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    AST RESEARCH, INC.         TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1362                 11-8-95

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           Premmia GX Disabling the AMD or CMD Controller under Windows 95

    PROBLEM

    The AMD or CMD controllers cannot be disabled under the Windows '95 Setup
    program, regardless of the system BIOS settings for the controllers.
    Even if the controllers are DISABLED in system CMOS Setup,  Windows 95
    detects the hardware as being present.

    SOLUTION

    Follow the steps listed below to prevent Windows 95 from using either the
    CMD PCI IDE hard disk drive controller or the AMD Ethernet controller, and
    their associated resources.

    1. Close all open applications.  From the desktop, click on the
       "My Computer" icon with the right mouse button.  Then click on the
       "Properties" option.  Click on the "Device Manager" tab.

    2. Find the desired item in the list of devices and double-click to select it.
       Click on the item desired:
        1) "CMD PCI-0640 PCI to IDE Controller"
           (or "CMD PCI-0646 PCI to IDE Controller")
        2) "AMD AM2100/AM1500t"

    3. Click on the "Properties" button.  Under the "Device usage" dialogue box,
       use the mouse to uncheck the "Original Configuration Current" item.  Click
       "OK" to save the new device configuration.  When prompted to restart the
       system, click on the "Yes" button.  The system will restart.

    4. After the test system restarts, confirm that Windows 95 begins booting
       normally.  Confirm that the controller is no longer detected while
       Windows 95 is booting.

    5. After Windows 95 has finished loading, click on the "My Computer" icon
       with the right mouse button.  Then click on the "Properties" option.
       Click on the "Device Manager" tab.

    6. Find the previously de-selected item in the list of devices, and
       double-click on it.  A red X should appear on the icon.

    7. Click on the red X to highlight it.  Then click on the "Properties" button.
       Under the "Device status" dialogue box, the device should be reported as
       DISABLED.

    SYSTEMS AFFECTED
    AST PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION

    All Premmia GX systems with Windows 95 installed.