    AST RESEARCH, INC.         TECHNICAL BULLETIN #0884                 01-17-94

                          USE OF IRQ2 IN THE POWER STATION

    PROBLEM:       When the IBM 3270 emulation card (part number 56X4927) is
                   installed in the Power Station, the IBM 3270 software (either
                   DOS-based or Windows-based versions) cannot recognize the
                   existence of the card.  Under the DOS-based version, when the
                   user "hot keys" from the DOS screen to the emulation screen,
                   there is no longer any response from the keyboard.

                   The Windows version, upon startup, reports that IRQ2 is in use
                   by another adapter.  The program then aborts operation.

    CAUSE:         In the Power Station, IRQ2 is used by the system power
                   management functions.  The IBM 3270 adapter was designed to
                   use IRQ2 only, and cannot be changed, therefore conflicting
                   with the Power Station's use of IRQ2.

    AFFECTED
    SYSTEMS:       All models of the Power Station

    SOLUTION:      A 3270 card of a different manufacturer than IBM must be used
                   in the Power Station.  The card must have the capability to
                   use hardware interrupts other than IRQ2.