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From: cyang%peruvian.utah.edu@cs.utah.edu (Cheng Yang)
Subject: Re: New 386SX CPU Upgrades for 286 Based Machines
Date: 4 Jun 91 16:07:52 MDT
Message-ID: <1991Jun4.160752.8722@hellgate.utah.edu>
Organization: University of Utah CS Dept
References: <91155.090309CES8@psuvm.psu.edu> <1991Jun4.185223.22097@viewlogic.com>

In article <1991Jun4.185223.22097@viewlogic.com> paulsen@viewlogic.com (Bill Paulsen) writes:
>>Intel and Aox have recently released 386SX CPU upgrade modules for some 286
>>based computers. Both are small modules that plug into the existing 286 socket
>>(Aox's is 1.5"x1.5"x0.6" and Intel's is 5 sq. inches). Also, both have a 16KB
>>cache to compensate for the slow memory access and both support the 287 math
>>coprocessor.
>
>Just out of curiosity, when you can buy a 386sx-16 motherboard for about $300,
>who would buy these things?

Well, probably I will buy that stuff.  I have a 287 and 4 M RAM on my 286
motherboard, and I don't want to waste them, (those worth over $300) 
while 387SX is still expensive to me.  

I just called AOX, and the salesperson told me that they will charge 10%
returning fee if the module won't work on my motherboard and I return it.

I have a motherboard made by Jameco Electronics, 16 MHz 286, Chip &
Technology chipset, and AMI BIOS (with Memory interleave and BIOS shadows).

Is there anybody here has the similar motherboard/BIOS and tried that 386SX 
module?  How well does it work?  The person in AOX claimed that the module
will let the machine run Windows 3.0 in 386 mode.

By the way, I am wondering how the software can detect what kind of CPU,
286 or 386 is on the motherboard.  I think if the software is asking the
BIOS, then it won't run in 386 mode while the 286 BIOS is there.  I 
know it is possible to identify 386 by running some 386 instructions.  Which
way are most 386 applications using?

I would like to hear from you, who have experience with that module.

Thanks a lot for your time in advance.

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*	Ho capito, signor,si!........                                       *
*                                                                           *
*Cheng Yang				Home Address:                       *
*Department of Computer Science		808 East, 300 South, #3             *
*University of Utah			Salt Lake City, UT 84102            *
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