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From: rice@ecn.purdue.edu (Ken Rice)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: Diagnostics with AMI BIOS
Message-ID: <1991Jun21.100338@ecn.purdue.edu>
Date: 21 Jun 91 14:03:38 GMT
References: <1991Jun18.170421.26077@cbnewsj.att.com> <CG108W3.91Jun20171751@icogsci1.ucsd.edu>
Sender: root@noose.ecn.purdue.edu (ECN System Management)
Reply-To: rice@ecn.purdue.edu (Ken Rice)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Lines: 58

In article <CG108W3.91Jun20171751@icogsci1.ucsd.edu>, cg108w3@ucsd.edu
(Steve - Happy Hacker) writes:
|> --=}>> On 19 Jun 91 03:48:26 GMT, chaz@chinet.chi.il.us (Charlie
Kestner) said:
|> 
|> CK> In article <1991Jun18.170421.26077@cbnewsj.att.com>
ker@cbnewsj.att.com (kenneth.roser) writes:
|> 
|> >My 386-33 machine has an AMI bios dated 5/91.  I thought that one
of
|> >the features of an AMI BIOS was built in diagnostics.  How does one
|> >invoke these diagnostics?  It's not specified in my motherboard
|> >documentation.
|> >
|> >On the other hand, is it possible my BIOS doesn't have this
feature?
|> 
|> CK> You can get to the diagnostics (provided your BIOS has them), by
|>                                     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
|> CK> doing whatever is required to get to the CMOS setup program at
|> CK> bootup.  On my AMI BIOS (dated 4/90), I get there by hitting the
|> CK> delete key at bootup.  The BIOS then presents me with a choice
of
|> CK> "SETUP" or "DIAGS".
|> 
|> I have seen several (including my own) AMI BIOS's that DO NOT have
the
|> diagnostics program in them.  AMI offers the same diagnostics on
disk,
|> and I was able to find them on a local BBS.  Although, it would be
|> nicer to be able to use them when the computer won't boot at all.

I agree.  My DataExpert 386SX has the OPTI chipset with AMI bios.  When
I hit DEL, after RAM tests, I get the choice of SETUP or Extended
SETUP.
No diagnostics.

|> 
|> For the interested, I have an Amstrad 386/33 motherboard with the
VLSI
|> brand chip set.  Hitting Del at boot time gives me the choice of RUN
|> SETUP or REBOOT.  Also, it has no extended BIOS configurations.
|> Things like bus speed and wait states are all jumper controlled.
|> 
|> Looks like there are different types of AMI BIOS's.
|> 
|> -Steve 
|> -- 
|> }>> Steve Haehnichen <<{
|>   shaehnichen@ucsd.edu      Disclaimer: UCSD and I do not share any
opinions.

--

	rice@orchestra.ecn.purdue.edu			...!pur-ee!rice
	Ken Rice, Computer Maintenance Engineer
	Engineering Computer Network, Electrical Engineering Department
	Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana  47907