AST SHOWCASES UTILITY PACKAGE THAT PROVIDES ALL-TIME-HIGH LEVELS OF SYSTEM
CONTROL AND OPTIMIZATION AT PC EXPO

PC EXPO, NEW YORK, June 20, 1995 -- AST Computer's business users can
command a new level of control over their desktops with its new
AST-CommandCenter, a precedent-setting utility package that offers the
industry's highest level of system manageability, protection and
optimization. AST features AST-CommandCenter, its third-generation of
desktop utility packages, at PC Expo, Booth No. 3304, at the Javits
Convention Center in New York City, continuing its two-year leadership in
asset management and security, areas other PC makers have now just
entered.

"As a systems administrator, I am always looking for ways to make my job
easier and increase my productivity," said Walt Button, program analyst
for Blue Cross, Blue Shield in Jacksonville, Fla. "The type of utility
tools featured in AST-CommandCenter, which can protect and monitor the
systems on my network, can provide an extra level of control I have not
previously enjoyed. I look forward to using AST-CommandCenter and reaping
the benefits it offers."

Free Utility Package for Current AST Users

Current AST Bravo MS, Premmia MX and Premmia GX users can receive a
complimentary copy of AST-CommandCenter software, for a nominal shipping
fee, by contacting the company at (800) 876-4278. AST-CommandCenter comes
standard with its mid-range Bravo MS P/100 and high-performance Premmia GX
P/100 business desktops--both 100 MHz Pentium systems that are available
immediately for prices starting at $2,130 and $3,600 respectively.
AST-CommandCenter will be phased into AST's complete business desktop line
this summer.

"AST-CommandCenter will set the standard for all utility packages to come,"
said Scott Smith, AST's vice president and general manager, desktops. "AST
empowers its business desktop customers with the most comprehensive
manageability features available today, enabling users to realize the full
potential of their systems."

AST-CommandCenter is a winning combination of the following features:

AST-VirusShield --

Virus protection is a growing concern among all business users as more PCs
become networked, and boot-sector viruses -- floppy-borne infections that
strike before anti-virus software can be loaded -- become more deadly and
prevalent. AST-VirusShield, utilizing McAfee Associates' (NASDAQ: MCAF)
technology, provides the industry's leading immunization with
AST-BIOShield, which scans diskettes for bootsector contamination before
it paralyzes systems, and AST-SystemSentry, which scans every program
before execution detecting up to 98 percent of all viruses before they
strike. AST-VirusShield is automatically enabled and continually checks
running software without user intervention.

"We are pleased that AST has taken the initiative to protect their
customers from the increasing virus threat," said Rick Kreysar, vice
president of marketing at McAfee, based in Santa Clara, Calif. "By
utilizing McAfee's industry-leading anti-virus firmware and software
technology, AST-VirusShield arms users with a solid first line of defense
against computer viruses."

AST-SystemGuard

For two years, AST has led the industry in providing users with PC security
features. It continues this commitment with AST-SystemGuard, which
provides a collection of safety elements that protect system data from
unauthorized access. Prevention measures include:

* AST-Walk-n-Lock which requires password re-entry after a system has been
idle for a predetermined period of time;

* User passwords and system administrator software passwords that lock out
access to setup utilities maintaining the integrity of standardized
configurations within large installations;

* Boot-drive select that denies access to users who attempt entry by
rebooting with a floppy in the diskette drive;

* User notification of unsuccessful login attempts so users can take extra
precaution when unauthorized access is detected;

* Floppy drive protection that prohibits sensitive hard drive data from
being copied onto a floppy disk; and

* I/O port locking that prohibits sensitive hard drive data from being
copied to printer or via a modem.

AST-AssetPak

Eliminating the time and expense of going from desk to desk to conduct
corporate asset inventories, AST-AssetPak enables system administrators
and network managers to monitor a system's integrated components and
configuration from a system site or from a central server. AST-AssetPak
emphasizes time savings by tagging individual systems so that network
managers can track unit transfers between departments, as well as
monitoring peripheral changes in individual systems. Following the Desktop
Management Task Force's (DMTF) Desktop Management Interface (DMI)
specification, which AST played a key role in developing as a steering
committee member, AST-AssetPak's browser tools also provide single users
with system attributes such as processor type, amount of memory and serial
number.

"AST-AssetPak is a great example of using the DMI to create a
standards-based productivity tool for the IS professional as well as the
single user," said Ed Arrington, chairman of the DMTF. "The DMI is an
excellent solution for managing PC products in both standalone and
networked environments. By incorporating the DMI technology into its
systems, AST is on the leading edge of offering its customers more
manageable and easy-to-use products."

AST-CommandCenter takes full advantage of AST desktops' Plug and Play
features. Plug and Play compliance enables PCs to automatically install
add-in cards and other peripherals without adjusting jumpers and cables,
while AST-AssetPak tags and tracks them so IS managers can always access
the most up-to-date system data.

Upcoming Networking Directions From AST-CommandCenter

Network administrators can look forward to the second phase of
AST-CommandCenter, due this fall, which integrates advances in network
management features for the desktop as well as a series of networking
solutions.

AST Continues Leadership in Desktop Usability With AST-FlashBIOS

With AST-FlashBIOS, users can quickly and easily upgrade their BIOS to take
advantage of future upgrades in technology without having to swap out BIOS
chips. Network and system administrators as well as end users can make
upgrades by simply loading new programming from over a network or a
diskette.

AST, the first major vendor to offer this technology on the desktop two
years ago, designed AST-FlashBIOS to protect system integrity by ensuring
that the boot code is protected if a problem occurs during updating. It
also provides an extra level of virus protection.

Industry-Leading Service and Support

AST business desktop systems are backed by a full three-year warranty,
including one-year on-site support for systems bundled with a hard drive
and two-year depot service. A lifetime toll-free hot line, available 24
hours per day, seven days per week, AST's On-Line! bulletin board service
and AST's Info-FAX provide a broad level of technical support and
information. AST also has forums on CompuServe and Prodigy.

Corporate Background

AST Research Inc., a member of the Fortune 500 list of America's largest
industrial and service companies, is one of the world's leading personal
computer manufacturers. The $2.367 billion company develops PC products
ranging from portable systems to superservers sold in more than 100
countries worldwide. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton
Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone (714)
727-4141 or (800) 876-4278. Fax: (714) 727-9355.

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