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1996-01-06
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339 lines
System BIOS for Endeavor motherboard (Intel Triton "Advanced/EV")
MR BIOS (r) V097B50V Version 3.24
Copyright (c) 1996, Microid Research, Inc.
MR BIOS is a registered trademark of Microid Research, Inc.
MR CHIPS is a registered trademark of Microid Research, Inc.
Instant! Boot is a trademark of Microid Research, Inc.
Patents Pending.
All Rights Reserved.
Other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ShareWare Version: "Please copy this program in its entirety, without
modification, and pass it on to others. If you like it, please pay for
each copy you install. If you don't pay for it, please uninstall it.
Remember, your purchase is a vote."
License Fee: USD $15.00 per installed copy
Microid Research, Inc.
2336-D Walsh Ave.
Santa Clara, CA, 95051
USA
email: mrbios@mrbios.com
web-site: http://www.mrbios.com
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MR BIOS (r) Copyright (c) 1996 Microid Research, Inc.
Patents Pending
Advanced buzzword features include:
(1) Plug 'n Play card support.
1a) Auto resource steering
1b) Win95 compatible
(2) PCI and Bridge support.
2a) Auto resource steering
2b) DEC PCI-PCI bridges
(3) Energy Star power management.
3a) APM for Windows and DOS
3b) VESA DPMS video mgmt
3c) SMI and STPCLK
3d) Timewarp correction
(4) Fast-ATA support.
4a) ATA Mode 4/5 (to 20 MB/S)
4b) Built-in CMD-640, OPTi-621 drivers
(5) Enhanced IDE support.
5a) LBA and CHS translations
5b) EDPT Table support
5c) IBM/Microsoft INT13 extensions
5c) 8 discs max, each to 137 GByte
5d) Drive remapping
5e) Boot SCSI (ahead of IDE)
(6) Atapi and Removable IDE.
6a) CD-ROM recognition
6b) SyQuest and Ejectable Media
(7) Enhanced Floppy support.
7a) 4 floppy/tape-drives max
7b) Drive remapping
(8) Enhanced Parallel Port.
8a) SPP, Bidir, EPP, ECP modes
(9) Anti-Virus protection.
(10) Password Security.
(11) PS/2 Mouse support.
(12) Pentium and 6x86 CPU support.
(13) Instant! Boot (tm).
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MR_ENDVR System BIOS and Flash Upload Utility
---------------------------------------------
Four files are included in this distribution kit.
MR_ENDVR.BIO - MR BIOS (r) System BIOS
MR_ENDVR.EXE - Flash Loader Utility
MR_ENDVR.TXT - This file you're reading
AUTOEXEC.BAT - For Flash-Recovery disk
The System BIOS file contains the Microid Research BIOS ("MR BIOS (r)"),
customized for your Endeavor motherboard. It is designed to supercede the
Intel distribution (or AMI 1992 core) BIOS that is currently running
your computer. The 1995 MR BIOS (r) core provides the latest state-
of-the-art BIOS technologies that automate your computer's setup and
deliver unmatched performance and utility.
Unlike most programs that you are familiar with, the System BIOS does
not execute from disk. Instead, it is stored in a Flash-ROM component
that resides on the motherboard and begins executing immediately upon
powerup. This Flash-ROM can be reprogrammed by means of a Flash Upload
Utility. In order to install MR BIOS (r) in your computer, you'll need
to reprogram its Flash-ROM through use of the MR_ENDVR.EXE Flash Loader.
The Flash Loader Utility is simple to use, and performs its job very
quickly. Select option "3. Install" to initiate the Flash upload
procedure. After it completes the Flash upload, it will direct you to
reset the computer or re-cycle its power. Upon doing so, you will be
greeted with an alarming message that the "CMOS Memory is Corrupt",
and the BIOS Setup Utility will be activated. Don't be alarmed. The
Flash Loader Utility intentionally clears the CMOS to simulate a
factory-new condition and provoke a Setup session.
Upon arriving in the Setup Utility, you will need to reset the time
and date, and manually input the type(s) of Floppy drive(s) in your
computer. Beyond that, everything else will already be set for optimal
performance and you can simply exit by pressing <F10>. Or, you might
browse around and tailor some options like Password Security or Power
Management per your preference. After this Setup session, your computer
will reboot thereafter without any hysterical messages.
Be advised that there is an element of danger in reprogramming the
computer's Flash System BIOS. If the Flash Load procedure does not
complete for some reason (eg, if the power is shut off in the middle
of things), or if the image being uploaded into the Flash-ROM is not
appropriate, then the computer will simply not operate correctly (or
at all) anymore. For this reason, your Endeavor motherboard implements
a failsafe "Recovery" mode that can reload the original BIOS image
from floppy diskette, even when the existing System BIOS is faulty.
