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Q89015: Phoenix BIOS: Latest Versions and How to Identify Them

Article: Q89015
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:2.x,3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 18-DEC-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 2.03, 2.1, 2.11, 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 
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SUMMARY
=======

This article discusses the following information about Phoenix ROM BIOS:

- Phoenix ROM versions for Microsoft Windows

- Latest versions of the Phoenix ROM BIOS

- How to find Phoenix ROM BIOS versions

- Where to obtain the latest Phoenix ROM BIOS

MORE INFORMATION
================

Phoenix ROM Versions for Windows
--------------------------------

According to Phoenix Technologies, if you have a ROM BIOS version dated 1988 or
earlier, you should upgrade to a later version to eliminate any possible
conflicts or unexplained behavior with Windows 3.0, 3.0a, and 3.1.


Latest Versions of the Phoenix ROM BIOS
---------------------------------------

The latest version of the Phoenix ROM BIOS for PC/AT clones (80286) is version
3.1. The latest version of the Phoenix BIOS Plus for 80386 machines is version
1.10-xx (where xx is any original equipment manufacturer's [OEM] revision
number).

How to Find Phoenix ROM BIOS Versions
-------------------------------------

To check the true BIOS date on a machine equipped with Phoenix ROM BIOS, do the
following:

1. Type the following command at the command prompt and press ENTER:

  debug

2. Type the following and press ENTER:

  d F000:FFDC

In most cases, the Debug command displays the following three lines for the
Phoenix Technologies ROM BIOS (the example below assumes a date of 08/29/89):

     F000:FFD0 <2-byte HEX numbers> 0088
     F000:FFE0 <2-byte HEX numbers> //2299//8899
     F000:FFF0 <2-byte HEX number> ...<date>

The double-date format is the actual true date for the system ROM BIOS. Bits two
and three on line 1 and line 2 are taken from each four-bit number. In the above
example, the date would be 08/29/89. The date on the third line is the original
release or revision date.

To exit the Debug program, at the dash (-) type "q" (without the quotation marks)
and press ENTER. This returns you to an MS-DOS command prompt.

Where to Obtain the Latest Phoenix ROM BIOS
-------------------------------------------

For further information concerning BIOS acquisition or compatibility, contact
MicroFirmWare, which provides technical support for Phoenix Technologies.

The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft;
we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance
or reliability.

Additional query words: 3.00a 3.00 3rdparty 3.10 3.11 finx msdos ms-dos

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin203 kbWin210 kbWin211 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311
Version           : WINDOWS:2.x,3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11

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