System BIOS for Elite Group (ECS) "TS54P AIO" motherboard (Intel Triton)

MR BIOS (r) V097B50C Version 3.28
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.

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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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Contents, Overview and Disclaimer
---------------------------------

Three files are included in this distribution kit.

MR_ELITE.BIO - MR BIOS (r) System BIOS
MR_ELITE.TXT - This file you're reading
29C010.EXE   - Flash Loader Utility


The System BIOS file contains the Microid Research BIOS ("MR BIOS (r)"),
customized for your TS54P AIO motherboard.  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 Flash Loader utility.

BE ADVISED THAT THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF DANGER IN REPROGRAMMING THE
COMPUTER'S FLASH SYSTEM BIOS.  If the Flash Load procedure begins,
but fails to completely load a valid BIOS image, your computer will be
out of commission and you'll have to have it serviced.  The Flash-ROM
will need to be physically replaced with another that contains valid
code.  Reasons for the Flash Upload failure include 1) losing power
while the upload is in progress, and 2) specifying and uploading the
wrong file.  Needless to say, this would be a horribly disappointing
experience.  Microid Research Inc. would most sincerely regret such
a misfortune, however, understand that MICROID RESEARCH INC. DISCLAIMS
ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR THE USE AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE
USE OF THIS PRODUCT.  So, please, take your time and be careful!

The Flash Loader provides a simple menu of 3 options (4, including
"exit").  There are two objectives of this utility.  First, it
provides the facility to copy the existing BIOS into a disk-file
for backup purposes.  This is option "1. Backup".  The companion
function "2. Verify" allows you to confirm the backup file matches
the existing BIOS.  The other purpose of the Flash Utility is to
install a new BIOS, accomplished through option "3. Upload".

Be sure to backup the original BIOS before uploading MR BIOS into
the Flash-ROM.  Otherwise, you won't be able to uninstall MR BIOS
should you want to do so.  Even if you're sure you won't, it is a
good practice to retain all original equipment that is supplied with
your computer, "just in case".

The exact steps for uploading MR BIOS are enumerated in the Instructions
section below.  Assuming you have followed those instructions and the
upload has just completed, the Flash Loader will display a message
directing 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 the 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.

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MR BIOS (r) Installation Instructions
-------------------------------------

Step 1
------
Disable power management in the BIOS Setup Utility.

Step 2
------
Boot your computer "clean", to a non-Protected-Mode DOS environment.
This is easily done by booting a floppy that contains only DOS, but
neither CONFIG.SYS nor AUTOEXEC.BAT.

Step 3
------
Invoke the 29C010 Flash Loader by typing "29C010" at the DOS prompt.

Step 4
------
Select option "1. Backup" to make a copy of the original BIOS that
came with the motherboard.  You will need to select a filename
for the backup file - a good name would be "ORIGINAL.BIO".

Step 5
------
Select option "2. Verify" to confirm the backup was successful.
The status will be reported to you, either success or failure.

If it worked OK, proceed to Step 6.  Else figure out what is wrong
and correct it.  Repeat Steps 4 and 5.

Step 6
------
Select option "3. Upload" to install MR BIOS into the Flash-ROM.
You will need to enter the filename of the MR BIOS image that came
with this distribution kit.  (It should be MR_ELITE.BIO, unless
somehow this documentation has gotten out-of-sync.  Tell us!)

Step 6a
------
The upload process may take up to 15 eternal seconds, during which
time you are likely to begin worrying.  Relax, and do NOT shut off
the power or otherwise disturb the computer.

You'll be notified with a message on the CRT when the upload has
completed.  Then, and not before then, press the reset button or
recycle the computer's power.

Step 7
------
The first bootup after loading the new BIOS, you will be directed into
the BIOS Setup Utility.  Configure time, date, floppy drive(s) and other
options.  Exit by pressing <F10>.

Step 8
------
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 9
------
Enjoy!

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Un-Installation Instructions
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Follow Steps 6-8 above, exactly as with installing MR BIOS, but instead
specify the Backup File.  If you followed the instructions above, the
Backup file was created in Step 4 before you installed MR BIOS.

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Revision History
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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 ED,ZP 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: Endeavor: 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.
Ver 3.25 - Fix: Timing problem with certain 512K pipeline cache modules.
           Fix: Incompatibility with WD 719X SCSI controllers.
Ver 3.26 - Workaround: Aha2940 PCI I/O alignment for Chinese OS/2 (TWarp).
           Reduced binary bios image to 92K.  Changed flash loader, now
           does not clear cmos century byte (ref: NDD95).
Ver 3.27 - Workaround: PnP issues with Crystal soundblaster.
           Workaround: COM4 port usage by ATI video.
           Update: Aggressive CMOS-default memory settings.
           Update: Roundup CPU MHz display (cosmetic).
           Update: Display dram config in Chipset setup screen.
           Update: Performance tweaks for 6x86 CPU.
Ver 3.28 - Update: Deleting on-board COM/LPT ports in "Ports" setup
           utility now fully disables them.
           Fix: 6x86 cacheable range for non-binary memory sizes.

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