[RESOLVED] Ability Mainboard (MB-586 TXA) Bios update ?

This is what i got from Ctpci:


c't PCI-Optimierer Version 3.03.00
(c) Georg Schnurer, Redaktion c't, 1993..1998

Searching PCI-Devices (CFG_Type 1)

Bus Nr. 00h

00 0 Vendor=Acer Labs (ALi) No PCI-INT
Device=ALi M1531 Aladdin IV 586-Chipset, Rev=B3h

02 0 Vendor=Acer Labs (ALi) No PCI-INT
Device=ALi M1543 Function 0: PCI to ISA Bridge , Rev=B4h

05 0 Vendor=Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) No PCI-INT
Device=6326h -- new device ID, Rev=0Bh

0B 0 Vendor=Acer Labs (ALi) INT A=IRQ 15
Device=ALi M1543 PCI Enhanced IDE Controller, Sub-Device, Rev=20h


I don't see anything about LAN or something like that, so I think I do have a plain 586. Also, like Silverman says, because of the missing AGP slot, it has to be a plain one, isn't it?

Ctbios says:

BIOS-Info, c't/Andreas Stiller, 10/97

Computer ID : FC, Type : AT
BIOS Date : 07/15/95
AMI-BIOS found : Version 02.01, Date 15.07.95
OEM ID : 1437 = HSING TECH ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
URL : http://www.pcchips.com
Chipset : M1531/43

So if you don't agree with my conclusion that i have a plain one, please awnser.

P.s. I still can't get at the site of HWINFO.com , so if anyone can mail me that program, I would be very gratefull. https://forums.windrivers.com/

upto the ALADDIN/TNT2 blend, ALI chipsets and NVIDIA video cards didn't get along well, You have an ALI M1543 Southbridge controlling the IDE and ALI M1531 Northbridge controlling PCI coupled with imbedded SiS 6326 Graphics, unless there is a way to disable the onboard video you may be out of luck even with a Bios update.

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DOS isn't dead it just smells funny

[This message has been edited by Silverman (edited October 08, 2001).]

http://www.pcchips.nl -PCChip's site in Netheverlands https://forums.windrivers.com/
Let us know Your e-mail,though, then we will be able to send to You hwinfo util.

I downloaded the HW-util (16 Bit), but I can't find if the board has a MR, LMR, LR or plain chip.
Also i can tell you that i have an older external video-cart (SiS 6326) in my pc. Silverman wrote that it might be impossible to install the RIVA TNT2 card on the board, when i can't putt of the onboard video. But the card i now use, is totally compatible with the board, so is that problem just for TNT2 cards?


[This message has been edited by moekel (edited October 09, 2001).]

You say the SiS card is in a slot on the motherboard? Or is it a VGA cable connected to the motherboard?

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DOS isn't dead it just smells funny

[This message has been edited by Silverman (edited October 09, 2001).]

As we have said,motherboard's model number is located near keyboard connector in the right top corner,printed on PCB. All You need is simply read that number... https://forums.windrivers.com/

There is alot of PCCHIPS boards that use ALI IV Chipsets, The M575 and M560 both use it. The PCCHIPS boards M586 LM and LMR models use the same sound but different chipsets (all SiS) so do not flash BIOS with these versions.
ALIIV boards are known either as Topgun or TXpro. Best bet would be at this point to go to http://www.stud.fernuni-hagen.de/q3998142/pcchips/ and use the search function and find exactly which board you have. ------------------
DOS isn't dead it just smells funny

[This message has been edited by Silverman (edited October 10, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Silverman (edited October 10, 2001).]

