NOTE! For Zappa ZE (1.00.0X.BR0), use the MR_ALADN bios (Aladdin) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ System BIOS for Zappa ZP or ED motherboard (Intel Triton 1.00.0X.BS0) MR BIOS (r) V097B50I Version 3.30 Copyright (c) 1996, Microid Research, Inc. MR BIOS is a registered trademark of Microid Research, Inc. MR CHIPS is a registered trademark of Microid Research, Inc. Instant! Boot is a trademark of Microid Research, Inc. Patents Pending. All Rights Reserved. Other trademarks are property of their respective owners. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ShareWare Version: "Please copy this program in its entirety, without modification, and pass it on to others. If you like it, please pay for each copy you install. If you don't pay for it, please uninstall it. Remember, your purchase is a vote." License Fee: USD $15.00 per installed copy Microid Research, Inc. 2336-D Walsh Ave. Santa Clara, CA, 95051 USA email: mrbios@mrbios.com web-site: http://www.mrbios.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MR BIOS (r) Copyright (c) 1996 Microid Research, Inc. Patents Pending Advanced buzzword features include: (1) Plug 'n Play card support. 1a) Auto resource steering 1b) Win95 compatible (2) PCI and Bridge support. 2a) Auto resource steering 2b) DEC PCI-PCI bridges (3) Energy Star power management. 3a) APM for Windows and DOS 3b) VESA DPMS video mgmt 3c) SMI and STPCLK 3d) Timewarp correction (4) Fast-ATA support. 4a) ATA Mode 4/5 (to 20 MB/S) 4b) Built-in CMD-640, OPTi-621 drivers (5) Enhanced IDE support. 5a) LBA and CHS translations 5b) EDPT Table support 5c) IBM/Microsoft INT13 extensions 5c) 8 discs max, each to 137 GByte 5d) Drive remapping 5e) Boot SCSI (ahead of IDE) (6) Atapi and Removable IDE. 6a) CD-ROM recognition 6b) SyQuest and Ejectable Media (7) Enhanced Floppy support. 7a) 4 floppy/tape-drives max 7b) Drive remapping (8) Enhanced Parallel Port. 8a) SPP, Bidir, EPP, ECP modes (9) Anti-Virus protection. (10) Password Security. (11) PS/2 Mouse support. (12) Pentium and 6x86 CPU support. (13) Instant! Boot (tm). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------- MR_ZAPPA System BIOS and Flash Upload Utility --------------------------------------------- Four files are included in this distribution kit. MR_ZAPPA.BIO - MR BIOS (r) System BIOS MR_ZAPPA.EXE - Flash Loader Utility MR_ZAPPA.TXT - This file you're reading AUTOEXEC.BAT - For Flash-Recovery disk The System BIOS file contains the Microid Research BIOS ("MR BIOS (r)"), customized for your Zappa motherboard. It is designed to supercede the Intel distribution (or AMI 1992 core) BIOS that is currently running your computer. The 1995 MR BIOS (r) core provides the latest state- of-the-art BIOS technologies that automate most of your computer's setup and deliver unmatched performance and utility. Unlike most programs that you are familiar with, the System BIOS does not execute from disk. Instead, it is stored in a Flash-ROM component that resides on the motherboard and begins executing immediately upon powerup. This Flash-ROM can be reprogrammed by means of a Flash Upload Utility. In order to install MR BIOS (r) in your computer, you'll need to reprogram its Flash-ROM through use of the MR_ZAPPA.EXE Flash Loader. The Flash Loader Utility is simple to use, and performs its job very quickly. Select option "3. Install" to initiate the Flash upload procedure. After it completes the Flash upload, it will direct you to reset the computer or re-cycle its power. Upon doing so, you will be greeted with an alarming message that the "CMOS Memory is Corrupt", and the BIOS Setup Utility will be activated. Don't be alarmed. The Flash Loader Utility intentionally clears the CMOS to simulate a factory-new condition and provoke a Setup session. Upon arriving in the Setup Utility, you will need to reset the time and date, and manually input the type(s) of Floppy drive(s) in your computer. Beyond that, everything else will already be set for optimal performance and you can simply exit by pressing . Or, you might browse around and tailor some options like Password Security or Power Management per your preference. After this Setup session, your computer will reboot thereafter without any hysterical messages. Be advised that there is an element of risk in reprogramming the computer's Flash System BIOS. If the Flash Load procedure does not complete for some reason (eg, if the power is shut off in the middle of things), or if the image being uploaded into the Flash-ROM is not appropriate, then the computer will simply not operate correctly (or at all) anymore. For this reason, your Zappa motherboard implements a failsafe "Recovery" mode that can reload the original BIOS image from floppy diskette, even when the existing System BIOS is faulty. Please be sure to read the following