HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: smp@myamiga.mixcom.COM (Steven M. Palm)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: COM1-3 / 2-4 Conflicts.
Date: 15 Apr 92 04:22:48 GMT
Article-I.D.: myamiga.smp.0cnl
Organization: Currently Lacking Organization
X-NewsSoftware: Amiga GRn V1.28 2/25/92 (Beta) by Mike Schwartz

In article <haxjtgb.saf@netcom.com> saf@netcom.com (Steve A. Feinstein) writes:
>I've known for some time that you can't use COM1 and COM3, or COM2 and
>COM4 at the same time.  It has something to do with interrupts as I
>understand it.  But I was sondering if someone had a detailed
>explanation on why this is so.  Also why is it possible to use all COM
>ports on an IBM PS/2?

 It is my understanding that COM 1&3, 2&4 share IRQ's.  I don't think
 there is a real problem with this, with the exception of MICE.  It is my
 understanding that mice cannot share IRQ's with anything, thus if you have
 a serial mouse, it invalidates the `paired' COM port also.


--
-- smp@myamiga.mixcom.com         -----------------------------------
-- Steven M. Palm                 - This whole world is umop ap!sdn -
-- Milwaukee, WI                  -----------------------------------
From: JULIUS@BTVLABVM.VNET.IBM.COM ("Julius C. Chang")
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Virtual memory under DOS Extenders
Date: 7 Apr 92 03:21:34 GMT

With the recent discussion on >16MB support under OS/2 and consideration
of issues like 64MB of SIMM's on the local bus vs. 20-bit DMA addressing
on the ISA bus, has anyone tested the virtual memory features of the
32-bit compilers for DOS which use DOS extenders (like Phar Lap tools)?
OTG and Microway come to mind as vendors who sell 32-bit Fortran and C
compilers with VM support.  There are probably many others (Zortech,
Metaware, SVS, Watcom, Intel, Lahey) but I am not familiar with their
products.

Julius
From: choup@bionette.CGRB.ORST.EDU (Ping Chou -- Biochemistry and Biophysics)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: Parallel port: I/O or just O?
Date: 8 Apr 92 03:27:43 GMT
Article-I.D.: talon.1992Apr8.032743.11490
Distribution: comp
Organization: Biological Computing Consortium, OSU, Corvallis, OR.

In article <WEASEL.92Apr7180354@rieska.oulu.fi> weasel@rieska.oulu.fi writes:
>
>	I have been given two kinds of information about parallel
>ports, and PC hardware reference I have taken look at is of no help.
>
>Question: Will I be able to use printer port's data lines as input
>data lines with EVERY serial/parallel card? I know some ports can
>turn the direction, but is this common feature? If, how this could be
>done? (Assembler / C example greatly appreciated.)
>

        Parallel I/O is designed around INTEL 8255A chip, which is
        the same as in the keyboard controller. The chip has three
        I/O ports, plus one control port that you can program to
        assign the three I/O ports each to be I or O. However, be
        aware that your parallel I/O card may be hard-wired such
        that even you can configure the 8255A, these I/O ports are
        still working like printer ports.

        Sorry, no program handy, but here is the reference:

        Interfacing and Scientific Computing on Personal Computers
        by: J. N. Demas & S. E. Demas
        Copyright (c)1990 by Allyn and Bacon
        ISBN 0-205-12368-6

        Look in pp. 87-90.

Ping
From: dlow@pollux.svale.hp.com (Danny Low)
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 1992 21:40:40 GMT
Subject: Re: Bios occupying Memory ????
Organization: Hewlett Packard CPCD, Sunnyvale CA
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware

>(Schenkelaars.V.F) 
>I have a question for you all.
>My brother has bought a 386/25 clone PC from a local dealer with 1MB ram.
>When he boots the machine, he gets a memory check which goes through the
>complete 1MB of ram. But when he runs mem or something equivalent the machine
>seems to have only 640KB. When he looked into the Bios setup, it says that
>only 640KB is onboard. How's could this be posible?

