    AST RESEARCH, INC.            TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 0971               9-1-94

                  PREMMIA MX AND PREMMIA GX LACK OF 8514 VIDEO MODE SUPPORT

    PROBLEM:        When configuring Windows to use the standard 8514 video driver
                    in the Premmia MX and GX systems, the system’s video goes
                    blank.

    EXPLANATION:    The Mach64 architecture was not incorporated into the 8514
                    video driver mode for the following reasons:

                    1. It does not support memory mapped registers.
                    2. It does not support anything but 8 bpp modes.
                    3. It does not support 32 bit register definitions.
                    4. It is very difficult to program.
                    5. It does not support memory apertures.
                    6. This mode also no longer appears to be a market requirement
                       because all applications have moved to Windows or some
                       other Graphic User Interface (GUI) operating system.

    CAUSE:          Not applicable.

    SYSTEMS
    AFFECTED:           AST                                               REVISION
                    PART NUMBER        DESCRIPTION                          LEVEL

                    501457-XXX      PREMMIA GX P/90                          All
                    501522-XXX      PREMMIA GX P/100                         All
                    501429-XXX      PREMMIA MX 4/66d                         All
                    501432-XXX      PREMMIA MX 4/100t                        All
                    501577-XXX      PREMMIA MX P/60                          All

    SOLUTION:       Use an alternate video mode.