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AST RESEARCH, INC.          TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1116              3-28-95

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			 HARD DRIVE BAY ADAPTER PROBLEM IN DESKTOP SYSTEMS


PROBLEM

Desktop systems may take between 2 and 5 minutes to boot if there is no hard 
drive in the hard drive bay adapter.

CAUSE

The BIOS on the hard drive bay adapter is waiting for BIT 7 of Port 177H to go 
low.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED
AST PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION

Desktop systems using hard disk drive bay adapters, revision X03. 


SOLUTION

Replace the hard drive bay adapter P/N 202540-002, revision X03, with revision 
X04 or higher.  See part number below.

CAUTION

This modification should be performed by a qualified service technician.  
It is strongly recommended that this FCN be completed by an AST Authorized 
Service Center.  In no case will AST Research, Inc. be liable for damage to 
the system and its components, or loss of data caused by improper modification.

PREREQUISITES

A full backup of all data on the hard drive in the computer is strongly 
suggested.

TIME REQUIRED

30 minutes.

STATUS VERIFICATION

The revision level of the AST hard drive bay adapter can be identified by 
observing the revision letter at the end of the nine-digit part number located 
on the solder side of the hard drive bay adapter.

PARTS REQUIRED
AST PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION                     REVISION

202540-002     PCBA HARD DRIVE BAY ADAPTER        X04 or greater

TOOLS REQUIRED:     Standard computer tools.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

Refer to the system Hardware Maintenance Manual.

Removal and replacement of system "Field Replaceable Units" (FRUs) should only 
be performed according to the installation procedures approved and prescribed 
by AST Research, Inc.  

CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE

To verify proper operation of the system upon completion, follow the setup and 
test procedures described in the AST User's Manual.

NOTE

Warranty reimbursement requires prior AST Research, Inc. approval.