From: librik@cory.Berkeley.EDU (David Librik)
Subject: SUMMARY: Programmers' favorite BIOSes
Summary: Summary of responses to query on BIOSes.
Keywords: BIOS
Organization: University of California, at Berkeley
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 07:04:39 GMT


A week or so ago, I posted a note asking what BIOS programmers preferred,
keeping in mind that real hackers are constantly having to reset their
machines, but also want a reliable, fast, and compatible BIOS.

The response was overwhelmingly in favor of AMI's BIOS.  One person mentioned
that Phoenix's BIOS was just as reliable, though it lacked some customization
options that AMI supported, and that the "DEL" bug was gone from the latest
AMI BIOS.  (The latter refers to the fact that if you hold down DEL "too long"
while rebooting -- even if you release it well before the message "Press DEL
for setup" is printed -- the BIOS was thrown into setup mode.)

Thanks to everyone who responded.  For those who'd like to see more, I've
included (edited) versions of the responses, which follow.

- David Librik                                      'Crac Cymraeg!'
  librik@cory.Berkeley.edu

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

>From: Michael B Plecs <plecs_b@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu>

I personally prefer AMI BIOS, because in my experience, it is the one that
is most compatible (with everything) and most trouble-free.  Also, with the 
latest BIOS chips, the setup is a breeze, and quite user-friendly.  

If you have a problem with accidentally calling up the setup program when you
hotboot, for crying out loud, don't hold down alt-ctrl-del for so long!  I've
never had a problem with inadvertentently  summoning the BIOS setup; just punch
Alt-ctrl-del briefly, and let the system go.  

AMI BIOS all the way.  And you can most certainly order a specific BIOS on your
computer.  If you can't, you should talk to another dealer.  

Good luck!
LC

>From phil@cs.utexas.edu Mon Aug 24 11:01:24 1992

I have AMI for the 486.  It is the slowest thing I've ever seen when
it boots.  I have not noticed any other problems.  I have not been
thrown into setup accidently.

I like all of the setup options it offers.  It shows all of the
details of the harddisk types.  It allows all sorts of non standard
customizations, like like the default state of the num-lock.

					--Phil

>From aki@cruzio.santa-cruz.ca.us Mon Aug 24 21:31:48 1992

I prefer AMI.
And usually you get a choice of at least AMI, Award and Phoenix.

Aki.

>From: REE700A%MAINE.BITNET@cmsa.Berkeley.EDU

  I'm not the experienced one, but my friend (a reseller) insists on
AMI...  The "bug" you refer to is people holding the <del> key too
long on <alt><ctl><del>, let the fucking key go when it starts to boot!
  I've never run into a compatibility problem with AMI (unless you
consider the fact that it still looks for ROM BASIC as a last ditch
effort to be a "compatibility problem").

>From: dougm@pnet51.orb.mn.org (Doug Mcintyre)

I've used both of the two major BIOSs now, (AMI and Phoenix) in both
relatively new versions. They are pretty much comparable now. Memory tests are
much faster now (no more 5 minutes of testing 512k of RAM, like the original
PC), it takes about 4 seconds to test 5M of memory for either of them. The
phoenix BIOS lets you enter setup with just alt+cntrl+s, while AMI you have to
reboot to enter setup (Hit DEL to enter setup while POST is going on). There
is no bug with going into setup accidently with the 12/12/91 version. 

I've run anything and everything on both BIOSes, no imcompatibilities.
Overall, I'd take the AMI bios, since it supports changing a lot of the
chipset features, whereas the Phoenix BIOS generally doesn't let you change
things like the ISA bus speed, and whatnot. 

INET: dougm@pnet51.orb.mn.org                                GENIE: D.MCINTYRE1


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