    AST RESEARCH, INC.            TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 0970               8-31-94

                        ASCENTIA 900N BIOS VERSION AND POWERSTATION I

    PROBLEM:        The PowerStation User's Guide (P/N 001564-001) states that the
                    "PowerExec must have BIOS version 2.20 or greater in order for
                    you to configure and use the PowerStation."

                    Flashing the Ascentia 900N with a PowerExec BIOS causes the
                    system to lock-up and become unusable.

    CAUSE:          The PowerExec BIOS and the Ascentia 900N BIOS are not
                    interchangeable.  Each system requires its own specific BIOS
                    due to the specific type of flashloader located on the system
                    board.

    SYSTEMS
    AFFECTED:       All Ascentia 900N Notebooks using a PowerStation I

                    ASCENTIA 900N P/N          DESCRIPTION

                    501299-2XX              ASCENTIA 900N 4/50 CS10
                    501300-3XX              ASCENTIA 900N 4/50 CT9
                    501302-2XX              ASCENTIA 900N 4/75 CS10
                    501304-3XX              ASCENTIA 900N 4/75 CT10

                    POWERSTATION I P/N         DESCRIPTION

                    500982-001              POWERSTATION PWRE
                    500982-002              POWERSTATION PWRE (INT)

    SOLUTION:       The Ascentia 900N system does not require a BIOS update to
                    work with the PowerStation I.
                    Do not flash the Ascentia 900N with a PowerExec BIOS.

                    Customers who have flashed the wrong BIOS type on the Ascentia
                    need to contact AST Product Support at (800) 727-1278.
                    Product Support will then make arrangements  to have the unit
                    sent in and repaired under a Return Authorization Number.

                    Customers may also elect to take the Ascentia 900N system to an
                    AST Authorized Service Center to have the system re-flashed
                    with the correct BIOS.

                    PowerExec users with system BIOS below version 2.20 may contact
                    AST's Product Support to obtain a later revision of the
                    PowerExec BIOS.

                    PowerExec and Ascentia users may also opt to download the
                    latest PowerExec or Ascentia BIOS from AST's BBS by dialing
                    (817) 230-6850.

    CAUTION:         In no case will AST Computer be liable for damage to the
                     system or loss of data caused by the improper flashing of the
                     BIOS diskette.