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Q33706: Sample BASIC Code to Display ROM-BIOS Date for an IBM PC

Article: Q33706
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 1.00 1.01 1.02 2.00 2.01 3.00 4.00 4.00b 4.50
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | B_BasicCom B_BasicInt B_GWBasicI H_Mach20 | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 16-DEC-1989

Getting the ROM-BIOS (Read-Only Memory, Basic Input/Output System)
date for a computer can be an important clue in diagnosing a variety
of potential hardware- and software-compatibility problems.

Page 60 of "The Peter Norton Programmer's Guide to the IBM PC"
(published by Microsoft Press, 1985) provides the following BASIC
program to display the ROM-BIOS date in month-day-year format for an
IBM PC:

DEF SEG = &HF000
FOR i = 0 TO 7
  PRINT CHR$(PEEK(&HFFF5 + i));
NEXT

This sample program applies to most Microsoft BASIC products for the
IBM PC, including the following:

1. Microsoft QuickBASIC Compiler Versions 1.00, 1.01, 1.02,
   2.00, 2.01, 3.00, 4.00, 4.00b, and 4.50 for the IBM PC

2. Microsoft BASIC Compiler Versions 5.35, 5.36, 6.00, 6.00b, for
   MS-DOS.

3. Microsoft GW-BASIC Interpreter Versions 3.20, 3.22, and 3.23

4. Microsoft BASIC PDS Version 7.00 for MS-DOS.

If your IBM PC ROM-BIOS is dated prior to 10/27/82, then the following
restrictions apply:

1. You may not be able to address a full 640K -- only 544K or so
   may be available.

2. The machine will not be compatible with the Microsoft MACH 20
   board.

3. Because the ROM-BIOS is earlier than 10/27/82, you have an
   IBM PC 1 with a 16/64K motherboard (logic board).
   This machine does not support hard drives, and just supports
   floppies.

4. IBM no longer offers the 10/27/82 ROM-BIOS upgrade for ROM
   versions earlier than 10/27/82 if you have a 16/64K motherboard.
   (IBM does currently upgrade the BIOS for the 64/256K motherboard.)

5. Other BIOS-related restrictions or problems may occur.

Another way to determine the age of your PC is to look on the
front-left corner of your motherboard (logic board). IBM PC 1 machines
are stamped with 16/64K. IBM PC 1 machines usually have ROM-BIOS
Versions earlier than 10/27/82, and they don't support hard drives.
IBM PC 2 machines are stamped with 64/256K on the motherboard and can
optionally support hard drives.

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