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- Path: sparky!uunet!dtix!mimsy!nocusuhs!nmrdc1!dsc3pzp
- From: dsc3pzp@nmrdc1.nmrdc.nnmc.navy.mil (Philip Perucci)
- Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
- Subject: Re: A20 problem
- Message-ID: <C0EtvK.20s@nmrdc1.nmrdc.nnmc.navy.mil>
- Date: 6 Jan 93 02:06:55 GMT
- References: <1993Jan5.003438.28559@rhrk.uni-kl.de>
- Organization: Naval Medical Research & Development Command
- Lines: 34
-
- In article <1993Jan5.003438.28559@rhrk.uni-kl.de> GLO92420@acuvax.acu.edu (Ohlhausen Gaylan Leon) writes:
- >At work we have one PC that keeps locking up. The wierd thing is that it does
- >this only in some applications always and in others sometimes and in others not
- >at all. When it does lock up, we cannot fix the problem with a CTRL-ALT-DEL or
- >a Reset - when we do this, we get the following message(after HARD reset (turn
- >off power) and before memory check)
- >
- >8042 GATE - A20 ERROR
- >SYSTEM HALTED
- >
- >Programs that make the computer hang include 123 R31 and CXI3278C (an IBM 3278
- >Emulator program)
- >
- >In windows when it hangs (only on some programs) I will get a "dump" across the
- >top of the screen with (inbetween trash) words like CLOCK, AUX, TIMER, etc.
- >
- >Does anyone know what might be the probem here? And how can I fix it?
- >
- >286-20 w/ 4MB ram
- >AMI BIOS (I can get the date if it is needed)
- >
-
- According to BYTE magazine, this is due to old AMI BIOS. Fixed in newer
- versions. A20 is hardware address line 20 on the ISA bus. Toggles between
- PC/XT 1MB memory mode and PC/AT 16MBish memory mode. Wasn't really a problem
- until newer software came along. Upgrade to 386SX motherboard (one with recent
- BIOS) if you can afford it. Lots of options in Computer Shopper (US).
-
-
- --
- ===========================================================================
- phil perucci | "Any opinions expressed are solely my own views and
- ssb1pzp@digex.com | do not reflect the position of any organization"
- ===========================================================================
-