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    AST RESEARCH, INC.         TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1393               12-28-95

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    		 Ascentia 950N with External Serial Devices

    PROBLEM

    The Ascentia 950N system function keys may be disabled when using a serial
    mouse.

    SOLUTION

    There is nothing wrong with the system.  The system is operating as designed.

    Because AST does not want to break serial communications, the Power
    Management (PM) code has been designed to look at I/O port 21 (PIC) before
    granting  + ,  + , and  +  services.  If either
    serial port 1 or serial port 2 interrupts are enabled, PM will generate a beep, but
    will not service the hot keys.

    SYSTEMS AFFECTED
    AST PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION

    501707-XXX      Ascentia 950N All models