The area between 640 and 1MB is reserved for system use. Any memory
in that area is normally unavailable. Some PCs get around the
problem by re-mapping the memory into extended memory so you 
end up with an extra 384KB of extended memory. It may also be possible
to recover the memory with a memory manager such as Qemm or 386Max.

The dealer is wrong when he said the whole area is occupied by BIOS
but it is reserved for BIOS (among other things). Also what is actually
used are the addresses, not the physical RAM. This is a rather
complicated and sometimes confusing subject. 

The bottom line is get a memory manager and your brother should be
able to get the use of some of that 384KB.

			   Danny Low
    "Question Authority and the Authorities will question You"
	   Valley of Hearts Delight, Silicon Valley
	     HP NPCD   dlow@pollux.svale.hp.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
From: ice@skynet.uucp (Ice)
Subject: Re: How do I determine best interleave on my SCSI disk?
Keywords: SCSI interleave
Organization: Cyberdyne Systems Corporation
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 1992 05:06:29 GMT

In article <1992Apr2.145435.6657@engr.uark.edu> jdp@engr.uark.edu (Dalton Porter) writes:
>What can I use to determine the best interleave or the data transfer
>rate for my SCSI drive.  I have a ST096N and Future Domain 16bit 
>controller.  I tried Norton 6.0 but it says "advanced controller"
>detected and warns me not to trust the results.
>
>	Thanks,
>	Dalton Porter
>	jdp@engr.uark.edu
> 

You don't set the best interleave. The on-board controller that the
HD has (which nobody ever talks about) has this already figured out.

If you mean DMA transfer rate, well, you can mess with that by messing
around with some jumpers, most likely. I have an Adaptec. But
be careful. If you don't back up data, you run the risk of losing it.

I nearly did one time. I set the rate up to 10 Mb/sec and the second
I wrote to the disk, my FAT was screwed. Luckily Norton was able to
rebuild it. Man was that a scary night (2 years of school work on that
disk with no backup) for me.

BTW, Future Domain is NOT an "advanced controller" by any objective
standard. At least that's what the people on comp.periphs.scsi say.

I sure wish I had that group. Damn...

Ice.	ice@skynet.uucp
-- 
/* Ice's Hypermedia Sig */ #include <cyberpunk.h> #include <industrial.h> 
Hardware required: biological neural net with _unsupervised_learning_
Audio() Burning Inside by Ministry; "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste" 
Visual() Sarah Connor's flesh on fire blasted away leaving screaming skeleton 
From: jls@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Jerry Schneider-Contractor)
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 21:17:15 GMT
Subject: Re: AMI vs MICRONICS MOTHER BOARDS survey.
Organization: heart
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware


In comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware, rnegrete@digi.lonestar.org (Ricardo Negrete) writes:
> I am trying to collect information on the AMI and Micronics 
> mother boards. I had built 386 computers using both AMI & 
> Micronics MB's and they just simply work flawless.
> 
> Although I had used different type of VGA,I/O etc cards, I like to
> know if anybody out there has had any compatability problems,either
> with hardware or software (Novell Unix etc) with both MB's.
> 
> AMI is more expensive than Micronics. In your opinion is it worth 
> the extra cost? (Consider that the AMI has 2s,1p, 2FD,IDE controllers
> built-in.)
> 
> People had told me that if the Built-in IDE controller dies, the mother
> board has to be replaced. On the other hand, there are claims that one 
> can just disable the IDE controller through the BIOS and save the MB.
> What do you think?

I purchased an AMI Baby Voyager 486/33 for my home system a few months
ago.  I bought AMI at a price premium with the hope that you get what
you pay for.  Unfortunately, I have had a couple of problems that AMI
customer support could not resolve.