Maybe i'm a bit late, but i couldn't reach windrivers' server yesterday, because of maintanence. I do have a videocart and i don't use any onboard videoconnections, so that won't be the problem. Now i'm gonna check that board again for the serial number. (There are a lot of cables around there, so it's hard to read that number https://forums.windrivers.com/

I've checked the complete motherboard and found out the following things:
- The only number of the motherboard i can find, is: MB 586 TXA1
It is located on a sticker wich is put somewhere in the middle of the board.
- The board has no pins for a modem or LAN riser
- The board has no AGP slot
- There is a sticker on the bios chip with the following information:
AMIBIOS (c)
586 (c) 1985-95
Megatrends
K474037
- Then there are two TX chips on the board:
TX Pro PCI Chipset
PC82c439TX
9751

and

TX Pro PCI Chipset
pc82c371
9752

Near the keyboard connector, there was no sticker and no motherboard specific text, except V1.1

That was all I could locate manually on the board.
If you now have an idea what kind of bios i have or if you want to know more, post it please!

[This message has been edited by moekel (edited October 10, 2001).]

The BIOS is AMI. But like I said on my last post do not use the M586 /LM/LMR BIOS update as that is for an all SiS chipset, not ALI IV/IV+. Take a look at PCCHIPS lottery and do a search on: If you don't know your motherboard begin your journey here enter ALI IV/IV+ chipset and look at the mainboards listed. We don't want you to ruin an otherwise functional motherboard with the wrong bios. If you have onboard sound chip it narrows things down quite a bit.

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DOS isn't dead it just smells funny

[This message has been edited by Silverman (edited October 10, 2001).]

Reply on Silverman:
I do have onboard sound.

ps. I can't find the Aladin IV chipset on the PCCHIPS lottery site. Only the Alladin Pro and the Alladin Pro II. So what now ?

[This message has been edited by moekel (edited October 10, 2001).]

Quote:

---

<font face="Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Geneva" size="2">Originally posted by moekel:
- There is a sticker on the bios chip with the following information:
AMIBIOS (c)
586 (c) 1985-95
Megatrends
K474037
- Then there are two TX chips on the board:
TX Pro PCI Chipset
PC82c439TX
9751

and

TX Pro PCI Chipset
pc82c371
9752

</font>

---

So, choose TX Pro chipset: http://www.stud.fernuni-hagen.de/q39...-bin/pccout.sh

On the PCCHIPS lottery, i only found the MR and LMR version on their site, and they both have the SIS 540 chipset, not the Aladdin IV. (still thanks for Ruslan for giving me that link https://forums.windrivers.com/ ) Therefore, I'm quite sure that i have the plain 586.
Now it's either the LR or the plain version. If anyone knows if the LR version also is powered by the SIS chipset or a chipset wich is not the Aladdin IV, please tell it to me.
(Has the LR version also AGP graphics or onboard video ??? In that case, i would have a plain one!)

Quote:

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<font face="Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Geneva" size="2">Originally posted by moekel:
This is what i got from Ctpci:



Searching PCI-Devices (CFG_Type 1)

Bus Nr. 00h

00 0 Vendor=Acer Labs (ALi) No PCI-INT
Device=ALi M1531 Aladdin IV 586-Chipset, Rev=B3h

02 0 Vendor=Acer Labs (ALi) No PCI-INT
Device=ALi M1543 Function 0: PCI to ISA Bridge , Rev=B4h

05 0 Vendor=Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) No PCI-INT
Device=6326h -- new device ID, Rev=0Bh

0B 0 Vendor=Acer Labs (ALi) INT A=IRQ 15
Device=ALi M1543 PCI Enhanced IDE Controller, Sub-Device, Rev=20h


</font>

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I cann't understand reasons,why You believe You have SIS540 chipset...
https://forums.windrivers.com/
I tried to use that lottery (by the way,say "thanks" to Silverman for that link http://www.stud.fernuni-hagen.de/q39...ips/pccjs.html ,not me),and found only one motherboad,what has sound on-board and has Aladdin IV (TXPro)chipset.It's M575 motherboard... Take a look on picture of that motherboard and compare with what You have.
And,by the way,did You try hwinfo utility?

You don't have a M586 plain or otherwise as stated earlier. With the information from CTPCI you have an ALI chipset not a SiS chipset.

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DOS isn't dead it just smells funny