File Name
905557-310                Diskette 1 of 1               05557310.EXE

This is an update to the Ascentia 950N System BIOS.  File 05557310.EXE can be 
found on AST's BBS (817) 230-6850.  AST's BBS supports modem speeds up to 
28.8k bps.  The above file will also be posted on: 

CompuServe 
Go ASTSUPPORT

AST Worldwide Web Site
http://www.ast.com

This release contains the following problem resolutions and enhancements:


PROBLEMS RESOLVED

Fixed audio dead after resume from SmartSleep.

Fixed Windows 95 SmartSleep resume hard disk error if left idle a minute or 
two right after SmartSleep resume.

Fixed fuel gauge showing empty when battery is fully charged.

Fixed SCSI add-on cards that did not work.

Fixed OS/2 Warp CD (docked) installation problem.
	
Fixed SmartSleep resume problem in Windows 95.

Fixed serial mouse not functional upon resume from SmartSleep.

Fixed the problem where the power could not always be turned off from the 
docking station power switch.

Fixed system rebooting immediately without displaying the BIOS.  Updated 
Success message after flashing in the new BIOS in System Setup.


ENHANCEMENTS

Enable the cache RAM chip enable bit permanently.

Re-enable add-in video card detection.



Production Release: 2.58
Available: November, 1995

This release contains the following problem resolutions and enhancements:


PROBLEMS RESOLVED

Font expansion problems resolved.

Parallel port now remains active after resume.

Fuel Gauge reports more accurately.

Battery LED remains lit while battery is charging with power off.

System does not hang when <Ctrl><Alt><Esc> pressed at boot on external 
keyboard.

Software time-out problems in Windows 95 resolved.

Problems with simultaneous display resolved.


ENHANCEMENTS

Contrast adjustment more finely tuned.



Production Release: 2.57
Available: August, 1995

Revision: A

This release contains the following problem resolutions and enhancements:


PROBLEMS RESOLVED

System hanging at end of POST if docked and SmartSleep was enabled.

Fixed occasional General Protection Faults and Fatal Exceptions in Win95 
while the system is idle.


ENHANCEMENTS

Disabled screen expansion on 800x600 under DOS.

Added PCMCIA card suspend notification.

Enabled <Fn+F5> functionality to the system allowing users to toggle from 
CRT to LCD Panel.  CAUTION:  Must have Cirrus Logic video drivers, 
version 2.0 or higher, otherwise, the display panel may get damaged.

Removed the option to boot to docking station hard drive from boot device 
field in system setup.


CAUTION

Windows 3.1 video driver version 2.00 MUST be used together with this 
BIOS to have the above problem completely fixed.  Failure to do so will 
cause the panel to burn as stated.

Do not use Windows 3.1 video driver version that are older than 2.00 with 
this BIOS.  Doing so could potentially damage the panel when <Fn+F5> as 
described.



Production Release: 2.56
Available: July, 1995

Revision: A

This release contains the following problem resolutions and enhancements:


PROBLEMS RESOLVED

System not suspending during Windows 95 warm docking. 

Intermittent fuel gauge corruption. 

Flash from System Setup hanging after error message. 


ENHANCEMENTS 

Moved magic key ID table from Flash Loader to Core to allow more room for 
expansion. 

Added support for 4 MB, 8 MB, and 16 MB memory modules. 

Added PowerStation DS4 support for operating with lid closed. 

Added pipeline/burst RAM detection and AC/AO silicon detection. 



Production Release: 2.55
Available: June, 1995

Revision: A

This release contains the following problem resolutions and enhancements:


PROBLEMS RESOLVED

Adjusted Heuristics to a more suitable level.

Fixed Panel blanking which was affecting heuristics.

Fixed Zerovolt resume hanging with video OFF and floppy running.

Fixed the contrast/brightness limit beep which did not work.


ENHANCEMENTS

Corrected SmartSleep help text in System Setup.

Re-size update success dialog box to better fit the msg.



Production Release: 2.54
Available: June, 1995

Revision: A

This is an update to the Ascentia 950N System BIOS.
This release contains the following problem resolutions and enhancements:


PROBLEMS RESOLVED

Always notify PM if temperature is increasing.


ENHANCEMENTS

Added support for reading battery voltage and current for the A950LOG 
utility program.



Production Release: 2.53
Available: June, 1995

Revision: A

This is the initial release of the Ascentia 950N system BIOS.