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AST RESEARCH, INC.          TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1420              1-31-96

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Unable to Access Hard Drive after Flashing Ascentia 950N BIOS to Version 3.X


PROBLEM

After updating the BIOS in the Ascentia 950N system from BIOS versions 
2.X to 3X, the system may fail to recognize or boot from the hard drive.


CAUSE

The 3.X BIOS has a new option under "Boot Options" that allows the user to 
disable the hard drive.  This option was not available in the 2.X BIOS.  
The hard drive was disabled in the BIOS after the update.


SOLUTION

Re-enable the hard drive using the following procedure:

1. Enter system Setup by pressing <Fn><F2>.
2. Using the <down> arrow key,  move to the "Hard disk" line under the 
   "Boot Options" section.
3. Press the <right> arrow key to change this line's setting  to "Enable".
4. Press the <Esc> key.
5. Select "Yes" to "Save changes before exit?"

The unit should now recognize and boot from the hard disk.


SYSTEMS AFFECTED

All Ascentia 950N Notebook Computers