    AST RESEARCH, INC.             TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 0962               8-24-94

                       ASCENTIA 900N REG.DAT ISSUE WITH WINSTONE BENCHMARK

    PROBLEM:        The REG.DAT file generated during the hard disk master
                    generation does not properly reflect the environment which
                    would typically be generated during a "virgin" installation of
                    Windows.  When using the WINSTONE program, the Ascentia 900N
                    system crashes with an "insufficient memory/system resources"
                    error.

    CAUSE:          The cause of this problem is a "corrupt" REG.DAT file in the
                    Windows directory.  It is not corrupt in the sense of being
                    unreadable, but it contains "extra" information (which is used
                    for other applications) which is not a part of the Ascentia
                    bundle.  This extra information causes problems for the
                    WinStone benchmark.

    SYSTEMS
    AFFECTED:           AST                                              REVISION
                    PART NUMBER         DESCRIPTION                        LEVEL

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

    SOLUTION:       The solution is to remove the REG.DAT file and re-create it
                    through Windows.

                    MicroSoft has provided a method by which a "corrupt" REG.DAT
                    file may be purged and a proper REG.DAT file generated after
                    the installation process.  Following this procedure should
                    resolve the problem on the Ascentia 900N hard disk master.
                    This procedure should be followed if you have this error.

                    -  From the DOS prompt, enter into the "WINDOWS" sub-directory.
                    -  In the Windows subdirectory, delete the file "REG.DAT."
                    -  Type "WIN" and press .
                    -  From the Program Manager/File, select "RUN."  Enter
                       "REGEDIT" and press .
                    -  From the "Registration Info Editor" "File" option, select
                       "Merge Registration File."
                    -  Once in the dialog box, go to the "SYSTEM" sub-directory,
                       select the file "SETUP.REG" and click the "OK" button.
                    -  An appropriate "Restoration" message will be displayed.
                    -  Exit the Registration Info Editor. Exit Windows.
                    -  Restart Windows.