KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

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

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

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

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.