Please be sure to read the following section "Failsafe Recovery
Preparation" before uploading the MR BIOS (r) System BIOS.
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-----------------------------
Failsafe Recovery Preparation
-----------------------------
The Endeavor motherboard's Flash-ROM contains a protected "Boot-Block"
that cannot be erased. Its purpose is to provide failsafe recovery
code that reloads the Flash-ROM in the event it somehow becomes
corrupted. Under normal conditions, there should never be occasion
to activate the failsafe recovery mode (and you shouldn't play with
it). However, you should be aware of this facility, and prepare the
necessary things in advance. "Just in case".
The jumper "J1N1" located in the rear-left corner of the motherboard
is used to activate the Boot-Block Recovery mode. When plugged 1-2
(the way it is now), Normal operation is selected. When plugged 2-3,
the Recovery mode is selected.
When activated by plugging J1N1 to 2-3, the Boot-Block code performs
a minimal system boot, barely sufficient to load DOS from drive A:.
The recovery floppy in drive A: needs to be bootable (formatted "/S"
with DOS), and contain
- DOS and COMMAND.COM
- AUTOEXEC.BAT, specially prepared
- MR_ENDVR.EXE, the Flash Loader Utility
- ENDEAVOR.BAK, the original BIOS backup image
Before uploading MRBIOS (r) into the Flash-ROM, be sure to prepare
a Failsafe Recovery diskette per these instructions:
Step 1
------
Format a floppy "/S" (with DOS and COMMAND.COM).
Step 2
------
Copy the contents of this distribution kit onto the floppy. At minimum,
the files AUTOEXEC.BAT and MR_ENDVR.EXE need to be transferred onto it.
Step 3
------
Generate ENDEAVOR.BAK backup image file:
Run the MR_ENDVR Flash Loader program directly from floppy in drive A:.
Select option "1. Backup" upon entering the utility. This will copy the
content of your computer's Flash-BIOS into the file ENDEAVOR.BAK.
Select option "5. Exit" to exit the program. Type DIR A: and confirm
that ENDEAVOR.BAK was generated on the floppy in drive A:. (If not, you
probably ran the program from drive C:, right? In this case, COPY the
ENDEAVOR.BAK file onto the floppy).
Step 4
------
With this floppy in drive A:, reboot your computer via <Ctrl Alt Del>.
If the floppy is prepared correctly, its AUTOEXEC.BAT file should put
you directly into the MR_ENDVR Flash Loader program.
Select option "2. Verify". This compares the Flash-BIOS in your computer
with the backup file ENDEAVOR.BAK and reports the results.
Select option "5. Exit" to exit the program.
Step 5
------
Assuming Step 4 verification is successful, the floppy is now fully
prepared. Set the Write-Protect notch, label it, and put it away
for safekeeping.
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MR BIOS (r) Installation Instructions
-------------------------------------
Step 1
------
Prepare a Failsafe Recovery diskette according to instructions above.
Step 2
------
Invoke MR_ENDVR.EXE Flash Loader, and select option "3. Install".
This loads the MR_ENDVR.BIO file into Flash. Wait briefly for a message
that indicates the procedure is completed. Then press the reset button
or recycle your computer's power.
Be sure to wait for the completion message before resetting the computer.
Step 3
------
The first bootup after loading the new BIOS, you will be directed into
the BIOS Setup Utility. Configure floppy drive(s) and other options.
Exit by pressing <F10>.
Step 4
------
Win95 Users: In a few installations, Windows 95 has been reported to
"remember" certain properties of the BIOS that has been replaced by
MR BIOS. This can lead to some bewildering behavior. The best rule
of thumb is to unconditionally run Win95's "Hardware Wizard" once after
installing MR BIOS. If weirdness persists, use the sledge-hammer
approach and run Win95's "Setup".
Step 5
------
Enjoy!
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----------------------------------------
Failsafe Recovery - Corrupted Flash BIOS
----------------------------------------
In the unlikely event that your Endeavor motherboard's Flash BIOS somehow
becomes corrupted and the computer will no longer boot, you will need
to reload its Flash from the Failsafe Recovery diskette.
First step: relax. When the Flash BIOS is crashed, your computer will
be *real* unhappy with it. It'll try to distress and panic you. It'll
do anything (or nothing) within its power to get you to upload a new
BIOS image. So, relax. Then, when you've recovered, let's proceed to
recovering the Flash.