First, I added an Irwin Accutrac250 tape backup as the "third" drive.
The same setup works on several other 486 and 386 systems, but, after
shipping back 2 Irwin drives as "possibly defective", Irwin and I
came to the conclusion that AMI's built-in FD controller may not work
properly.  I installed a small IDE/Floppy controller board and disabled
the built-in HD/FDD controller, and the tape drive worked flawlessly.

Second, I purchased the ATI Graphics Ultra as a display card.  It turns
out that the 8514 hardware spec uses some of the I/O addresses reserved
for COM3 (2e8-2ef).  Since I have an internal Modem on COM1, I tried to
move the AMI built-in com ports to COM2 and COM4.  I couldn't find any
combination that didn't try to have one of the built-in COM ports at the
2e8-2ef address that conflicts with the ATI card.  So, I had to disable
one of the built-in ports.

In summary, since I had to disable so much of the built-in "extra"
hardware, I'm now sorry that I purchased this particular board.  I
think AMI has an old-style 486/33 board without the built-in stuff
at a lower price that would have been more suited to my needs.

As for software compatibility, I have found no problems while using 
a rather extensive "customizations" of DOS5/Win3/MKS/QEMM.  I haven't
really stressed it with *nix or OS/2 or NT yet.

Jerry Schneider            jls@hpisla.lvld.hp.com

DisClamor:   I am a contractor at HP, and as such, have no connection
             with official policies or ideas at HP.  This message is
             not official business, and reflects only my own opinions.

Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
From: djk29342@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (David Jon Krause)
Subject: Zenith Memory Upgrade
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 05:59:07 GMT

I have a Zenith 286 machine with 1 meg.  I am considering adding memory,
but according to the owner's manual I can go to 3 meg or 6 meg.  It says I need
1 meg SIMMs in one part of the manual, and in the other part it says I should
get a Zenith upgrade package.  I looked at an ad in Computer Shopper and it
says that 1 meg SIMMs run around $40.  But the Zenith 2 meg upgrade package
is $135.  Does anyone know if I have to get the more expensive package, or can
I just buy SIMMs and put them in?  Anyone out there have experience with this?
Any help is appreciated --- Dave
-- 
--------------------------------------------------
David Krause         University of Illinois-Urbana
dkrause@uiuc.edu     djk29342@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
--------------------------------------------------
From: ace@saviour.UUCP (Stan Heitmueller)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Query about 20/30 Mhz 286
Date: 5 Apr 92 17:36:19 GMT
X-Maildoor: WaflineMail 1.00r

In article<1992Apr1.153047.201409@uctvax.uct.ac.za>
vhspet01@uctvax.uct.ac.za Writes:

>I am thinking of buying a 286 machine, and do not
>know whether the new(in RSA at least) 20/30 processors are reliable.
>Help please. If you could state some kind of non-waffle reference, even
>better.

>Peter van Heusden
>UCTVAX, Cape Town

Why a 286? In this day and age it really pays to save up your pennies and buy a
386 (or even 486) board. You'll be MUCH MUCH Happier in the long run.
Most high end software requires at least a 386sx.
286's are fast becoming a thing of the past...

My $0.02 worth...
---
 * SLMR 2.0 * -------------------Ace@Saviour.UUCP-----------------
                                                                                                     
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
From: ice@skynet.uucp (Ice)
Subject: Re: Help
Organization: Cyberdyne Systems Corporation
Date: Mon, 06 Apr 1992 04:14:12 GMT

Boy you have problems. My advice? Take it back and get someone
who knows what they are doing to look at it.

