AST RESEARCH, INC.         TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0884                 01-17-94




                      USE OF IRQ2 IN THE POWER STATION


PROBLEM:       When the IBM 3270 emulation card (part number 56X4927) is
               installed in the Power Station, the IBM 3270 software (either
               DOS-based or Windows-based versions) cannot recognize the
               existence of the card.  Under the DOS-based version, when the
               user "hot keys" from the DOS screen to the emulation screen,
               there is no longer any response from the keyboard.

               The Windows version, upon startup, reports that IRQ2 is in use
               by another adapter.  The program then aborts operation.

CAUSE:         In the Power Station, IRQ2 is used by the system power
               management functions.  The IBM 3270 adapter was designed to
               use IRQ2 only, and cannot be changed, therefore conflicting
               with the Power Station's use of IRQ2.

AFFECTED
SYSTEMS:       All models of the Power Station

SOLUTION:      A 3270 card of a different manufacturer than IBM must be used
               in the Power Station.  The card must have the capability to
               use hardware interrupts other than IRQ2.