    AST RESEARCH, INC.        TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 0930                   5-10-94

                POWEREXEC 4/25 SLOWING DOWN TO 23 MHz WHILE RUNNING
                      NORTON’S SYSTEM INFORMATION DIAGNOSTICS

    PROBLEM:        When the Modify Refresh Rate setting in CMOS Setup is set to
                    DISABLE, the system processor speed seems to slow down to
                    23Mhz.  This is verified by diagnostic programs such as
                    Norton’s System Information.

    CAUSE:          AST 2.22 BIOS introduced the Modify Refresh Rate option to
                    enhance compatibility with older software programs.  Disabling
                    the Modify Refresh Rate may diminish the performance of the
                    system by approximately 8%.

    SYSTEMS
    AFFECTED:       All PowerExec 4/25 notebook computers with AST BIOS 2.22 or
                    higher.

    SOLUTION:       ENABLE the default CMOS setting for Modify Refresh Rate.  When
                    enabled, diagnostic programs will report that the system speed
                    is running at 25 Mhz.