section "Failsafe Recovery Preparation" before uploading the MR BIOS (r) System BIOS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------- Failsafe Recovery Preparation ----------------------------- The Zappa motherboard's Flash-ROM contains a protected "Boot-Block" that cannot be erased. Its purpose is to provide failsafe recovery code that reloads the Flash-ROM in the event it somehow becomes corrupted. Under normal conditions, there should never be occasion to activate the failsafe recovery mode (and you shouldn't play with it). However, you should be aware of this facility, and prepare the necessary things in advance. "Just in case". The jumper "J1L1" located in the rear-left corner of the motherboard is used to activate the Boot-Block Recovery mode. When plugged 1-2 (the way it is now), Normal operation is selected. When plugged 2-3, the Recovery mode is selected. When activated by plugging J1L1 to 2-3, the Boot-Block code performs a minimal system boot, barely sufficient to load DOS from drive A:. The recovery floppy in drive A: needs to be bootable (formatted "/S" with DOS), and contain - DOS and COMMAND.COM - AUTOEXEC.BAT, specially prepared - MR_ZAPPA.EXE, the Flash Loader Utility - ZAPPA.BAK, the original BIOS backup image Before uploading MRBIOS (r) into the Flash-ROM, be sure to prepare a Failsafe Recovery diskette per these instructions: Step 1 ------ Format a floppy "/S" (with DOS and COMMAND.COM). Step 2 ------ Copy the contents of this distribution kit onto the floppy. At minimum, the files AUTOEXEC.BAT and MR_ZAPPA.EXE need to be transferred onto it. Step 3 ------ Generate ZAPPA.BAK backup image file: Run the MR_ZAPPA Flash Loader program directly from floppy in drive A:. Select option "1. Backup" upon entering the utility. This will copy the content of your computer's Flash-BIOS into the file ZAPPA.BAK. Select option "5. Exit" to exit the program. Type DIR A: and confirm that ZAPPA.BAK was generated on the floppy in drive A:. (If not, you probably ran the program from drive C:, right? In this case, COPY the ZAPPA.BAK file onto the floppy). Step 4 ------ With this floppy in drive A:, reboot your computer via . If the floppy is prepared correctly, its AUTOEXEC.BAT file should put you directly into the MR_ZAPPA Flash Loader program. Select option "2. Verify". This compares the Flash-BIOS in your computer with the backup file ZAPPA.BAK and reports the results. Select option "5. Exit" to exit the program. Step 5 ------ Assuming Step 4 verification is successful, the floppy is now fully prepared. Set the Write-Protect notch, label it, and put it away for safekeeping. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- MR BIOS (r) Installation Instructions ------------------------------------- Step 1 ------ Prepare a Failsafe Recovery diskette according to instructions above. Step 2 ------ Invoke MR_ZAPPA.EXE Flash Loader, and select option "3. Install". This loads the MR_ZAPPA.BIO file into Flash. Wait briefly for a message that indicates the procedure is completed. Then press the reset button or recycle your computer's power. Be sure to wait for the completion message before resetting the computer. Step 3 ------ The first bootup after loading the new BIOS, you will be directed into the BIOS Setup Utility. Configure floppy drive(s) and other options. Exit by pressing . Step 4 ------ Win95 Users: In a few installations, Windows 95 has been reported to "remember" certain properties of the BIOS that has been replaced by MR BIOS. This can lead to some bewildering behavior. The best rule of thumb is to unconditionally run Win95's "Hardware Wizard" once after installing MR BIOS. If weirdness persists, use the sledge-hammer approach and run Win95's "Setup". Step 5 ------ Enjoy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------- Failsafe Recovery - Corrupted Flash BIOS ---------------------------------------- In the unlikely event that your Zappa motherboard's Flash BIOS somehow becomes corrupted and the computer will no longer boot, you will need to reload its Flash from the Failsafe Recovery diskette. First step: relax. When the Flash BIOS is crashed, your computer will be *real* unhappy with it. It'll try to distress and panic you. It'll do anything (or nothing) within its power to get you to upload a new BIOS image. So, relax. Then, when you've recovered, let's proceed to recovering the Flash. Begin by turning off all power, opening the computer case, and locating the 3-pin jumper J1L1 in the rear left corner of the motherboard. (It also has the letters "RCVR" next to it). Carefully using a small needle nose pliers, unplug the J1L1 jumper from the upper 1-2 position, and install it in the lower 2-3 position. Turn the power back on, and insert the Failsafe Recovery diskette in drive A:. The floppy drive's activity LED will become illuminated