    AST RESEARCH, INC.        TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1521           6-24-96

    TITLE: Adv! 3 1/2 Floppy Mis-Identification in Win95

    SUMMARY

       Windows 95 identifies the 3 1/2" floppy as a 5 1/4" in an Advantage!
       Adventure system, when a User password is set in System Setup.
       The 3 1/2" floppy was properly identified before a password was set.

       This issue affects the 503047 system.

    ISSUE

       The Advantage! Adventure system offers the option for a User and
       a Supervisor password as part of the Security and Anti-Virus
       section in System Setup.  This feature limits the access to the
       floppy drive.  The User option for the floppy drive is controlled
       by the Diskette Access setting.

       If the Diskette Access setting is set to User, all passwords will
       access the floppy drive.  When Diskette Access is set to Supervisor,
       only the Supervisor password will access the floppy drive.  Any
       other passwords will fail access.

       If the Password on Boot option is set to Disable, and the
       Diskette Access option is set to Supervisor, the user will not
       be asked for a password, and WILL NOT be able to enter the
       Supervisor password to gain access to the floppy drive.

    BACKGROUND

       The system ships with no password for User or Supervisor.
       In the default configuration, the floppy drive will be accessible
       to any user.  Once a Supervisor password is set, control of the
       floppy drive is limited by your setting in the Password on Boot
       and Diskette Access sections of System Setup.  Choosing the
       Default Configuration from the Security and Anti-Virus section
       will NOT reset the password.  You must continue to use the
       Password on Boot and Diskette Access sections of System Setup
       to determine access to the floppy drive.

    ACTION

       Use the following guide to achieve the floppy access that best
       suits your needs.

       To eliminate all access to the floppy drive, set the following
       parameters in System Setup:

         Supervisor Password            Enabled
         User Password                  Enabled
         Password on Boot               Disabled
         Diskette Access                Supervisor

       To allow Supervisor Only access to the floppy drive, set the
       following parameters in System Setup:

         Supervisor Password            Enabled
         User Password                  Enabled
         Password on Boot               Enabled
         Diskette Access                Supervisor

       To allow all access to the floppy drive, set the following
       parameters in System Setup:

         Supervisor Password            Enabled/Disabled*
         User Password                  Enabled/Disabled*
         Password on Boot               Enabled/Disabled*
         Diskette Access                User

         * Either setting will provide all access.  Setting the
           Diskette Access to User will allow floppy access by any
           user.

    NOTES

       Pages 49 and 50 of the User's Manual explain the process of
       changing the password settings.

    TAN 003353RL

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    The information in this data sheet is subject to change without
    notice. AST Research, Inc. shall not be liable for technical or
    editorial errors or omissions contained herein; nor for incidental or
    consequential damages resulting from the furnishing, performance,
    or use of this material. This material contains information protected
    by copyright. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form
    without prior written consent from AST Research, Inc.
    All rights reserved.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------