-- 
/* Ice's Hypermedia Sig */ #include <cyberpunk.h> #include <industrial.h> 
Hardware required: biological neural net with _unsupervised_learning_
Audio() Burning Inside by Ministry; "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste" 
Visual() Sarah Connor's flesh on fire blasted away leaving screaming skeleton 
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,comp.os.msdos.misc
From: leonard@qiclab.scn.rain.com (Leonard Erickson)
Subject: Re: 3 or more floppy drives: comments?
Reply-To: 70465.203@compuserve.com
Organization: SCN Research/Qic Laboratories of Tigard, Oregon.
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1992 03:48:28 GMT

sct@beta.lanl.gov (Stephen Tenbrink) writes:

>Why can't you just use the 1.2Meg 5.25" drive and format disks using the
>/f:360 switch under 'format'?  Is this not reliable?

That's right. It *isn't* reliable. because 1.2 meg drives write a narrower
track than do 360k drives, only *part* of any previous track may get 
overwritten. Depending on the alignment of *all* the drives involved
(original 360k drive, 1.2Meg drive and the 360 that's gonna read this)
you may or may not be able to read the disk reliably. 

Worse, you can have problems with drives that are still within spec!

-- 
Leonard Erickson		      leonard@qiclab.scn.rain.com
CIS: [70465,203]			 70465.203@compuserve.com
FIDO:   1:105/56	 Leonard.Erickson@f56.n105.z1.fidonet.org
(The CIS address is checked daily. The others infrequently)
From: jm602s1066@sycom.mi.org (James Mallory)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: What is PC MOS?
Date: 12 Apr 92 21:31:50 GMT
Organization: Michigan Information eXchange

IP05996@portland.caps.maine.edu (Rene Braun) writes:
>Does anyone know more about PC MOS (MOS - Memory Operating System)?

MOS = Multiuser/Multitasking Operating System...it is basically a DOS clone
that will let you Multitask applicatios from your desktop or from dumb
terminals.

-- C-UseNet V0.55c
            Jim Mallory, a CNE and a Randiod (What a Combination!)

  '...I wanted to have real conversations with people with bubbles on their
 heads...I want to sit next to Wookies...jawas...and all kinds of robots." --
   Carrie Fisher on "Star Wars"  (Even though I would of swore that she was
                           referring to the 'net!)
Xref: sparky comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware:13743 misc.wanted:5049
From: schicked@aurs01.uucp (Mark Schickedantz)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,misc.wanted
Subject: NCL HD Controller Jumper Settings
Date: 14 Apr 92 11:59:35 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Alcatel Network Systems, Raleigh NC

A little help if you please?

I purchased a hard disk and controller at a HAMfest over the weekend.
Unfortunately, it came without docs.  I have a National Computer Ltd.
controller card and a Seagate ST-225 hard disk.  I think the relavent
numbers on the controller are NCD5004, or possibly MDK 102V-0.

Could some kind soul give me a hand with the jumper settings, getting these
beasties talking to each other and my XT (Samsung SPC3000V).  I have a
single 360K floppy and want the HD configurred as the primary drive.

Thanks,
Mark
--
| Mark Schickedantz       | internet: schicked%aurgate.uucp@mcnc.org |
| Alcatel Network Systems |  - or -   mjschic@eos.ncsu.edu           |
| Raleigh, NC             |                                          |
| Tel: (919) 850-5098     |                                          |
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware,comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
From: husak@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Stephen R. Husak )
Subject: Questions about FAX Cards
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 01:00:04 GMT

Could someone post or e-mail me some information on FAX/Modem boards...
	
	Specifically...

	1) How do they work... (like a terminal mode or something)
	2) Is there a certain format to the files?
	3) Are they compatible with all types of FAX???
	4) Can FAX machines call my computer and send/receive FAXes
	5) What are some good brands and software!

	Thanks!