Begin by turning off all power, opening the computer case, and locating
the 3-pin jumper J1N1 in the rear left corner of the motherboard. (It
also has the letters "RCVR" next to it). Carefully using a small needle
nose pliers, unplug the J1N1 jumper from the upper 1-2 position, and
install it in the lower 2-3 position.
Turn the power back on, and insert the Failsafe Recovery diskette in
drive A:. The floppy drive's activity LED will become illuminated
and stay that way for a minute or so, then it will turn back off.
When drive A: LED turns back off, the Failsafe Recovery procedure is
completed and the Flash BIOS is restored. Shut off the computer's
power and replace jumper J1N1 to its original 1-2 position.
Notes:
------
(1) If you turn on your computer one morning and discover it won't
boot, the problem may have nothing to do with its Flash-BIOS. The
computer might simply be unplugged or broken or etc.
(2) The Failsafe Recovery procedure reloads the Flash BIOS from the
file ENDEAVOR.BAK on the diskette. If it was prepared per instructions
above, the original Intel/AMI BIOS will be restored. (Recall that
step "1. Backup" copied the original Intel/AMI Flash image into the
ENDEAVOR.BAK backup file). You can also make a Failsafe Recovery disk
that reloads MR BIOS (r) instead, simply by COPYing or RENaming the
MR_ENDVR.BIO file to ENDEAVOR.BAK on the diskette. If you want to do
this, don't do it to the original (Intel/AMI) Failsafe Recovery disk.
Prepare a second floppy. This way, you'll always be able to recover
things to the very original factory condition. "Just in case".
(3) You might have noticed that the AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the Recovery
diskette contains the single line "MR_ENDVR". Therefore, when this
diskette is booted, the MR_ENDVR.EXE Flash Loader is invoked. Upon
being invoked, it checks the status of the J1N1 recovery jumper and
automatically executes the "4. Restore" option when J1N1 is plugged
in the 2-3 Recovery position. (If J1N1 is in the Normal 1-2 position,
the menu is presented instead and MR_ENDVR waits for your manual input).
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----------------
Revision History
----------------
Microid Research Inc. is grateful for your suggestions, criticisms,
and bug reports. We're proud to share with you evidence of continued
progress and improvements, much to your credit. Thank you!
Ver 3.10 - Original Zappa ShareWare release; with new PnP core.
Ver 3.11 - n/a
Ver 3.12 - Bugfix: PnP core overlapped manual setup of PCI interrupts.
Ver 3.13 - n/a
Ver 3.14 - Force bidirectional parallel-port for Nat'l Semi Super-I/O.
Ver 3.15 - n/a
Ver 3.16 - Asymmetric 2M dram support (16M/bank, single-sided).
Ver 3.17 - Limit ATA-disc "auto" to Mode 3. Mode 4 only avail via "manual".
Ver 3.18 - Update for production Cyrix 6x86.
Ver 3.19 - LPT modes: SPP,Bidir,EPP,ECP now user options. (SMC & NSC chips).
Ver 3.20 - Upgrade: Add CMD 646 EIDE built-in driver.
Upgrade: Longer IDE spindown timer values (1,2,5 --> 2,5,10 min).
Upgrade: Provide setup field to disable soundblaster totally.
Workaround: De-enhance disk seeks to eliminate Norton8 complaint.
Workaround: Fix for Adaptec 2940 bios Ver 1.20 bug.
Workaround: Fix for S3 '968 32MB pageframe decode bug.
Workaround: Fix for Supra PnP Modem bug (drop Adaptec 1542CP fix).
Ver 3.21 - Upgrade: Add aggressive "55nS" memory-type option.
Bugfix: Obscure bug in "manual" PCI-Int Setup affects mapping over
bridge of Ints B,C,D (not A) for a few non-Zappa's.
Ver 3.22 - Workaround: Fix for Adaptec 2940 bios Ver 1.21 warm-boot bug.
Workaround: Fix for nVidia/SGS VGA, replicated PCI ROM register.
Workaround: Fix for Holtek asic 8042 bug.
Workaround: Move Pnp-Data-Read port to avoid gameport decode bug.
Ver 3.23 - Workaround: Apply v3.22 fix to *all* Adaptec PCI devices.
LPT modes: SPP,Bidir,EPP,ECP options for Winbond Super I/O too.
Upgrade: Add "CPU-Pipeline" on/off option (for debug purposes).
Upgrade: RAID-0 disk striping option, interleave 2-8 IDE drives.
Ver 3.24 - Workaround: Disable CPU Pipelining during POST.
Upgrade: Higher performance for Mode4 IDE drives.
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End document
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