and stay that way for a minute or so, then it will turn back off. When drive A: LED turns back off, the Failsafe Recovery procedure is completed and the Flash BIOS is restored. Shut off the computer's power and replace jumper J1L1 to its original 1-2 position. Notes: ------ (1) If you turn on your computer one morning and discover it won't boot, the problem may have nothing to do with its Flash-BIOS. The computer might simply be unplugged or broken or etc. (2) The Failsafe Recovery procedure reloads the Flash BIOS from the file ZAPPA.BAK on the diskette. If it was prepared per instructions above, the original Intel/AMI BIOS will be restored. (Recall that step "1. Backup" copied the original Intel/AMI Flash image into the ZAPPA.BAK backup file). You can also make a Failsafe Recovery diskette that reloads MR BIOS (r) instead, simply by COPYing or RENaming the MR_ZAPPA.BIO file to ZAPPA.BAK on the diskette. If you want to do this, don't do it to the original (Intel/AMI) Failsafe Recovery disk. Prepare a second floppy. This way, you'll always be able to recover things to the very original factory condition. "Just in case". (3) You might have noticed that the AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the Recovery diskette contains the single line "MR_ZAPPA". Therefore, when this diskette is booted, the MR_ZAPPA.EXE Flash Loader is invoked. Upon being invoked, it checks the status of the J1L1 recovery jumper and automatically executes the "4. Restore" option when J1L1 is plugged in the 2-3 Recovery position. (If J1L1 is in the Normal 1-2 position, the menu is presented instead and MR_ZAPPA waits for your manual input). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------- Revision History ---------------- Microid Research Inc. is grateful for your suggestions, criticisms, and bug reports. We're proud to share with you evidence of continued progress and improvements, much to your credit. Thank you! Ver 3.30 - Display MR BIOS logo on powerup screen. Show PnP serial and parallel ports in setup utility. Longer IDE spindown timer values (2,5,10 --> 5,10,20 min). Ver 3.29 - EV2,ATX,Atlantis: Fix for Crystal Audio + Win95. UMC/ITE 8669F Super I/O chip: Fix PnP support. Ver 3.28 - Update: Deleting on-board COM/LPT ports in "Ports" setup utility now fully disables them. Fix: 6x86 cacheable range for non-binary memory sizes. Ver 3.27 - Workaround: PnP issues with Crystal soundblaster. Workaround: COM4 port usage by ATI video. Update: Aggressive CMOS-default memory settings. Update: Roundup CPU MHz display (cosmetic). Update: Display dram config in Chipset setup screen. Update: Performance tweaks for 6x86 CPU. Ver 3.26 - Workaround: Aha2940 PCI I/O alignment for Chinese OS/2 (TWarp). Reduced binary bios image to 92K. Changed flash loader, now does not clear cmos century byte (ref: NDD95). Ver 3.25 - Fix: Timing problem with certain 512K pipeline cache modules. Fix: Incompatibility with WD 719X SCSI controllers. Ver 3.24 - Workaround: Disable CPU Pipelining during POST. Upgrade: Higher performance for Mode4 IDE drives. Ver 3.23 - Workaround: Apply v3.22 fix to *all* Adaptec PCI devices. LPT modes: SPP,Bidir,EPP,ECP options for Winbond Super I/O too. Upgrade: Add "CPU-Pipeline" on/off option (for debug purposes). Upgrade: RAID-0 disk striping option, interleave 2-8 IDE drives. Ver 3.22 - Workaround: Fix for Adaptec 2940 bios Ver 1.21 warm-boot bug. Workaround: Fix for nVidia/SGS VGA, replicated PCI ROM register. Workaround: Fix for Holtek asic 8042 bug. Workaround: Move Pnp-Data-Read port to avoid gameport decode bug. Ver 3.21 - Upgrade: Add aggressive "55nS" memory-type option. Bugfix: Obscure bug in "manual" PCI-Int Setup affects mapping over bridge of Ints B,C,D (not A) for a few non-Zappa's. Ver 3.20 - Upgrade: Add CMD 646 EIDE built-in driver. Upgrade: Longer IDE spindown timer values (1,2,5 --> 2,5,10 min). Upgrade: Provide setup field to disable soundblaster totally. Workaround: De-enhance disk seeks to eliminate Norton8 complaint. Workaround: Fix for Adaptec 2940 bios Ver 1.20 bug. Workaround: Fix for S3 '968 32MB pageframe decode bug. Workaround: Fix for Supra PnP Modem bug (drop Adaptec 1542CP fix). Ver 3.19 - LPT modes: SPP,Bidir,EPP,ECP now user options. (SMC & NSC chips). Ver 3.18 - Update for production Cyrix 6x86. Ver 3.17 - Limit ATA-disc "auto" to Mode 3. Mode 4 only avail via "manual". Ver 3.16 - Asymmetric 2M dram support (16M/bank, single-sided). Ver 3.15 - n/a Ver 3.14 - Force bidirectional parallel-port for Nat'l Semi Super-I/O. Ver 3.13 - n/a Ver 3.12 - Bugfix: PnP core overlapped "manual" setup of PCI interrupts. Ver 3.11 - n/a Ver 3.10 - Original Zappa ED,ZP ShareWare release; with new PnP core. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ End document ------------------------------------------------------------------------------