-- 

Comments/Questions/Concerns,
--
Stephen R. Husak
From: sorrow@oak.circa.ufl.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: AMI vs MICRONICS MOTHER BOARDS survey.
Date: 8 Apr 92 04:10:51 GMT
Article-I.D.: math.1992Apr6.080151.3904
Reply-To: SORROW%oak.decnet@pine.circa.ufl.edu
Organization: The CIRCA Underground

In article <1992Apr2.163339.3865@digi.lonestar.org>, rnegrete@digi.lonestar.org (Ricardo Negrete) writes:
|>
|>Dear Computer Experts:
|>
|>I am trying to collect information on the AMI and Micronics 
|>mother boards. I had built 386 computers using both AMI & 
|>Micronics MB's and they just simply work flawless.
|>
|>Although I had used different type of VGA,I/O etc cards, I like to
|>know if anybody out there has had any compatability problems,either
|>with hardware or software (Novell Unix etc) with both MB's.

I have had two Micronics motherboards, and both have worked flawlessly.
They were a 386-33 w/8MB RAM and 32k cache, and a 486-33 w/8MB RAM
and 64k cache.  However, Micronics did have the problem with the
FPU bug.  However also, they fixed it immediately and with no charge.

|>AMI is more expensive than Micronics. In your opinion is it worth 
|>the extra cost? (Consider that the AMI has 2s,1p, 2FD,IDE controllers
|>built-in.)

HELL NO.  My Micronics 386/33 had all that crap built in, and it didn't
cost that much.  Micronics has great support for its customers.  I don't
know about AMI, other than a lot of third-rate clones use the AMI
BIOS.

|>People had told me that if the Built-in IDE controller dies, the mother
|>board has to be replaced. On the other hand, there are claims that one 
|>can just disable the IDE controller through the BIOS and save the MB.
|>What do you think?

They lied.  The Micronics onboard IDE adapter can be disabled with
a jumper.  Very simple.

|>In your opinion which is the best motherboard out there?

I prefer Micronics or Mylex.  At least Micronics is American made.  I
don't know where Mylex is made, but they have very quality stuff.

|>Any MB from Taiwan that is as good as the AMI & Micronics?

DOUBTFUL!  I have a 386-40 w/ C&T ChipSet and AMI-BIOS.  And Norton
Change Directory doesn't work on it!  The AMI-BIOS is supposed to be
very reliable, as is the C&T ChipSet, as is the Am386-40, however
the Taiwanese idiots who designed the motherboard didn't know what
they were doing.  The manual says the chip is an Intel 386-40 ( NOT! )
and the SIMM slots are lined up parallel and inline with the 16-bit
slots.  Which means long cards don't fit ( they smash onto the SIMMs ).

There may be a few Taiwanese or other offshore motherboards that are
reliable, but it's a potluck that doesn't seem to be worth playing.
You may save a couple hundred dollars, but you may also waste a 1000.
I'd rather pay 1200 bucks for something that works than 1000 for
something that doesn't.

Brian
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
From: bauwens@acs.ucalgary.ca (Luc Bauwens)
Subject: Re: COM1-3 / 2-4 Conflicts.
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1992 03:20:26 GMT
Organization: The University of Calgary, Alberta

In article <smp.0cnl@myamiga.mixcom.COM> smp@myamiga.mixcom.COM (Steven M. Palm) writes:
 
> It is my understanding that COM 1&3, 2&4 share IRQ's.  I don't think
> there is a real problem with this, with the exception of MICE.  It is my
> understanding that mice cannot share IRQ's with anything, thus if you have
> a serial mouse, it invalidates the `paired' COM port also.

That's not quite correct.  Your typical i/o board with two com ports
allows you to set the up as any combination of COM1 to COM4 and to
set the IRQ the way you want, choosing from IRQ3, 4, 5, and either 2 or 9.

(On an AT type or ISA bus, IRQ2 is the [cascade]; it's being redirected
or something like that; anybody care to explain?  But apparently, you
can't use it.  So instead, the i/o board offers you IRQ 9).

Now, some software and some devices expect a fixed address.  For instance,
my Everex fax/modem (1990 vintage; recently upgraded with a 16550 UART)
expects the combination that you mention: if set up as com1/3, IRQ4 and
if com2/4, IRQ 3.

If you have a bus mouse, you can only put it on IRQ2, 3, 4 or 5.

Generally speaking, devices sharing interrupt request lines mean trouble,
not just with the mouse, and perhaps not so much if you use DOS
applications.  But using win3.1 or OS2, you'll have difficulties.
(And even in DOS, it may result to unpredictable behavior...)

The bottom line: it's a good idea to look at what you have/want
on your computer, find out all the constraints and alternate setups
and determine the best arrangement, even if it means to reset
jumpers/switches on half of your machine.

Some utilities do a good job at telling you which is what by the
way.  For instance, QAplus. 

Luc



Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
From: rjones@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Ronald Jones)
Subject: Question about Magtronics MX17H 17" monitor
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 02:31:33 GMT

I just received a Mag mx17H from standard computer. I had ordered
the model MX17F. The H is a flat screen 0.26 dot pitch, which was
what I expected. I was under the impression that the H  hadthe
Sony Trinitron tube. Clearly the one I have is a dot phosphor tube.
Does anyone know the difference between the H and F models?

BTW the picture on the tube is excellent and convergence is essentially
perfect. I also like the LCD display as its very handy for checking out
 display drivers.

-- 
 < Ron Jones                             E-mail:   rj+@osu.edu  > 
 < The Ohio State University             Office: (614) 292-1665 >
 < Columbus, Ohio 43210                  FAX:    (614) 292-7151 >
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
From: hook@geog.ubc.ca (Chris Hook)
Subject: Trident 8900B VGA card settings
Organization: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 15:10:18 GMT

  Could someone please mail me the following information on the
trident 8900B (1 MB) VGA card:

   -  the specs on the three jumpers on the video board.
   -  the specs on the 6 DIP switches on the back of the card 
      (just above the video connector).
   -  how to put the card into how to put the card into a 72HZ 
      scan mode (this may need software drivers, in which case,
      please inform me as to where, via ftp, I can download these
      drivers of EEPROM switchers).


By specs in the above, I mean what does each switch on/off setting
represent. Same for the jumpers.

thanks alot. My problem, one card, no software or manual.



--
Chris Hook                    
Computing Systems/Network Manager
Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences
University of British Columbia
From: radjen@zen.et.tudelft.nl (Radjen Kishna)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Model number of Quantum LPS drive
Date: 12 Apr 92 13:30:16 GMT
Organization: Delft University of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering

I recently got Quantum LPS disk drive as a replacement for a
Seagate ST1239a (which didn't last for 6 months). I found it
very strange not being able to find any indication of the model number on
the drive. Is this normal? 
The drive is supposed to be an Quantum
LPS240AT and the capacity seems to be correct.

Another strange thing is the periodic head movement of the drive, when
it is not being accessed.

Can someone fill me in on this?

Radjen Kishna

-- 
_________________________________________________________________________
 Radjen Kishna                       Delft University of Technology 
 EMAIL: radjen@duteca.et.tudelft.nl  Department of Electrical Engineering
                                     Section Computer Architecture
*************************************************************************
From: ajnuttal@teaching.cs.adelaide.edu.au (Tony Nuttall)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: question regarding upgrade xt to 386
Date: 15 Apr 92 19:23:46 GMT
Article-I.D.: rusty.9204150953.AA08733

I am thinking about upgrading my xt to a 386 and I was wondering whether
I have to junk my multi-io card ( It's pretty new - about a year old ).
My friend did much the same thing except he upgraded his machine to a
286 and reckons the io card works fine, strange since I've heard lots of
people say that the io card must be junked.

can anyone help

thanks in advance
tony
--
Anthony Nuttall                           ajnuttal@teaching.cs.adelaide.edu.au

Maths and Computer Science Student     University of Adelaide, South Australia

"Big bottoms drive me out  of my  mind,
 how can I leave that behind ? '

        --  Spinal  Tap, "Big Bottoms", Smell the  Glove